06 The Shadowlands

CHAPTER 6 THE SHADOWLANDS The friends and Bod headed for Claw's home in the Shadowlands as the sun rose. Skyla rode on Blaze's back, while Tag and Bod followed. Back when Claw had been Thorn, the Shadowlands were dark and dry. Everything was brown and the plants were dying.

But now, Claw used his magic for good. Flowers in rainbow colors covered the ground. Beautiful plants and trees bloomed. And many animals and insects had returned to the land. Tag could see colorful butterflies and bees floating over the flowers. Our friend Claw can't have had anything to do with the mole or Talia's disappearance, Tag thought. He was sure of it.

They landed in a small clearing. The smell of the flowers was so wonderful that Skyla took in a deep breath and sighed happily. Claw was sitting on a large rock, watering some flowers. He noticed his friends and flew over to them with a big smile. Then he saw Blaze's sad face.

"What's wrong?" Claw asked Blaze. "Talia has gone missing," Tag told Claw. "We think that The Shadow might have something to do with it," Skyla added. Claw shook his head. "Blaze destroyed The Shadow," he said. "But we saw a mole with orange eyes!" Bod blurted out. He was hiding behind Blaze. Claw narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?" he asked. "That's Bod," Tag said. "He's training as an Owl of Valor." "When he's not running away to hide," Skyla mumbled. Bod's face turned red and he glared at Skyla.

Claw frowned as he turned back to Tag. "The mole had orange eyes?" he asked. "And it was super-fast, like it had magical powers," Tag said. Claw looked at his friends. "We need to speak with Grey at once. Perodia could be in great danger." They took to the sky with Bod following and quickly arrived back in Valor Wood. They found Grey near the giant tree stump. When the leader of the Owls of Valor saw them, he hurried over. Blaze told Grey about Talia, and Tag told him about the mole with orange eyes. "I was afraid of this," Grey said. "Maximus heard that animals throughout the forest have been reported missing. I fear Perodia may be in great danger."