The lanky youngster loped toward him, lanky and buoyant, only to skid to a halt and look up at Ksura with an expression of growing dismay. The sight of him curdled the boy’s hope, but at least he didn’t bolt.

He looked apprehensive about replying at all- and rightfully so. Everything about the young lad screamed vulnerable. Hope seemed to keep him rooted to the spot- and his motives were precisely what Ksura had suspected.

He was alone- and wanted his mother. Momentarily, he thought about lying- so he might delay the bad news and keep the boy’s spirits up a moment longer…But it would do more damage in the long run.

”Not today, no,” He answered. Truthfully, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen someone who met that description, but he didn’t want to boy to think that his mother might be quite so far away. ”But I got nothin’ else to do today. And four eyes’ll be better than two…You want some help looking for her?”