She avoided his gaze, turning away to peer through the clear-stone to where the Moon-Dog had been before she vanished in the dark, wet sky. Was that doubt he’d seen in her face, or was it just his imagination?

Hearing the sound of his littermates’ snuffles and snores, Yap’s head grew heavy. He wanted to ask the Mother-Dog more about the Sky-Dogs, but tiredness washed over him. He lowered his muzzle as his eyelids closed.

When Yap awoke the storm had mellowed to a steady rain. It was still no-sun and his littermates slept in a huddle of soft, warm bodies around him. With a jolt of panic, Yap realized that Mother-Dog was gone. He sniffed the air, locating her scent before spotting her nearby, a silhouette in the shadows.

She was watching the rain patter against the clear-stone, lifting her face to the sky, as though keeping guard. Her tail gave a small wag as Yap approached, and she turned to welcome him. This time he was sure he caught a worried look in her eyes.

Yap bounded up to her but stopped a few paces away. “Mother, it isn’t just play-fighting, is it? There’s something else going on. Something bad.”

She lowered her head. “You notice a lot, Yap. Too much for a pup.” For a moment they both lifted their faces toward the clear-stone, but the night sky was completely dark. “I’ve seen storms before. This one shouldn’t be any different, yet somehow the air feels . . . tighter. The howls of the Sky-Dogs are deeper. Maybe they really are just playing, but perhaps . . .”

Yap watched Mother-Dog expectantly as she went on.

“. . . perhaps they are angry.”

Yap shivered. “Angry about what?” He thought for a moment. “Angry with who?”

Mother-Dog sighed. “I don’t know, Yap. It’s possible that a dog did something to upset them, and they want to remind us how powerful they are.”

Yap’s eyes grew wide. “What could a dog have done to upset the Sky-Dogs so much? And Lightning is a friend to dogs. He would never turn on us, would he?”

“You’re right. Lightning and the Sky-Dogs are there to protect us. Maybe it’s something else. No one has instincts sharper than Spirit Dogs. They could have sensed a threat. They could be howling to warn us of danger.”

“Danger? But you said everything was okay!” Yap’s tail drooped anxiously. “Why did you tell us that there’s nothing to be afraid of?”

“I’m only guessing. There’s no point worrying you when it’s probably just the wind and rain.” Mother-Dog leaned over and licked his face.

Yap pulled away and caught her eye. “But if there’s something to be scared of, isn’t it better for us to know about it? How else can we protect ourselves?”

Mother-Dog was adamant. “Fear does no dog any good. Whatever’s happening, the Sky-Dogs will protect us.”