“No, you stay here and I’ll go,” Kallik said. “I can manage this on my own, and you need to save your strength for driving the wolves away.”

“What?” Yakone’s voice was indignant. “Are you worried I can’t keep up? My paw is fine now.”

“This has nothing to do with your paw,” Kallik told him. “You’re the only bear strong enough to help Toklo with the fallen trees.”

Yakone grunted. “Okay,” he said grudgingly. “Just be careful.”

“I will.” Kallik touched her nose to Yakone’s shoulder. She lifted her head and looked at Toklo. “I’ll be back in time to take my place on the hillside, ready to take over chasing the wolves.”

Toklo narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure that gives you long enough to speak with Izusa and build the avalanche?”

Kallik nodded. “I’ll go as fast as I can. Don’t worry, I’ll be back before the wolves make it up to the ridge.”

“Good luck,” Toklo growled. “You’ll need it!”

Leaving the den, Kallik headed toward the ridge, climbing easily through the trees in the cool air. Dawn was still some way off when she set out; later the sun rose in a clear sky, sending shafts of golden light into the forest. Kallik slowed down as the warmth of the day increased, but she kept going, pausing only to drink from a stream until she emerged from the trees near the rocky shoulder that led to the ridge.

By this time the sun had already passed its height. Picking up the pace, Kallik bounded across the open land until she came to the bottom of the shaft. This will be perfect, she thought, looking around as she scrambled upward. So steep and narrow—it’ll be easy to block.

At the top of the shaft Kallik stopped to rest, enjoying the stiff, chilly breeze and the scent of snow. After a few moments she spotted a hare nibbling the tough upland grass and leaped upon it before it realized she was there. She gulped her prey down, aware for the first time of how hungry she was.

Revived by the food, Kallik rose to her paws again and trekked to the top of the ridge. On the other side she could see the line of destruction left by the avalanche, and she used it to guide her to the edge of Izusa’s territory. As she plunged into the trees, Kallik realized that she was getting tired, but she was determined not to stop until she found the brown she-bear. It didn’t take long. Before Kallik had traveled many bearlengths into the forest, Izusa burst out of the undergrowth with a fierce bellow. “Get out! This is—”

She broke off and halted when she saw who it was. “Kallik,” she said more calmly. “What are you doing here?”