Toklo stared after her. The longer he stayed here in the meadow, the more familiar it looked. He became almost sure that this was the place where he and Tobi had played. That tree stump over there . . . if I crouch down, it looks just like a fish. There was a stump like that where Tobi and I used to race. Sometimes I’d let him get there first.

Not far off through the trees, Toklo could hear the sound of a stream. He could remember trying to fish there on his own, though he never caught anything. If I’m right, Tobi is buried over there, somewhere in those trees. On that she-bear’s territory . . .

The she-bear had almost reached the other side of the meadow. Toklo galloped after her and caught up to her beneath the outlying branches. The she-bear whirled around to face him, her teeth bared in a snarl.

Toklo retreated a pace, ducking his head to show that he wasn’t a threat. “Please may I go onto your territory?” he begged. “There’s something I want to see.”

The she-bear glared at him. “You must think I’m a fool!” she snapped. “You’ll steal prey.”

“No—I won’t, I promise.”

To Toklo’s dismay, a low growl came from the she-bear’s throat. He realized that if he didn’t back down, she was ready to fight. She’s brave, I’ll give her that, he thought, reluctantly impressed. Even though he longed to see Tobi’s burial mound, he knew he couldn’t keep pushing her. Somehow it didn’t seem fair to ask her to fight. “Okay, I’ll leave,” he grunted.

“You’d better,” the she-bear muttered, and turned away again, heading into the trees.

“Wait!” Toklo called after her. “How do you deal with the wolves?”

The she-bear glanced back over her shoulder. “I have my ways,” she barked.

But she’s alone, Toklo thought. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” he asked, following the she-bear a few paces into the forest. “Those wolves are vicious.”

The she-bear turned, fury flaring in her eyes. “Do I look like I need your help?” she hissed. “Leave me alone!” With a snarl, she took a step toward Toklo. “You don’t even belong here. I’ve never seen you before. Just go home!”

Toklo stared after her as she vanished into the trees. “This is my home,” he whispered. But I barely remember it. The bears are unfriendly, and everywhere has been taken over by wolves. . . . It hardly feels like the same place.

As if his thoughts had called it up, a distant howl sounded from deep within the trees. Toklo realized that while he’d been talking to the she-bear, the last of the day’s sunlight had vanished, and twilight covered the meadow.

Kallik and Yakone—they need me!