Toklo bit back a furious response. He knew Kallik’s outburst was just because she was so worried about Yakone. I’m worried about Yakone, too, he thought. And I’m worried that Kallik is regretting staying with me and Lusa until we finish our journeys.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, the day grew hotter. Toklo could see how uncomfortable Yakone and Kallik were. There wasn’t a scrap of shade on the firesnake. At least Yakone’s wound gradually stopped bleeding again, and he drifted into sleep.

Toklo crouched beside Lusa, facing forward, almost able to forget his own hunger and thirst as the firesnake drew closer and closer to the mountains. The light on the slopes began to fade as the sun slipped behind the topmost peaks. He drank in the view, feeling long-buried memories stirring in his mind.

I’m home.

The firesnake slowed down to navigate a tight curve in the SilverPath. As he peered through the half-light at the hills on either side, Toklo suddenly recognized where he was. Memories gushed over him like a flood, and he felt like he was staring down a dark tunnel to see a long-gone day lit up in bright sunshine.

This is where I came with Mother and Tobi, and we found the spilled grain!

Toklo remembered how proud he had been some days later when he found his way back to the grain. He pushed away the memory of the huge male bear who had driven them away from their find. This is home, and that’s all that matters.

Toklo sprang to his paws. “Come on!” he yelped to his friends. “This is the place!”

His voice roused Yakone, who raised his head, grunting in confusion. Kallik heaved her shoulder under him to help him to stand. “Toklo says we’re here,” she said soothingly. “We have to get off.”

While Yakone struggled up, gasping with pain as he put weight on his injured paw, Lusa leaped up and padded to the edge of the firesnake’s back. Her berry-bright eyes were gleaming with anticipation. “We’re really here?” she whispered.

“Yes,” Toklo replied. His fur tingled as he gazed out at the familiar slopes and woodland. For the first time in many, many moons, he had returned to somewhere he had been before. The feeling was overwhelming. “Go on,” he barked to Lusa. “Jump!”

The firesnake was still traveling slowly as it rounded the bend. Without hesitation Lusa launched herself through the hole in its side and into the air, and rolled as she hit the grassy slope beside the SilverPath, before bouncing back onto her paws.

“Are you okay?” Toklo called.

“Fine!”

Meanwhile, Kallik prodded Yakone over to the edge of the firesnake. “Just jump,” she said. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Yakone gritted his teeth. “Okay.” He fell rather than leaped off the firesnake, and landed on the ground with a thump. Toklo winced; that must have hurt.