,,WOLF ,,BRO!R
 ,BOOK ,"O1 ,*RONICLES ( ,ANCI5T ,D>K;S

            ,,MI*ELLE ,,PAV]

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,H>P],TROPHY1 ,NEW ,YORK
    ,COPY"R ^C #BJJD 0,MI*ELLE ,PAV]
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (
       ,,ISBN-#AJ3 #J-JF-JGBHBG-B
     ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-J-JF-JGBHBG-D

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
        ,LAURA ,COX1 ,K>5 ,H>A1
     ,BE? ,GOODMAN1 & ,M>IAN ,HAYES
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #HC-AGJ
          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJH
          ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS        ;II
         ,,US$ ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C COPY"R SYMBOL
@& AMP]S&




















                 ,,N9E               #HC

  ,TORAK'S KNEES BUCKL$4
  8,WH--AT80 HE GASP$4 8,I DIDN'T EV5 "K
! BUCK 0 YRS6 ,H[ C ,I 2 GUILTY IF ,I
DIDN'T "K80
  8,X'S ! LAW10 SD ,F9-,K$9N4
  8,:Y8 .,:Y8 ,2C Y SAY S80
  8,2C ! CLANS SAY S40
  ,OSLAK PUT A H1VY H& ON ,TORAK'S %\L-
D]4
  8,NO60 CRI$ ,TORAK4 8,LI/56 ,Y SAY X'S
! LAW1 B--"!'S ANO!R LAW1 ISN'T "!80 ,HE
CAU<T 8 BR1?4 8,TRIAL 0-BAT4 ,WE--WE
FI<T = X40 ,HE WASN'T SURE IF HE'D GOT T
"R--,FA _H ONLY M5;N$ X ONCE1 :5 HE 0
T1*+ HM ! LAW (! CLANS--B ,F9-,K$9N'S
EYES N>R[$4
  8,I'M "R1 >5'T ,I80 ,TORAK 9SI/$1 =C+
HMF 6GIVE ! ,RAV5 ,L1D] />E = />E4 8,Y
DON'T "K = SURE IF ,I'M GUILTY1 2C Y
DON'T "K :E!R ,I ACTU,Y .KNEW ! BUCK 0
YRS4 ,S WE FI<T4 ,Y & ME40 ,HE SWALL[$4
8,IF ,I W91 ,I'M 9NOC5T4 ,I LIVE4 ,I
M1N1 ME &! WOLF4 ,IF ,I LOSE--WE DIE40
  ,"S (! M5 7 *UCKL+4 ,A WOMAN       #HD
TAPP$ H] BR[1 %AK+ H] H1D4
  8,I DON'T FI<T BOYS10 SD ,F9-,K$9N4
  8,B HE'S "R1 ISN'T HE80 SD ,R5N4 8,X'S
! OLDE/ LAW ( ALL4 ,HE HAS ! "R 6FI<T40
  ,HORD /EPP$ =W>D4 8,I'LL FI<T HM4 ,I'M
CLOS] 6HM 9 AGE4 ,X'LL 2 FAIR]40
  8,N 0M*10 ,R5N SD DRILY4
  ,%E 0 L1N+ AG/ ! TREE F : ,WOLF 0 SUS-
P5D$4 ,TORAK SAW T %E'D LOOS5$ ! NECK (!
BAG A LL1 S T ,WOLF'S H1D 0 POK+ \4 ,HE
LOOK$ 2DRA7L$ B 0 GAZ+ CURI\SLY D[N AT !
TWO DOGS SLAV]+ 2N HM4
  8,:AT D Y SAY1 ,F9-,K$9N80 SD ! ,MAGE4
8,! BOY'S "R4 ,LET !M FI<T40
  ,F9-,K$9N MET ! OLD WOMAN'S EYES1 &=A
MO;T "! SEEM$ 6BE A BATTLE ( WILLS 2T
!M4 ,SL[LY1 HE NO4$4
  ,RELIEF WA%$ OV] ,TORAK4
  ,"EY"O SEEM$ 6BE EXCIT$ 0! PROSPECT (A
FI<T4 ,!Y TALK$ 9 HU4LES1 /AMP+ _! FEET1
_! BR1? /1M+ 9 ! *ILL EV5+ AIR4
  ,OSLAK TOSS$ ,TORAK 8 "F'S KNIFE4
8,Y'LL NE$ T4 ,&A SPE> & AN >MGU>D40
  8,A :AT80 ASK$ ,TORAK4
  ,! BIG MAN SCRAT*$ ! SC> ": 8 E>   #HE
_H BE54 8,Y "K H[ 6FI<T1 DON'T Y80
  8,NO10 SD ,TORAK4
  ,OSLAK ROLL$ 8 EYES4 ,HE W5T (F 6!
NE>E/ %ELT]1 & RETURN$ ) AN A%WOOD SPE>
TIPP$ )A VICI\S BASALT PO9T & :AT SEEM$
6BE A L5G? ( TRIPLE-?ICK;S RE9DE] HIDE4
  ,TORAK TOOK ! SPE> UNC]TA9LY1 & WAT*$
9 PUZZLE;T Z ,OSLAK /RAPP$ ! T\<5$ HIDE
>.D 8 "R =E>M = HM4 ,X FELT Z H1VY & UN-
WIELDY Z A HAUN* ( DE] M1T4 ,HE WOND]$
:AT HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6D ) X4
  ,OSLAK NO4$ AT ! B&AGE ON ,TORAK'S O!R
>M & GRIMAC$4 8,SEEMS L ! O4S >E AG/ Y40
  ,J A BIT1 ?"\ ,TORAK4
  ,:5 HE'D SU7E/$ A FI<T1 HE'D _H 9 M9D
A WRE/L+ B\T1 ) MAYBE "S KNIFE PLAY ?R[N
IN3 ! SORT ( ?+ HE & ,FA US$ 6PRACTICE Q
(T51 B J = FUN4 ,CLE>LY1 6! ,RAV5S1 A
FI<T M1NT "S?+ ELSE4 ,TORAK WOND]$ IF "!
7 SPECIAL RULES1 & :E!R X WD LOOK W1K TO
ASK4
  ,F9-,K$9N PRO4$ ! FIRE1 MAK+ SP>KS
FLY4 ,TORAK WAT*$ HM "? A %IMM] ( H1T
HAZE4
  8,"!'S ONLY "O RULE10 SD ,F9-      #HF
,K$9N1 Z IF HE'D GUESS$ ,TORAK'S ?"\S4
8,Y C'T USE FIRE4 ,D Y "U/&80
  ,TORAK NO4$ 4TRACT$LY4 ,N US+ FIRE 0 !
L1/ ( 8 WORRIES4 ,HE CD SEE ,HORD HAV+ 8
>MGU>D /RAPP$ ON 2H ,F9-,K$9N4 ,HE _H
TAK5 (F 8 J]K94 ,HE LOOK$ ENORM\S1 &
F"R5+LY /R;G4 ,TORAK DECID$ AG/ TAK+ (F
8 [N J]K94 ,NO NE$ 6EMPHASIZE ! 3TRA/4
  ,HE UNTI$ "EY?+ F 8 BELT & LAID X 9 A
PILE ON ! GR.D4 ,!N HE W.D A L5G? (
WOV5-GRASS TW9E R.D 8 =EH1D 6KEEP 8 HAIR
\ ( 8 EYES4 ,8 H&S 7 SLIPP]Y ) SW1T4 ,HE
/OOP$ & RU2$ !M 9 ! DU/4
  ,"S"O T\*$ 8 %\LD]1 MAK+ HM JUMP4
  ,X 0 ,R5N4 ,%E 0 HOLD+ \ A BIR*-B>K
B1K]4
  ,HE TOOK X GRATE;LLY & DRANK4 ,6HIS
SURPRISE1 X 0 ELD]B]RY JUICE3 T>T &
/R5G!N+4
  ,R5N SAW 8 SURPRISE & %RU7$4 8,HORD'S
_H A DR9K4 ,X'S ONLY FAIR40 ,%E PO9T$ 6A
PAIL 0! FIRE4 8,"!'S WAT] :5 Y NE$ X40
  ,TORAK H&$ BACK ! B1K]4 8,I DON'T ?9K
X'LL LA/ T L;G40
  ,%E HESITAT$4 8,:O "KS80           #HG
  ,A HU% FELL4 ,! WAT*]S =M$ A R+ R.D !
$GE (! CLE>+1 ) ,TORAK & ,HORD 9 ! MID-
DLE1 NE> ! FIRE4 ,"! 7 NO =MALITIES4 ,!
FI<T 0 ON4
  ,W>ILY1 !Y CIRCL$ EA* O!R4
  ,= ALL 8 SIZE1 ,HORD MOV$ )! GRACE (A
LYNX1 FLEX+ 8 KNEES & REPOSI;N+ 8 F+]S
ON KNIFE & SPE>4 ,8 FACE 0 TAUT1 B A
SMALL SMILE PLAY$ AB 8 LIPS4 ,HE LOV$ 2+
! C5T] ( ATT5;N4
  ,TORAK DIDN'T4 ,8 HE>T 0 HAMM]+ AG/ 8
RIBS4 ,DIMLY1 HE CD HE> ! WAT*]S %\T+
5C\RAGE;T 6,HORD1 B _! VOICES 7 MU6L$1 Z
IF HE 7 "UWAT]4
  ,HORD'S SPE> LUNG$ = 8 *E/1 & HE DODG$
J 9 "T4 ,HE FELT ! SW1T />T \ ON 8 =E-
H1D4
  ,TORAK TRI$ ! SAME MOVE1 HOP+ X DIDN'T
LOOK L COPY+4
  8,COPY+ WON'T GET Y V F>10 CALL$ ,R5N4
  ,TORAK'S FACE BURN$4
  ,HE & ,HORD 7 MOV+ FA/] N[4 ,9 PLACES1
! GR.D 0 SLIMY ) BO>'S BLOOD4 ,TORAK
SLIPP$ & NE>LY W5T D[N4
  ,HE KNEW HE CDN'T HOPE 6W9 0=CE4   #HH
,HE'D H 6USE 8 WITS4 ,! TR\# WAS1 HE ON-
LY KNEW TWO FI<T+ TRICKS1 & HE _HN'T
PRACTIC$ !M M ?AN A FEW "TS4
  ,"H GOES1 HE ?"\ RECK.SLY4 ,HE JA2$ 8
SPE> AT ,HORD'S ?ROAT4 ,Z EXPECT$1
,HORD'S HIDE->M ROSE 6BLOCK X4 ,TORAK
TRI$ A QK "UCUT 6! BELLY1 B ,HORD P>RI$
X ) AL>M+ EASE1 & ,TORAK'S SPE> SLID
H>M.SLY (F 8 >MGU>D4
  ,HE KNEW T "O1 ?"\ ,TORAK4 ,) E MOVE1
X 0 2COM+ OBVI\S T ,HORD 0 A S1SON$
FI<T]4
  8,-E ON1 ,HORD10 YELL$ A MAN4 8,GIVE
HM A R$ SK960
  8,GIVE ME "T10 ,HORD CALL$ BACK )A
CURL ( 8 LIP4
  ,A RIPPLE ( LAU<T]4
  ,TORAK TRI$ 8 SECOND TRICK4 ,FEIGN+
TOTAL 9COMPET;E1 : WASN'T H>D1 HE HIT \
WILDLY1 TEMPT+ ,HORD )A GLIMPSE ( 8 UN-
PROTECT$ *E/4 ,HORD TOOK ! BAIT1 B Z 8
SPE> CAME 9 6/RIKE1 ,TORAK'S GU>D >M
SWUNG ACR 6MEET X4 ,HORD'S SPE>PO9T SANK
96! ?ICK HIDE GU>D1 NE>LY KNOCK+ ,TORAK
(F 8 FEET1 B ,TORAK MANAG$ 6KEEP     #HI
6HIS PLAN 0TWI/+ 8 >M %>PLY UPW>D4
,HORD'S SPE>-%AFT SNAPP$ 9 TWO4 ,! WAT*-
]S GROAN$4 ,HORD /A7]$ BACK )\T A SPE>4
  ,TORAK 0 A/ONI%$4 ,HE _HN'T EXPECT$ X
6"W4
  ,HORD RECOV]$ SWIFTLY4 ,LUNG+ =W>D1 HE
JA2$ 8 KNIFE 96,TORAK'S SPE>-H&4 ,TORAK
CRI$ \ Z ! FL9T BIT 2T F+] & ?UMB4 ,HE
LO/ 8 FOOT+ & DROPP$ 8 SPE>4 ,HORD LUNG$
AG4 ,TORAK ONLY J MANAG$ 6ROLL AWAY 9 "T
& SCRAM# 6HIS FEET4
  ,N[ !Y 7 BO? SPE>.S4 ,BO? D[N 6KNIVES4
  ,6GA9 "S BR1?+ SPACE1 ,TORAK DODG$ 2H
! FIRE4 ,8 *E/ 0 H1V+1 & 8 W.D$ H&
?RO2$4 ,SW1T 0 P\R+ D[N 8 SIDES4 ,HE
BITT]LY REGRETT$ N COPY+ ,HORD & TAK+ (F
8 J]K94
  8,HURRY UP1 ,HORD10 YELL$ A WOMAN4
8,F9I% HM (F60
  8,-E ON1 ,HORD60 %\T$ A MAN4 8,IS ?
:AT !Y TAU<T Y 9 ! ,DEEP ,=E/80
  ,0N[1 ?\<1 N ALL %\TS 7 = ,HORD4 ,"! 0
A SMATT]+ ( 5C\RAGE;T = ,TORAK1 AL? HE
GUESS$ X 0 LESS G5U9E SUPPORT ?AN PL1S$
SURPRISE T HE 0 LA/+ L;G] ?AN EX-    #IJ
PECT$4
  ,HE KNEW X WDN'T 2 M* L;G]4 ,HE 0 TIR+
RAPIDLY1 & HE'D RUN \ ( TRICKS4 ,HORD 0
TAK+ 3TROL4
  ,SORRY1 ,WOLF1 HE TOLD ! CUB SIL5TLY4
,I DON'T ?9K WE'RE GO+ 6GET \ ( ?4
  ,F ! CORN] ( 8 EYE1 HE GLIMPS$ ,WOLF
HI< 9 ! TREE4 ,HE 0 WRI7L+ & Y[L+ 9 A
HAZE ( /1MY BR1?4 .,:AT'S .HAPP5+8 HE 0
ASK+4 ..,:Y WON'T Y -E & FREE .ME8
  ,TORAK L1P$ ASIDE 6AVOID A KNIFE SLA%
ACR 8 ?ROAT4 ,3C5TRATE1 HE TOLD HMF
GRIMLY4 ,=GET AB ,WOLF4
  ,& YET--"S?+ 0 NA7+ HM3 "S?+ AB ,WOLF4
,:AT 0 X8
  ,HE GL.ED AT ,WOLF Y[L+ 9 ! TREE1 8
BR1? /1M+4 '''
  8,Y C'T USE FIRE10 ,F9-,K$9N _H SD4
'''
  ,SU45LY ,TORAK KNEW :AT 6D4 ,JA2+ &
FE9T+1 HE $G$ SIDEWAYS1 PUTT+ ! FIRE 2T
!M ONCE M4
  8,HID+ AG80 TAUNT$ ,HORD4
  ,TORAK J]K$ 8 H1D AT ! BIR*-B>K WAT]
PAIL4 8,I WANT A DR9K4 ,ALL "R80     #IA
  8,IF Y M/4 .,BOY40
  ,KEEP+ 8 EYES ON ,HORD1 ,TORAK SQUATT$
& CUPP$ WAT] 6DR9K4 ,HE DID X SL[LY1 TO
MAKE ,HORD ?9K HE 0 UP 6"S?+ )! WAT]
PAIL1 & 64TRACT ATT5;N F ! COOK+ SK9
BU2L+ 0! FIRE4
  ,X "W$4 ,HORD /EPP$ CLOS] 6! FIRE1
LOOM+ OV] X 69TIMIDATE ,TORAK4
  8,Y WANT A DR9K TOO80 SD ,TORAK1 /
SQUATT+4
  ,HORD SNORT$ 8 3TEMPT4
  ,SU45LY1 ,TORAK LA%$ \--B AT ! COOK+-
SK94 ,JA2+ 8 KNIFE 96! T\< HIDE1 HE UP-
5D$ X & S5T BOIL+ BRO? P\R+ ONTO ! :ITE-
HOT EMB]S4 ,HISS+ CL\DS ( /1M BILL[$ 9TO
,HORD'S FACE4
  ,! WAT*]S GASP$4 ,TORAK SEIZ$ 8 *.E &
JA2$ AT 8 OPPON5T'S WRI/4 ,BL9D$1 ,HORD
H[L$ 9 PA9 & DROPP$ 8 KNIFE4 ,TORAK
KICK$ X AWAY1 !N ?REW HMF ON ,HORD1
KNOCK+ HM 6! GR.D4
  ,Z ,HORD LAY W9D$1 ,TORAK /RA4L$ 8 *E/
& KNELT ON 8 >MS 6P9 !M D[N4 ,= "O RO>+
HE>TB1T 8 SI<T MI/$ R$1 & HE KNEW ! URGE
6KILL4 ,HE GRA2$ A H&;L ( D>K-R$     #IB
HAIR & BA%$ ,HORD'S H1D ONCE AG/ ! E>?4
  ,!N HE FELT /R;G H&S ON 8 %\LD]S1
PULL+ HM (F4 8,X'S OV]10 SD ,F9-,K$9N 2H
HM4
  ,TORAK /RU7L$ 9 8 GRIP4 ,HORD SPRANG
UP & SCRAM#D = 8 KNIFE4 ,PANT+ & GL>+1
!Y FAC$ EA* O!R4
  8,I SD X'S .OV]10 SNAPP$ ,F9-,K$9N4
  ,*AOS ERUPT$ AM;G ! WAT*]S4 ,!Y DIDN'T
?9K X 0 OV] AT ALL4 8,HE *1T$6 ,HE US$
FIRE60
  8,NO1 HE WON FAIRLY 5\<60
  8,:O'S 6SAY8 ,!Y'LL H 6FI<T X \ AG60
  ,BO? ,TORAK & ,HORD LOOK$ APPALL$ AT
T4
  8,! BOY WON10 SD ,F9-,K$9N1 REL1S+ 8
GRIP ON ,TORAK4
  ,TORAK %OOK HMF & WIP$ ! SW1T F 8 FACE
Z HE WAT*$ ,HORD RE%1?+ 8 KNIFE4 ,HORD 0
FURI\S1 ?\< :E!R ) HMF OR ) ,TORAK X 0
IMPOSSI# 6TELL4 ,DYRATI PUT H] H& ON 8
>M1 B HE %OOK X (F ANGRILY & PU%$ 8 WAY
"? ! O!RS1 4APPE>+ 96"O (! %ELT]S4
  ,N[ T ! BLOOD LU/ _H LEFT HM1 ,TORAK
FELT %AKY & SICK4 ,HE %1!D 8 KNIFE   #IC
& LOOK$ >.D = 8 ?+S4 ,!N HE SAW ,F9-
,K$9N WAT*+ HM4
  8,Y BROKE ! RULE10 ! ,RAV5 ,L1D] SD
CALMLY4 8,Y US$ FIRE40
  8,NO ,I DIDN'T10 SD ,TORAK4 ,HE S.D$ A
LOT M 3FID5T ?AN HE FELT4 8,I DIDN'T USE
FIRE4 ,I US$ /1M40
  8,I WD H PREF]R$ X10 SD ,F9-,K$9N1 8IF
Y'D US$ WAT] 9/1D ( BRO?4 ,T 0 A WA/E (
GD FOOD40
  ,TORAK DID N REPLY4
  ,F9-,K$9N /UDI$ HM1 &=A MO;T "! 0 A
GL1M ( HUMOR 9 8 BLUE EYES4
  ,OSLAK PU%$ "? 6!M1 )! BAG 3TA9+ ,WOLF
9 8 >MS4 8,"H'S T CUB ( YRS60 HE BOOM$1
TOSS+ ! BAG AT ,TORAK )A =CE T MADE HM
/A7]4
  ,WOLF SQUIRM$ & LICK$ ,TORAK'S *9 &
TOLD HM H[ AW;L X _H BE51 ALL AT ONCE4
,TORAK WANT$ 6SAY "S?+ -=T+ B /OPP$ HMF4
,X WD 2 /UPID 6SLIP UP N[4
  8,! LAW'S ! LAW10 ,F9-,K$9N SD BRISK-
LY4 8,Y WON4 ,Y'RE FREE 6G40
  8,NO60 ,A GIRL'S VOICE RANG \1 & ALL
H1DS TURN$4 ,X 0 ,R5N4 8,Y C'T LET   #ID
HM G60 %E CRI$1 RUNN+ =W>D4
  8,HE J HAS10 RETORT$ ,TORAK4 8,Y HE>D
HM4 ,I'M FREE40
  ,R5N SPOKE 6H] UNCLE4 8,WE C'T LET HM
G4 ,? IS TOO IMPORTANT4 ,HE MI<T 2 '''0
,%E DREW ,F9-,K$9N ASIDE1 :ISP]+ URG5T-
LY4
  ,TORAK CDN'T MAKE \ :AT %E 0 SAY+1 B
6HIS 4MAY1 O!RS DREW CLOS] 6LI/54 ,!
,MAGE SC[L$ & NO4$4 ,EV5 ,HORD EM]G$ F !
%ELT]1 & :5 HE HE>D :AT !Y 7 SAY+1 HE
GAVE ,TORAK A /RANGE1 W>Y />E4
  ,F9-,K$9N /UDI$ ,R5N ?"\;LLY4 8,>E Y
SURE AB ?80
  8,I DON'T ."K10 %E SD4 8,MAYBE HE IS4
,MAYBE HE ISN'T4 ,WE NE$ "T 6F9D \40
  ,F9-,K$9N /ROK$ 8 BE>D4 8,:AT MAKES Y
SUSPECT--0
  8,! WAY HE DEF1T$ ,HORD4 ,& ,I F.D ? 9
8 ?+S40 ,%E HELD \ H] PALM1 & ,TORAK SAW
8 LL GR\SE-B"O :I/LE4 8,:AT D Y USE X
=80 %E ASK$ HM4
  8,= CALL+ ! CUB10 HE REPLI$4
  ,%E BLEW ON X1 & ,WOLF TWI/$ 9 8 >MS4
,A %IV] ( UNEASE RAN "? ! CR[D4      #IE
,R5N & ,F9-,K$9N EX*ANG$ GL.ES4 8,X
DOESN'T MAKE ANY NOISE10 %E SD A3US+LY4
  ,TORAK DID N REPLY4 ,HE R1LIZ$ )A JOLT
T H] EYES 7 N LI<T BLUE L H] BRO!R'S1 B
BLACK3 BLACK Z A P1T POOL4 ,HE WOND]$ IF
%E 0 A ,MAGE1 TOO4
  ,%E TURN$ 6,F9-,K$9N4 8,WE C'T LET HM
G TILL WE "K = SURE40
  8,%E'S "R10 SD ! ,MAGE4 8,Y "K :AT X
SAYS Z WELL Z ,I D4 ,"EY"O DOES40
  8,:AT .:AT SAYS80 PL1D$ ,TORAK4 8,F9-
,K$9N1 WE _H A PACT6 ,WE AGRE$ T IF ,I
WON ! FI<T1 ME & ,WOLF WD G FREE60
  8,NO10 SD ,F9-,K$9N1 8WE AGRE$ T Y WD
LIVE4 ,& S Y %4 ,AT L1/ = N[4 ,OSLAK1
TIE HM UP AG40
  8.,NO60 %\T$ ,TORAK4
  ,R5N RAIS$ H] *94 8,Y SD YR "F 0 KILL$
0A BE>4 ,WE "K AB T BE>4 ,"S ( U H EV5
SE5 X40
  ,2S H]1 ,HORD %U4]$ & 2GAN 6GNAW 8
?UMBNAIL4
  8,AB A MOON AGO X CAME10 ,R5N W5T ON
QUIETLY4 8,L A %AD[ X D>K5$ ! ,=E/1
KILL+ WANTONLY1 EV5 KILL+ O!R        #IF
HUNT]S4 ,WOLVES4 ,A LYNX4 ,X 0 Z IF--Z
IF X 0 SE>*+ = "S?+40 ,%E PAUS$4 8,!N
?IRTE5 "DS AGO X 4APPE>$4 ,A RUNN] F !
,BO> ,CLAN TRACK$ X S\?4 ,WE ?"\ X _H
G"O4 ,WE GAVE ?ANKS 6\R CLAN GU>DIAN40
,%E SWALL[$4 8,N[ X'S BACK4 ,YE/]"D \R
SC\TS RETURN$ F ! WE/4 ,!Y'D F.D _M
KILLS1 "R D[N 6! ,SEA4 ,! ,:ALE ,CLAN
TOLD !M T ?REE "DS AGO1 X TOOK A *40
  ,TORAK LICK$ 8 LIPS4 8,:AT'S ? GOT 6D
) ME80
  8,"!'S A ,PROPHECY 9 \R CLAN10 SD ,R5N
Z IF HE _HN'T SPOK54 8,8..,A ,%AD[ AT-
TACKS ! ,=E/4 ,N"O C /& AG/ .X40'0 ,%E
BROKE (F1 FR[N+4
  ,! ,MAGE TOOK UP H] ^WS4 8,8..,!N -ES
! ,LI/5]4 ,HE FI<TS ) AIR1 & SP1KS )
.SIL;E40'0 ,H] GAZE FELL ON ! :I/LE 9
,R5N'S H&4
  ,"EY"O 0 SIL5T1 WAT*+ ,TORAK4
  8,I'M N YR ,LI/5]10 HE SD4
  8,WE ?9K Y MI<T BE10 REPLI$ ! ,MAGE4
  ,TORAK ?"\ AB ! ,PROPHECY4 8..,! ,LIS-
T5] FI<TS ) .AIR4 '''0 ,HE _H D"O J T3
,HE _H US$ /1M4 8,:AT--HAPP5S TO     #IG
HM80 HE ASK$ 9 A L[ VOICE4 8,:AT HAPP5S
6! ,LI/5] 9 ! ,PROPHECY80 ,B HE _H A T]-
RI# FEEL+ T HE ALR KNEW4
  ,! SIL;E 9 ! CLE>+ GREW M 9T5SE4 ,TO-
RAK LOOK$ F ! F"R5$ FACES >.D HM 6! FL9T
KNIFE AT ,OSLAK'S BELT4 ,HE LOOK$ AT !
GLI/5+ C>CASS (! BO> HANG+ F ! TREE2 AT
XS D>K BLOOD TRICKL+ 96! PAIL 2N4 ,HE
FELT ,F9-,K$9N'S EYES ON HM & TURN$ TO
FACE ! BURN+ BLUE GAZE4
  8,8.,! .,LI/5]10'0 QUOT$ ,F9-,K$9N1
8,8..GIVES 8 HE>T'S BLOOD 6! ,M.TA94 ,&!
,%AD[ IS .CRU%$40'0
  ,8 HE>T'S BLOOD4
  ,"U ! TREE1 ! BLOOD DRIPP$ S(TLY 96!
PAIL4
  ,DRIP1 DRIP1 DRIP4







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                  ,,T5               #II

  8,:AT >E Y GO+ 6D 6ME80 ASK$ ,TORAK Z
,OSLAK TI$ 8 WRI/S 2H 8 BACK & !N 6! RO(
PO/4 8,:AT >E Y GO+ 6D80
  8,Y'LL "K SOON 5\<10 SD ,OSLAK4 8,F9-
,K$9N WANTS X SETTL$ 0DAWN40
  .,DAWN1 ?"\ ,TORAK4
  ,OV] 8 %\LD]1 HE WAT*$ ,OSLAK TY+ A
RELUCTANT ,WOLF 6! SAME RO( PO/ ON A
%ORT RAWHIDE L1%4
  ,8 TEE? 2GAN 6*ATT]4 8,:O DECIDES :AT
HAPP5S 6ME8 ,:Y C'T ,I 2 "! 6DEF5D MYF8
,:O >E ALL ^? P 0! FIRE80
  8,[60 EXCLAIM$ ,OSLAK1 SUCK+ A BITT5
F+]1 8,F9-,K$9N S5T RUNN]S 6CALL A CLAN
MEET AB ! BE>4 ,N[ !Y'RE DECID+ AB Y1
TOO40
  ,TORAK PE]$ AT ! FIGURES HUN*$ AB !
L;G-FIRE3 TW5TY OR ?IRTY M5 & WOM51 _!
FACES />KLY LIT 0! FLAMES4 ,HE DIDN'T
GIVE M* = 8 *.ES4
  ,DAWN4 ,"SH[1 2F DAWN1 HE _H 6GET \ (
"H4
  ,B H[8 ,HE 0 SITT+ 9 A %ELT]1 TI$ 6A
RO( PO/1 )\T W1PONS OR PACK2 &      #AJJ
EV5 IF HE GOT FREE1 ! CAMP 0 H1VILY
GU>D$4 ,N[ T D>K;S _H FALL51 A R+ (
FIRES _H SPRUNG UP >.D X1 & M5 ) SPE>S &
BIR*-B>K HORNS 7 KEEP+ WAT*4 ,F9-,K$9N 0
TAK+ NO *.ES )! BE>4
  ,OSLAK YANK$ (F ,TORAK'S BOOTS & TI$ 8
ANKLES TGR1 !N LEFT1 TAK+ ! BOOTS ) HM4
  ,TORAK CDN'T HE> :AT !Y 7 SAY+ AT !
CLAN MEET1 B AT L1/ HE CD SEE !M1 ?ANKS
6! ODD 3/RUC;N (! ,RAV5 %ELT]4 ,XS
RE9DE]-HIDE RO( SLOP$ %>PLY D[N 2H HM1 B
9 FRONT "! 0 NO WALL AT ALL1 ONLY A
CROSSB1M1 : SEEM$ 6DEFLECT ! SMOKE F !
SMALL FIRE T CRACKL$ J 9 FRONT B TRAPP$
! W>M? 9SIDE4
  ,/RA9+ 6MAKE \ :AT 0 GO+ ON1 ,TORAK
SAW P RIS+ "O 0"O 6SP1K4 ,A BROAD-%\LD]$
MAN HOLD+ AN ENORM\S ?R[+ AXE4 ,A WOMAN
) L;G NUT-BR[N HAIR1 "O LOCK AT ! TEMPLE
MATT$ ) R$ O*RE4 ,A WILD-EY$ GIRL ^:
SKULL 0 WEIRDLY PLA/]$ ) YELL[ CLAY TO
GIVE X ! R\<;S ( OAK B>K4
  ,HE CDN'T SEE ,F9-,K$9N1 B A LL A"P F
! O!RS1 ! ,MAGE CR\*$ 9 ! DU/1 WAT*+ A
L>GE GLOSSY RAV54 ,! BIRD /ALK$     #AJA
FE>.SLY UP & D[N1 UTT]+ ! O3A.NAL H>%
8.C>K60
  ,TORAK WOND]$ IF X 0 ! CLAN GU>DIAN4
,:AT 0 X TELL+ H]8 ,H[ 6SACRIFICE HM8
,:E!R 6GUT HM L A SALMON OR SPIT HM L A
H>E8 ,HE'D N"E HE>D ( CLANS SACRIFIC+ P1
EXCEPT L;G 9 ! PA/1 9 ! BAD "TS AF !
,GRT ,WAVE4 ,B !N1 HE'D N"E HE>D (! ,RA-
V5 ,CLAN EI4
  ..,F9-,K$9N WANTS X DECID$ 0DAWN4 '''
,! ,LI/5] GIVES 8 HE>T'S BLOOD 6! .,M\N-
TA94 '''
  ,_H ,FA "KN AB ! ,PROPHECY8 ,HE CDN'T
H4 ,HE WDN'T H S5T 8 [N SON 6HIS D1?4
  ,& YET--HE'D MADE ,TORAK SWE> 6F9D !
,M.TA94 ,HE'D SD1 ..,DON'T HATE ME .LA-
T]4
  ,LAT]4 ,:5 Y F9D \4
  ,! CUB'S RASP+ T;GUE ON 8 WRI/S BR"\
HM BACK 6! PRES5T4 ,WOLF LIK$ ! TA/E (!
RAWHIDE4 ,TORAK FELT A SURGE ( HOPE4 ,IF
,WOLF CD 2 MADE 6BITE 9/1D ( LICK '''
  ,EV5 Z ,TORAK 0 WOND]+ H[ 6PUT T 9
WOLF TALK1 A MAN ROSE F ! L;G-FIRE &
CROSS$ ! CLE>+ T[>D HM4 ,X 0        #AJB
,HORD4
  ,FRANTIC,Y1 ,TORAK GR[L$ AT ,WOLF TO
/OP4 ,HE 0 TOO HUNGRY 6NOTICE1 & W5T ON
LICK+4
  ,HORD WASN'T 9T]E/$ 9 ,WOLF1 ?\<4 ,HE
/OOD 0! SMALL] FIRE 9 FRONT (! DOORWAY1
GNAW+ 8 ?UMBNAIL & GL>+ AT ,TORAK4
8,Y'RE N ! ,LI/5]10 HE SN>L$4 8,Y C'T
BE40
  8,TELL T 6! O!RS10 RETORT$ ,TORAK4
  8,WE DON'T NE$ A .BOY 6HELP U KILL !
BE>4 ,WE C D X \RVS4 .,I C D X4 ,I'LL
SAVE ! CLANS40
  8,Y WDN'T /& A *.E10 SD ,TORAK4 ,HE
FELT ,WOLF />T+ 6NIB# ! RAWHIDE ) 8 %>P
FRONT TEE?1 & KEPT V / S Z N 6PUT HM (F4
,HE PRAY$ T ,HORD WDN'T LOOK 2H HM & SEE
:AT ,WOLF 0 DO+4
  ,B ,HORD SEEM$ TOO AGITAT$ 6NOTICE4
,HE PAC$ BACK & =?1 !N TURN$ ON ,TORAK4
8,Y'VE SE5 X1 HAV5'T Y8 ,Y'VE SE5 !
BE>40
  ,TORAK 0 />TL$4 8,( C\RSE ,I'VE SE5 X4
,X KILL$ MY "F40
  ,HORD CA/ A FURTIVE GL.E OV] 8    #AJC
%\LD]4 8,I'VE SE5 X TOO40
  8,":8 ,:580
  ,HORD FL9*$1 Z IF W>D+ (F A BL[4 8,I 0
9 ! S\?4 ,)! ,R$ ,DE] ,CLAN4 ,I 0 LE>N+
,MAGECRAFT4 ,SAEUNN0--HE NO4$ AT ! OLD
WOMAN TALK+ 6! RAV5--8\R ,MAGE1 %E WANT$
ME 6G40 ,AG HE TORE AT 8 ?UMBNAIL1 : _H
/>T$ 6BLE$4 8,I 0 "! :5 ! BE> 0 CAU<T4
,I--,I SAW X MADE40
  ,TORAK />$ AT HM4 8,MADE8 ,:AT D Y
M1N80
  ,B ,HORD _H G"O4

  ,MI4LE-NI<T PASS$1 ! DY+ MOON ROSE1 &
/ ! CLAN MEET W5T ON4 ,/ ,WOLF LICK$ &
NIB#D AT ! RAWHIDE4 ,B ,OSLAK _H TI$ !
KNOTS SECURELY1 & ,WOLF CDN'T SEEM 6GET
8 JAWS >.D !M4 ,DON'T /OP1 ,TORAK BE7$
HM SIL5TLY4 .,PL1SE DON'T /OP4
  ,HE 0 TOO SC>$ 6BE HUNGRY1 B HE FELT
BRUIS$ & /IFF F ! FI<T ) ,HORD1 & 8 %\L-
D]S A*$ F 2+ TI$ UP = S L;G4 ,EV5 IF
,WOLF MANAG$ 6GNAW "? ! B9D+S1 HE WASN'T
SURE T HE'D H ! /R5G? 6RUN AWAY1 OR SLIP
2T ! GU>DS4                         #AJD
  ,HE KEPT ?9K+ AB :AT ,HORD _H SD4 8,I
SAW X MADE4 '''0
  ,"! 0 "S?+ ELSE1 TOO4 ,HORD _H BE5 )!
,R$ ,DE] ,CLAN1 & ,TORAK'S "M _H BE5 ,R$
,DE]4 ,HE'D N"E "KN H]--%E'D DI$ :5 HE 0
LL2 B IF ! ,RAV5S 7 FRLY ) H] CLAN1 !N
MAYBE HE CD P]SUADE !M 6LET HM G4 '''
  ,\TSIDE1 BOOTS SCU6$ ! DU/4 ,QK4 ,!Y
M/N'T CAT* ,WOLF AT 8 WRI/S4
  ,TORAK J _H "T =A SWIFT W>N+ 8,UFF60--
: LUCKILY ,WOLF OBEY$--2F ,R5N APPE>$ 9
! DOORWAY1 *EW+ A LEG ( ROA/ H>E4
  ,H] %>P EYES TOOK 9 ,WOLF SITT+ 9NO-
C5TLY 2H HM1 !N FIX$ ON ,TORAK--:O />$
BACK1 WILL+ H] N 6-E ANY CLOS]4
  ,HE J]K$ 8 H1D AT ! CLAN MEET & ASK$
IF ANY ,WOLF ,CLAN 7 PRES5T4
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,N _M ,WOLF ,CLAN
LEFT ^! "DS4 ,S Y'RE N GO+ 6BE RESCU$1
IF T'S :AT Y'RE ?9K+40
  ,TORAK DID N REPLY4 ,HE'D J PULL$ AT !
ROPE >.D 8 WRI/S & FELT X GIVE A LL4 ,X
0 2G9N+ 6/RET*1 Z RAWHIDE DOES :5 X GETS
WET4 ,IF ONLY ,R5N WD G AWAY4
  ,%E /AY$ EXACTLY ": %E WAS4       #AJE
8,NO ,WOLF ,CLAN10 %E SD ) H] M\? FULL1
8B PL5TY ( O!RS4 ,YELL[ ,CLAYH1D OV] "!
IS F ! ,AURO* ,CLAN4 ,!Y'RE ,DEEP ,=E/
P2 !Y PRAY A LOT4 ,T'S H[ !Y ?9K WE %D
D1L )! BE>1 0PRAY+ 6! ,_W ,_S4 ,! MAN )!
AXE IS ,BO> ,CLAN4 ,HE WANTS 6MAKE A
FIRE WALL 6DRIVE ! BE> T[>D ! ,SEA4 ,!
WOMAN )! E>?BLOOD 9 H] HAIR IS ,R$ ,DE]4
,N SURE :AT %E ?9KS4 ,) !M X'S H>D TO
TELL40
  ,TORAK WOND]$ :Y %E 0 TALK+ S M*4 ,:AT
DID %E WANT8
  ,:AT"E X WAS1 HE DECID$ 6G AL;G ) X4
,HE SD1 8,MY "M 0 ,R$ ,DE]4 ,MAYBE T
WOMAN OV] "! IS MY B"O K94 ,MAYBE--0
  8,%E SAYS N4 ,%E'S N GO+ 6HELP Y40
  ,HE ?"\ =A MO;T4 8,YR CLAN >E FRLY )!
,R$ ,DE]1 >5'T !Y8 ,YR BRO!R SD HE LE>N$
,MAGECRAFT ) !M40
  8,S80
  8,HE--HE TOLD ME HE SAW ! BE>
,8MADE40' ,:AT DID HE M1N80
  ,%E GAVE HM H] N>R[1 MISTRU/;L />E4
  8,I NE$ 6"K10 SD ,TORAK4 8,X KILL$ MY
"F40                                #AJF
  ,R5N /UDI$ ! H>E'S LEG4 8,HORD 0 FO/]$
) !M4 ,Y "K AB FO/]+1 DON'T Y80 ,H]
VOICE HELD A T\* ( SCORN4 8,X'S :5 Y /AY
) ANO!R CLAN =A :ILE2 6MAKE FRS1 & MAYBE
F9D A MATE40
  8,I'VE HE>D ( X10 SD ,TORAK4 ,2H HM1
HE FELT ,WOLF SNU6L+ AT 8 WRI/S AG4 ,HE
TRI$ 6BAT HM AWAY ) 8 F+]S1 B X DIDN'T
"W4 ,N N[1 HE ?"\4 ,PL1SE N N[4
  8,HE 0 ) !M = N9E MOONS10 SD ,R5N1
TAK+ ANO!R BITE (! H>E LEG4 8,!Y'RE !
BE/ AT ,MAGECRAFT 9 ! ,=E/4 ,T'S :Y HE
W5T40 ,H] M\? CURL$ HUMOR.SLY4 8,HORD
LIKES 6BE ! BE/40 ,!N %E FR[N$4 8,:AT'S
T CUB DO+80
  8,NO?+10 ,TORAK SD TOO QKLY4 ,6,WOLF
HE SD 9 A /ILT$ VOICE1 8,G AWAY4 ,G
AWAY40
  ,WOLF1 ( C\RSE1 IGNOR$ HM4
  ,TORAK TURN$ BACK 6,R5N4 8,:AT HAPP5$
NEXT80
  ,ANO!R LOOK4 8,:Y >E Y ASK+80
  8,:Y >E Y TALK+ 6ME80
  ,H] FACE CLOS$4 ,%E 0 Z GD AT KEEP+
?+S BACK Z ,F9-,K$9N4               #AJG
  ,?"\;LLY %E PICK$ A %R$ ( H>E F 2T H]
TEE?4 8,HORD _HN'T BE5 )! ,R$ ,DE] L;G10
%E SD1 8:5 A /RANG] CAME 6_! CAMP4 ,A
W&]] F ! ,WILL[ ,CLAN1 CRIPPL$ 0A HUNT+
A3ID5T4 ,OR S HE SD4 ,! ,R$ ,DE] TOOK HM
IN4 ,B HE--0 ,%E HESITAT$1 & SU45LY
LOOK$ "Y] & M* LESS 3FID5T4 8,HE 2TRAY$
!M4 ,HE WASN'T J A W&]]2 HE KNEW ,MAGE-
CRAFT4 ,HE MADE A SECRET PLACE 9 ! WOODS
& 3JUR$ A DEMON4 ,TRAPP$ X 9 ! BODY (A
BE>40 ,%E PAUS$4 8,HORD F.D \4 ,0!N X 0
TOO LATE40
  ,2Y ! %ELT]1 ! %AD[S SEEM$ 6H DEEP5$4
,\ 9 ! ,=E/1 A FOX SCR1M$4
  8.,:Y80 SD ,TORAK4 8,:Y DID HE D X1 ?
--W&]]80
  ,R5N %OOK H] H1D4 8,:O "KS8 ,MAYBE 6H
A CR1TURE 6D 8 BI4+8 ,B X W5T WR;G40 ,!
FIRELI<T GL9T$ 9 H] D>K EYES4 8,ONCE !
DEMON GOT 9SIDE ! BE>1 X 0 TOO /R;G4 ,X
BROKE FREE4 ,KILL$ ?REE P 2F ! ,R$ ,DE]
CD DRIVE X AWAY4 ,0!N ! CRIPPL$ W&]] _H
4APPE>$40
  ,TORAK 0 SIL5T4 ,! ONLY S.DS 7 ! TREES
:ISP]+ 9 ! NI<T BREEZE1 &! RASP (   #AJH
,WOLF'S T;GUE Z HE LICK$ ! RAWHIDE4
  ,WOLF A3ID5T,Y CAU<T ,TORAK'S SK9 9 8
TEE?4 ,)\T ?9K+1 ,TORAK TURN$ & GAVE HM
A %>P W>N+ GR[L4
  ,9/ANTLY ,WOLF L1P$ BACK & APOLOGIZ$ )
A GR94
  ,R5N GASP$4 8,Y C .TALK 6HM60
  8,NO60 CRI$ ,TORAK4 8,NO1 Y'RE WR;G--0
  8,I .SAW Y60 ,H] FACE 0 PAL] ?AN "E4
8,S X'S TRUE4 ,! ,PROPHECY IS TRUE4 ,Y
.>E ! ,LI/5]40
  8,NO60
  8,:AT 7 Y SAY+ 6HM8 ,:AT 7 Y PLOTT+80
  8,I'VE TOLD Y1 ,I C'T--0
  8,I WON'T GIVE Y ! *.E10 %E :ISP]$4
8,I WON'T LET Y PLOT AG/ U4 ,NEI W ,F9-
,K$9N40 ,DRAW+ H] KNIFE1 %E CUT ,WOLF'S
L1%1 SCOOP$ HM UP 9 H] >MS1 & RAC$ ACR !
CLE>+ T[>D ! CLAN MEET4
  8,-E BACK60 YELL$ ,TORAK4 ,FURI\SLY1
HE YANK$ AT ! B9D+S1 B !Y HELD FA/4
,WOLF _HN'T _H "T 6BITE !M "?4
  ,T]ROR WA%$ OV] HM4 ,HE'D PUT ALL 8
HOPES 9 ,WOLF1 & N[ ,WOLF 0 G"O4 ,DAWN 0
N F> (F4 ,ALR ! BIRDS 7 /IRR+ 9 !   #AJI
TREES4
  ,AG HE TU7$ AT ! B9D+S >.D 8 WRI/S4
,AG !Y HELD TI<T4
  ,ACR ! CLE>+1 ,F9-,K$9N &! OLD WOMAN
CALL$ ,SAEUNN ROSE 6_! FEET & />T$ T[>D
HM4


















                                    #AAJ
























                ,,ELEV5             #AAA

  8,H[ M* D Y "K80 SD ,F9-,K$9N4
  8,NO?+10 SD ,TORAK1 EYE+ ! JA7$ B"O
KNIFE AT ! ,RAV5 ,L1D]'S BELT4 8,>E Y
GO+ 6SACRIFICE ME80
  ,F9-,K$9N DID N REPLY4 ,HE & ,SAEUNN
CR\*$ AT EI SIDE (! DOORWAY1 WAT*+ HM4
,HE FELT L PREY4
  ,2H 8 BACK1 HE SCRAB#D >.D = "S?+--
ANY?+--T HE CD USE 6CUT ! RAWHIDE4 ,8
F+]S F.D ONLY A WILL[-BRAN* MAT3 SMOO? &
USE.S4
  8,H[ M* D Y "K80 ,F9-,K$9N SD AG4
  ,TORAK TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 8,I AM N YR
,LI/5]10 HE SD Z /1DILY Z HE CD4 8,I C'T
BE4 ,I'VE N"E EV5 HE>D (! ,PROPHECY40 ,&
YET1 HE WOND]$1 :Y 0 ,R5N S C]TA98 ,:AT
DOES SP1K+ WOLF TALK H 6D ) X8
  ,F9-,K$9N TURN$ AWAY4 ,8 FACE 0 Z UN-
R1DA# Z "E1 B ,TORAK SAW 8 H& TI<T5 ON 8
KNIFE4
  ,SAEUNN L1N$ =W>D & PE]$ 96,TORAK'S
EYES4 ,9 ! FIRELI<T1 HE SAW H] CLOSELY4
,HE'D N"E 5C.T]$ ANY"O S OLD4 ,"? H]
SCANT :ITE HAIR1 H] SCALP GL1M$ L   #AAB
POLI%$ B"O4 ,H] FACE 0 %>P Z A BIRD'S4
,AGE _H SCOR*$ AWAY ALL K9DLY FEEL+S TO
L1VE ONLY ! FI]CE RAV5 ESS;E4
  8,AC 6,R5N10 %E SD H>%LY1 8Y C TALK 6!
WOLF4 ,T'S "P (! ,PROPHECY4 ,! "P WE
DIDN'T TELL Y40
  8,R5N'S WR;G10 ,TORAK SD QKLY4 8,I
C'T--0
  8,DON'T LIE 6U10 SD ,F9-,K$9N )\T
TURN+ 8 H1D4
  ,TORAK SWALL[$4
  ,AG HE GROP$ 2H HM4 ,? "T--YES6 ,A T9Y
FLAKE ( FL9T1 NO BI7] ?AN 8 ?UMBNAIL3
PROBABLY DROPP$ 0"S"O %>P5+ A KNIFE4 ,8
F+]S CLOS$ OV] X4 ,IF ONLY ,F9-,K$9N &
,SAEUNN WD RETURN 6! CLAN MEET1 HE MI<T
2 A# 6CUT HMF FREE4 ,!N HE CD F9D :]"E
,R5N _H TAK5 ,WOLF1 & DODGE 2T ! GU>DS &
'''
  ,8 _SS SANK4 ,HE'D NE$ A LOT ( LUCK TO
MANAGE ALL T4
  8,% ,I TELL Y10 SD ,SAEUNN1 8.:Y Y C
TALK 6! WOLF80
  8,SAEUNN1 :AT'S ! USE80 SD ,F9-,K$9N4
8,WE'RE WA/+ "T--0                  #AAC
  8,HE M/ 2 TOLD10 SD ! OLD WOMAN4 ,%E
FELL SIL5T4 ,!N1 ) "O YELL[1 CLAWLIKE
F+]1 %E T\*$ ! AMULET AT H] BR1/ & 2GAN
TRAC+ ! SPIRAL4
  ,TORAK WAT*$ H] TALON GO+ R.D & R.D4
,HE />T$ 6FEEL DIZZY4
  8,_M YE>S AGO10 SD ! ,RAV5 ,MAGE1 8YR
"F & "M LEFT _! CLAN4 ,!Y W5T 6HIDE F _!
5EMIES4 ,F>1 F> AWAY 9 ! ,DEEP ,=E/1
AM;G ! GRE5 S\LS (! TALK+ TREES40 ,/ H]
TALON TRAC$ ! SPIRAL3 DRAW+ ,TORAK D[N
96! PA/4
  8,?REE MOONS AF Y 7 BORN10 ,SAEUNN W5T
ON1 8YR "M DI$40
  ,F9-,K$9N GOT UP1 CROSS$ 8 >MS OV] 8
*E/1 & /OOD />+ \ 96! D>K;S4
  ,SAEUNN DIDN'T EV5 GL.E AT ,F9-,K$9N4
,H] ATT5;N 0 FIX$ ON ,TORAK4 8,Y 7 ONLY
AN 9FANT10 %E SD4 8,YR "F CDN'T FE$ Y4
,USU,Y :5 T HAPP5S1 ! "F S"MS 8 *1 6SP>E
X A SL[ D1? F />V,N4 ,B YR "F F.D ANO!R
WAY4 ,A %E-WOLF )A LITT]4 ,HE PUT Y 9 H]
D540
  ,TORAK /RU7L$ 6TAKE X IN4
  8,?REE MOONS Y 7 ) H] 9 ! D54     #AAD
,?REE MOONS 6LE>N ! WOLF TALK40
  ,TORAK GRIPP$ ! FL9T FLAKE S H>D T X
DUG 96HIS PALM4 ,HE CD FEEL T ,SAEUNN 0
TELL+ ! TRU?4 ,? 0 :Y HE CD TALK 6,WOLF4
,? 0 :Y HE'D _H T VI.N :5 HE'D F.D ! D54
,! SQUIRM+ CUBS4 ,! RI*1 FATTY MILK '''
  ,H[ CD ,SAEUNN POSSIBLY "K8
  8,NO10 HE SD4 8,? IS A TRAP4 ,Y CDN'T
"K ?4 ,Y W]5'T "!40
  8,YR "F TOLD ME10 SD ,SAEUNN4
  8,HE C'T H4 ,WE N"E W5T NE> P--0
  8,OH1 B Y DID ONCE4 ,FIVE SUMM]S AGO4
,DON'T Y REMEMB]8 ,! CLAN MEET 0! ,SEA40
  ,TORAK'S PULSE 2GAN 6RACE4
  8,YR "F W5T "! 6F9D ME4 ,6TELL ME AB
Y40 ,H] TALON CAME 6RE/ AT ! HE>T (!
SPIRAL4 8,Y >E N L O!RS10 %E SD 9 H] RA-
V5'S CROAK4 8,Y .>E ! ,LI/5]40
  ,AG ,TORAK'S GRIP ON ! FL9T TI<T5$4
8,I--,I C'T BE4 ,I DON'T "U/&40
  8,( C\RSE HE DOESN'T10 SD ,F9-,K$9N
OV] 8 %\LD]4 ,HE TURN$ 6,TORAK4 8,YR "F
TOLD Y NO?+ AB :O Y >E4 ,T'S "R1 ISN'T
X80
  ,TORAK NO4$4                      #AAE
  ,! ,RAV5 ,L1D] 0 SIL5T =A MO;T4 ,8
FACE 0 /1 B ,TORAK S5S$ A BATTLE RAG+ 2N
8 MASKLIKE F1TURES4 8,"! IS ONLY "O ?+ Y
NE$ 6"K10 SD ,F9-,K$9N4 8,X'S ?4 ,X IS N
0*.E T ! BE> ATTACK$ YR "F4 ,X'S .2C (
HM T X CAME 962+40
  ,TORAK'S HE>T MISS$ A B1T4 8,2C ( MY
"F80
  8,F9-,K$9N--0 W>N$ ,SAEUNN4
  ,! ,RAV5 ,L1D] %OT H] A %>P GL.E4 8,Y
SD HE %D "K4 ,N[ ,I'M TELL+ HM40
  8,B10 SD ,TORAK1 8X 0 ! CRIPPL$ W&]]
:O--0
  8,! CRIPPL$ W&]]10 CUT 9 ,F9-,K$9N1
8WAS YR "F'S SWORN 5EMY40
  ,TORAK %RANK BACK AG/ ! RO( PO/4 8,MY
"F DIDN'T H 5EMIES40
  ,! ,RAV5 ,L1D]'S EYES GL9T$ DANG]\SLY4
8,YR "F WASN'T J "S HUNT] F ! ,WOLF
,CLAN4 ,HE 0 ! ,WOLF ,CLAN ,MAGE40
  ,TORAK =GOT 6BR1!4
  8,HE DIDN'T TELL Y T1 EI1 DID HE80 SD
,F9-,K$9N4 8,OH YES1 HE 0 ! ,WOLF ,MAGE4
,& X'S 2C ( HM T ?--.CR1TURE--IS RAMPAG+
"? ! ,=E/--0                        #AAF
  8,NO10 :ISP]$ ,TORAK4 8,T ISN'T TRUE40
  8,HE KEPT Y IGNORANT ( "EY?+1 DIDN'T
HE80
  8,F9-,K$9N10 SD ,SAEUNN1 8HE 0 TRY+ TO
PROTECT--0
  8,YES1 & LOOK AT ! RESULT60 ,F9-,K$9N
R.D$ ON H]4 8,A HALF-GR[N BOY :O "KS
NO?+6 ,YET Y ASK ME 62LIEVE T HE IS !
ONLY "O :O C--0 ,HE /OPP$ %ORT1 %AK+ 8
H1D4
  ,"! 0 A TAUT SIL;E4 ,F9-,K$9N TOOK A
DEEP BR1?4 8,! MAN :O CR1T$ ! BE>10 HE
TOLD ,TORAK QUIETLY1 8DID X =A S+LE PUR-
POSE4 ,HE CR1T$ ! BE> 6KILL YR "F40

  ,! SKY 0 LI<T5+ 9 ! EA/ :5 ,TORAK F9,Y
CUT ! ROPE R.D 8 WRI/S )! FLAKE ( FL9T4
,"! 0 NO "T 6LOSE4 ,F9-,K$9N _H J G"O
BACK 6! CLAN MEET ) ,SAEUNN1 ": !Y 7
LOCK$ 9 H1T$ >GU;T )! O!RS4 ,AT ANY MO;T
!Y MI<T R1* A DECI.N & -E 6GET HM4
  ,X 0 AN EF=T 6SAW "? ! B9D+ AT 8 AN-
KLES4 ,8 H1D 0 REEL+4 ..,YR "F PUT Y 9 !
D5 (A %E-WOLF4 ''' ,HE 0 ! ,WOLF ,MAGE4
''' ,HE 0 .MURD]$4 '''              #AAG
  ,! FLAKE ( FL9T 0 SLIPP]Y ) SW1T4 ,HE
DROPP$ X4 ,FUM#D = X AG4 ,AT LA/ ! B9D+
0 CUT4 ,HE FLEX$ 8 ANKLES--& NE>LY CRI$
\ 9 PA94 ,8 LEGS BURN$ F 2+ CRAMP$ = S
L;G4
  ,WORSE ?AN T 0 ! PA9 9 8 HE>T4 ,FA _H
BE5 MURD]$4 ,MURD]$ 0! CRIPPL$ W&]]1 :O
_H CR1T$ ! DEMON BE> )! SOLE AIM ( HUNT+
HM D[N4 '''
  ,X WASN'T POSSI#4 ,"! _H 6BE "S MIS-
TAKE4
  ,& YET1 DEEP D[N1 ,TORAK KNEW X 0
TRUE4 ,HE REMEMB]$ ! GRIM;S 9 ,FA'S FACE
Z HE LAY DY+4 ..,X W -E = ME .SOON1 HE
_H SD4 ,HE _H "KN :AT 8 5EMY _H D"O4 ,HE
_H "KN :Y ! BE> _H BE5 CR1T$4
  ,X 0 TOO M* 6TAKE IN4 ,TORAK FELT Z IF
"EY?+ HE'D "E "KN _H BE5 SWEPT AWAY1 Z
IF HE /OOD ON "D-OLD ICE1 WAT*+ ! CRACKS
SPR1D+ L LI<TN+ 2N 8 FEET4
  ,! PA9 9 8 LEGS WR5*$ HM BACK 6! PRES-
5T4 ,HE TRI$ 6RUB "S FEEL+ 96!M4 ,8 B>E
FEET 7 COLD1 B "! 0 NO?+ HE CD D4 ,HE
_HN'T BE5 A# 6SEE ": ,OSLAK _H TAK5 8
BOOTS4                              #AAH
  ,"SH[1 )\T 2+ SPOTT$1 HE _H 6GET \ (!
%ELT]1 ACR 6! HAZEL BU%ES AT ! $GE (!
CLE>+4 ,"SH[1 HE _H 6EVADE ! GU>DS4
  ,HE CDN'T D X4 ,HE'D 2 SE54 ,IF ONLY
HE CD F9D "S WAY 64TRACT !M '''
  ,AT ! F> 5D (! CAMP1 A L"OLY Y[L ROSE
96! MI/Y MORN+ AIR4 .,": .>E .Y8 CRI$
,WOLF4 ..,:Y DID Y L1VE ME ? ."T8
  ,TORAK FROZE4 ,HE HE>D ! CAMP DOGS
TAK+ UP ! H[L4 ,HE SAW P L1P+ UP F !
CLAN MEET & RUNN+ 69VE/IGATE4 ,HE KNEW T
,WOLF _H GIV5 HM 8 *.E4
  ,HE _H 6ACT FA/4 ,QKLY1 HE $G$ \ (!
%ELT] & DIV$ 96! %AD[S 2H ! HAZEL BU%ES4
,HE KNEW :AT HE _H 6D--& HE HAT$ X4
  ,HE _H 6L1VE ,WOLF 2H4








                ,,TWELVE            #AAI

  ,COLD AIR BURN$ ,TORAK'S ?ROAT Z HE
TORE "? A WILL[ ?ICKET T[>D ! RIV]4
,/"OS BLOODI$ 8 B>E FEET4 ,HE H>DLY NO-
TIC$4
  ,?ANKS 6,WOLF1 HE'D GOTT5 \ (! CAMP
UNSE51 B N = L;G4 ,2H HM CAME A DEEP1
E*O+ BOOM4 ,BIR*-B>K HORNS 7 S.D+ !
AL>M4 ,HE HE>D M5 %\T+1 DOGS BAY+4 ,!
,RAV5S 7 -+ AF HM4
  ,BRAM#S SNA7$ 8 LE7+S Z HE SKI4$ OV] !
RIV]BANK & SPLA%$ D[N 96A B$ ( TALL
RE$S4 ,KNEE-DEEP 9 ICY BLACK MUD1 HE
CLAMP$ 8 H& OV] 8 M\? 6/OP 8 /1MY BR1? F
2TRAY+ HM4
  ,=TUNATELY1 HE 0 D[NW9D ( 8 PURSU]S1 B
! SW1T 0 P\R+ (F HM1 & HE 0 / CLUT*+ !
RAWHIDE ROPE F 8 ANKLES2 ! DOGS WD EASI-
LY PICK UP 8 SC5T4 ,HE DIDN'T "K :E!R TO
TOSS X AWAY OR KEEP X 9 CASE HE NE$$ X4
  ,3FU.N SWIRL$ 9 8 H1D L AN ANGRY RIV]4
,HE _H NO BOOTS1 NO PACK1 NO W1PONS--&
NO?+ ) : 6MAKE ANY M1 A"P F ! K 9 8 H1D
&! SKILL 9 8 H&S4 ,IF HE MANAG$ 6ESCAPE1
:AT !N8                             #ABJ
  ,SU45LY1 ABV ! HORNS1 HE HE>D A Y[L4
.,": .>E .Y8
  ,AT ! S.D1 ,TORAK'S D\BTS CLE>$4 ,HE
CDN'T L1VE ,WOLF4 ,HE _H 6RESCUE HM4
  ,HE WI%$ "! 0 "S WAY HE CD H[L BACK--
..,I'M -+4 ,DON'T 2 AFRAID1 ,I HAV5'T
AB&ON$ .Y--B ( C\RSE "! WASN'T4 ,! Y[L+
W5T ON4
  ,8 FEET 7 FREEZ+4 ,HE _H 6GET \ (!
RIV] OR HE'D 2 TOO NUMB 6RUN4 ,HE ?"\
FA/4
  ,! ,RAV5S WD EXPECT HM 6H1D NOR?1 2C T
0 ": HE'D SD HE 0 GO+ :5 !Y'D CAPTUR$
HM2 S HE DECID$ 6D EXACTLY T--AT L1/ =A
:ILE--& !N D\# BACK 6! CAMP & F9D "S WAY
( R1*+ ,WOLF1 HOP+ T ! ,RAV5S WD 2
TRICK$ 963T9U+ NOR?4
  ,F>!R D[N/R1M1 A BRAN* SNAPP$4
  ,TORAK :EEL$ R.D4
  ,A S(T SPLA%4 ,A MUTT]$ CURSE4
  ,HE PE]$ "? ! RE$S4
  ,AB FIFTY PACES D[N/R1M1 TWO M5 7 /1L+
D[N ! BANK T[>D ! RE$ B$4 ,!Y MOV$ C>E-
;LLY1 9T5T ON HUNT+ HM4 ,"O HELD A B[ T
0 TALL] ?AN ,TORAK1 ) AN >R[ ALR    #ABA
FITT$ 6! /R+2 ! O!R GRIPP$ A BASALT ?R[+
AXE4
  ,X _H BE5 A MISTAKE 6HIDE 9 ! RE$ B$4
,IF HE /AY$ ": HE WAS1 !Y'D F9D HM2 IF
HE TRI$ 6SWIM ! RIV]1 HE'D 2 SE5 & SPE>$
L A PIKE4 ,HE _H 6GET BACK 96! COV] (!
,=E/4
  ,Z QUIETLY Z HE CD1 HE />T$ CLAMB]+ UP
! BANK4 ,X 0 ?ICK ) WILL[S T GAVE GD
COV]1 B V /EEP4 ,R$ E>? CRUM#D 2N HM4
,IF HE FELL BACK 96! RIV]1 !Y'D HE> !
SPLA%4 '''
  ,PEB#S TRICKL$ 96! WAT] Z HE CLAW$ AT
! DIRT4 ,LUCKILY ! BOOM+ (! BIR*-B>K
HORNS MASK$ ! NOISE1 &! M5 DIDN'T HE>4
  ,*E/ H1V+1 HE MADE X 6! TOP4 ,N[ 6H1D
NOR?4 ,! SKY 0 OV]CA/1 S HE CDN'T GET 8
BE>+S F ! SUN1 B S9CE ! RIV] FL[$ WE/1
HE KNEW T IF HE KEPT X DIRECTLY 2H HM1
HE'D 2 H1D+ R\<LY NOR?4
  ,HE SET (F "? A ?ICK WOOD ( ASP5 &
BEE*1 TAK+ C>E 6TRAIL ! RAWHIDE 2H HM S
Z 6L1VE A GD /R;G SC5T4
  ,A FURI\S BAY+ ERUPT$ 2H HM1 T]RIFY+LY
CLOSE4 ,HE'D TRAIL$ ! ROPE TOO      #ABB
SOON4 ,ALR ! DOGS _H PICK$ UP 8 SC5T4
  ,9 PANIC HE SCRAM#D UP ! NE>E/ TREE--A
SP9DLY ASP5--& _H J MANAG$ 6SCREW ! RAW-
HIDE 96A BALL & ?R[ X Z F> Z HE CD T[>D
! RIV] :5 A MASSIVE R$ DOG BUR/ "? !
BRAM#S4
  ,X CA/ AB 2N ,TORAK'S TREE1 LOOPS (
SPIT SW++ F XS JAWS4 ,!N X PICK$ UP !
SC5T (! RAWHIDE & RAC$ (F 9 PURSUIT4
  8,"!60 CAME A %\T F D[N/R1M4 8,"O (!
DOGS HAS F.D ! TRAIL60
  ,?REE M5 RAN 2N ,TORAK'S ASP51 PANT+ Z
!Y /RU7L$ 6CAT* UP )! DOG4 ,TORAK CLUNG
6! TREE TRUNK4 ,IF "O ( !M LOOK$ UP '''
  ,!Y PU%$ ON & 4APPE>$4 ,MO;TS LAT]1
,TORAK HE>D FA9T SPLA%ES4 ,!Y M/ 2 SE>*+
! RE$S4
  ,HE WAIT$ 9 CASE M FOLL[$1 !N JUMP$
D[N F ! TREE4
  ,HE RAN NOR? "? ! ASP5S1 PUTT+ "S 4T.E
2T HMF &! RIV]1 !N SKI4$ 6A HALT4 ,X 0
"T 6TURN EA/ & H1D BACK T[>D ! CAMP--
PROVID$ HE CD F9D "S WAY ( PUTT+ ! DOGS
(F 8 TRAIL4
  ,DESP]ATELY HE LOOK$ >.D = "S?+   #ABC
6MASK 8 SC5T4 ,DE] DROPP+S8 ,NO GD3 !
DOGS WD / *ASE AF HM4 ,Y>R[ L1VES8 ,MAY-
BE4 ,_! /R;G1 NUTTY SMELL %D 2 P[];L 5
6MASK 8 SW1T4
  ,AT ! FOOT (A BEE* TREE1 HE F.D A PILE
( WOLV]9E DROPP+S3 TWI/$1 HAIRY1 & S
F\L-SMELL+ T !Y MADE 8 EYES WAT]4 ,M*
BETT]4 ,GA7+ ON ! /5*1 HE SME>$ 8 FEET1
%9S1 & H&S4 ,WOLV]9ES >E AB ! SAME SIZE
Z BADG]S1 B !Y'LL FI<T ANY?+ T MOVES1 &
!Y USU,Y W94 ,! DOGS PROBABLY WDN'T RISK
AN 5C.T]4
  ,! BOOM+ (! HORNS SU45LY CUT (F4
  ,! SIL;E B1T AT 8 E>S4 ,)A CLUT* ( T]-
ROR HE R1LIZ$ T ,WOLF'S Y[LS _H AL C1S$4
,0 HE ALL "R8 ,SURELY--SURELY ! ,RAV5S
WDN'T D>E H>M HM8
  ,TORAK F.D 8 WAY "? ! "UGR[? T[>D !
CAMP4 ,! GR.D ROSE1 &! RIV] RAN SWIFTLY
2T TUM#D B\LD]S SLIPP]Y ) MOSS4
  ,AH1D1 SMOKE CURL$ 96! H1VY GRAY SKY4
,HE M/ 2 GETT+ CLOSE4 ,HE CR\*$1 /RA9+ =
S.DS ( PURSUIT ABV ! RU%+ WAT]4 ,) E
BR1?1 HE EXPECT$ 6HE> ! ?WANG (A B[/R+2
6FEEL AN >R[ SLIC+ 2T 8 %\LD]       #ABD
BLADES4
  ,NO?+4 ,MAYBE !Y'D FALL5 = 8 TRICK & 7
FOLL[+ 8 TRAIL NOR?4
  ,"? ! TREES1 "S?+ BIG & DOM$ ROSE 9TO
SI<T4 ,TORAK LUR*$ 6A HALT4 ,HE GUESS$
:AT X WAS1 & HOP$ HE 0 WR;G4
  ,L A HUGE TOAD1 ! M.D SQUATT$ ABV HM4
,X 0 A H1D TALL] ?AN HM1 & ?ICKLY COV]$
) MOSS & BLUEB]RY SCRUB4 ,2H X /OOD TWO
SMALL] M.DS1 & >.D !M LOOM$ A D5SE ?ICK-
ET ( YEWS & IVY-*OK$ HOLLY TREES4
  ,TORAK HUNG BACK1 WOND]+ :AT 6D4
,ONCE1 HE & ,FA _H -E ACR M.DS L ^!4 ,?
0 ! ,RAV5 ,CLAN'S B"O-GR.D3 ! PLACE ":
!Y LAID ! B"OS ( _! ,D1D4
  ,8 WAY 6! CAMP--6,WOLF--LAY "? ! B"O-
GR.D1 ,B WD HE D>E8 ,HE WASN'T ,RAV5
,CLAN4 ,HE CDN'T V5TURE 96ANO!R CLAN'S
B"O-GR.D )\T ANG]+ _! ANCE/ORS4 '''
  ,MI/ FLOAT$ 9 ! HOLL[S 2T ! M.DS1 ": !
PALE1 <O/LY SKELETONS ( HEMLOCK RE>$ ABV
8 H1D &! PURPLE /ALKS ( DY+ WILL[-H]B
REL1S$ _! E]ILY DRIFT+ D[N4 ,ALL >.D
/OOD ! D>K1 LI/5+ TREES3 TREES T /AY$
GRE5 ALL W9T]1 T N"E SLEPT4 ,9 !    #ABE
BRAN*ES (! TALLE/ YEW P]*$ ?REE RAV5S1
WAT*+ HM4 ,HE WOND]$ : "O 0 ! CLAN GU>D-
IAN4
  ,A BAY+ ( DOGS 2H HM4
  ,HE 0 CAU<T 9 A TRAP4 ,CL"E ,F9-,K$9N3
?R[+ 8 NET WIDE1 !N TI<T5+ X >.D ! QU>-
RY4
  ,TORAK _H NO": 6G4 ,! RIV] 0 TOO FA/
6SWIM1 & IF HE CLIMB$ A TREE1 ! RAV5S WD
TELL ! HUNT]S ": HE WAS1 & HE'D 2 DROPP$
L A %OT SQUIRREL4 ,IF HE BURR[$ 96!
?ICKET1 ! DOGS WD DRAG HM \ L A W1SEL4
  ,HE TURN$ 6FACE 8 PURSU]S4 ,HE _H NO?+
) : 6DEF5D HMF2 N EV5 A ROCK4
  ,HE $G$ BACKW>D--/RAI<T 96! L>GE/ M.D4
,HE /IFL$ A CRY4 ,HE 0 CAU<T 2T ! LIV+ &
! ,D1D4
  ,"S?+ GRA2$ HM F 2H & DRA7$ HM D[N 9TO
D>K;S4





                                    #ABF
























                ,,?IRTE5            #ABG

  8,DON'T MOVE10 BR1!D A VOICE 9 ,TO-
RAK'S E>1 8DON'T MAKE A S.D1 & ..DON'T
T\* ! .B"OS60
  ,TORAK CDN'T EV5 SEE ! B"OS2 HE CDN'T
SEE ANY?+4 ,HE 0 HU4L$ 9 ROTT5-SMELL+
BLACK;S )A KNIFE PRESS$ 6HIS ?ROAT4
  ,HE GRITT$ 8 TEE? 6/OP !M F *ATT]+4
,>.D HM1 HE S5S$ ! *ILL WEI<T ( E>? &!
MASS$ & MOLD]+ B"OS (! ,RAV5 ,D1D4 ,HE
PRAY$ T ALL ! S\LS WD 2 F> AWAY ON !
,D1? ,J\RNEY4 ,B :AT IF "S _H BE5 LEFT
2H8
  ,9 ! F/ %OCK ( 2+ CAU<T1 HE'D HE>D A
SCRAP+ ( /"O1 Z IF 8 CAPTOR 0 S1L+ !
M.D4 ,N[1 Z 8 EYES ADJU/$ 6! D>K1 HE
MADE \ A FA9T $GE ( LI<T4 ,:AT"E _H BE5
DRA7$ ACR ! 5TR.E DIDN'T SEEM 6BE A P]-
FECT FIT4
  ,HE 0 ?9K+ AB MAK+ A RUN = X :5 HE
HE>D VOICES \TSIDE4 ,FA9T1 B -+ CLOS]4
  ,TORAK T5S$4 ,S DID 8 CAPTOR4
  ,! CRUN* & RU/LE DREW NE>]1 !N HALT$
AB ?REE PACES AWAY4 8,HE'D N"E D>E -E
"H10 SD A MAN'S HU%$1 F"R5$         #ABH
VOICE4
  8,HE MI<T10 :ISP]$ A WOMAN4 8,HE'S
DI6]5T4 ,Y SAW ! WAY HE WON AG/ ,HORD4
,:O "KS :AT HE'D D80
  ,TORAK HE>D ! SQUEL* ( MOSS4 ,8 FOOT
TWIT*$--& 9 ! D>K;S1 "S?+ CL9K$4 ,HE
W9C$4
  8,SH60 SD ! WOMAN4 8,I HE>D "S?+60
  ,TORAK HELD 8 BR1?4 ,8 CAPTOR'S KNIFE
PRESS$ H>D]4
  .,C>K6 ,A RAV5'S CRY E*O$ "? ! TREES4
  8,! GU>DIAN DOESN'T WANT U "H10 MUTT]$
! WOMAN4 8,WE %D G4 ,Y'RE "R4 ,! BOY
WDN'T D>E40
  ,SICK ) RELIEF1 ,TORAK LI/5$ 6!M MOVE
AWAY4
  ,AF A :ILE HE TRI$ 6%IFT POSI;N1 B !
KNIFE PO9T /OPP$ HM4 8,/AY /60 HISS$ 8
CAPTOR4
  ,HE RECOGNIZ$ T VOICE4 ,X 0 ,R5N4
.,R5N8
  8,Y /9K10 %E :ISP]$4
  ,HE TRI$ 6TURN 8 H1D1 B AG ! KNIFE
/OPP$ HM4 8,X'S 6KEEP ! DOGS AWAY10 HE
:ISP]$ BACK4                        #ABI
  8,!Y'D N"E -E "H ANYWAY1 !Y'RE N AL-
L[$40
  ,TORAK ?"\ =A MO;T4 8,H[ DID Y "K ,I'D
2 -+ ? WAY8 ,& :Y--0
  8,I DIDN'T4 ,N[ 2 QUIET4 ,!Y MI<T -E
BACK40
  ,AF A COLD1 CRAMP$ WAIT T SEEM$ 6LA/
="E1 ,R5N GAVE HM A KICK & TOLD HM TO
MOVE4 ,HE ?"\ AB TRY+ 6OV]P[] H]1 B DE-
CID$ AG/ X4 ,IF "! 0 A /RU7LE1 !Y WD
4TURB ! B"OS4 ,9/1D1 HE H1V$ ASIDE !
SLATE SLAB T BLOCK$ ! 5TR.E & CRAWL$ 96!
"DLI<T4 ,! M.DS 7 DES]T$4 ,EV5 ! RAV5S
_H G"O4
  ,R5N CAME AF HM1 BACK+ \ ON H&S &
KNEES & DRA7+ TWO HAZELWOOD PACKS--"O (
!M 8 [N4 ,P]PLEX$1 HE CR\*$ 9 ! WILL[H]B
& WAT*$ H] G BACK 9SIDE1 EM]G+ ) TWO
ROLL$ UP SLEEP+-SACKS1 TWO QUIV]S & B[S
--BO? WRAPP$ 9 SALMON SK9 AG/ ! DAMP--&A
BUCKSK9 BAG T 0 WRI7L+ FURI\SLY4
  8,WOLF60 CRI$ ,TORAK4
  8.,QUIET60 ,R5N D>T$ A W>Y GL.E 9 !
DIREC;N (! CAMP4
  ,TORAK WR5*$ OP5 ! BAG & ,WOLF    #ACJ
%OT \1 SW1TY & 2DRA7L$4 ,HE TOOK "O
SNIFF & WD H FL$ IF ,TORAK _HN'T GRA2$
HM & ASSUR$ HM 9 L[ HALF B>KS T X RE,Y 0
HM & N "S MURD]\S WOLV]9E4 ,WOLF BROKE
96A BIG WOLF-SMILE1 WA7+ 8 H9DQU>T]S &
NIB#-GREET+ ,TORAK RAPTUR\SLY "U ! *94
  8,HURRY UP10 SD ,R5N 2H HM4
  8,-+10 SNAPP$ ,TORAK4 ,GRA2+ H&;LS (
DEW-SOAK$ MOSS1 HE WIP$ (F ! WOR/ (!
DUNG1 !N YANK$ ON 8 BOOTS4 ,R5N _H _H !
=ESI<T 6BR+ !M1 TOO4
  ,Z HE TURN$ 6R1* = 8 PACK1 HE SAW 6HIS
A/ONI%;T T %E _H FITT$ AN >R[ 6H] B[ & 0
TRA9+ X ON HM4 ,%E'D AL SLUNG 8 [N B[ &
QUIV] OV] H] %\LD] & /UCK 8 AXE & KNIFE
9 H] BELT4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+80 HE SD4 8,I ?"\ Y 7
HELP+ ME40
  ,%E LOOK$ AT HM 9 4GU/4 8,:Y WD ,I
HELP Y8 ,! ONLY ?+ ,I'M HELP+ IS MY
CLAN40
  8,!N :Y DIDN'T Y GIVE ME AWAY J N[80
  8,2C ,I 9T5D 6MAKE SURE T Y GET 6!
,M.TA9 (! ,_W ,_S4 ,IF ,I DIDN'T MAKE Y1
Y WDN'T EV5 TRY4 ,Y'D J TURN TAIL   #ACA
& RUN4 ,2C Y'RE A C[>D40
  ,TORAK GASP$4 8,A .C[>D80
  8,A C[>D1 A LI>1 &A ?IEF4 ,Y /OLE \R
ROE BUCK1 Y TRICK$ ,HORD 96LOS+ ! FI<T1
& Y LI$ AB N 2+ ! ,LI/5]4 ,!N Y RAN
AWAY4 ,N[ =! LA/ "T1 MOVE60

  ,) ,R5N'S >R[ AT 8 BACK & H] A3US,N
BURN+ 9 8 E>S1 ,TORAK H1D$ WE/ D[NRIV]1
KEEP+ 6! WILL[S = COV]1 & C>RY+ ,WOLF 9
8 >MS 6PREV5T 8 PADS L1V+ A SC5T TRAIL =
! DOGS4
  ,AMAZ+LY1 "! 7 NO S.DS ( PURSUIT4 ,TO-
RAK F.D T EV5 M 4TURB+ ?AN ! BIR*-B>K
HORNS4
  ,R5N SET A FA/ PACE1 & HE /UM#D (T54
,HE 0 TIR$ & HUNGRY1 :ILE %E 0 RE/$ &
F$2 T WD MAKE GETT+ AWAY F H] M DI6I-
CULT4 ,B %E 0 SMALL] ?AN HM1 & HE ?"\ HE
CD PROBABLY OV]P[] H] 2F %E DID TOO M*
DAMAGE ) T B[4
  ,! "Q WAS1 :58 ,=! MO;T1 %E SEEM$ G5U-
9ELY EAG] 6EVADE ! ,RAV5S1 GUID+ HM AL;G
LL TWI/+ DE] PA?S T CLUNG 6! BE/ COV]4
,HE DECID$ 6WAIT TILL !Y 7 F>!R F   #ACB
! CAMP4 ,B H] 9SULT RANKL$4
  8,I'M N A C[>D10 HE SD OV] 8 %\LD]1 Z
!Y FOLL[$ ! RIV] 96A %ADY OAK WOOD &!
?R1T ( PURSUIT SEEM$ 6LESS54
  8,!N :Y DID Y RUN AWAY F \R CAMP80
  8,!Y 7 GO+ 6SACRIFICE ME60
  8,!Y _HN'T DECID$ T YET4 ,T'S :Y !Y 7
>GU+40
  8,S :AT %D ,I H D"O8 ,WAIT$ 6F9D \80
  8,! ,PROPHECY10 ,R5N SD COLDLY1 8CD
M1N TWO DI6]5T ?+S4 ,IF Y _HN'T RUN
AWAY1 Y WD H LE>N$ T40
  8,& ,I SUPPOSE Y'RE GO+ 6TELL ME10 SD
,TORAK1 82C Y "K "EY?+40
  ,%E H1V$ A SI<4 8,! ,PROPHECY CD M1N T
WE SACRIFICE Y & GIVE YR BLOOD 6! ,M.TA9
--& 0DO+ S1 DE/ROY ! BE>4 ,T'S :AT ,HORD
?9KS X M1NS4 ,HE WANTS 6KILL Y1 S T .HE
C TAKE YR BLOOD 6! ,M.TA940 ,%E PAUS$4
8,SAEUNN ?9KS X M1NS "S?+ ELSE3 T ONLY Y
C F9D ! ,M.TA9 & DE/ROY ! BE>40
  ,TORAK TURN$ & />$ AT H]4 8,ME4 ,DE-
/ROY ! BE>40
  ,%E LOOK$ HM UP & D[N4 8,I "K2 X
DOESN'T SEEM POSSI#4 ,B ,SAEUNN'S   #ACC
SURE ( X4 ,S AM ,I4 ,! ,LI/5] M/ F9D !
,M.TA9 (! ,_W ,_S--& !N1 )! ,_S'S HELP1
HE M/ DE/ROY ! BE>40
  ,TORAK BL9K$4 ,X CDN'T BE4 ,!Y'D GOT X
WR;G4
  8,:Y M/ Y G ON D5Y+ X80 ,R5N SD ANGRI-
LY4 8,Y .>E ! ,LI/5]4 ,Y "K Y >E4 ,Y F"\
) AIR1 J Z ! ,PROPHECY SAYS4 ,Y SPOKE )
SIL;E3 T :I/LE4 ,&! V F/ ^WS (! ,PROPHE-
CY SAY T ! ,LI/5] C TALK 6! O!R HUNT]S 9
! ,=E/--& Y .C TALK 6!M1 2C YR "F PUT Y
9 A WOLF D5 :5 Y 7 SMALL40
  ,TORAK N>R[$ 8 EYES4 8,H[ D Y "K AB
T80
  8,2C ,I LI/5$40
  ,!Y FOLL[$ ! RIV] WE/4 ,Z HE WALK$1
,TORAK HE>D ! S(T PIP+ ( BULLF9*ES EAT+
! BRAM#S2 A NUTHAT* TAPP+ A BRAN* =
GRUBS4 ,) ALL ^! BIRDS >.D1 ! BE> CDN'T
2 ANY": CLOSE4 '''
  ,SU45LY1 ,WOLF PRICK$ 8 E>S & TWIT*$ 8
:ISK]S4
  8,D[N60 HISS$ ,TORAK1 PULL+ ,R5N ) HM4
  ,MO;TS LAT]1 TWO DUG\T CANOES SLID
PA/4 ,TORAK _H A GD VIEW (! "O      #ACD
CLOSE/ 6HM4 ,! MAN :O PA4L$ X _H %ORT
BR[N HAIR CUT 9 BANGS ON ! BR[4 ,HE WORE
A /IFF HIDE MANTLE ACR 8 BROAD %\LD]S1 &
A BO>'S TUSK ON A ?;G AT 8 BR1/4 ,A
BLACK SLATE ?R[+ AXE LAY ON 8 KNEES4 ,L
8 -PANION 9 ! O!R CANOE1 HE 0 SCANN+ !
BANKS Z HE SLIC$ ! WAT] ) P[];L /ROKES4
,X 0 ONLY TOO CLE> :AT HE 0 SEEK+4
  8,BO> ,CLAN10 :ISP]$ ,R5N 9 ,TORAK'S
E>4 8,F9-,K$9N M/ H GOTT5 !M 6HELP SE>*
= U40
  ,TORAK 0 9/ANTLY SUSPICI\S4 8,H[ DID
!Y "K WE'D -E ? WAY8 ,DID Y L1VE !M "S
K9D ( TRAIL80
  ,%E ROLL$ H] EYES4 8,:Y WD ,I D T80
  8,= ALL ,I "K1 Y'RE L1D+ ME 6"S O!R
CLAN1 6BE SACRIFIC$40
  8,OR MAYBE10 %E SD WE>ILY1 8^? ,BO>
,CLAN 7 PASS+ ? WAY 2C _! AUTUMN CAMP IS
D[N/R1M1 &--0 ,%E /OPP$4 8,H[ DID Y "K
!Y 7 -+80
  8,I DIDN'T4 ,WOLF TOLD ME40
  ,%E LOOK$ />TL$--!N AL>M$4 8,Y RE,Y C
TALK 6HM1 C'T Y80
  ,TORAK DID N REPLY4               #ACE
  ,%E /OOD UP1 /RU7L+ 6OV]COME H] UN-
EASE4 8,!Y'VE G"O4 ,X'S "T WE H1D$
NOR?40 ,%E REPLAC$ H] >R[ 9 H] QUIV] &
SLUNG H] B[ OV] H] %\LD]1 &=A MO;T ,TO-
RAK ?"\ %E 0 HAV+ A *ANGE ( HE>T4 ,!N %E
DREW H] KNIFE & JA2$ AT HM 6GET MOV+4
  ,!Y R1*$ A /R1MLET TUMBL+ \ (A ROCKY
GORGE & />T$ 6CLIMB4 ,TORAK 2GAN 6FEEL
DIZZY ) TIR$;S4 ,HE _HN'T SLEPT ! NI<T
2F1 & _HN'T EAT5 = OV] A "D4
  ,AT LA/ HE CDN'T G ANO!R /EP1 & SANK
6HIS KNEES4 ,WOLF JUMP$ \ ( 8 >MS1 FALL+
OV] 8 PAWS 9 8 EAG];S 6R1* ! WAT]4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+80 CRI$ ,R5N4 8,WE C'T
/OP "H60
  8,WE J DID10 SN>L$ ,TORAK4 ,HE GRA2$ A
H&;L ( SOAPWORT L1VES1 MA%$ !M 9 WAT]1 &
WA%$ (F ! LA/ (! WOLV]9E DUNG4 ,!N HE
B5T & DRANK 8 FILL4
  ,FEEL+ BETT]1 HE RUMMAG$ 9 8 PACK = "O
(! ROLLS ( DRI$ ROE BUCK T HE'D PREP>$--
:AT SEEM$ L MOONS AGO4 ,AF BIT+ (F A
PIECE & TOSS+ X 6,WOLF1 HE 2GAN 6EAT4 ,X
TA/$ WOND];L4 ,ALR HE CD FEEL ! DE]'S
/R5G? C\RS+ "? HM4                  #ACF
  ,R5N HESITAT$1 !N UNSLUNG H] PACK &
KNELT1 B / ) H] KNIFE TRA9$ ON ,TORAK4
,PLUNG+ "O H& 96H] PACK1 %E BR"\ \ ?REE
?91 R$DI%-BR[N CAKES4 ,%E HELD "O \ 6HM4
  ,HE TOOK X & BIT (F A SMALL FRAG;T4 ,X
TA/$ RI* & SALTY1 ) AN >OMATIC TANG4
  8,DRI$ SALMON10 SD ,R5N ) H] M\? FULL4
8,WE P.D X ) DE] FAT & JUNIP] B]RIES4 ,X
/AYS GD ALL W9T]40
  ,6HIS SURPRISE1 %E HELD \ A SALMON
CAKE 6,WOLF4
  ,HE PO9T$LY IGNOR$ X4
  ,R5N HESITAT$1 !N GAVE ! CAKE 6,TORAK4
,HE RU2$ X 2T 8 PALMS 6MASK H] SC5T )
HIS1 !N (F]$ X 6,WOLF1 :O GULP$ X D[N4
  ,R5N TRI$ N 6%[ H] HURT4 8,S80 %E SD )
A %RUG4 8,I "K HE DOESN'T L ME40
  8,T'S 2C Y KEEP %OV+ HM 9 BAGS10 SD
,TORAK4
  8,ONLY = 8 [N GD40
  8,HE DOESN'T "K T40
  8,C'T Y TELL HM80
  8,"!'S NO WAY ( SAY+ X 9 WOLF TALK40
,HE TOOK ANO!R BITE ( SALMON CAKE4 ,!N
HE ASK$ "S?+ T _H BE5 BO!R+ HM4     #ACG
8,:Y DID Y BR+ HM80
  8,:AT80
  8,WOLF4 ,Y GOT HM \ (! CAMP4 ,X C'T H
BE5 EASY4 ,:Y80
  ,%E PAUS$4 8,Y SEEM 6NE$ HM4 ,I DON'T
"K :Y4 ,B ,I ?"\ X MI<T 2 IMPORTANT40
  ,HE 0 TEMPT$ 6TELL H] T ,WOLF 0 8
GUIDE1 B *ECK$ HMF4 ,HE DIDN'T TRU/ H]4
,%E'D BE5 USE;L = HELP+ HM EVADE ! ,RA-
V5S1 B T DIDN'T *ANGE ! FACT T %E'D TAK5
8 W1PONS & CALL$ HM A C[>D4 ,& %E / _H
H] KNIFE PO9T$ /RAI<T AT HM4

  ,! GORGE GOT /EEP]4 ,TORAK JUDG$ X
SAFE 6LET ,WOLF WALK1 &! CUB PLO4$ 2F HM
) DROOP+ TAIL4 ,WOLF DIDN'T L ! CLIMB
ANY M ?AN ,TORAK4
  ,>.D MIDAFN1 !Y R1*$ A RIDGE OV]LOOK+
A BROAD1 WOOD$ VALLEY4 ,TORAK CAU<T !
F>AWAY GLITT] (A RIV] "? ! TREES4
  8,T'S ! ,WIDEWAT]10 SD ,R5N4 8,X'S !
BI7E/ RIV] 9 ? "P (! ,=E/4 ,X FL[S D[N F
! ICE RIV]S 9 ! ,HI< ,M.TA9S & MAKES
,LAKE ,AXEH1D1 !N GOES OV] ! ,?"U ,FALLS
& ON 6! ,SEA4 ,WE CAMP D[N "! 9     #ACH
E>LY SUMM] =! SALMON4 ,"S"TS1 IF ! W9D'S
9 ! EA/1 Y C HE> ! ,FALLS4 '''0 ,H]
VOICE TRAIL$ (F4
  ,TORAK GUESS$ T %E 0 WOND]+ H[ H] CLAN
WD PUNI% H] = HELP+ _! CAPTIVE ESCAPE4
,IF %E _HN'T CALL$ HM A C[>D1 HE MI<T H
FELT SORRY = H]4
  8,WE'LL CUT ACR ! VALLEY10 %E SD M
BRISKLY4 8,X %D 2 EASY 6=D ! RIV] ": ^?
M1D[S >E4 ,!N WE C H1D NOR?--0
  8,NO10 SD ,TORAK SU45LY4 ,HE PO9T$ AT
,WOLF4 ,! CUB _H F.D AN ELK TRAIL T W.D
96A D5SE WOOD ( TALL SPRUCE DRIPP+ )
BE>D-MOSS4 ,HE 0 WAIT+ = !M 6FOLL[4
  8,T WAY10 SD ,TORAK4 8,UP ! VALLEY4 ,N
ACR X40
  8,B T'S EA/4 ,IF WE H1D EA/1 WE'LL R1*
! ,HI< ,M.TA9S TOO SOON4 ,T'LL MAKE GO+
NOR? M* H>D]40
  8,: WAY W ,F9-,K$9N G80 SD ,TORAK4
  8,WE/ =A :ILE AL;G ! TRAILS1 !N NOR?40
  8,WELL1 !N4 ,H1D+ EA/ S.DS L A GD
IDEA40
  ,%E FR[N$4 8,IS ? "S K9D ( TRICK80
  8,LOOK10 HE SD4 8,WE'RE H1D+      #ACI
EA/ 2C ,WOLF SAYS WE %D4 ,HE "KS ! WAY40
  8,:AT8 ,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,I M1N10 HE SD QUIETLY1 8T HE "KS !
WAY 6! ,M.TA940
  ,%E />$ AT HM4 ,!N %E SNORT$4 8,T LL
CUB80
  ,TORAK NO4$4
  8,I DON'T 2LIEVE Y40
  8,I DON'T C>E10 SD ,TORAK4

  ,WOLF .HAT$ ! FEMALE TAIL.S4
  ,HE'D HAT$ H] F ! F/ MO;T HE'D SMELL$
H]1 Z %E PO9T$ ! ,L;G-,CLAW-,T-,FLIES AT
8 PACK-BRO!R4 ,:AT A ?+ 6D4 ,Z IF ,TALL
,TAIL.S 0 "S K9D ( PREY6
  ,AF T1 ! FEMALE TAIL.S _H D"O T]RI#
?+S4 ,%E'D WR5*$ ,WOLF AWAY F ,TALL
,TAIL.S & PU%$ HM 96A /RANGE1 AIR.S ,D51
": HE 0 BUMP$ >.D S M* T HE'D BE5 SICK4
  ,EV5 WORSE 0 ! WAY %E 2HAV$ T[>D ,TALL
,TAIL.S4 ,DIDN'T %E "K T HE 0 ! L1D
WOLF8 ,%E 0 S %>P & 4RESPECT;L :5 %E
YIPP$ AT HM 9 TAIL.S TALK4 ,:Y DIDN'T
,TALL ,TAIL.S J SN>L & *ASE H] AWAY8
  ,N[1 Z ,WOLF TROTT$ AL;G !        #ADJ
TRAIL1 HE 0 RELIEV$ 6HE> T %E 0 S"EAL
/RIDES 2H4 ,GD4 ,%E %D /AY AWAY4
  ,HE PAUS$ 6MUN* "S L+ONB]RIES AT !
SIDE (! TRAIL1 SPAT \ A BAD "O1 & MOV$
ON1 FEEL+ ! DRY E>? 2N 8 PADS &! W>M? (!
,HOT ,B"R ,EYE ON 8 BACK4 ,HE RAIS$ 8
MUZZLE 6CAT* ! SC5TS WAFT+ F ! VALLEY3
"S JAYS &A FEW /ALE ELK DROPP+S2 S"EAL
/ORM-BROK5 SPRUCE2 LOTS ( WILL[H]B & )]$
BLUEB]RIES4 ,ALL 7 GD1 9T]E/+ SMELLS2 B
2N !M 0 ! COLD1 T]RIFY+ SC5T (! ,FA/
,WET4
  ,FE> SNAPP$ AT ,WOLF AFRE%4 ,"SH[1 HE
& ,TALL ,TAIL.S _H 6GET ACR ! ,FA/ ,WET4
,! CROSS+ PLACE 0 / _M LOPES AH1D1 B ALR
,WOLF CD HE> X RO>+4 ,X 0 S L\D T SOON
EV5 8 POOR1 HALF-D1F PACK-BRO!R WD HE>
X4
  ,"! 0 DANG] AH1D1 & ,WOLF L;G$ 6TURN
BACK1 B HE KNEW T HE CDN'T4 ,! ,PULL 0
GETT+ /R;G]3 ! ,PULL T 0 L ! ,D5 PULL1 B
N4
  ,SU45LY1 ,WOLF CAU<T ANO!R SC5T4 ,HE
FL>$ 8 NO/RILS 6TAKE X IN4 ,8 E>S W5T
BACK4 ,? 0 BAD4 .,BAD .BAD .BAD4    #ADA
  ,WOLF SPUN >.D & RAC$ BACK T[>D ,TALL
,TAIL.S4






















                                    #ADB
























                ,,F\RTE5            #ADC

  8,:AT IS X80 :ISP]$ ,R5N1 />+ AT ! T]-
RIFI$ CUB4
  8,I DON'T "K10 MURMUR$ ,TORAK4 ,8 SK9
2GAN 6PRICKLE4 ,HE CDN'T HE> ANY BIRDS4
  ,R5N TOOK 8 KNIFE F H] BELT & TOSS$ X
OV] 6HM4
  ,HE CAU<T X )A NOD4
  8,WE %D TURN BACK10 %E SD4
  8,WE C'T4 ,? IS ! WAY 6! ,M.TA940
  ,WOLF'S AMB] EYES 7 D>K ) FE>4 ,HE
PA4$ SL[LY =W>D3 H1D D[N1 HACKLES RAIS$4
  ,TORAK & ,R5N FOLL[$ Z QUIETLY Z !Y
CD4 ,JUNIP]S SNA7$ _! BOOTS4 ,BE>D-MOSS
TRAIL$ ?9 F+]S AG/ _! FACES4 ,! TREES 7
UTT]LY /1 WAIT+ 6SEE :AT WD HAPP54
  8,MAYBE X ISN'T '''0 SD ,R5N4 8,I M1N1
X CD 2 A LYNX4 ,OR A WOLV]9E40
  ,TORAK DIDN'T 2LIEVE T ANY M ?AN %E
DID4
  ,!Y R.D$ A B5D & CAME 6A FALL5 BIR* T
0 BLE$+ F DEEP CLAW M>KS G\G$ 9 XS B>K4
  ,NEI SPOKE4 ,BO? KNEW T BE>S "S"TS
CLAW AT TREES 6M>K _! RANGE OR F"R5 (F
O!R HUNT]S4                         #ADD
  ,WOLF APPROA*$ ! BIR* =A BETT] SNIFF4
,TORAK FOLL[$--!N GAVE A SI< ( RELIEF4
8,BADG]40
  8,>E Y SURE80 SD ,R5N4
  8,! SCRAT*ES >E SMALL] ?AN A BE>'S1 &
"!'S MUD ON ! B>K40 ,HE CIRCL$ ! TREE4
8,X GOT XS FRONT CLAWS CLO7$ ) E>?1 DI7+
= WORMS4 ,/OPP$ "H 6SCRAPE !M CL1N4 ,W5T
BACK 6XS SETT4 ,T WAY '''0 ,HE WAV$ A H&
EA/4
  8,H[ D Y "K ALL T80 SD ,R5N4 8,DID
,WOLF TELL Y80
  8,NO4 ,! ,=E/ DID40 ,HE CAU<T H] PUZ-
ZL$ GL.E4 8,A :ILE BACK ,I SAW A ROB9 )
"S BADG] HAIRS 9 XS B1K4 ,X CAME F !
EA/40 ,HE %RU7$4
  8,Y'RE GD AT TRACK+1 >5'T Y80
  8,FA 0 BETT]40
  8,WELL Y'RE BETT] ?AN ME10 SD ,R5N4
,%E DIDN'T S.D 5VI\S2 %E 0 M]ELY AC"KL-
$G+ A FACT4 8,B :Y WD A BADG] H F"R5$
,WOLF80
  8,I DON'T ?9K X DID10 SD ,TORAK4 8,I
?9K X 0 "S?+ ELSE40
  ,%E TOOK 8 AXE1 B[1 & QUIV]1 &    #ADE
HELD !M \4 8,"H4 ,Y'D BETT] TAKE ^!40
  ,!Y CREPT UP ! TRAIL4 ,WOLF W5T F/1
,TORAK NEXT1 SCANN+ = SIGNS1 & ,R5N LA/1
/RA9+ 6SEE "? ! TREES4
  ,!Y'D G"O ANO!R FIFTY PACES :5 ,TORAK
/OPP$ S ABRUPTLY T %E WALK$ 96HM4
  ,! "Y BEE* TREE 0 / MOAN+1 B X _HN'T
L;G 6LIVE4 ,! BE> _H RE>$ ON XS H9D LEGS
6V5T XS FURY3 SNAPP+ (F ! 5TIRE TOP (!
TREE1 RIPP+ AWAY ! B>K 9 L;G BLE$+ TAT-
T]S1 & SLA%+ DEEP G\GES HI< ON ! TRUNK4
,T]RIFY+LY HI<4 ,IF ,R5N _H /OOD ON ,TO-
RAK'S %\LD]S1 %E WDN'T H BE5 A# 6R1* !
L[E/ CLAW M>K4
  8,NO BE> CD 2 T ENORM\S10 %E :ISP]$4
  ,TORAK DID N REPLY4 ,HE 0 BACK 9 !
BLUE AUTUMN DUSK1 HELP+ ,FA 6PIT* CAMP4
,TORAK _H MADE A JOKE1 & ,FA 0 LAU<+4
,!N ! ,=E/ EXPLOD$4 ,RAV5S SCR1M$4 ,P9ES
CRACK$4 ,& \ (! D>K 2N ! TREES SURG$ A
DEEP] D>K;S4 '''
  8,X'S OLD10 SD ,R5N4
  8,:AT80 SD ,TORAK4
  ,%E GE/UR$ AT ! TRUNK4 8,! TREE-BLOOD
HAS H>D5$4 ,LOOK1 X'S ALM BLACK40   #ADF
  ,HE /UDI$ ! TREE4 ,%E 0 "R4 ,! BE> _H
CLAW$ ! B>K AT L1/ TWO "DS 2F4
  ,B HE CDN'T %>E ,R5N'S RELIEF4 ,%E
DIDN'T "K ! WOR/ ( X4
  .,) .EA* .KILL1 ,FA _H SD1 ..XS P[] W
GR[4 ''' ,:5 ! R$ EYE IS HI<E/ ''' !
BE> W 2 .9V9CI#4
  ,"H 0 ! PRO(4 ,ON ! NI<T :5 ! BE> _H
ATTACK$1 X _H BE5 HUGE4 ,B N ? HUGE4
  8,X'S GETT+ BI7]10 HE SD4

  8.,:AT80 SD ,R5N4
  ,TORAK TOLD H] :AT ,FA _H SD4
  8,B--T'S N EV5 A MOON AWAY40
  8,I "K40
  ,A FEW PACES (F ! TRAIL1 HE F.D ?REE
L;G BLACK HAIRS SNA7$ ON A TWIG AT AB
H1D HEI<T4 ,HE /EPP$ BACK %>PLY4 8,X W5T
T WAY40 ,HE PO9T$ D[N 96! VALLEY4 8,SEE
H[ ! BRAN*ES H SPRUNG BACK 9 A SLI<TLY
DI6]5T PATT]N40
  ,B T DIDN'T REASSURE HM4 ,! BE> CD H
RETURN$ 0ANO!R TRAIL4
  ,!N1 F DEEP 9 ! "UGR[?1 CAME ! %>P
.TAK .TAK (A WR54                   #ADG
  ,TORAK BR1!D \4 8,I DON'T ?9K X'S
ANY": CLOSE4 ,O!RWISE T WR5 WDN'T 2
CALL+40

  ,Z NI<T FELL1 !Y MADE A %ELT] ( B5T
HAZEL SAPL+S & L1F MOLD 0A MU4Y /R1M4
,HOLLY TREES GAVE A PRET5SE ( COV]1 & !Y
LIT A SMALL FIRE & ATE A FEW SLIPS (
DRI$ M1T4 ,!Y DIDN'T D>E RISK ! SALMON
CAKES2 ! BE> WD H SMELL$ !M F _M "DWALKS
AWAY4
  ,X 0 A COLD NI<T1 & ,TORAK SAT HUN*$ 9
8 SLEEP+-SACK1 LI/5+ 6! FA9T1 F>AWAY RO>
T ,R5N SD 0 ! ,?"U ,FALLS4
  ,:Y _H ,FA N"E TOLD HM AB ! ,PROPHECY8
,:Y 0 HE ! ,LI/5]8 ,:AT DID X M1N8
  ,2S HM1 ,WOLF SLEPT ) E>S TWIT*+4 ,R5N
SAT WAT*+ A BEETLE CLAMB] D[N F ! FIRE-
WOOD4
  ,TORAK N[ KNEW T HE CD TRU/ H]4 ,%E'D
RISK$ A LOT 6HELP HM1 & HE CDN'T H ES-
CAP$ )\T H]4 ,X 0 A NEW FEEL+1 HAV+ "S"O
ON 8 SIDE4 ,HE SD1 8,I NE$ 6TELL Y "S-
?+40
  ,R5N R1*$ =A TWIG & HELP$ !       #ADH
BEETLE (F A BRAN*4
  8,2F HE DI$10 SD ,TORAK1 8MY "F MADE
ME SWE> AN OA?4 ,6F9D ! ,M.TA91 OR DIE
TRY+40 ,HE PAUS$4 8,I DON'T "K :Y HE
MADE ME SWE>4 ,B ,I DID4 ,& ,I'LL D MY
BE/40
  ,%E NO4$1 & HE SAW T =! F/ "T %E TRULY
2LIEV$ HM4 8,"!'S "S?+ ,I'VE GOT 6TELL
Y1 TOO10 %E SD4 8,X'S AB ! ,PROPHECY40
,FR[N+1 %E TURN$ ! TWIG 9 H] F+]S4 8,:5
--IF--Y F9D ! ,M.TA91 Y C'T J ASK ! ,_S
= HELP4 ,Y'VE GOT 6PROVE T Y'RE WOR?Y4
,SAEUNN TOLD ME LA/ NI<T4 ,%E SD T :5 !
CRIPPL$ W&]] MADE ! BE>1 HE BROKE !
PACT1 2C HE MADE A CR1TURE T KILLS )\T
PURPOSE4 ,HE ANG]$ ! ,_W ,_S4 ,X'LL TAKE
A GRT D1L 6GET X 6HELP40
  ,TORAK TRI$ 6SWALL[4 8,:AT W X TAKE80
  ,%E MET 8 EYES4 8,Y'VE GOT 6BR+ X !
?REE /R;GE/ PIECES (! ,NANUAK40
  ,TORAK LOOK$ AT H] BLANKLY4
  8,SAEUNN SAYS T ! ,NANUAK IS L A GRT
RIV] T N"E 5DS4 ,E LIV+ ?+ HAS A "P ( X
9SIDE X4 ,HUNT]S1 PREY1 ROCKS1 TREES4
,"S"TS A SPECIAL "P ( X =MS1 L      #ADI
FOAM ON ! RIV]4 ,:5 X DOES1 X'S 9CR$IBLY
P[];L40 ,%E HESITAT$4 8,T'S :AT Y'VE GOT
6F9D4 ,IF Y DON'T1 ! ,_W ,_S WON'T HELP
Y4 ,& !N Y'LL N"E DE/ROY ! BE>40
  ,TORAK CAU<T 8 BR1?4 8,?REE PIECES (!
,NANUAK10 HE SD HO>SELY4 8,:AT >E !Y8
,H[ D ,I F9D !M80
  8,NOBODY "KS4 ,ALL WE H IS A RI4LE40
,%E %UT H] EYES & RECIT$1

8,DEEPE/ ( ALL1 ! DR[N$ SI<T4
,OLDE/ ( ALL1 ! /"O BITE4
,COLDE/ ( ALL1 ! D>KE/ LI<T40

  ,A BREEZE SPRANG UP4 ,! HOLLY TREES
GAVE A PRICKLY MURMUR4
  8,:AT DOES X M1N80 ASK$ ,TORAK4
  ,R5N OP5$ H] EYES4 8,NOBODY "KS40
  ,HE B[$ 8 H1D 6HIS KNEES4 8,S ,I'VE
GOT 6F9D A M.TA9 T NOBODY'S "E SE54 ,&
"W \ ! ANSW] 6A RI4LE T NOBODY'S "E
SOLV$4 ,& KILL A BE> T NOBODY C FI<T40
  ,R5N SUCK$ 9 H] BR1?4 8,Y'VE GOT TO
TRY40
  ,TORAK 0 SIL5T4 ,!N HE SD1 8,:Y   #AEJ
DID ,SAEUNN TELL Y ALL ?8 ,:Y Y80
  ,R5N %RU7$4 8,%E J DID4 ,%E ?9KS ,I %D
2 A ,MAGE :5 ,I'M GR[N40
  8,DON'T Y WANT 6BE80
  8,NO6 ,B ,I SUPPOSE--MAYBE "!'S A PUR-
POSE 9 ^! ?+S4 ,IF %E _HN'T TOLD ME1 ,I
WDN'T H BE5 A# 6TELL Y40
  ,ANO!R SIL;E4 ,!N ,R5N WRI7L$ \ ( H]
SLEEP+-SACK4 8,I'LL TAKE \R PACKS \T-
SIDE4 ,WE DON'T WANT ! FOOD SMELL 6DRAW
! BE> 6! %ELT]40
  ,:5 %E'D G"O1 ,TORAK CURL$ UP ON 8
SIDE & LO/ HMF 9 ! FI]Y HE>T (! EMB]S4
,>.D HM1 ! ,=E/ CR1K$ 9 XS SLEEP1 DR1M+
XS DEEP GRE5 DR1MS4 ,HE ?"\ (! ?\S&S &
?\S&S ( TREE-_SS ?R;G+ ! D>K;S2 WAIT+ =
HM1 & HM AL"O1 6DELIV] !M F ! BE>4
  ,HE ?"\ (! GOLD5 BIR* &! SC>LET R[AN1
&! BRILLIANT GRE5 OAKS4 ,HE ?"\ (! TEEM+
PREY2 (! LAKES & RIV]S FULL ( FI%2 ( ALL
! DI6]5T K9DS ( WOOD & B>K & /"O T 7 "!
=! TAK+ IF Y KNEW ": 6LOOK4 ,! ,=E/ _H
"EY?+ Y CD "E WANT4 ,UNTIL N[ HE'D N"E
R1LIZ$ H[ M* HE LOV$ X4
  ,IF ! BE> CD N 2 DE/ROY$1 ALL ?   #AEA
WD 2 LO/4
  ,WOLF L1P$ UP & W5T (F ON "O ( 8 NI<T-
LY HUNTS4 ,R5N RETURN$1 GOT 96H] SLEEP+-
SACK )\T A ^W1 & FELL ASLEEP4 ,TORAK W5T
ON />+ 96! FIRE4
  ..,"!'S A PURPOSE 9 ^! .?+S1 ,R5N _H
SD4 ,9 A /RANGE WAY1 T GAVE HM /R5G?4
,HE .0 ! ,LI/5]4 ,HE _H SWORN 6F9D !
,M.TA94 ,! ,=E/ NE$$ HM4
  ,HE SLEPT FIT;LLY4 ,HE DR1M$ T ,FA 0
ALIVE AG2 B 9/1D (A FACE1 HE _H A BLANK
:ITE /"O4 ..,I AM N ,FA4 ,I AM ! ,WOLF
,MAGE4 '''
  ,TORAK WOKE )A />T4
  ,HE FELT ,WOLF'S BR1? ON 8 FACE2 !N !
D[NY BRU% (! CUB'S :ISK]S ON 8 EYELIDS1
&! NE$LE-F9E GROOM+-NIB#S ON 8 *EEKS &
?ROAT4
  ,HE LICK$ ! CUB'S MUZZLE1 & ,WOLF NUZ-
ZL$ 8 *91 !N SETTL$ AG/ HM )A 8HUMPH40

  8,WE %D H CROSS$ L[] D[N10 SD ,R5N Z
!Y CRAN$ _! NECKS AT ! ,?"U ,FALLS4
  ,TORAK WIP$ ! SPRAY F 8 FACE & WOND]$
H[ ANY?+ 9 ! ,=E/ CD 2 ? ANGRY4     #AEB
  ,ALL "D !Y'D BE5 FOLL[+ ! CALM GRE5
,WIDEWAT] UP/R1M4 ,B N[1 Z X ?"U$ OV] A
%E] WALL ( ROCK1 X 0 APPALL+ 9 XS FURY4
,2F X1 ! :OLE ,=E/ SEEM$ 6/& & />E4
  8,WE %D H CROSS$ L[] D[N10 ,R5N SD AG4
  8,WE WD'VE BE5 SE510 SD ,TORAK4 8,^?
M1D[S 7 TOO EXPOS$4 ,2SS1 ,WOLF WANT$ TO
/AY ON ? SIDE40
  ,R5N PURS$ H] LIPS4 8,IF HE'S ! GUIDE1
!N ": IS HE80
  8,HE HATES FA/ WAT]4 ,8 PACK 0 DR[N$ 9
A FLOOD4 ,B HE'LL 2 BACK :5 WE'VE F.D A
WAY 6GET ABV ! FALLS40
  8,MM10 SD ,R5N1 UNCONV9C$4 ,L ,TORAK1
%E'D SLEPT BADLY1 & %E'D BE5 MOODY ALL
MORN+4 ,NEI ( !M _H M5;N$ ! RI4LE4
  ,EV5TU,Y1 !Y F.D A DE] TRACK T W.D UP
! SIDE (! FALLS4 ,X 0 /EEP & MU4Y1 & 0!
"T !Y R1*$ ! TOP1 !Y 7 EXHAU/$ & SOAK$ 9
SPRAY4 ,WOLF 0 WAIT+ = !M3 SITT+ 2N A
BIR* TREE A SAFE 4T.E F ! ,WIDEWAT]1
%AK+ ) FE>4
  8,": 6N[80 PANT$ ,R5N4
  ,TORAK 0 WAT*+ ,WOLF4 8,WE FOLL[ !
RIV] TILL HE TELLS U 6CROSS40       #AEC
  8,C Y SWIM80 ASK$ ,R5N4
  ,HE NO4$4 8,C Y80
  8,YES4 ,C ,WOLF80
  8,I DON'T ?9K S40
  ,!Y />T$ UP/R1M1 PU%+ "? BRAM#S & TAN-
GL$ R[AN & BIR*4 ,X 0 A COLD1 OV]CA/ "D1
&! W9D SCATT]$ BIR* L1VES ONTO ! RIV] L
SMALL AMB] >R[H1DS4 ,WOLF TROTT$ ) 8 E>S
FLAT BACK4 ,! RIV] RAN FA/ & SMOO? ON XS
WAY 6! FALLS4
  ,!Y _HN'T G"O F> :5 ,WOLF 2GAN 6RUN UP
& D[N ! BANK1 MEW+4 ,TORAK CD FEEL 8
FE>4 ,HE TURN$ 6,R5N4 8,HE WANTS 6CROSS1
B HE'S F"R5$40
  8,! BRAM#S >E TOO ?ICK "H10 SD ,R5N4
8,:AT AB F>!R UP 0^? ROCKS80
  ,! ROCKS 7 SMOO? & SPLA%$ ) TR1*]\S-
LOOK+ MOSS1 B !Y RE>$ A GD HALF =E>M \ (
! WAT]4 ,!Y MI<T PROVIDE A WAY ACR4
  ,TORAK NO4$4
  8,I'LL G F/10 SD ,R5N1 PULL+ (F H]
BOOTS & TY+ !M 6H] PACK1 !N ROLL+ UP H]
LE7+S4 ,%E F.D A /ICK = BAL.E & SLUNG H]
PACK OV] "O %\LD]1 S T X WDN'T DRAG H]
D[N IF %E FELL IN4 ,H] QUIV] & B[   #AED
%E C>RI$ 9 ! O!R H&1 HI< ABV H] H1D4
  ,%E LOOK$ SC>$ Z %E APPROA*$ ! WAT]4
,B %E MADE X ACR )\T FALT]+--UNTIL ! FI-
NAL ROCK1 :5 %E _H 6L1P =! BANK1 & 5D$
UP GRA2+ A WILL[ BRAN* 6HAUL H]F UP4
  ,TORAK LEFT 8 PACK & W1PONS ON ! BANK1
& PULL$ (F 8 BOOTS4 ,HE WD C>RY ,WOLF
ACR1 !N RETURN = 8 ?+S4 8,-E ON1 ,WOLF10
HE SD 5C\RAG+LY4 ,!N HE SD X 9 WOLF
TALK1 HUNK]+ D[N ON 8 HAUN*ES & MAK+ L[1
REASSUR+ MEW+ NOISES4
  ,WOLF %OT "U A JUNIP] BU% & REFUS$ 6-E
\4
  8,PUT HM 9 YR PACK60 %\T$ ,R5N F ! O!R
SIDE4 8,X'S ! ONLY WAY Y'LL GET HM ACR60
  8,IF ,I DID T10 YELL$ ,TORAK1 8HE'D
N"E TRU/ ME AG60
  ,HE SAT D[N 9 ! MOSS ON ! $GE (! BANK4
,!N HE YAWN$ & /RET*$1 6%[ ,WOLF H[ RE-
LAX$ HE WAS4
  ,AF A :ILE1 ,WOLF EM]G$ F ! JUNIP] &
CAME 6SIT 2S HM4
  ,AG ,TORAK YAWN$4
  ,WOLF GL.ED AT HM1 !N GAVE A HUGE YAWN
T 5D$ 9 A :9E4                      #AEE
  ,SL[LY1 ,TORAK GOT 6HIS FEET & PICK$
,WOLF UP 9 8 >MS1 MURMUR+ S(TLY 9 WOLF
TALK4
  ,! ROCKS FELT ICE-COLD & SLIPP]Y "U
,TORAK'S B>E FEET4 ,9 8 >MS1 ,WOLF />T$
%IV]+ ) T]ROR4
  ,ON ! F> BANK1 ,R5N HELD ON 6A BIR*
SAPL+ ) "O H& & L1N$ T[>D !M4 8,T'S X10
%E %\T$ ABV ! ?"U (! FALLS4 8,Y'RE NE>LY
"!60
  ,WOLF'S CLAWS DUG 96,TORAK'S J]K94
  8,LA/ ROCK60 %\T$ ,R5N4 8,I'LL GRAB
HM4 '''0
  ,A WAVE SLAPP$ 96! ROCK1 SPLA%+ !M )
FREEZ+ WAT]4 ,WOLF'S C\RAGE BROKE4
,TWI/+ FRANTIC,Y \ ( ,TORAK'S GRIP1 HE
L1P$ =! BANK1 L&+ ) 8 H9D LEGS 9 ! WAT]
& 8 =EPAWS CLAW+ AT ! BANK4
  ,R5N L1N$ D[N & CAU<T HM 0! SCRUFF4
8,I'VE GOT HM60 %E YELL$4
  ,TORAK LO/ 8 BAL.E & CRA%$ 96! RIV]4



                                    #AEF
























                ,,FIFTE5            #AEG

  ,TORAK CAME UP SPLUTT]+ ) COLD1 FI<T+
! RIV]4
  ,HE 0 A /R;G SWIMM]1 S HE WASN'T TOO
WORRI$4 ,HE'D GRAB T BRAN* JUTT+ F !
BANK4 '''
  ,! NEXT "O1 !N4
  ,2H HM1 HE HE>D ,R5N %\T+ 8 "N Z %E
TORE "? ! BRAM#S1 & ,WOLF'S URG5T B>KS4
,X O3URR$ 6HM T ! BRAM#S M/ 2 V ?ICK1 Z
,R5N & ,WOLF 7 DROPP+ F>!R & F>!R 2H4
  ,! RIV] PUN*$ HM 9 ! BACK1 SMA%+ HM
LIMP Z A WET L1F AG/ A ROCK4 ,HE W5T "U4
  ,HE KICK$ 8 WAY 6! SURFACE & 0 %OCK$
6SEE H[ F> HE'D BE5 C>RI$4 ,HE CDN'T HE>
,R5N OR ,WOLF ANYMORE1 &! WAT]FALL 0
SLID+ CLOS] ) A/ONI%+ SPE$1 DR[N+ ALL
VOICES B XS [N4
  ,8 J]K9 & LE7+S 7 DRA7+ HM D[N4 ,!
COLD _H D1D5$ 8 LIMBS 6/ICKS ( B"O &
FLE%1 "W+ )\T FEEL+ 6KEEP 8 H1D ABV !
SURFACE4 ,HE CDN'T SEE ANY?+ EXCEPT
:ITE-FOAM WAVES &A BLUR ( WILL[S4 ,!N
EV5 T 4APPE>$ Z HE W5T "U AG4
  ,X CAME 6HM Q CLE>LY T HE WD 2    #AEH
SWEPT OV] ! WAT]FALL & KILL$4
  ,NO "T = FE>4 ,J A 4TANT ANG] T X %D
5D L ?4 ,POOR ,WOLF4 ,:O'S GO+ 6LOOK AF
HM N[8 ,& POOR ,R5N4 ,LET'S HOPE %E
DOESN'T F9D ! BODY2 X'LL 2 A MESS4
  ,D1? BOOM$ AT HM4 ,A RA9B[ FLA%$ "? !
SPUME & SPRAY ''' !N ! WAVES SMOO!D \ L
A SK9 & SU45LY "! 0 NO M RIV] 9 FRONT1 &
X 0 H>D 6BR1! Z HE W5T OV]4 ,D1? R1*$ UP
& PULL$ HM D[N1 & X 0 %9+ & SMOO?1 L !
MO;T ( FALL+ ASLEEP4 '''
  ,OV] & OV] HE FELL1 WAT] FILL+ 8 M\?1
8 NOSE1 8 E>S4 ,! RIV] SWALL[$ HM :OLE3
,HE 0 9SIDE X1 & X RO>$ "? HM1 ? P.D+
P[] ( WAT]4 ,"SH[ HE SURFAC$1 GULP+ AIR4
,!N X PULL$ HM D[N AG 96XS SWIRL+ GRE5
DEP?S4
  ,! RO> (! RIV] FAD$4 ,LI<TS FLA%$ 9 8
H1D4 ,HE SANK4 ,! WAT] TURN$ F BLUE 6D>K
GRE5 6BLACK4 ,HE 0 LANGUID & FROZ5 PA/
FEEL+4 ,HE L;G$ 6GIVE UP & SLEEP4
  ,HE 2CAME AW>E (A FA9T1 BU2L+ LAU<T]4
,HAIR L GRE5 WAT]WE$ TRAIL$ ACR 8 ?ROAT4
,CRUEL FACES LE]$ AT HM ) M]CI.S :ITE
EYES4                               #AEI
  .,-E .6.U6 CALL$ ! ,HI45 ,P (! RIV]4
..,LET YR S\LS FLOAT FREE ( T DULL1 H1VY
.FLE%6
  ,HE FELT SICK1 Z IF 8 GUTS 7 2+ PULL$
LOOSE4
  .,SEE1 .SEE6 LAU<$ ! ,HI45 ,P4 ..,H[
SWIFTLY 8 S\LS 2G9 6DRIFT FREE6 ,H[ EA-
G]LY !Y -E 6.U6
  ,TORAK TURN$ OV] & OV] L A D1D FI%4 ,!
,HI45 ,P 7 "R4 ,X WD 2 S EASY 6L1VE 8
BODY & LET !M ROLL HM ="E 9 _! COLD EM-
BRACE4 '''
  ,WOLF'S DESP]ATE Y[L CUT "? 6HM4
  ,TORAK OP5$ 8 EYES4 ,SILV] BUB#S /R1M$
"? ! D>K Z ! ,HI45 ,P FL$4
  ,AG ,WOLF CALL$ 6HM4
  ,WOLF NE$$ HM4 ,"! 0 "S?+ !Y _H 6D
TGR4
  ,FLAIL+ 8 NUMB /ICK-LIMBS1 HE 2GAN TO
FI<T 8 WAY BACK T[>D ! SURFACE4 ,! GRE5
GREW B"R]4 ,! LI<T DREW HM4 '''
  ,HE'D NE>LY R1*$ X :5 "S?+ MADE HM
LOOK D[N--& HE SAW !M4 ,F> 2L1 TWO BL
:ITE EYES />+ UP AT HM4
  ,:AT 7 !Y8 ,RIV] PE>LS8 ,! EYES   #AFJ
( "O (! ,HI45 ,P8
  ,! ,PROPHECY4 ,! RI4LE4 ..,DEEPE/ (
ALL1 ! DR[N$ .SI<T4
  ,8 *E/ 0 BUR/+4 ,IF HE DIDN'T GET AIR
SOON1 HE WD DIE4 ,B IF HE DIDN'T SWIM
D[N N[ & GRASP ^? EYES--:AT"E !Y W]E--HE
WD LOSE !M ="E4
  ,HE D\#D OV] & KICK$ ) ALL 8 MI<T1
PU%+ HMF D[N4
  ,! COLD MADE 8 EYES A*E1 B HE DIDN'T
D>E %UT !M4 ,CLOS] & CLOS] HE SWAM4 '''
,HE R1*$ \ T[>D ! BOTTOM--HE GRASP$ A
H&;L ( ICY MUD4 ,HE _H !M6 ,NO WAY 6MAKE
SURE--! MUD 0 SWIRL+ ?ICK >.D HM1 & HE
CDN'T RISK OP5+ 8 FI/ 9 CASE !Y SLIPP$
FREE--B HE CD FEEL ! WEI<T ( !M DRA7+ HM
D[N4 ,HE TWI/$ >.D & KICK$ BACK T[>D !
LI<T4
  ,B 8 /R5G? 0 FAIL+1 & HE ROSE ) AGO-
NIZ+ SL[;S1 HAMP]$ 0HIS SO45 CLO!S4 ,M
LI<TS FLA%$ 9 8 H1D4 ,M WAT]Y LAU<T]4
.,TOO .LATE1 :ISP]$ ! ,HI45 ,P4 ..,Y'LL
N"E R1* ! LI<T N[6 ,/AY "H ) U1 BOY )!
DRIFT+ S\LS4 ,/AY "H .="E4 '''
  ,"S?+ GRA2$ 8 LEG & PULL$ HM      #AFA
D[N4
  ,HE KICK$4 ,CDN'T GET FREE4 ,"S?+ 0
GRIPP+ 8 LE7+ J ABV ! ANKLE4 ,HE TWI/$
>.D 6WR5* HMF FREE1 B ! GRIP HELD TI<T4
,HE TRI$ 6DRAW 8 KNIFE F XS %1?1 B HE'D
TI<T5$ ! /RAP >.D ! HILT 2F />T+ !
CROSS+1 & HE CDN'T GET X LOOSE4
  ,ANG] BOIL$ UP 9SIDE HM4 ,GET AWAY F
ME6 HE %\T$ 9SIDE 8 H1D4 ,Y C'T H ME--&
Y C'T H ! ,NANUAK6
  ,FURY L5T HM /R5G? & HE KICK$ \ SAV-
AGELY4 ,! GRIP ON 8 LEG BROKE4 ,"S?+
GAVE A GURGL+ H[L & SANK 96D>K;S4 ,TORAK
%OT UPW>D4
  ,HE EXPLOD$ F ! WAT]1 GULP+ GRT *E/;LS
( AIR4 ,"? ! GL>E (! SUN HE GLIMPS$ A
%EET ( GRE5 RIV]1 & AN OV]HANG+ BRAN*
APPROA*+ HM FA/4 ,) 8 FREE H& HE R1*$ =
X--& MISS$4 ,PA9 EXPLOD$ 9 8 H1D4
  ,HE KNEW T HE _HN'T BE5 KNOCK$ \4 ,HE
CD / FEEL ! SLAP (! RIV]1 & HE> 8 BR1?--
B 8 EYES 7 OP5 & />+1 & HE CDN'T SEE4
  ,PANIC SEIZ$ HM4 ,N BL1 HE ?"\4 ,NO1
NO .PL1SE1 N BL4
                                    #AFB
























                ,,SIXTE5            #AFC

  ,! FEMALE TAIL.S 0 :IMP]+ & WAV+ H]
=EPAWS1 S ,WOLF LEFT H] & HURTL$ D[N !
TRACK4
  ,:5 HE SMELL$ ,TALL ,TAIL.S AM;G !
WILL[S1 HE 2GAN 6:IMP] TOO4 ,8 PACK-
BRO!R 0 SLUMP$ OV] A LOG1 HALF 9 ! ,WET4
,HE SMELL$ /R;GLY ( BLOOD & WASN'T MOV+
AT ALL4
  ,WOLF LICK$ 8 COLD *EEK1 B ,TALL
,TAIL.S DIDN'T /IR4 ,0 HE ,N-,BR1?8
,WOLF PUT UP 8 MUZZLE & H[L$4
  ,A CLUMSY CRA%+ ANN\NC$ ! FEMALE TAIL-
.S4 ,WOLF L1P$ 6DEF5D 8 PACK-BRO!R1 B %E
PU%$ HM AWAY1 HOOK$ H] =EPAWS "U ,TALL
,TAIL.S'S %\LD]S1 & HAUL$ HM \ (! ,WET4
  ,DESPITE HMF1 ,WOLF 0 IMPRESS$4
  ,HE WAT*$ Z %E PUT H] =EPAWS ON ,TALL
,TAIL.S'S *E/ & PRESS$ D[N H>D4 ,TALL
,TAIL.S 2GAN 6C\<6 ,TALL ,TAIL.S _H BR1?
AG6
  ,B J Z ,WOLF 0 JUMP+ ONTO 8 PACK-BRO!R
6SNU6LE-LICK 8 MUZZLE1 HE 0 BATT$ AWAY6
,HE$.S ( ,WOLF'S W>N+ GR[LS1 ! FEMALE
PULL$ ,TALL ,TAIL.S 6HIS LEGS &     #AFD
!Y /A7]$ UP ! BANK4 ,TALL ,TAIL.S KEPT
BL"U+ 96HAZEL BU%ES1 Z IF HE CDN'T SEE4
  ,WAT*;LLY1 ,WOLF WALK$ 2S !M1 RELAX+ A
LL :5 !Y R1*$ A ,D5 A GD 4T.E F ! ,FA/
,WET3 A PROP] ,D51 N A SMALL1 AIR.S "O4
  ,/ ! FEMALE WDN'T LET ,WOLF NE> 8
PACK-BRO!R4 ,SN>L+1 ,WOLF SLAMM$ H] ) 8
BODY4 ,9/1D ( MOV+ AWAY1 %E PICK$ UP A
/ICK & ?REW X \ (! ,D51 PO9T+ AT X & !N
AT ,WOLF4
  ,WOLF IGNOR$ H] & TURN$ BACK 6,TALL
,TAIL.S1 :O 0 TRY+ 6TUG (F 8 PELT4 ,FI-
N,Y1 ,TALL ,TAIL.S _H ONLY ! L;G D>K FUR
ON 8 H1D4 ,HE LAY CURL$ ON 8 SIDE ) 8
EYES %UT1 %AK+ ) COLD4 ,8 POOR FUR.S "U-
PELT 0 NO USE AT ALL4
  ,WOLF L1N$ AG/ HM 6W>M HM UP1 :ILE !
FEMALE TAIL.S QKLY BR"\ 6LIFE ! ,B"R
,B1/-,T-,BITES-,HOT4 ,TALL ,TAIL.S MOV$
CLOS] 6! W>M?1 & ,WOLF WAT*$ ANXI\SLY 9
CASE HE GOT 8 PAWS BITT54
  ,T 0 :5 ,WOLF NOTIC$ T "O ( ,TALL
,TAIL.S'S =EPAWS HELD "S?+ T 0 GIV+ (F A
/RANGE GL[4
  ,WOLF SNI6$ AT X--& BACK$ AWAY4   #AFE
,X SMELL$ ( HUNT] & PREY & ,FA/ ,WET &
TREE1 ALL *EW$ UP TGR2 & F X CAME A HI<1
?9 HUMM+1 S HI< T ,WOLF CD ONLY J CAT*
X4
  ,WOLF 0 F"R5$4 ,HE KNEW T HE 0 9 !
PRES;E ( "S?+ V1 V P[];L4

  ,TORAK HU4L$ 9 8 SLEEP+-SACK1 %IV]+
UNCONTROLLABLY4 ,8 H1D 0 ON FIRE & 8
:OLE BODY FELT L "O BIG BRUISE1 B WOR/ (
ALL1 HE CDN'T SEE4 .,BL1 .BL1 ?U4$ 8
HE>T4
  ,ABV ! CRACKLE (! FIRE HE HE>D ,R5N
MUTT]+ ANGRILY4 8,W]E Y .TRY+ 6GET YRF
KILL$80
  8,:AT80 HE SD1 B X CAME \ Z A MUM#1 2C
8 M\? 0 ?ICK )! SALTY SWEET;S ( BLOOD4
  8,Y'D NE>LY R1*$ ! SURFACE10 SD ,R5N1
PRESS+ :AT FELT L COBWEBS 6HIS =EH1D1
8!N Y TURN$ >.D & SWAM1 DELIB]ATELY
SWAM1 BACK D[N AG60
  ,HE R1LIZ$ T %E DIDN'T "K AB !
,NANUAK4 ,B 8 FI/ 0 S COLD T HE CDN'T
UNCL5* X 6%[ H]4
  ,HE FELT ,WOLF'S HOT T;GUE ON 8   #AFF
FACE4 ,A *9K ( LI<T APPE>$4 ,!N A BIG
BLACK NOSE4 ,TORAK'S _SS SO>$4 8,I CAD
?EE60 HE SD4
  8,:AT80 SNAPP$ ,R5N4 8,WELL ( C\RSE Y
C SEE6 ,Y CUT YR =EH1D :5 Y HIT T BRAN*1
&! BLOOD GOT 9 YR EYES4 ,SCALP W.DS BLE$
A LOT4 ,DIDN'T Y "K T80
  ,TORAK 0 S RELIEV$ T HE WD H LAU<$ IF
8 TEE? _HN'T BE5 *ATT]+ S VIOL5TLY4
  ,HE SAW T !Y 7 9 A SMALL CAVE ) E>?
WALLS4 ,A BIR*WOOD FIRE 0 BURN+ FI]CELY1
& ALR 8 SO45 CLO!S1 HANG+ F TREE ROOTS
JUTT+ "? ! CEIL+1 7 2G9N+ 6/1M4 ,! ?"U (
! FALLS 0 L\D1 & F XS S.D1 &! VIEW (
TREETOPS AT ! CAVE M\?1 HE GUESS$ !Y M/
2 "S WAY UP ! SIDE (! VALLEY4 ,HE CDN'T
REMEMB] GETT+ "!4 ,R5N M/ H DRA7$ HM4
,HE WOND]$ H[ %E'D MANAG$ X4
  ,%E 0 KNEEL+ 2S HM1 LOOK+ %AK54 8,Y'VE
BE5 V1 V LUCKY10 %E SD4 8,N[ HOLD /40 ,F
H] M$IC9E P\* %E TOOK "S DRI$ Y>R[ L1VES
& CRUM#D !M 9 H] PALM4 ,!N1 HAV+ PICK$
(F ! COBWEBS1 %E PRESS$ ! Y>R[ L1VES TO
8 =EH1D4 ,!Y /UCK TI<T 6! W.D 9 AN 9/ANT
SCAB4                               #AFG
  ,TORAK %UT 8 EYES & LI/5$ 6! N"E-5D+
FURY (! FALLS4 ,WOLF CRAWL$ 96! SLEEP+-
SACK ) HM1 WRI7L+ TILL HE GOT -=TA#4
,TORAK FELT GLORI\SLY FURRY & W>M Z !
CUB LICK$ 8 %\LD]4 ,TORAK LICK$ 8 MUZZLE
9 REPLY4
  ,:5 HE AWOKE1 HE WASN'T %IV]+ ANYMORE1
& HE 0 / CLUT*+ ! ,NANUAK4 ,HE CD FEEL
XS WEI<T 9 8 FI/4
  ,WOLF 0 NOS+ AB 9 ! BACK (! CAVE1 &
,R5N 0 SORT+ H]BS 9 H] LAP4 ,TORAK'S
PACK1 BOOTS1 QUIV]1 & B[ 7 N1TLY PIL$ 2H
H]4 ,HE R1LIZ$ T 6RETRIEVE !M %E M/ H
CROSS$ ! RIV] AG4 ,TWICE4
  8,R5N10 HE SD4
  8,:AT10 %E SD )\T LOOK+ UP4 ,F H] T"O1
HE CD TELL T %E 0 / CROSS4
  8,Y GOT ME \ (! RIV]4 ,Y GOT ME ALL !
WAY UP "H4 ,Y EV5 FET*$ MY ?+S4 ,I C'T
IMAG9E ''' ,I M1N1 T 0 BRAVE40
  ,%E DID N REPLY4
  8,R5N10 HE SD AG4
  8.,:AT40
  8,I _H 6SWIM D[N4 ,I _H TO40
  8,:Y80                            #AFH
  ,AWKW>DLY1 HE BR"\ \ ! H& T HELD !
,NANUAK & UNCL5*$ 8 F+]S4
  ,Z SOON Z HE DID1 ! FIRE SEEM$ 6S9K4
,%AD[S L1P$ ON ! CAVE WALLS4 ,! AIR
SEEM$ 6CRACKLE1 L ! MO;T AF A LI<TN+
/RIKE4
  ,WOLF /OPP$ NOS+ & GAVE A W>N+ GRUNT4
,R5N W5T V /4
  ,! RIV] EYES LAY 9 ,TORAK'S PALM 9 A
NE/ ( GRE5 MUD1 GL[+ FA9TLY1 L ! MOON ON
A MI/Y NI<T4
  ,Z HE GAZ$ AT !M1 ,TORAK FELT AN E*O (
! SICK;S T _H TU7$ AT HM AT ! BOTTOM (!
RIV]4 8,? IS X1 ISN'T X80 HE SD4
8,8..,DEEPE/ ( ALL1 ! DR[N$ .SI<T40' ,!
F/ "P (! ,NANUAK40
  ,! COLOR _H DRA9$ F ,R5N'S FACE4
8,DON'T--MOVE10 %E SD1 & SCRAM#D \ (!
CAVE1 RETURN+ SOON AF )A BUN* ( SC>LET
R[AN L1VES4
  8,LUCKY "!'S MUD ON YR H&10 %E SD4 8,Y
M/N'T LET X T\* YR SK94 ,X MI<T SUCK \
YR [N "P (! _W-S\L40
  8,IS T :AT 0 HAPP5+80 HE MURMUR$4 8,IN
! RIV] ,I 0 2G9N+ 6FEEL--DIZZY40    #AFI
,HE TOLD H] AB ! ,HI45 ,P4
  ,%E LOOK$ HORRIFI$4 8,IF !Y'D CAU<T Y
'''0 ,%E MADE ! SIGN (! H& 6W>D (F EVIL4
8,I C'T 2LIEVE Y'VE J BE5 SLEEP+ ) ^? 9
YR FI/4 ,"!'S NO "T 6LOSE40
  ,BR++ \ A LL BLACK P\* F 9SIDE H] J]-
K91 %E /U6$ X )! R[AN L1VES4 8,! L1VES
%D PROTECT U10 %E SD1 8&! P\* %D HELP
TOO2 X'S RAV5 SK940 ,GRASP+ ,TORAK'S
WRI/1 %E TIPP$ ! RIV] EYES 96! P\* &
DREW ! NECK TI<T4
  ,Z SOON Z ! ,NANUAK 0 HI451 ! FLAMES
GREW1 &! %AD[S %RANK4 ,! AIR 9 ! CAVE
/OPP$ CRACKL+4
  ,TORAK FELT Z IF A WEI<T _H BE5 TAK5 F
HM4 ,HE WAT*$ ,WOLF PAD OV] & LIE D[N 2S
,R5N ) 8 MUZZLE 2T 8 PAWS1 GAZ+ AT ! P\*
ON H] LAP & :9+ S(TLY4
  8,D'Y\ ?9K HE C SMELL X80 %E ASK$4
  8,OR MAYBE HE> X10 SD ,TORAK4 8,I
DON'T "K40
  ,R5N %IV]$4 8,J Z L;G Z NO?+ ELSE C1
TOO40

                                    #AGJ