When she had finished speaking, Aiyanna slipped away into the bushes. Toklo stood for a long time in front of Tobi’s mound, his head bowed. The pile looked so small and insignificant; his brother deserved a better resting place than that. Working steadily, ignoring the pain of his wounds, Toklo gathered earth and sticks and moss together and rebuilt the mound bigger and stronger than before.

“Sleep well, little brother,” he whispered, patting the last pawful of earth into place. It felt warm under his pad.

By the time he had finished, the sun had set and the first stars were appearing in the sky. Aiyanna still hadn’t returned, and Toklo was reluctant to leave. Sighing, he settled down on top of the mound, laid his snout on his paws, and drifted into sleep.

Light gradually strengthened around Toklo, and suddenly he was standing on the banks of a huge river. The fast-flowing current surged past him, and he caught glimpses of salmon forging upstream. On the far bank of the river was a lush forest; tantalizing scents of prey drifted to Toklo across the water. As he stood there, a small brown bear cub padded out from the trees on the far bank and stood at the edge of the water. His gaze met Toklo’s.

“Tobi!” Toklo called. He was filled with a great yearning to leap into the water and swim across to his brother. But just then he heard the call of another bear in the distance.

“Tobi! Tobi!”

“That’s Oka!” Toklo whispered.

Tobi turned toward the sound of his mother calling him, raised one paw to Toklo in farewell, then scampered off into the forest.

Toklo opened his eyes to find himself still lying on Tobi’s burial mound. The sun was just rising; all around him dew glittered in the golden rays. Toklo’s heart was full of fresh grief for his brother. Why hadn’t Tobi crossed the river to speak to him? He’s still far away from me, Toklo told himself. But he and Oka are happy now. And one day, when it is time, I will join them.

As he rose to his paws, shaking loose earth from his pelt, Aiyanna appeared through the bushes and padded up to him.

“Thank you,” Toklo said, dipping his head to her.

“You’re welcome,” Aiyanna responded. “You can come back anytime you like. But don’t even think of stealing my prey!”

“I won’t,” replied Toklo.

“What will you do now?” Aiyanna asked after a moment.

“I’m traveling with my friends to Great Bear Lake, for the Longest Day gathering,” Toklo explained. “I promised Lusa I would help her find black bears to live with.” He was surprised to see a shadow of disappointment on Aiyanna’s face. “But after that, I’m coming back here,” he went on. “Then I’ll claim Chogan’s territory as my own.”

Aiyanna nodded; her disappointment faded, and she looked impressed. “That’s quite a journey!” she said.

“I’m definitely coming back,” Toklo assured her. “This is my home.”