Eric and The Fox

Chapter 5 - Vallorest Island

Chapter 6 - Misty and Mello

Small and cat-like, Sylvie easily crossed the tree bridge.  Eric had a harder time of it.  The tree bridge was slippery and wet and shifted with his weight almost toppling him into the rapids.  

“Whoa, that was close,” Sylvie gasped, watching Eric catch himself before falling.  “Good thing the whole tree didn’t crash.”

“Yep, a tumble into those rapids over the rocks would have been a problem,” Eric agreed.

“Please stick your paw in this muck, Sylvie.”

“Why?” Sylvie complained.

“I want to know what a fox paw print looks like, so we can track it,” explained Eric.

“Oh, brilliant Eric.  What a great idea.  I’m not yet full grown, but the print pattern will be the same, only smaller.”

“Can you sniff your Mama and Papa’s scent?  Is that a fox skill?” asked Eric.

“We were just starting to learn to hunt, but I know their scent and will sniff for it as we go.  I don’t think we will find it along the shore, by now the water would have washed it away completely.”

“We can stop at obvious decision points along the trail, if there are any, to sniff or track,” suggested Eric.  “We will figure this out.  We make a fantastic team.”

“I would have followed this little animal trail,” Sylvie said, pointing under some bushes.

“You go first, I am afraid I might damage any potential clues,” Eric laughed, recognizing their size difference yet again.

The trail under the bushes led to an open field surrounded by a horseshoe shaped ridge.  As the pair exited the little trail under the bushes, Sylvie stopped to sniff and to her delight she picked up a scent.

“Oh!  Oh!  This way,” Sylvie called as she started to bolt toward the east tip of the horseshoe ridge.

“Oh no, please wait,” called Eric.  “Let’s not be impulsive.”

“Why?  It’s already been days,” complained Sylvie.  “We finally found a clue.”

“Well, Spunky taught us to be careful in an open field with a ridge like that,” explained Eric, pointing at the horseshoe cliffs.  “If any unfriendlies are watching, they will see us coming and will be able to ambush us.”

“Oh, good point.  Do you think there are unfriendlies watching?” asked Sylvie.

“Not really, I think we are on the island that was created at the same time as The Twin Rainbows Falls,” Eric said.  “But it's better to plan for trouble and not find it, than have trouble surprise you, don’t you think?”

Just then, an eagle screech startled them both and they retreated under the bushes. 

“Oh, unfriendlies,” cried Sylvie.  “How unlucky, so soon.”

“Not all eagles are unfriendlies,” said Eric.  “But they do live up on ridges when they are not in the mountains.”

“How far do you think your Mama and Papa think you might have explored?” asked Eric.

“Truthfully, I would have turned to go back home already, but if I had kept exploring, I would have tried to climb along that ridge,” Sylvie said.  “I love climbing.”

“Well they didn’t return that we know of, so let’s stick to the bushes and get to the ridge as undercover as possible.  Try to keep the scent if you can,” said Eric.

Staying close to the bushes the pair of explorers did their best to remain hidden from view.  Along the bottom of the ridge there was a small stream and Eric saw a smudged fox print track, which seemed to be heading for the path up the ridge.

Eric and The Fox

Chapter 3 - A Nasty Plant

Chapter 4 - The Search Begins

Written by Karen Backway

Read by Rachel Anderice

Shine, Moon, Sunny, Spunky, Molly and Abby were outside the family den solutioneering, when Mama Owl swooped in during her night time rounds.  Radar had told her about the fox guests at the family den.  Mama Owl poked her head into the den to see the pupper-fox-pup pile and, like Shine, couldn't help but chuckle.  

“Looks like strawberry swirls with lots of cream!” chuckled Mama Owl.

“So true,” agreed Spunky.  “But now what?”

“They must be reunited with their family,” added Sunny.  “Fox pups need to learn to be foxes from foxes.”

“Woohoo, woohoo,” hooted Mama Owl.  “So true, so true.”

“Their Mama and Papa went missing while searching for Sylvie,” explained Shine.

“A Vix and Tod would never abandon their pups, never,” said Mama Owl, quite puzzled and very concerned.

“What do you mean?  A Vix and Tod?” asked Abby.  

“That is what a Mama and Papa fox are called, a Vix and a Tod,” explained Shine.

“I will keep an eye out during my night watch.  This is most unusual,” said Mama Owl.

“The bees can also scout it out and report back if they find a clue,” added Shine.  “We must find them.”

“What about the thorny vine plant?” Moon asked Mama Owl.  “Both Sylvie and Eric were trapped very quickly.”

“Have you seen such a nasty vine with thorns in the forest before?” asked Shine.

“Woohoo, no.  Very odd, very odd indeed,” answered Mama Owl.  “This plant is not native to the forest.”

“What about in The Champlain Hills and Ridges?” asked Abby.  “Any thorny vines?”

“None that I saw,” answered Spunky.

“Nor in or around the ridge or under ridge tunnels,” agreed Moon.

“And there were no similar plants in The Hidden Valley before we joined The Forest,” added Sunny.

“But we know there are dangerous plants in The Champlain Ridges,” said Molly.  “Don’t forget the stinky poisonous plant with blistering grapes.”

“What about before the fire?” asked Abby.  “Maybe they were destroyed in the fire and have somehow been awakened by the floods of the recent past.”

“Yes, that is possible,” answered Sunny.  “Sometimes seeds or roots will start to grow if the conditions are right.”

“Or some creature is invading the forest, setting traps,” argued Moon, worried.  

Several days passed and the puppers and the puppettes, as the fox pups came to be known, became great friends, often running and tumbling in the forest clearing by the creek.  Only Sylvie was willing to splash in the creek - foxes can swim, but like cats, they like to stay dry.

Sylvie was growing restless.  Waiting is very tiresome.

“I cannot sit here playing and laughing when Mama and Papa are lost,” complained Sylvie.

“The bees are searching for them and if they are still in the valley or the forest, the bees will let us know,” answered Eric.

“Do the bees search beyond the waterfall?” asked Sylvie.

“Maybe, but it’s at the edge of their territory,” said Eric.  “Why do you ask?”

“They were looking for me,” explained Sylvie.  “Oh, this is all my fault.  I was exploring upriver for the first time that morning.  But they would search for me downriver.”

Eric and The Fox

Chapter 1 - A Thorny Trap

Chapter 2 - Orphaned Fox

Written by Karen Backway

Read by Rachel Anderice

“Oh my goodness, this is a problem,” Everet said to Eric.

Everet and Eric had been exploring along The Twin Rainbow River, beyond the beaver pond, when they happened upon a young fox tangled in thorny vines.

“Hello there, Miss Fox.  Can we help?” asked Eric.  The exhausted fox looked up very sadly, unable to speak, tears streaming past her whiskers.

“Oh my,” said Eric.  “Those vines are very tight around her legs, arms and tummy and the more she struggles the tighter they get.  Everet, you’re faster than me, please go and find Abby or Molly, we need their help.  I will stay here to comfort our new friend.”

Everet was the fastest of all of the puppers and he was more than happy to use his expertise to help out the poor little fox.  He sprinted toward the forest in search of Abby and Molly.

“Please don’t struggle anymore, Miss Fox, help will soon be here,” Eric reassured the fox.  “I am going to chew through this bit of the vine that might help free you.  Molly and Abby are adorable little cats and they can help you, I am certain,” Eric chatted trying to calm the trapped fox.

But this was no ordinary vine.  As he chewed the vine, the vine ‘healed itself’ and quickly entangled Eric without him really noticing.  Soon both of his front paws were surrounded by the thorny vine and the more he struggled, the more entangled he got.

The exhausted fox watched silently with fear as Eric was caught in the same trap.

“Okay this is a problem,” Eric thought to himself.  “The more I struggle the tighter it pulls, so I should stay as still as possible.”

“Miss Fox, can you speak?” asked Eric.  The fox shook her head no.  

“Do you understand me?”  

The fox nodded.

“We should stay as still as possible,” Eric said.  “Help will arr…” but he could not finish, a thorny vine had twisted around his snout.

By the time Everet returned with Molly and Abby, the fox and Eric were silent, bound tightly together side by side.

“Oh my - this is interesting,” said Abby to Molly.

“Everet, please howl,” said Molly.  “We are going to need more help.”

Using their magic buttons, Molly and Abby purred quietly as they worked.  Slowly, the thorny vines started to loosen, and fall to the ground.

Several minutes later, Shine and Spunky arrived.  

“Oh my goodness, what trouble is this?” asked Shine.  

She could see that neither Eric nor the beautiful little fox could answer.

“Hello little miss, you are the prettiest fox I have ever met.  You have a lovely bushy tail and the most beautiful big brown eyes,” Shine whispered calmly to the fox.  “Please don’t cry, we will free you from this trap.  It won’t take long at all.”

Shine spoke very calmly, her magical voice so soothing the fox stopped sobbing and Eric tried to smile.

The Dusk Howler

Chapter 17 - The Spell is Broken

Chapter 18 - Vallorest

Written by Karen Backway

Read by Rachel Anderice

“Oh no!” cried Emmie.

“You don’t have to shove, Daniel,” argued Jake.  “I’d rather be with the enemy.  Unhand me.”

“Daniel, you do not know what you are doing,” said Sunny, very calmly.

“You can stay, Sunny, but the others cannot return,” insisted Daniel.

With that comment, as if by command the ground started to shake, thunder rumbled as storm clouds gathered and a heavy downpour started.

“What dark magic is this?” cried Daniel, hollering at the forest clan.  “We know about your plot to overtake our lands.  We will not have it.  Leave and do not return.”

“The spell is broken, by your own command Daniel,” said Sunny.

“Spell?  What spell?” asked Daniel.

“Shine, the spell is broken,” Sunny called.

“Yes Sunny, it is done,” answered Shine.

Sunny’s pendant and Shine’s pendant flashed together as thunder and lightning cracked around them in the pouring rain.  Suddenly the flat rock trail that surrounded The Hidden Village appeared and with a crash of thunder sank into the ground and was washed away in the drenching rain.

“The Hidden Valley is no longer hidden,” said Sunny and Shine together.

Nothing remained of the flat rock trail except a thread of silver that faded as the sun returned.

Within a few minutes the skies cleared and the sun shone over The Twin Rainbow Falls.

Moon ran over to support Shine and Richard was supporting Sunny.  Spunky ran over to detain Daniel but there was no need.  Daniel was silent and confused.

“Thomas, take Daniel back to The Council Chambers, while I sort this out,” said Richard.

Thomas and the other members of the council returned to the village with Daniel.

“He will not be a problem again Spunky,” explained Richard.

But Spunky was not listening to Richard.  He was staring at Sunny.

“Suns?” asked Spunky, tears of joy falling.

“Yes, darling,” answered Sunny.  “I am so sorry.”

/////

Except for Shine and Sunny, the forest pupper gang and the valley pupper gang were silently confused.

Shine and Sunny gave each other the deepest and most heartfelt hug possible.

“It has been too long, my friend.  I thought you lost forever,” Sunny said, a tear falling.  

“As soon as I saw Richard, I knew you were near,” said Shine.  “He has grown into a very handsome fella.”

“Silly oaf, didn't recognize you did he?” asked Sunny.

“If he did, he did not let on.  Perhaps he suspected Daniel would not approve,” answered Shine.

“He would have been right,” said Sunny.  “Richard, do you not recognize Shine from long ago?”

Richard looked closer at Shine.

“Goodness.  Are you that cute teasing Shine, Sunny’s best friend as young pups?” asked Richard embarrassed.  Shine nodded and smiled.

“Yes, Sunny and I were and remain best friends.  Our magic pendants are a pair, given to us long ago.  When used together they are very powerful as you all just saw,” explained Shine.

“When Daniel banished us from the village he broke The Hidden Spell,” explained Sunny.  “And with the power of our paired magic pendants, the flat rock trail that held the spell in place, has fallen.  Now I must confess my unforgivable error.”

“What unforgivable error?” asked Shine.

“My dear Shine, I locked you all out of The Village when I set The Hidden Spell,” said Sunny.  “I saw Spunky fall and not get up before the fire.  I had to save the village.  I did not believe you could survive the fire.”

“Spunky was searching for Montgomery and I,” said Shine.  “We were under attack by The Quillza, and Montgomery was hit with a Quill.  I was able to hide myself and Montgomery and keep us safe from the fire and from the Quillza.  When Montgomery woke, we could not find Spunky, though we searched for a long time.  And the village, we thought, was destroyed in the fire.”

“I was hit with a Quill too,” said Spunky.  “When I woke, all was lost.”

The Dusk Howler

Chapter 15 - A Queen

Chapter 16 - In The Hidden Valley

Written by Karen Backway

Read by Rachel Anderice

Emmie and Ella started to cry as their friends were dragged away, against their will.

“I don’t understand,” cried Emmie.  “Oh, this is all my fault.”

“How is that my lovely?” asked Shine.

“I was the one who first saw the puppers walking along the ridge, and I was the one who knocked them down into the forest gully,” Emmie sobbed.  “If I hadn’t said anything, we never would have met.”

“I do not believe that is true, Emmie.  The boys were exploring our forest, breaking their own land’s rules,” explained Shine.  “You had nothing to do with their decision to explore.”

“But that…  that Mr. Daniel, was so harsh, wasn’t he?” said Ella, also crying.  “Why is he so afraid of us?  We were always kind, weren’t we?”

“Mostly, yes,” said Shine looking reproachingly at Moon and Spunky.  “But we must let them reach their own conclusions.  We cannot make them be our friends, can we?”“Well no, but we were already friends.  It's the full growns causing the problem.”

“We can stay here for a change of scenery for a few days.  See if Mr. Daniel wishes to connect with us.  Perhaps he will have a change of heart.  Would that be alright with everyone?” asked Shine.

/////

“Shine?” asked Molly.

“Yes, my friends?” answered Shine.

“We didn’t go through a gate, in or out of The Hidden Valley when we found Violet and Rose,” explained Molly.  “But they needed a gate to get back in.  Why?”

“My dear little friend, you and Abby are the keepers of the magic.  And the magic that keeps the valley hidden is the same magic of the forest.  You two will always be able to pass freely between the two lands, with whomever you wish,” answered Shine.  

/////

The next morning-up, Spunky, Moon and the fellas were splashing in The Twin Rainbows River while Emmie and Ella were refining their ridge climbing skills along the waterfall edge.  Everyone felt glum, a new neighbor didn’t want to get acquainted.

“I don’t think leaving that Daniel character in the den was mean,” said Eli.  “Obviously, he is worried about losing control over The Council and losing some personal power.”

“What do you mean, lose personal power?” asked Moon.

“They have an old story that says The Queen of their clan who was lost during or before the fire, will return,” explained Everet interrupting Eli.

“And believe it or not, Jake, Charles and Gus are guessing Shine is that Queen,” said Eric.

“Not true,” answered Spunky, very clearly and matter of factly.

“They predicted that ‘the family reunion’ would not go well,” said Eli.  “And well, it didn’t.”

“If Shine were The Queen of the clan, why would that be a problem?” asked Eric.

“Don’t be so naive, Eric,” said Eli.  “The Council, and Mr. Daniel, the chair of that council, will lose their influence over the running of The Hidden Valley.  A would-be King does not want the rightful Queen to arrive.”

“Who is a would-be King,” asked Molly, walking in on the conversation, Abby following close behind.

“No one here,” answered Eli as he took a flying leap into the river.

“What an odd conversation, Spunky.  A would-be King and a rightful Queen?” commented Molly.

“Not true, Molls.  Shine is not the lost Queen,” said Spunky.

“Who said Shine was the lost Queen?  Queen of what, or should I say whom?” asked Molly.

“Just not true, Molls,” repeated Spunky as he flipped into the river behind Eli.

The Dusk Howler

Chapter 13 - Prisoners, Hostages and Overlords

Chapter 14 - Daniel Versus Shine

Written by Karen Backway

Read by Rachel Anderice

“This is my old den,” said Spunky.

“When you rescued Molly and Abby?” asked Moon.

“Yep.  Molls, Abbs and I, before The Q came.  So much fun,” smiled Spunky.  “More fun now, with you, Shine and the pups.”

“Did you hear that?  They have Richard’s pups,” whispered Daniel to Thomas, members of The Valley Council.  “I knew they looked suspicious.”

“I bet they are holed up in that den,” said Thomas.  “Nasty, Overlords.”

“We should go and find Richard, let him know,” said Daniel.

Daniel and Thomas turned to leave their overlook of the den and bumped into Moon.

“Hey fellas,” said Moon.  “What ya looking at?”

“None of your business,” said Daniel, startled.  “Get out of our way.”

“Okay, sure,” said Moon and he stepped aside.  “Careful Spunky, this fella is a bit defensive.”

“Thanks, I will watch him leave our lands,” answered Spunky, who was standing a little ways down the path closer to The Twin Rainbow Falls.

“Your lands?” asked Daniel.  “By whose authority?”

“Mine, of course,” answered Spunky.  “That is my den.”

“You can move along there fella, and take your silent friend with you,” called Moon.

“You have taken hostages, and that will not be tolerated,” threatened Daniel.

“Goodness, hostages, you are very confused,” answered Moon, annoyed.  “Hostages, for what purpose?”

“Who knows what The Overlords do with hostages,” argued Daniel.  “It cannot be good.”

“Have you lost someone?” asked Moon.

“Never you mind,” retorted Daniel.  “Get out of our way.”

“I will most certainly mind,” answered Moon.  “You have accused me of taking hostages, and being an Overlord.  Stop them, Spunky.  We must detain them while we wait for the others.”

“Don’t you dare,” cried Daniel.

“Or you will what?” asked Spunky gruffly.

Daniel and Thomas were escorted to Spunky’s den with a bit of a scuffle and detained until Shine and the puppers arrived.

“You can wait here.  As you can see, we have no hostages here, or anywhere for that matter,” said Moon.  He and Spunky sat down in front of the den, blocking their exit.

“Overlords, what nonsense, hey Spunky?” asked Moon.

Just then Mama Owl swooped in to say hello to Spunky and Moon who were resting quietly outside the den.

“Hiya Mama Owl,” called Moon.

“WooHoo, more puppers.  How delightful, delightful,” said Mama Owl.

“That is not what these chaps believe,” answered Moon, motioning with his head in the direction of the den.  They seem to think we have taken hostages and are evil Overlords.”

“Do they now?” asked Mama Owl.  “I am not surprised.”

“Really?  Are you aware of these others?” asked Moon.

“No, not at all.  But they have been hidden from view since the fire,” said Mama Owl.  “They know nothing of the forest.”

“Perhaps, but they still accused us of wrongdoing,” answered Moon.

“Moon, you also did not know about the forest,” advised Mama Owl.  “Change is frightening, when your beliefs are challenged.”

The Dusk Howler

Chapter 11 - A Family Reunion

Chapter 12 - Getting Spotted

“Well that is an interesting plan, isn’t it?” Emmie asked Ella.  “At least we are all included in the adventure, though I would have preferred to go with Molly and Abby.”

“I wonder what tricks they have to get through locked gates that can only be seen in moonlight,” commented Ella.

“Do you think your council will be very angry with us?” Emmie asked Jake.  “We didn’t hurt Charles intentionally.” 

“And we fixed his injury too,” said Ella.  “You know it was an accident right?”

“He was the one that started it, Emmie,” interrupted Eli.  “He attacked me and those other two brutes attacked Everet and Eric.”

“It really was more a group effort, sort of thing, Eli,” said Ella.

“And you shouldn’t have been insulting the ladies, so don't be blaming anyone but yourself, mister,” argued Jake.

“Please puppers, no more bickering,” interrupted Shine.  “I suspect there is plenty of blame to go around.  It seems to me just about everyone was breaking one or another rule.”

Spunky, Moon, Molly and Abby were long gone, before Eric and Charles were rested sufficiently for the long hike.  Shine and all eight puppers - Eli, Ella, Emmie, Everet and Eric with Jake, Charles and Gus -  followed along as fast as possible, but they were not nearly as swift as Spunky and Moon.

Bizzie, Missus and the kits were busy repairing the beaver dam and lodge.

“Quite the crowd, quite the crowd,” commented Bizie.

“Can you stop for a chat?” asked Missus.

“Not today, Missus,” said Shine. “We are expected at The Twin Rainbow Falls.  My goodness, the kits have grown. They must be very helpful with dam maintenance.”

“Oh yes, yes they are,” agreed Missus.  “Maybe you can stop by on the return trip.”

Mama Owl, fluttered down, just as the group left the beaver dam and pond.

“My goodness, news travels fast and far, doesn’t it?” Emmie asked Ella.  

“Sure does,” answered Ella.

“WooHoo!  More puppers, how wonderful,” commented Mama Owl, delighted.  After a brief review of the plan from Shine, Mama Owl swooped over for a peak at the new puppers before flying off.

“That’s the Owl we overheard talking with you while on your way to The Twin Pine Valley,” Jake told Emmie.  “That’s what tipped us off.  We understood that The Twin Pine Valley had been destroyed by the fire, and The Overlords were in charge.”

“The Overlords, who are they?” asked Eli.

“The dusk howler and you lot, I guess.  We’ve never actually met an overlord,” answered Gus.

“Well you were quite mistaken about that,” said Emmie.

“Yes, there is quite a bit that has been misunderstood.  Childhood stories are not always correct,” added Charles.

“I love listening to stories,” said Emmie.  “Molly and Abby tell us stories about their adventures during the flood and then later in The Champlain Hills and Ridges.  It's just so much fun.  I used to love making up adventure stories.”

“Why did you stop?” asked Jake.

The Dusk Howler

Chapter 9 - The Dusk Howler

Chapter 10 - The Valley Guests

While Eli and Emmie were off to get help, the puppers remaining in the gully got to know each other a little better.

“Are you wolf pups?” asked Eric.

“No, are you?” asked Gus in return.

“No, but we used to live in the tunnels under the ridge before the mini-flood,” said Everet.

“Really?  That’s exciting,” said Jake.  “That’s part of The Champ lain Ridges, isn't it?”

“I guess, we never really saw the ridges,” said Eric.  “We came to the forest right after the mini-flood.”

“We call it the weird wave,” said Gus.

“That’s funny,” said Ella.  “Why was it weird?”

“Well a four - five foot wave that suddenly appears, then goes away, is kinda weird don’t ya think?” answered Gus.

“Well I suppose so.  Did you get caught in it?” asked Ella.  “We were still in the tunnels.”

“Nope.  It’s a childhood story,” said Charles.  “But it’s one of our favorites.”

Molly and Abby returned with Emmie and it didn't take long to heal Eric and Charles’ injuries.

“Wow,” said Charles, fascinated with the purple stain healing buttons.  “That kinda tickles.”

“You're right, it does tickle,” agreed Eric laughing.

Before long, Shine, Spunky and Moon were looking into the gully with Eli behind them.  “Well here is an interesting problem, puppers,” said Moon.  “Suggestions on how to get up and out?”

“Ella and I, will be fine,” said Emmie.  “We can get out without help.”

“What about the wounded?” said Shine.  “We mustn’t reinjure them with a leap up a steep gully.”

“Ella and I can help Eric and Charles navigate the rocks,” said Emmie.  “We have been practicing our climbing skills on loose rocks.”

“Good plan, my lovelies,” said Shine.  “Montgomery please escort our guests to the clearing by the creek when everyone is up and out.  Spunky can assist Abby and Molly.”

“Well I am impressed with your climbing skills,” commented Shine.  “You have been diligent with your practice, but what were you doing down in the gully?”

“We knocked the spies… er… guests down using our stalk and pounce technique.  They had been spying on us as we practiced jumping high and far.”

“Do you think that was wise?” asked Shine.

“They didn't seem very dangerous to us,” said Emmie.  “We were planning to bring them back with us, but then Eli started a fight.”

“That’s when Eric and Charles got hurt,” said Ella.  “Though Eli didn’t start the fight Emmie, Jake did and he was joined by Charles and Gus and then all six of them tumbled without relaxing.  If they had learned how to tumble when relaxed, they would not have gotten hurt.”

“Very well, then,” said Shine calmly.  “Ah, Montgomery, Spunkster, that didn’t take very long.”

“Not really, all of the puppers are quite agile and strong,” commented Moon.  “And the guest pups are slightly older.  When did Ella and Emmie learn to climb like that?  It was most impressive.”

“We studied with Clarissa at The Twin Pine Valley Ridge,” said Ella. 

“And we have been practicing every day since,” added Emmie.

“So Emmie, are these the two puppers you saw last month along the ridge over by The Ancient Cemetery?” asked Moon.

“I guess, though I cannot be certain,” said Emmie.

“Probably,” interrupted Jake.  “We had been exploring along the ridge, and I saw a pupper we did not know,” glancing over at Emmie.

“Why there?” asked Spunky.

“We were trying to find the dusk howler,” answered Charles.  “We used to hear an occasional solitary howl coming from within The Champlain Hills and Ridges, but it went away after the weird wave.”

“But then, the dusk howler started.  And the howl seemed to be coming from the direction of The Ancient Cemetery,” said Jake.

“I have heard Spunkster called many things, but never The Dusk Howler,” said Shine.  “But it suits you well my friend.”

The Dusk Howler

Chapter 7 - A Hideout

Chapter 8 - The Jig is Up

Written by Karen Backway

Read by Rachel Anderice

“What do you think you heard?” asked Ella.

“Not sure, footsteps perhaps,” answered Emmie.

“What if it’s a badger?” asked Ella.  “That would be dreadful.”

“Nah, they were all washed away in the mini-flood.  It’s more likely one of the fellas, probably Eli, trying to catch us breaking the rules,” said Emmie.

“We should head home before we are missed,” said Ella.

Just then a Spunky-warning howl sounded.

“Did you hear that?  That was the dusk howler,” whispered Jake.

“Quiet you idiot.  Do you want to be caught on the first night out?” Charles complained in a whisper.

“A howl, oh bother.  That’ll be for us.  We best get home or else we will never return to this ridge alone again,” said Ella.  “And that will be the end of our climbing practice.”

“Alright, but we did well today huh?  We are definitely getting better.  I cannot wait to show off to Clarissa and the kids one day.”

“Huh, what was that?” asked Emmie.

“What was what?” asked Ella.

“Didn’t you hear something?” asked Emmie.

“No.  Maybe you have been practicing listening with your paws too much.  I haven’t heard anything except the come-home-now-howl from Spunky.”

“I think we are being tracked, and I don’t want to lead some nasty stranger to the family den,” said Emmie.

“Well, that is a problem.  We can’t stay here, it's almost dark,” said Ella.

“I know, I will wait here,” said Emmie. “You go find Spunky, bring him back as quick as you can.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.  What’s to stop them following me?” asked Ella.  “I’m not leaving you here alone.  Goodness, such nonsense.”

“I guess you are right.  Badgers and The Quillza have not entered the forest since we left the under-ridge tunnels,” agreed Emmie.  “I wonder if it's those two mystery puppers I saw trotting along the ridge by The Ancient Cemetery.”

Ella and Emmie trotted off, taking a route through the creek, trying to throw off their scent if anyone was following them.

/////

“Now what?” asked Charles.  “They suspect they are being followed.  If they tell one of the full growns, then we are done for.”

“Jake, pay attention, stop dreaming,” scolded Charles.  “If The Council finds out we tipped them off to the existence of The Hidden Valley, we will be banished.”

“We should probably hide,” suggested Gus.

“Well now there’s a thought!” said Charles, sarcastically.

“Jake!  MOVE,” shouted Charles in a whisper voice, nudging Jake.  “We cannot be discovered.”

Spunky was waiting for Emmie and Ella by the creek.

“What are you two up to?” asked Spunky.

“We were practicing our stalking and pouncing skills and we lost track of time,” said Emmie.

“Hmm, too late, not safe,” said Spunky.

“We never leave the forest, Spunky” answered Ella. 

“And the forest is very safe,” interrupted Emmie.  “Maybe you would like to help us too?  We want to learn to jump high and far.”

The Dusk Howler

Chapter 5 - The Trouble With Boys

Chapter 6 - The Valley Fellas

Written by Karen Backway

Read by Rachel Anderice

Later that evening back in their home den, the puppers were sharing stories about their adventure.

“Oh that was so fun, I hope we can go back again before too long,” commented Ella.  

“Did the fellas have fun too?”

“We did,” said Everet.  “Spunky took us exploring along The Champlain Ridge pointing out possible problems we could bump up against, if we somehow end up there alone.”

“Then we got to solutioneer possible solutions and try them out,” said Eric.  

“That sounds interesting, don’t you think Emmie?” asked Ella. 

“Oh, I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening,” answered Emmie.  “I’m tired, I’m going to sleep.  Good night.”

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After the bicycle bell ping the next morning-up, all of the puppers headed down to the clearing by the creek.  Spunky was already rolling in the tall grass and Sparkle was chatting with Molly while Abby sketched.

Emmie was unusually quiet and reluctant to chat about the visit. 

“What’s the matter Emmie?” asked Sparkle.  “You seem disappointed.  Ella said Clarissa has 4 kids and you learned a lot about climbing.”

“Oh yes, we did.  Clarissa and the kids were lovely,” said Emmie.  “Eli keeps criticizing me and ruining things.”

“Boys only tease girls when they are jealous about something,” said Sparkle.

“He’s not teasing, he is being mean,” said Emmie.

“Hey Emmie, why are you sitting in the shade all alone?  Come swim with us,” called Eli.

“No thanks, I am busy making up lies to tell later.  Leave me alone Eli,” answered Emmie.

“Have it your way,” said Eli.  “Don’t say I didn’t try,” said Eli.

“Please Emmie, talk to Shine.  You mustn’t let Eli bother you.  I am sure she can help,” pleaded Sparkle, as she watched a bubble form.