‘On the ice?’ Ujurak’s heart started to beat faster. Kallik never told us about that.

‘Yes, they sure are clever, aren’t they?’ Janet said. ‘Now, can you show me where you come from, honey?’

Ujurak didn’t want to answer her gently probing question. He didn’t know where he came from, except that he was sure it wouldn’t be on her map.

‘Can you see the ocean from your home?’ Janet prompted when Ujurak didn’t reply.

‘No . . .’ Ujurak began uncertainly, thinking of Arctic Village and trying to work out where the ocean would be. ‘It’s in a narrow valley,’ he added, guessing where on the map the village might be and pointing to a gap between two of the sheet-mountains. ‘It’s where the caribou go.’

‘My, I’m surprised your people are so primitive when they’re so close to the oil field,’ Janet said.

‘There’s a lake here,’ Ujurak went on, beginning to be interested in the map. ‘And here’s a place where the geese feed. And this is the forest.’

‘You know your land so well!’ Janet exclaimed, her voice filled with amazement.

‘Of course. It’s where I come from,’ Ujurak replied.

‘If you’re so interested in maps, you should go to the Propkin Community Center,’ Janet told him. ‘It was built by the oil company before they started work.’ She got up and went back to the window, pointing out in a different direction. ‘There it is.’

Ujurak could just make out the outline of another building, lower than the towers, but big and solid, with a flat green roof.

‘It’s great there,’ Janet went on. ‘There’s a wide-screen TV, bowling, snack bars – even a clinic. The oil company has done such good things for the community! And you would just love the room where the oil company shows their plans.’ She returned to Ujurak’s bed and sat down beside him, her eyes shining. ‘The walls are covered with maps of the ocean as well as the land around Propkin, with the oil rigs and new communities and roads. I’d really like to get a placement on an oil rig,’ she added, sighing. ‘Those guys are so brave! And they’re keeping North America alive! If you like, I’ll take you over there and show you when you’re feeling better,’ she promised.

‘Yes, I’d like that,’ Ujurak said, thinking, If I’m still here . . .

‘And now it’s time for you to get some sleep.’ Janet straightened the sheet and put the blanket back, tucking purple-Toklo into the bed beside Ujurak.

Ujurak leaned against his pillows. ‘Save the wild . . .’ he murmured, remembering what Lusa had told him, back on Smoke Mountain.

‘What was that, honey?’ Janet asked.

Ujurak blinked. ‘Uh . . . nothing.’