,,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
  ,M>IAN ,HAYES1 ,RUSSELL ,MILL]1 ,K>5
 ,H>A1 ,%>ON VON ,SEE1 & ,BE? ,GOODMAN
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #C
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #AGA-BEF
          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJH
          ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS        ;II
         ,,US$ ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C COPY"R SYMBOL
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               ,,SEV5TE5            #AGA

  ,TORAK WOKE AT DAWN FEEL+ /IFF & SORE4
,B HE CD MOVE ALL F\R LIMBS1 & NO?+ FELT
BROK51 S HE DECID$ HE 0 BETT]4
  ,R5N 0 KNEEL+ AT ! M\? (! CAVE1 TRY+
6FE$ ,WOLF A H&;L ( CR[B]RIES4 ,%E 0
FR[N+ ) 3C5TR,N Z %E HELD \ H] H&4 ,WOLF
$G$ CAUTI\SLY =W>D--!N J]K$ BACK AG4 ,AT
LA/ HE DECID$ HE CD TRU/ H]1 & SNU6L$ UP
! B]RIES4 ,R5N LAU<$ Z 8 :ISK]S TICKL$
H] PALM4
  ,%E CAU<T ,TORAK LOOK+ & /OPP$ LAU<+1
EMB>RASS$ 6BE SE5 MAK+ FRS )! CUB4 8,H[
D Y FEEL80 %E ASK$4
  8,BETT]40
  8,Y DON'T LOOK X4 ,Y'LL NE$ 6RE/ = AT
L1/ A "D40 ,%E GOT 6H] FEET4 8,I'M GO+
HUNT+4 ,WE %D KEEP ! DRI$ FOOD = :5 WE
NE$ X40
  ,TORAK SAT UP PA9;LLY4 8,I'M -+ TOO40
  8,NO Y'RE N4 ,Y %D RE/--0
  8,B MY CLO!S >E DRY1 & ,I NE$ 6MOVE
>.D40 ,HE DIDN'T TELL H] ! R1L R1SON1 :
0 T HE HAT$ CAVES4 ,HE & ,FA US$ 6%ELT]
9 !M "S"TS1 B ,TORAK ALW 5D$ UP     #AGB
\TSIDE4 ,X FELT ALL WR;G 6BE SLEEP+ 2T
SOLID WALLS1 CUT (F F ! W9D &! ,=E/4 ,X
FELT L 2+ SWALL[$4
  ,R5N SI<$4 8,PROMISE T Z SOON Z WE
MAKE A KILL1 Y'LL -E BACK "H & RE/40
  ,TORAK PROMIS$4
  ,GETT+ DRESS$ HURT M ?AN HE'D EXPECT$1
& 0! "T HE'D F9I%$1 8 EYES 7 WAT]+4 ,TO
8 RELIEF1 ,R5N DIDN'T NOTICE1 Z %E 0
PREP>+ =! HUNT4 ,%E -B$ H] HAIR ) AN A%-
WOOD -B C>V$ L A RAV5'S CLAW1 !N TI$ X
BACK 9 A HORSETAIL & /UCK 9 AN [L F1!R =
HUNT+ LUCK4 ,NEXT1 %E SME>$ A% ON H] SK9
6MASK H] SC5T1 & OIL$ H] B[ )A C\PLE (
CRU%$ HAZELNUTS1 *ANT+3 8,MAY ! CLAN
GU>DIAN FLY ) ME & MAKE ! HUNT SU3ESS-
;L40
  ,TORAK 0 SURPRIS$4 8,WE PREP>E = HUNT+
9 ! SAME WAY4 ,EXCEPT WE SAY1 ,8,MAY !
CLAN GU>DIAN .RUN ) ME40' ,& WE DON'T
OIL \R B[S E "T40
  8,T'S J "S?+ ,I D10 SD ,R5N4 ,LOV+LY
%E HELD X UP S T ! OIL$ WOOD GL1M$4
8,F9-,K$9N MADE X = ME :5 ,I 0 SEV51 J
AF ,FA 0 KILL$4 ,X'S YEWWOOD1       #AGC
S1SON$ = F\R SUMM]S4 ,SAPWOOD ON XS BACK
= /RET*1 HE>TWOOD ON XS BELLY = /R5G?4
,HE MADE ! QUIV]1 TOO4 ,WOVE ! WICK]
HMF1 & LET ME *OOSE ! DECOR,N4 ,A ZIGZAG
B& ( R$ & :ITE WILL[40
  ,%E PAUS$1 & H] FACE 2CAME %AD[$ Z %E
REMEMB]$4 8,I N"E KNEW MY "M2 ,FA 0 "EY-
?+4 ,:5 HE 0 KILL$1 ,I 0 CRY+ S H>D4 ,!N
,F9-,K$9N CAME1 & ,I HIT HM ) MY FI/S4
,HE DIDN'T MOVE4 ,J /OOD "! L AN OAK
TREE1 LETT+ ME HIT HM4 ,!N HE SD1 ,8,HE
0 MY BRO!R4 ,I W LOOK AF Y40' ,& ,I KNEW
T HE WD40 ,%E SC[L$1 SUCK+ 9 H] LIPS4
  ,TORAK KNEW T %E 0 MISS+ H] UNCLE1 &
PROBABLY WORRY+ AB HM TOO1 Z HE TRACK$
H] "? ! BE>-HAUNT$ ,=E/4 ,6GIVE H] "T1
HE MADE 8 [N PREP>,NS & GA!R$ 8 W1PONS4
,!N HE SD1 8,-E ON4 ,LET'S G HUNT+40
  ,%E NO4$ ONCE1 !N %\LD]$ H] QUIV]4
  ,X 0 A B"R1 COLD MORN+1 &! ,=E/ _H N"E
LOOK$ S B1UTI;L4 ,SC>LET R[AN TREES &
GOLD5 BIR* BLAZ$ L FLAMES AG/ ! D>K-GRE5
SPRUCE4 ,BLUEB]RY BU%ES GLITT]$ ) ?\S&S
( T9Y1 FRO/-SPANGL$ SPID]S' WEBS4 ,FROZ5
MOSS CRUN*$ "UFOOT4 ,A PAIR ( IN-   #AGD
QUISITIVE MAGPIES FOLL[$ !M F TREE TO
TREE1 BICK]+4 ,! BE> M/ 2 F> AWAY4
  ,UN=TUNATELY1 ,TORAK DIDN'T GET L;G TO
5JOY X4 ,>.D MIDMORN+1 ,WOLF />TL$ A
CLUT* ( WILL[ GR\SE1 :O %OT SKYW>D ) IN-
DIGNANT GOB#S4 ,! BIRDS FLEW FA/ & 96!
SUN1 S ,TORAK DIDN'T EV5 BO!R TAK+ AIM1
"K+ HE'D N"E HIT "O4 ,6HIS A/ONI%;T1
,R5N NOCK$ AN >R[ & LET FLY1 &A WILL[
GR\SE ?U4$ 96! MOSS4
  ,TORAK'S JAW DROPP$4 8,H[ DID Y MANAGE
T80
  ,R5N R$D5$4 8,WELL4 ,I PRACTICE A
LOT40
  8,B--,I'VE N"E SE5 %OOT+ T GD4 ,>E Y !
BE/ 9 YR CLAN80
  ,%E LOOK$ UNCOM=TA#4
  8,IS "! ANY"O BETT]80
  8,UM4 ,N RE,Y40 ,/ EMB>RASS$1 %E WAD$
(F "? ! BLUEB]RY BU%ES 6RETRIEVE !
GR\SE4 8,"H40 ,%E FLA%$ HM H] %>P-TOO!D
GR94 8,REMEMB] YR PROMISE8 ,N[ Y'VE GOT
6G BACK & RE/40
  ,TORAK TOOK ! GR\SE4 ,IF HE'D "KN %E 0
S* A GD %OT1 HE'D N"E H PROMIS$4    #AGE
  ,:5 ,R5N RETURN$ 6! CAVE1 !Y _H A F1/4
,F ! HOOT+ (A "Y [L1 !Y KNEW T ! BE> 0
F> AWAY2 & ,R5N JUDG$ T !Y'D -E F> 5 EA/
6H ESCAP$ ! ,RAV5S4 ,2SS1 !Y NE$$ HOT
FOOD4
  ,R5N WRAPP$ TWO SMALL PIECES ( GR\SE 9
DOCK L1VES & LEFT !M =! CLAN GU>DIANS1
:ILE ,TORAK MOV$ ! FIRE 6! M\? (! CAVE1
Z HE 0 DET]M9$ N 6SP5D ANO!R NI<T 9SIDE4
,HALF FILL+ ,R5N'S COOK+ SK9 ) WAT]1 HE
HUNG X 0! FIRE2 !N1 US+ A SPLIT BRAN*1
HE DROPP$ 9 R$-HOT /"OS 6H1T X UP & A4$
! PLUCK$ & JO9T$ WILL[ GR\SE4 ,SOON HE 0
/IRR+ A FRAGRANT /EW FLAVOR$ ) CR[ G>LIC
& BIG1 FLE%Y WOOD MU%ROOMS4
  ,!Y ATE MO/ (! M1T1 L1V+ A LL = "DM1L1
& SOPP$ UP ! JUICES ) HAWKBIT ROOTS BAK$
9 ! EMB]S4 ,AF T CAME A WOND];L MA% T
,R5N MADE ( LATE L+ONB]RIES & HAZELNUTS1
& F9,Y "S BEE*NUTS1 : !Y BUR/ 0! FIRE &
PEEL$ 6GET AT ! SMALL1 RI* NUTS 9SIDE4
  ,0! "T HE'D F9I%$1 ,TORAK FELT Z IF HE
NE$ N"E EAT AG4 ,HE SETTL$ D[N 0! FIRE
6M5D ! RIP 9 8 LE7+S ": ! ,HI45 ,P _H
GRA2$ HM4 ,R5N SAT "S WAY (F1       #AGF
TRIMM+ ! FLI<TS ON H] >R[S1 & ,WOLF LAY
2T !M LICK+ 8 PAWS CL1N1 HAV+ SWIFTLY
DESPAT*$ ! JO9T ( GR\SE T ,TORAK _H SAV$
= HM4
  ,=A :ILE "! 0 A -PANIONA# SIL;E1 &
,TORAK FELT 3T5T$1 EV5 HOPE;L4 ,AF ALL1
HE'D F.D ! F/ PIECE (! ,NANUAK4 ,T M/
C.T = "S?+4
  ,SU45LY1 ,WOLF L1P$ 6HIS FEET & RAC$ \
(! FIRELI<T4 ,MO;TS LAT] HE RETURN$1
CIRCL+ ! FIRE & MAK+ AGITAT$ LL GRUNT-
:9ES4
  8,:AT IS X80 :ISP]$ ,R5N4
  ,TORAK 0 ON 8 FEET1 WAT*+ ,WOLF4 ,HE
%OOK 8 H1D4 8,I C'T MAKE X \4 ,8,KILL
SMELL4 ,OLD KILL4 ,MOVE40' ,"S?+ L T40
  ,!Y />$ 96! D>K;S4
  8,WE %DN'T H LIT A FIRE10 SD ,R5N4
  8,TOO LATE N[10 SD ,TORAK4
  ,WOLF /OPP$ ! GRUNT-:9ES & RAIS$ 8
MUZZLE1 GAZ+ SKYW>D4
  ,TORAK LOOK$ UP--&! REMA9S ( 8 GD HU-
MOR VANI%$4 ,6! EA/1 ABV ! 4TANT BLACK;S
(! ,HI< ,M.TA9S1 ! R$ EYE (! ,GRT ,AURO*
GL>$ D[N AT !M4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# TO    #AGG
MISS3 A VICI\S CRIMSON1 ?RO2+ ) MALICE4
,TORAK CDN'T TAKE 8 EYES F X4 ,HE CD
FEEL XS P[]3 S5D+ /R5G? 6! BE>1 SAPP+ 8
[N W ( HOPE & RESOLVE4
  8,:AT *.E D WE H AG/ ! BE>80 HE SD4
8,I M1N1 RE,Y1 :AT *.E D WE H80
  8,I DON'T "K10 SD ,R5N4
  8,H[ >E WE GO+ 6F9D ! O!R TWO PIECES (
! ,NANUAK8 ,8..,OLDE/ ( ALL1 ! /"O BITE4
,COLDE/ ( ALL1 ! D>KE/ .LI<T40' ,:AT
DOES T EV5 M1N80
  ,R5N DID N REPLY4
  ,AT LA/ HE DRA7$ 8 GAZE F ! SKY & SAT
D[N 0! FIRE4 ,! R$ EYE SEEM$ 6GL>E AT HM
F ! EMB]S4
  ,2H HM1 ,R5N /IRR$4 8,LOOK1 ,TORAK1
X'S ! ,F/ ,TREE60
  ,HE RAIS$ 8 H1D4
  ,! EYE _H BE5 BLOTT$ \4 ,9/1D1 A SI-
L5T1 "E-*ANG+ GRE5 GL[ FILL$ ! SKY4 ,N[
A VA/ SWA! ( LI<T TWI/$ 9 A VOICE.S W9D2
!N ! SWA! VANI%$1 & %IMM]+ PALE-GRE5
WAVES RIPPL$ ACR ! />S4 ,! ,F/ ,TREE
/RET*$ ="E1 %9+ XS MIRACUL\S FIRE ^U !
,=E/4                               #AGH
  ,Z ,TORAK GAZ$ AT X1 A SP>K ( HOPE RE-
K9DL$4 ,HE'D ALW LOV$ WAT*+ ! ,F/ ,TREE
ON FRO/Y NI<TS1 :ILE ,FA TOLD ! /ORY (!
,2G9N+4 ,! ,F/ ,TREE M1NT GD LUCK 9
HUNT+2 MAYBE X WD BR+ LUCK 6HM1 TOO4
  8,I ?9K X'S A GD SIGN10 SD ,R5N Z IF
%E'D HE>D 8 ?"\S4 8,I'VE BE5 WOND]+4 ,0
X RE,Y LUCK T Y F.D ! ,NANUAK8 ,I M1N1
:Y DID Y FALL 96! V "P (! RIV] ": X LAY8
,I DON'T ?9K T 0 0*.E4 ,I ?9K--Y 7 M1NT
6F9D X40
  ,HE ?REW H] A "Q+ GL.E4
  8,MAYBE10 %E SD SL[LY1 8! ,NANUAK 0
PUT 9 YR WAY1 B !N X 0 UP 6Y 6DECIDE :AT
6D AB X4 ,:5 Y SAW X AT ! BOTTOM (! RIV-
]1 Y .CD H DECID$ X 0 TOO DANG]\S TO TRY
=4 ,B Y DIDN'T4 ,Y RISK$ YR LIFE TO GET
X4 ,MAYBE--T 0 "P (! TE/40
  ,X 0 A GD ?"\1 & X MADE ,TORAK FEEL A
LL BETT]4 ,HE FELL ASLEEP WAT*+ ! SIL5T
GRE5 B\<S (! ,F/ ,TREE1 :ILE ,WOLF SP$ \
(! CAVE ON "S MY/]I\S ]R& ( 8 [N4

  ,WOLF LEFT ! ,D5 & LOP$ UP 6! RIDGE
ABV ! VALLEY 6CAT* ! SMELL ON !     #AGI
W9D3 A P[];L SMELL ( ROTT5 PREY L A V
OLD KILL--EXCEPT T X MOV$4
  ,Z HE RAN1 ,WOLF FELT ) JOY H[ 8 PADS
7 T\<5+1 8 LIMBS GETT+ /R;G] ) E ,D>K T
PASS$4 ,HE LOV$ 6RUN1 & HE WI%$ T ,TALL
,TAIL.S DID1 TOO4 ,B AT "TS 8 PACK-BRO!R
CD 2 T]RIBLY SL[4
  ,Z ,WOLF NE>$ ! RIDGE1 HE HE>D ! RO> (
! ,?"U+ ,WET1 &! S.D (A H>E FE$+ 9 !
NEXT VALLEY4 ,OV]H1D1 HE SAW ! ,B"R
,:ITE ,EYE ) H] _M LL CUBS4 ,X 0 ALL Z X
%D BE4 ,EXCEPT = T SMELL4
  ,AT ! TOP (! RIDGE HE LIFT$ 8 MUZZLE
6CAT* ! SC5T-LAD5 W9DS & AG HE CAU<T X3
Q CLOSE1 & -+ CLOS]4 ,RAC+ BACK 96! VAL-
LEY1 HE SOON F.D X3 ! /RANGE1 %U6L+ ?+ T
SMELL$ S ROTT54
  ,HE GOT NE> 5 6OBS]VE X CLE>LY 9 !
D>K1 AL? HE 0 C>E;L N 6LET X "K T HE 0
NE>4 ,6HIS SURPRISE HE F.D T X 0 N AN
OLD KILL AF ALL4 ,X _H BR1? & CLAWS1 & X
MOV$ 9 AN ODD %AMBL+ WALK1 GR[L+ 6XF
:ILE SPIT TRAIL$ F XS MUZZLE4
  ,:AT PUZZL$ ,WOLF MO/ 0 T HE CDN'T
CAT* :AT X 0 FEEL+4 ,XS M9D SEEM$   #AHJ
BROK52 SCATT]$ L OLD B"OS4 ,WOLF _H N"E
S5S$ S* A ?+ 2F4
  ,HE WAT*$ X MAKE XS WAY UP ! SLOPE TO-
W>D ! ,D5 ": ! TAIL.SES 7 SLEEP+4 ,X
PR[L$ CLOS]4 '''
  ,J Z ,WOLF 0 AB 6ATTACK1 X %OOK XF &
%AM#D AWAY4 ,B "? ! TANGLE ( XS BROK5
?"\S1 ,WOLF S5S$ T X WD 2 BACK4
















                ,,EI<TE5            #AHA

  ,! FOG /OLE UP ON !M L A ?IEF 9 !
NI<T4
  ,:5 ,TORAK CRAWL$ /I6LY F 8 SLEEP+-
SACK1 ! VALLEY 2L _H 4APPE>$4 ,! ,BR1? (
! ,_W ,_S _H SWALL[$ X :OLE4
  ,HE YAWN$4 ,WOLF _H WOK5 HM (T5 9 !
NI<T1 RAC+ AB & UTT]+ URG5T HALF B>KS3
.KILL .SMELL--.WAT*4 ,X DIDN'T MAKE
S5SE4 ,E "T ,TORAK W5T 6LOOK1 "! 0 NO?+
B A /9K ( C>RION & AN UNEASY FEEL+ ( 2+
WAT*$4
  8,MAYBE HE J HATES FOG10 SD ,R5N
GRUMPILY Z %E ROLL$ UP H] SLEEP+-SACK4
8,I "K ,I D4 ,9 FOG1 NO?+'S :AT X
SEEMS40
  8,I DON'T ?9K X'S T10 SD ,TORAK1 WAT*+
,WOLF SNU6+ ! AIR4
  8,WELL1 :AT IS X1 !N80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,X'S Z IF "S?+'S \ "!4
,N ! BE>4 ,N ! ,RAV5S4 ,"S?+ ELSE40
  8,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,I TOLD Y1 ,I DON'T "K4 ,B WE %D 2 ON
\R GU>D40 ,?"\;LLY1 HE PUT M WOOD ON !
FIRE 6H1T UP ! RE/ (! /EW = "D-     #AHB
M1L4
  ,) AN ANXI\S FR[N1 ,R5N C.T$ _! >R[S4
8,F\RTE5 2T U4 ,N NE>LY 5\<4 ,D Y "K H[
6KNAP FL9T80
  ,TORAK %OOK 8 H1D4 8,MY H&S >5'T /R;G
5\<4 ,FA 0 GO+ 6T1* ME NEXT SUMM]4 ,:AT
AB Y80
  8,! SAME4 ,WE'LL H 6BE C>E;L4 ,"!'S NO
TELL+ H[ F> X IS 6! ,M.TA94 ,& WE'LL NE$
M M1T40
  8,MAYBE WE'LL CAT* "S?+ TD40
  8,IN ? FOG80
  ,%E 0 "R4 ,! FOG 0 S ?ICK T !Y CDN'T
SEE ,WOLF FIVE PACES AH1D4 ,X 0 ! K9D T
! CLANS CALL ! SMOKE-FRO/ AN ICY BR1? T
DESC5DS F ! ,HI< ,M.TA9S AT ! />T ( W9-
T]1 BLACK5+ B]RIES & S5D+ SMALL CR1TURES
SCUTTL+ = _! BURR[S4
  ,WOLF L$ !M AL;G AN AURO* TRAIL T W.D
NOR? UP ! SIDE (! VALLEY3 A *ILLY CLIMB
"? FRO/-BRITTLE BRACK54 ,! FOG MU6L$
S.DS & MADE 4T.ES H>D 6JUDGE4 ,TREES
LOOM$ ) AL>M+ SU45;S4 ,ONCE1 !Y %OT A
RE9DE]1 ONLY 6F9D T !Y'D HIT A LOG4 ,T
M1NT A FRU/RAT+ /RU7LE 6DIG \ !     #AHC
>R[H1DS1 : !Y CDN'T AF=D 6LOSE4 ,TWICE1
,TORAK ?"\ HE SAW A FIGURE 9 ! "UGR[?1 B
:5 HE RAN 6LOOK1 HE F.D NO?+4
  ,X TOOK ALL MORN+ 6CLIMB ! RIDGE1 &
ALL AFN 6SCRAM# D[N 96! NEXT VALLEY1 ":
A SIL5T P9E =E/ GU>D$ A SLUMB]+ RIV]4
  8,D Y R1LIZE10 SD ,R5N Z !Y HU4L$ 9 A
HA/Y %ELT] AF A *E].S NI<TM1L1 8T WE
HAV5'T SE5 A S+LE RE9DE]8 ,!Y %D 2 "EY":
0N[40
  8,I'VE BE5 ?9K+ T TOO10 SD ,TORAK4 ,L
,R5N1 HE KNEW T ! SN[ ON ! FELLS %D 2
DRIV+ ! H]DS 96! ,=E/1 6GR[ FAT ON MOSS
& MU%ROOMS4 ,"S"TS !Y ATE S _M MU%ROOMS
T !Y EV5 TA/$ ( !M4
  8,:AT W ! CLANS D IF ! RE9DE] DON'T
-E80 SD ,R5N4
  ,TORAK DIDN'T ANSW]4 ,RE9DE] M1NT SUR-
VIVAL3 M1T1 B$D+1 & CLO!S4
  ,HE WOND]$ :AT HE 0 GO+ 6D = W9T]
CLO!S4 ,R5N _H _H ! =ESI<T 6PUT H]S ON
2F %E'D LEFT ! ,RAV5 CAMP1 B %E _HN'T
BE5 A# 6/1L ANY = HM1 S ALL HE _H 0 8
SUMM] BUCKSK93 N NE>LY Z W>M Z ! FURRY
P>KA & LE7+S T HE & ,FA MADE E      #AHD
AUTUMN4
  ,EV5 IF !Y DID F9D PREY1 "!'D 2 NO "T
6MAKE CLO!S4 ,2Y ! FOG1 ! R$ EYE (! ,GRT
,AURO* 0 CLIMB+ "E HI<]4
  ,TORAK %UT 8 EYES 6PU% ! ?"\ AWAY1 &
EV5TU,Y FELL 96AN UNEASY SLEEP4 ,B :5"E
HE AWOKE 9 ! NI<T1 HE CAU<T T /RANGE C>-
RION /9K4
  ,NEXT MORN+ DAWN$ COLD] & FO7I] ?AN
"E1 & EV5 ,WOLF SEEM$ DEJECT$ Z HE L$ !M
UP/R1M4 ,!Y R1*$ A FALL5 OAK BRIDG+ !
RIV] & CRAWL$ OV] X ON _! H&S & KNEES4
,SOON AFW1 ! TRAIL =K$4 ,6! LEFT1 X W.D
96A VALLEY ( MI/Y BEE* TREES2 6! "R1 X
4APPE>$ UP A DANK GULLY1 XS /EEP SIDES
AN UN9VIT+ JUM# ( MOSS-COV]$ B\LD]S4
  ,6_! 4MAY1 ,WOLF TOOK ! "R-H& TRAIL4
  8,T C'T 2 "R60 CRI$ ,R5N4 8,! ,M.TA9'S
9 ! NOR?6 ,:Y IS HE ="E GO+ EA/80
  ,TORAK %OOK 8 H1D4 8,X FEELS WR;G 6ME1
TOO4 ,B HE SEEMS SURE40
  ,R5N SNORT$4 ,%E 0 CLE>LY HAV+ D\BTS
AG4
  ,LOOK+ AT ,WOLF WAIT+ PATI5TLY1 ,TORAK
FELT A TW+E ( GUILT4 ,! CUB         #AHE
WASN'T EV5 F\R MOONS OLD4 ,AT ? AGE1 HE
%D 2 PLAY+ 0HIS D51 N TRAIPS+ OV] HILLS4
8,I ?9K10 HE SD1 8WE "\ 6TRU/ HM40
  8,MM10 MURMUR$ ,R5N4
  ,HOI/+ _! PACKS HI<] ON _! A*+ %\LD]S1
!Y 5T]$ ! GULLY4
  ,!Y _HN'T G"O T5 PACES 2F !Y KNEW T X
DIDN'T WANT !M4 ,T[]+ SPRUCE TREES W>N$
!M BACK ) >MS SPR1D WIDE4 ,A B\LD] CRA%$
9 FRONT ( !M2 ANO!R /RUCK ! PA? J 2H
,R5N4 ,! /9K ( C>RION GREW /R;G]4 ,B IF
X CAME F A KILL SITE1 X 0 A /RANGE "O1 =
!Y HE>D NO RAV5S4
  ,! FOG CLOS$ 9 UNTIL !Y CD B>ELY SEE
TWO PACES AH1D4 ,ALL !Y CD HE> 0 ! DRIP1
DRIP ( MI/ ON ! BRACK51 &! GURGLE (A
/R1M RU%+ 2T F]N-*OK$ BANKS4 ,TORAK 2GAN
6SEE BE> %APES 9 ! FOG4 ,HE WAT*$ ,WOLF
=! L1/ SIGN ( AL>M1 B ! CUB PLO4$ AL;G1
UNAFRAID4
  ,AT MID"D--OR :AT FELT L MID"D--!Y
HALT$ =A RE/4 ,WOLF SLUMP$ D[N1 PANT+1 &
,R5N %RU7$ (F H] PACK4 ,H] FACE 0 P9*$1
H] HAIR SOAK+4 8,I SAW "S RE$S BACK "!4
,I'M GO+ 6PLAIT MYF A HOOD40        #AHF
,HANG+ _! QUIV]S & B[S ON A BRAN*1 %E
MOV$ (F "? ! F]NS4 ,WOLF H1V$ HMF UP &
PA4$ AF H]4
  ,TORAK SQUATT$ AT ! $GE (! /R1M 6RE-
FILL ! WAT]SK9S4 ,X WASN'T L;G 2F HE
HE>D ,R5N -+ BACK4 8,T 0 QK10 HE SD4
  8.,\60 BELL[$ A VOICE 2H HM4 8,\ (!
,WALK]'S ,VALLEY OR ! ,WALK] SLITS
?ROATS60

  ,TORAK SPUN R.D & F.D HMF />+ UP AT AN
UNBELIEVABLY FIL?Y MAN T[]+ OV] HM )A
KNIFE4
  ,9 AN 9/ANT HE TOOK 9 A RU9$ FACE Z
R\< Z TREE B>K2 WAI/-L5G? HAIR MATT$ )
FIL?2 A RANCID CAPE ( SLIMY YELL[ RE$S4
,& AT LA/ ! C>RION /9K 0 EXPLA9$1 = >.D
! MAN'S NECK HUNG A PIGEON'S S(TLY ROTT+
C>CASS4
  ,9 FACT1 "EY?+ AB ! MAN SEEM$ 6BE ROT-
T+3 F 8 EMPTY1 FE/]+ EYE SOCKET 6HIS
TOO?.S BLACK GUMS & 8 %ATT]$ NOSE1 F :
HUNG A LOOP ( GRE5I%-YELL[ SLIME4 8.,\60
HE BELL[$1 WAV+ A GRE5 SLATE KNIFE4
8,N>IK &! ,WALK] SAY \60            #AHG
  ,QKLY1 ,TORAK PUT BO? FI/S OV] 8 HE>T
9 ! SIGN ( FR%IP4 8,PL1SE--WE -E Z FRS4
,WE M1N Y NO H>M--0
  8,B !Y ALR .DID H>M60 RO>$ ! MAN4 8,!Y
BR+ X ) !M 6! B1UTI;L VALLEY6 ,ALL NI<T
! ,WALK] WAT*ES6 ,ALL NI<T HE WAITS 6SEE
IF !Y W BR+ H>M 6HIS VALLEY60
  8,:AT H>M80 ,TORAK SD DESP]ATELY4 8,WE
DIDN'T M1N X60
  ,"! 0 A /IRR+ 9 ! BRACK5 & ,WOLF ?REW
HMF AT ,TORAK4 ,TORAK CLUT*$ ! CUB CLOSE
& FELT ! SMALL HE>T HAMM]+4
  ,! MAN DIDN'T NOTICE4 ,HE'D HE>D ,R5N
CREEP+ UP 2H HM4 8,SN1K+ UP1 IS %E80 HE
SN>L$1 LUR*+ R.D & WAV+ 8 KNIFE 9 H]
FACE4
  ,R5N DODG$ BACKW>D1 B T ONLY MADE HM
ANGRI]4
  8,DOES %E WANT !M 9 ! WAT]80 HE CRI$1
SNAT*+ _! B[S & QUIV]S F ! BRAN* & HOLD+
!M \ OV] ! /R1M4 8,DOES %E WANT 6SEE !M
SWIM1 ! PRETTY >R[S &! %9Y1 %9Y B[S80
  ,MUTE ) HORROR1 ,R5N %OOK H] H1D4
  8,!N !Y DROP KNIVES & AXES QK1 OR 9 !Y
G60                                 #AHH
  ,!Y BO? KNEW T !Y DIDN'T H A *OICE1 S
!Y TOSS$ _! REMA9+ W1PONS AT 8 FEET1 &
HE /[$ !M SWIFTLY "U 8 CAPE4
  8,:AT D Y WANT U 6D80 ASK$ ,TORAK1 8
HE>T HAMM]+ Z FA/ Z ,WOLF'S4
  8,GET .\60 RO>$ ! MAN4 8,! ,WALK]
.TOLD !M6 .,N>IK TOLD !M6 ,&! ANG] (
,N>IK IS T]RI#60
  ,BO? ,R5N & ,TORAK LOOK$ R.D = ,N>IK1
:O"E HE WAS1 B SAW ONLY WET TREES & FOG4
  8,WE >E GETT+ \10 SD ,R5N1 EYE+ H] B[
9 ! ENORM\S FI/4
  8,N .UP ! ,VALLEY6 ,\60 ,HE GE/UR$ 6!
SIDE (! GULLY4
  8,B--WE C'T G UP "!10 SD ,R5N 8,X'S
TOO /EEP--0
  8,NO M TRICKS60 BELL[$ ! ,WALK]1 &
HURL$ H] QUIV] 96! /R1M4
  ,%E SCR1M$ & L1P$ AF X1 B ,TORAK GRA2$
H] >M4 8,X'S TOO LATE10 HE TOLD H]4
8,X'S G"O40 ,! /R1M 0 DEEP] & FA/] ?AN X
LOOK$4 ,H] 2LOV$ QUIV] _H 4APPE>$4
  ,R5N TURN$ ON ! ,WALK]4 8,WE 7 DO+ :AT
Y SD6 ,Y DIDN'T H 6D T60
  8,OH YES HE DID10 SD ! ,WALK]     #AHI
)A TOO?.S BLACK GR94 8,N[ !Y "K HE M1NS
X60
  8,-E ON1 ,R5N10 SD ,TORAK4 8,LET'S D Z
HE SAYS40
  ,FURI\S1 ,R5N PICK$ UP H] PACK4
  ,IF _! J\RNEY _H BE5 H>D 2F1 ? 0
WORSE4 ,! ,WALK] /RODE 2H !M1 =C+ !M ALM
AT A RUN UP A ROCKY ELK TRAIL T AT "TS
_H !M CLIMB+ ON _! H&S & KNEES4 ,R5N W5T
9 FRONT1 /ONY FAC$1 GRIEV+ = H] QUIV]4
,WOLF SOON 2GAN 6LAG 2H4
  ,TORAK TURN$ 6HELP HM1 B ! ,WALK]
SLIC$ ! AIR A F+]'S BR1D? F 8 FACE4
8,ON60 HE %\T$4
  8,I J WANT 6C>RY--0
  8,ON60
  ,R5N CUT IN4 8,Y'RE ,OTT] ,CLAN1 >5'T
Y8 ,I RECOGNIZE YR TATTOOS40
  ,! ,WALK] GL>$ AT H]4
  ,TORAK SEIZ$ 8 *.E & HOI/$ ! FLA7+ CUB
9 8 >MS4
  8.,WAS ,OTT] ,CLAN10 MUTT]$ ! ,WALK]1
CLAW+ 8 NECK1 ": ! CRU/$ SK9 0 TATTOO$ )
WAVY BLUE-GRE5 L9ES4
  8,:Y DID Y L1VE !M80 ASK$ ,R5N1   #AIJ
:O 0 MAK+ A SUPREME EF=T 6=GET AB H]
QUIV] & 2FR HM1 9 ORD] 6KEEP !M ALIVE4
  8,DIDN'T .L1VE10 SD ! ,WALK]4 8,OTT]S
L1VE .HM40 ,TWI/+ A W+ (F ! PIGEON1 HE
SUCK$ X 2T 8 TOO?.S GUMS1 TAK+ 9 ) X A
G5]\S LOOP ( SLIME4
  ,TORAK SWAY$4 ,R5N TURN$ PALE GRE54
  8,! ,WALK] 0 MAK+ SPE>H1DS10 HE SD "?
A RANCID M\?;L1 8&! FL9T FLIES AT HM &
BITES HM 9 ! H1D40 ,HE GAVE A B>K (
LAU<T]1 SPRAY+ !M BO?4 8,BITS ( HM GO+
BAD1 GETT+ SEWN UP1 GO+ BAD AG4 ,9 ! 5D
8 EYE POPS "R \1 &A RAV5 EATS X4 ,HA6
,RAV5S L EYES40
  ,!N 8 FACE CRUMPL$1 & HE P.D$ 8 H1D )
8 FI/4 8,A*1 B ! HURTS1 ! HURTS6 ,ALL !
VOICES H[L+1 ! S\LS FI<T+ 9 8 H1D6 ,T'S
:Y ! ,OTT]S *ASE HM AWAY60
  ,R5N SWALL[$4 8,"O ( MY CLAN LO/ AN
EYE ! SAME WAY10 %E SD4 8,MY CLAN IS
FRLY )! ,OTT]S4 ,WE--WE M1N Y NO H>M40
  8,MAYBE10 SD ! ,WALK]1 REMOV+ A B"O F
8 M\? & /[+ X C>E;LLY 9SIDE 8 CAPE4 8,B
!Y / BR+ X ) !M40 ,ALL (A SU451 HE HALT$
& SCANN$ ! SLOPES4 8,B ! ,WALK] 0   #AIA
=GETT+4 ,N>IK ASKS HM = HAZELNUTS6 ,N[
": DID ! HAZEL TREES G80
  ,TORAK HEFT$ ,WOLF HI<] 9 8 >MS4 8,!
H>M Y ?9K WE BR+10 HE SD4 8,D Y M1N--0
  8,!Y "K :AT HE M1NS10 SD ! ,WALK]4 8,!
BE> DEMON1 ! DEMON BE>4 ,&! ,WALK] .TOLD
HM N 6SUMMON X60
  ,TORAK /OPP$4 8,TOLD :O8 ,D Y M1N--!
CRIPPL$ W&]]8 ,! "O :O MADE ! BE>80
  ,A JAB (! KNIFE REM9D$ HM 6KEEP MOV+4
8,! CRIPPL$ "O1 YES ( C\RSE6 ,! WISE "O1
ALW AF ! DEMONS 6D 8 BI4+40 ,ANO!R B>K (
LAU<T]4 8,B ! ,WOLF BOY DOESN'T "K AB
DEMONS1 DOES HE8 ,DOESN'T EV5 "K :AT !Y
>E6 ,AH YES1 ! ,WALK] C ALW TELL40
  ,R5N LOOK$ SURPRIS$4 ,TORAK AVOID$ H]
EYES4
  8,! ,WALK] "KS AB !M10 ! MAN W5T ON1 /
SCANN+ ! SLOPES = HAZEL TREES4 8,OH YES4
,2F ! FL9T BIT HM1 HE 0 A WISE MAN HMF4
,HE KNEW T IF Y DIE & LOSE YR "N-S\L1 !N
Y'RE A <O/1 & Y =GET :O Y >E4 ,! ,WALK]
ALW FEELS SORRY = <O/S4 ,B IF Y LOSE YR
.CLAN,'-S\L1 !N :AT'S LEFT IS A DEMON40
  ,L1N+ =W>D1 HE 5GULF$ ,TORAK 9    #AIB
A BLA/ ( RANK BR1?4 8,?9K AB T1 ,WOLF
BOY4 ,NO CLAN-S\L1 & Y'RE A DEMON4 ,!
RAW P[] (! ,NANUAK1 B ) NO CLAN FEEL+ TO
TAME X2 J ! RAGE T "S?+'S BE5 TAK5 F Y4
,T'S :Y !Y HATE ! LIV+40
  ,TORAK KNEW ! ,WALK] 0 TELL+ ! TRU?4
,HE'D SE5 T HATR$ HMF4 ,X _H KILL$ 8 "F4
8,:AT AB ! CRIPPL$ "O80 HE ASK$ HO>SELY4
8,! "O :O CAU<T ! DEMON & TRAPP$ X 9 !
BE>8 ,:AT 0 8 "N80
  8,AH10 SD ! ,WALK]1 GE/UR+ AT ,TORAK
6MOVE ON4 8,S .WISE1 S .CL"E4 ,6/>T )1
HE ONLY WANTS ! LL DEMONS1 ! SLI!RS &!
SCURRI]S4 ,B !Y'RE N"E /R;G 5 = HM2 HE
ALW WANTS M4 ,S !N HE CALLS UP ! BIT]S &
! HUNT]S4 ,/ N 5\<40 ,HE GR9N$1 GIV+
,TORAK ANO!R BLA/ ( C>RION BR1?4 8,IN !
5D10 HE :ISP]$1 8HE SUMMONS--AN .ELEM5-
TAL40
  ,R5N GASP$4
  ,TORAK 0 MY/IFI$4 8,:AT'S T80
  ,! ,WALK] LAU<$4 8,AH1 %E "KS6 ,! ,RA-
V5 GIRL "KS60
  ,R5N MET ,TORAK'S EYES4 ,H] [N 7 V
D>K4 8,! /R;G] ! S\LS1 ! /R;G] !    #AIC
DEMON40 ,%E LICK$ H] LIPS4 8,AN ELE;TAL
-ES 962+ :5 "S?+ HUGELY P[];L DIES--"S?+
L A WAT]FALL OR AN ICE RIV]--& XS S\LS
>E SCATT]$4 ,AN ELE;TAL IS ! /R;GE/ DE-
MON ( ALL40
  ,WOLF WRI7L$ \ ( ,TORAK'S >MS & 4AP-
PE>$ 96! F]NS4 ,AN ELE;TAL1 ,TORAK ?"\
DAZ$LY4
  ,B ? TALK ( DEMONS 0 UPSETT+ ! ,WALK]
ALL OV] AG4 8,A*1 H[ !Y HATE ! LIV+60 HE
MOAN$1 ROCK+ F SIDE 6SIDE4 8,TOO B"R1
TOO B"R1 ALL ! %9Y1 %9Y S\LS6 ,HURTS6
,HURTS6 ,X'S ._! FAULT1 ! ,WOLF BOY &!
,RAV5 GIRL6 ,!Y BR+ X ) !M 6! ,WALK]'S
B1UTI;L VALLEY60
  8,B WE'RE NE>LY \ ( YR VALLEY10 SD
,R5N4
  8,YES1 LOOK10 SD ,TORAK1 8WE'RE NE>LY
AT ! TOP--0
  ,! ,WALK] WD N 2 CALM$4 8,:Y D !Y D
X80 HE %\T$4 8,:Y8 ,! ,WALK] N"E DID !M
ANY H>M60 ,BR&I%+ _! B[S ABV 8 H1D1 HE
GRIPP$ !M AT BO? 5DS1 Z IF 6BR1K !M 9
TWO4
  ,T 0 TOO M* = ,R5N4 8,DON'T Y     #AID
.D>E60 %E %\T$4 8,DON'T Y .D>E HURT MY
B[60
  8,BACK60 RO>$ ! ,WALK]4 8,OR HE SNAPS
!M L TWIGS60
  8,PUT !M .D[N60 YELL$ ,R5N1 L1P+ AT HM
& TRY+ 9 VA9 6R1* H] B[4
  ,TORAK _H 6ACT FA/4 ,QKLY HE OP5$ 8
FOOD P\*1 !N HELD \ 8 PALM4 8,HAZEL-
NUTS60 HE CRI$4 8,HAZELNUTS = ,N>IK60
  ,! E6ECT 0 IMM4 8,HAZELNUTS10 MURMUR$
! ,WALK]4 ,DROPP+ _! B[S ON ! /"OS1 HE
SNAT*$ ! NUTS F ,TORAK'S H& & SQUATT$ ON
8 HAUN*ES4 ,!N HE PULL$ A ROCK F 8 CAPE
& 2GAN CRACK+ !M4 8,H'M1 NICE & SWEET4
,N>IK W 2 PL1S$40
  ,QUIETLY1 ,R5N RETRIEV$ ! B[S & BRU%$
(F ! WET4 ,%E (F]$ ,TORAK HIS1 B HE
DIDN'T TAKE X4 ,HE 0 />+ AT ! ROCK T !
,WALK] 0 US+ 6CRACK ! NUTS4 8,:O IS ,N>-
IK80 HE SD1 EAG] 6KEEP ! ,WALK] TALK+ S
T HE CD GET A CLOS] LOOK4 8,IS HE YR
FR80
  8,! ,WALK] C SEE HM PLA9 5\<10 HE MUT-
T]$4 8,:Y C'T ! ,WOLF BOY8 ,"S?+ WR;G )
8 EYES80 ,PLUNG+ 8 H& 96HIS CAPE1   #AIE
HE DREW \ A MANGY BR[N M\SE4 ,X 0 CLUT*+
HALF A HAZELNUT 9 XS PAWS & LOOK$ UP
PEEVI%LY AT 2+ 9T]RUPT$4
  ,TORAK BL9K$4 ,! M\SE SNEEZ$ & W5T
BACK 6XS M1L4
  ,T5D]LY1 ! ,WALK] /ROK$ ! SMALL1 HUMP$
BACK ) 8 GRIMY F+]4 8,AH1 ! ,WALK]'S
FO/]L+40
  ,! ROCK LAY 4C>D$ ON ! GR.D4 ,X 0 AB !
SIZE ( ,TORAK'S H&3 A %>P1 CURV$ CLAW--
MADE ( GL1M+ BLACK /"O4
  ,": "!'S A /"O CLAW1 MI<T "! AL 2 A
/"O TOO?8 ,TORAK GL.ED AT ,R5N4 ,%E'D
SE5 X TOO4 ,& F H] EXPRES.N1 %E'D _H !
SAME ?"\4 ..,OLDE/ ( ALL1 ! /"O .BITE4
,! SECOND "P (! ,NANUAK4
  8,T /"O10 ,TORAK SD C>E;LLY4 8,WD !
,WALK] TELL ME ": HE GOT X80
  ,! ,WALK] RAIS$ 8 H1D1 DAZ$ F /ROK+ 8
M\SE4 ,!N 8 FACE 3VULS$4 8,/"O M\?10 HE
SD4 8,L;G "T1 BAD "T4 ,HE'S HID+4 ,OTT]S
H ?R[N HM \1 B HE'S N YET F.D 8 B1UTI;L
VALLEY40
  ,AG ,TORAK & ,R5N EX*ANG$ GL.ES4 ,DID
!Y D>E RISK ANO!R \TBUR/8           #AIF
  8,! /"O CR1TURE10 SD ,TORAK4 8,DOES X
H /"O TEE? 9SIDE ! /"O M\?80
  8,( C\RSE60 SN>L$ ! ,WALK]1 8OR H[ CD
X EAT80
  8,": C WE F9D X80 ASK$ ,R5N4
  8,! ,WALK] .SD6 ,9 ! /"O M\?60
  8,& ": IS ! CR1TURE )! /"O M\?80
  ,SU45LY1 ! ,WALK]'S FACE W5T SLACK1 &
HE LOOK$ V TIR$4 8,BAD PLACE10 HE :IS-
P]$4 8,V BAD4 ,! KILL+ E>? T GULPS &
SWALL[S4 ,! ,WAT*]S "EY":4 ,!Y SEE Y1 B
Y DON'T SEE !M4 ,N TILL X'S TOO LATE40
  8,TELL U H[ 6F9D X10 SD ,TORAK4











                ,,N9ETE5            #AIG

  8,H[ C Y H A /"O CR1TURE1 ANYWAY80 SD
,R5N CROSSLY4 ,%E'D BE5 9 A BAD MOOD "E
S9CE LOS+ H] QUIV]4
  8,I DON'T "K10 SD ,TORAK =! T5? "T4
  8,& :AT K9D ( CR1TURE8 ,BO>8 ,LYNX8
,WE %D'VE ASK$40
  8,HE PROBABLY WDN'T H TOLD U40
  ,R5N PUT H] H&S ON H] HIPS1 %AK+ H]
H1D4 8,WE'VE D"O "EY?+ HE SD4 ,WE'VE
WALK$ = TWO :OLE "DS4 ,CROSS$ ?REE VAL-
LEYS4 ,FOLL[$ ! /R1M HE M5;N$4 ,/ NO?+4
,I ?9K HE 0 J TRY+ 6GET RID ( U40
  ,! SAME ?"\ _H O3URR$ 6,TORAK1 B HE
WASN'T GO+ 6ADMIT X4 ,9 TWO "DS1 ! FOG
_HN'T LIFT$4 ,X FELT WR;G4 ,"EY?+ AB ?
PLACE FELT WR;G4
  ,AF "S P]SUA.N1 ! ,WALK] _H RETURN$ !
RE/ ( _! W1PONS & S5T !M ON _! WAY4
,FOLL[+ ! ,WALK]'S DIREC;NS1 !Y'D LEFT !
8/R1M AT ! FOOT (! /ONY GRAY HILL10 & 7
CLIMB+ ! TRAIL T SNAK$ T[>D ! TOP4 ,X _H
A BL1K1 M5AC+ FEEL4 ,/UNT$ BIR*ES LOOM$
\ (! FOG4 ,"H & "! !Y SAW ! GL1M ( NAK$
ROCK1 ": ! HILL _H BE5 RU2$ RAW4    #AIH
,! ONLY S.D 0 ! HAMM]-L .*ACK-*ACK (A
WOODPECK] W>N+ RIVALS AWAY4
  8,HE DOESN'T WANT U "H10 SD ,R5N4
8,MAYBE WE'VE -E ! WR;G WAY40
  8,IF WE _H1 ,WOLF WD H TOLD U40
  ,R5N LOOK$ D\BT;L4 8,D Y / 2LIEVE T80
  8,YES10 SD ,TORAK1 8,I D4 ,AF ALL1 IF
HE _HN'T L$ U 6! ,WALK]'S VALLEY1 WE
WDN'T H SE5 ! /"O CLAW1 & !N WE WDN'T H
"KN ANY?+ AB A /"O TOO?40
  8,MAYBE4 ,B ,I / ?9K WE'VE -E TOO F>
EA/4 ,WE'RE GETT+ TOO CLOSE 6! ,HI<
,M.TA9S40
  8,H[ C Y TELL1 :5 WE C'T SEE T5 PACES
AH1D80
  8,I C FEEL X4 ,T FREEZ+ AIR8 ,X'S -+
(F ! ICE RIV]40
  ,TORAK /OPP$ & />$ AT H]4 8,:AT ICE
RIV]80
  8,! "O AT ! FOOT (! ,HI< ,M.TA9S40
  ,TORAK SET 8 TEE?4 ,HE 0 GETT+ TIR$ (
2+ ! "O :O DIDN'T "K ?+S4
  ,!Y CLIMB$ ON 9 SIL;E1 & SOON EV5 !
WOODPECK] 0 LEFT 2H4 ,TORAK 2CAME
UNEASILY AW>E (! NOISE !Y 7 MAK+3   #AII
! CR1K ( 8 PACK1 ! RATTLE ( PEB#S Z ,R5N
/RU7L$ AH1D4 ,HE CD FEEL ! ROCKS LI/5+1
! TWI/$ TREES SIL5TLY W>N+ HM BACK4
  ,SU45LY1 ,R5N TURN$ & CLATT]$ D[N T[>D
HM4 8,WE GOT X WR;G60 %E PANT$1 H] EYES
WIDE & SC>$4
  8,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,! ,WALK] N"E SD X 0 A /"O .CR1TURE6
,WE 7 ! "OS :O SD T4 ,HE ONLY "E SD X 0
A /"O .M\?60 ,GRA2+ 8 >M1 %E DRA7$ HM UP
! HILL4
  ,! GR.D LEVEL$ \ &! TRAIL 5D$4 ,TORAK
CAME 6A D1D HALT 9 ! SWIRL+ FOG4 ,Z HE
TOOK 9 :AT LAY AH1D1 DR1D SETTL$ 9SIDE
HM4
  ,A ROCK FACE T[]$ ABV !M1 GRAY Z A
?"UCL\D4 ,AT XS FOOT1 GU>D$ 0A SOLIT>Y
YEW TREE1 0 A CAV]N ( D>K;S L A SIL5T
SCR1M3 A GAP+ /"O M\?4

  8,WE C'T G 9 "!10 SD ,R5N4
  8,WE--,I--H TO10 SD ,TORAK4 8,? IS !
/"O M\? ! ,WALK] 0 TALK+ AB4 ,X'S ": HE
F.D ! /"O CLAW4 ,X'S ": ,I MI<T F9D !
/"O TOO?40                          #BJJ
  ,CLOSE UP1 ! CAVE M\? 0 SMALL] ?AN
HE'D F/ ?"\3 A %AD[Y HALF CIRCLE NO HI<]
?AN 8 %\LD]4 ,HE PUT 8 H& ON ! /"O LIP &
B5T 6PE] 9SIDE4
  8,BE C>E;L10 W>N$ ,R5N4
  ,! CAVE FLOOR SLOP$ AWAY /EEPLY4 ,COLD
FL[$ F X3 AN ACRID UPRU% ( AIR L ! BR1?
( "S ANCI5T CR1TURE T HAS N"E SE5 ! SUN4
  8,BAD PLACE10 ! ,WALK] _H SD4 8,V BAD4
,! KILL+ E>? T GULPS & SWALL[S4 ,!
,WAT*]S "EY":40
  8,DON'T MOVE YR H&10 SD ,R5N 2S HM4
  ,GLANC+ UP1 HE SAW )A />T T 8 F+]S 7 A
HAIR'S BR1D? AWAY F A L>GE SPLAY$ H& T
_H BE5 HAMM]-ET*$ DEEP 96! /"O4 ,HE
SNAT*$ 8 [N AWAY4
  8,X'S A W>N+10 :ISP]$ ,R5N4 8,Y SEE !
?REE B>S ABV ! MI4LE F+]8 ,^? >E L9ES (
P[]1 W>D+ (F EVIL40 ,%E L1N$ CLOS]4
8,X'S OLD4 ,V OLD4 ,WE C'T G IN4 ,"!'S
"S?+ D[N "!40
  8,:AT80 ASK$ ,TORAK4 8,:AT'S D[N "!80
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,MAYBE
A DOORWAY 6! ,O!R_W4 ,X M/ 2 BAD1 = "S"O
6H C>V$ T H&40                      #BJA
  ,TORAK ?"\ AB T4 8,I DON'T ?9K ,I H A
*OICE4 ,I'LL G4 ,Y /AY "H40
  8,NO6 ,IF Y G1 ,I'M GO+ TOO--0
  8,WOLF C'T -E ) ME2 HE CDN'T TAKE !
SMELL4 ,Y /AY "H ) HM4 ,IF ,I NE$ HELP1
,I'LL CALL40
  ,X TOOK A :ILE1 B ! M HE >GU$1 ! M HE
3V9C$ HMF1 TOO4
  ,HE GOT R1DY 0LAY+ 8 B[ & QUIV] "U !
YEW TREE AL;G ) 8 PACK1 SLEEP+-SACK1 &
WAT]-SK91 !N UNHOOK+ 8 AXE F 8 BELT4
,ONLY 8 KNIFE WD 2 ANY USE 9 ! D>K4 ,FI-
N,Y1 HE CUT A RAWHIDE L1% =! CUB4 ,WOLF
WRI7L$ & SNAPP$ UNTIL ,TORAK MANAG$ TO
EXPLA9 T HE _H 6/AY ) ,R5N1 :O SETTL$ !
MATT] 0PRODUC+ A H&;L ( DRI$ L+ONB]RIES
F H] FOOD P\*4 ,B ,TORAK CDN'T F9D A WAY
6TELL ,WOLF T HE'D 2 -+ BACK4 ,WOLF TALK
DIDN'T SEEM 6D1L )! FUTURE4
  ,R5N GAVE HM A SPRIG ( R[AN = PROTEC-
;N1 & "O ( H] SALMON-SK9 MITT5S ON A
CORD4 8,REMEMB]10 %E SD1 8IF Y F9D ! /"O
TOO?1 DON'T T\* X ) YR B>E H&S4 ,& Y'D
BETT] LET ME H ! P\* )! RIV] EYES40
  ,%E 0 "R4 ,"! 0 NO TELL+ :AT      #BJB
MI<T HAPP5 IF HE TOOK ! ,NANUAK 96!
CAVE4
  ,) AN ODD S5SE ( GIV+ UP AN UNWELCOME
BURD51 ,TORAK H&$ H] ! RAV5-SK9 P\*1 &
%E TI$ X 6H] BELT4 ,WOLF WAT*$ :AT 0
HAPP5+ ) E>S SWIVEL+3 Z IF1 ?"\ ,TORAK1
! P\* 0 MAK+ "S K9D ( NOISE4
  8,Y'LL NE$ LI<T10 SD ,R5N1 GLAD 6BE
DO+ "S?+ PRACTICAL4 ,F H] PACK %E BR"\ \
TWO RU%LI<TS3 ! PEEL$ PI? ( RU%ES T _H
BE5 SOAK$ 9 DE] FAT1 !N DRI$ 9 ! SUN4 ,)
H] /RIKE-FIRE1 %E LIT A CURL ( JUNIP]
B>K T9D]1 & "O (! RU%LI<TS FL>$ 96LIFE3
A B"R1 CLE>1 -=T+ FLAME4 ,TORAK FELT
HUGELY GRATE;L4
  8,IF Y NE$ HELP10 %E SD1 KNEEL+ & HU7+
,WOLF 6/OP H]F %IV]+1 8%\T4 ,WE'LL -E
RUNN+40
  ,TORAK NO4$4 ,!N HE /OOP$ & 5T]$ ! /"O
M\?4

  ,HE GROP$ =! WALL4 ,X FELT SLIMY1 L
D1D FLE%4
  ,HE %U6L$ =W>D1 FEEL+ ! WAY ) 8 FEET4
,! RU%LI<T TREM#D & %RANK 6A        #BJC
GLIMM]4 ,! /5* WAFT$ UP F ! D>K;S1 /++ 8
NO/RILS4
  ,AF S"EAL HALT+ /EPS1 HE CAME UP AG/
/"O4 ,! CAVE M\? _H N>R[$ 6A GULLET3
,HE'D H 6TURN SIDEWAYS 6GET "?4 ,%UTT+ 8
EYES1 HE $G$ IN4 ,X FELT Z IF HE 0 2+
SWALL[$4 ,HE CDN'T BR1!4 ,HE KEPT ?9K+
(! WEI<T (! ROCK PRESS+ 9 ON HM '''4
  ,! AIR COOL$4 ,HE 0 / 9 A TUNNEL1 B X
0 WID]1 & TWI/$ %>PLY 6! "R4 ,GLANC+
BACK1 HE SAW T ! "DLI<T _H VANI%$1 &) X
,R5N & ,WOLF4
  ,! /9K GOT /R;G] Z HE FOLL[$ ! TUNNEL1
HE>+ NO?+ B 8 [N BR1?+1 SEE+ NO?+ B
GLIMPSES ( GLI/5+ R$ /"O4
  ,A SU45 *ILL 6HIS LEFT1 & HE NE>LY LO/
8 FOOT+4 ,PEB#S RATTL$1 !N DROPP$ 96SI-
L;E4
  ,! LEFT-H& WALL _H VANI%$4 ,HE 0 /&+
ON A N>R[ L$GE JUTT+ \ OV] D>K;S4 ,F F>
2L CAME AN E*O+ .PL9K ( WAT]4 ,"O SLIP &
HE'D 2 OV] ! $GE4
  ,ANO!R B5D--? "T 6! LEFT--&A ROCK 2N 8
FOOT TILT$4 ,)A CRY HE GRA2$ =A H&HOLD1
"R+ HMF J 9 "T4                     #BJD
  ,AT ! S.D ( 8 CRY1 "S?+ /IRR$4
  ,HE FROZE4
  8,TORAK80 ,R5N'S VOICE S.D$ F> AWAY4
  ,HE DIDN'T D>E CALL \4 ,:AT"E _H MOV$
_H G"O / AG3 B X 0 A HORRI#1 WAIT+ /ILL-
;S4 ,X KNEW HE 0 "!4 ..,! ,WAT*]S "EY":4
,!Y SEE Y1 B Y DON'T SEE !M4 ,N TILL X'S
TOO .LATE4
  ,HE =C$ HMF 6G ON4 ,D[N1 ALW D[N4 ,!
/9K CAME AT HM 9 WAVES4 ..,BR1! "? YR
.M\?1 SD A VOICE 9 8 H1D4 ,T 0 :AT HE &
,FA US$ 6D :5 !Y CAME ^U A /9K+ KILL
SITE OR A BAT-9FE/$ CAVE4 ,HE TRI$ X1 &!
/5* 2CAME BE>A#1 AL? X / CAU<T AT 8 EYES
& ?ROAT4
  ,ABRUPTLY ! GR.D LEVEL$ \1 & HE FELT
SPACE OP5+ UP >.D HM4 ,A DIM LI<T _H 6BE
-+ F "S":1 2C HE MADE \ A VA/1 %AD[Y
CAV]N4 ,! FUMES 7 ALM OV]:ELM+4 ,HE 0 9
! DRIPP+1 REEK+ B[ELS (! E>?4
  ,! L$GE HE 0 /&+ ON 5D$1 &! FLOOR 2Y X
0 WEIRDLY HUMP$4 ,9 ! MI4LE (! CAV]N1 A
GRT1 FLAT-TOPP$ /"O GL1M$ L BLACK ICE4
,X LOOK$ Z IF X _H /OOD UNT\*$ = ?\S&S (
W9T]S4 ,EV5 F TW5TY PACES AWAY1     #BJE
,TORAK CD FEEL XS P[]4
  ,? 0 ": ! ,WALK] _H F.D 8 /"O CLAW4 ,?
0 ! R1SON =! W>N+ H& AT ! CAVE M\?4 ,? 0
:AT ! ,WAT*]S GU>D$3 A DOOR 6! ,O!R_W4
  ,TORAK CDN'T TAKE ANO!R /EP4 ,X 0 L !
"TS :5 HE AWOKE S H1VY ) SLEEP T 6/IR
EV5 A F+] SEEM$ IMPOSSI#4
  ,6/1DY HMF1 HE PUT 8 FREE H& ON ! HILT
( 8 KNIFE4 ,! S9EW B9D+ FELT FA9TLY W>M1
GIV+ HM ! C\RAGE 6/EP D[N ONTO ! CAVE
FLOOR4
  ,Z HE DID1 HE CRI$ \ 9 4GU/4 ,! FLOOR
SANK 2N 8 BOOT3 A NOI"S S(T;S SUCK+ HM
D[N4 ..,! KILL+ E>? T GULPS & .SWALL[S4
  ,8 CRY RANG R.D ! WALLS1 & F> ABV HM
HE HE>D A /1L?Y MOVE;T4 ,"S?+ D>K DETA*$
XF F ! RO( & SWOOP$ T[>D HM4
  ,"! 0 NO": 6HIDE1 NO": 6RUN4 ,! S(T;S
SUCK$ AT 8 BOOTS L WET S&4 ,A FETID D[N-
RU%1 &! ?+ 0 ON HM3 GR1SY FUR CLO7+ 8
M\? & NOSE1 %>P CLAWS TE>+ AT 8 HAIR4
,SN>L+ ) HORROR1 HE B1T AT ! SIL5T AT-
TACK]4
  ,AT LA/ X LIFT$ AWAY )A L1!RY .?WAP4
,B HE KNEW T X WASN'T VANQUI%$4     #BJF
,! ,WAT*] _H M]ELY -E 6F9D \ :AT HE WAS4
,ONCE X KNEW1 X _H LEFT4
  ,B :AT 0 X8 ,A BAT8 ,A DEMON8 ,H[ _M M
7 "!8
  ,TORAK FL.D]$ ON4 ,HALFWAY 6! /"O1 HE
/UM#D & FELL4 ,! /9K 0 UNBE>A#4 ,HE WAL-
L[$ 9 *OK+ BLACK;S1 HE CDN'T SEE1 CDN'T
?9K4 ,EV5 ! RU%LI<T TURN$ BLACK--A BLACK
FLAME FL>+ ABV HM '''4
  ,HE /A7]$ 6HIS FEET1 %AK+ HMF FREE L A
SWIMM] GASP+ = AIR4 ,8 M9D /1DI$4 ,!
BLACK FLAME BURN$ YELL[ AG4
  ,HE R1*$ ! /"O4 ,ON XS ANCI5T SMOO?;S1
SIX /"O CLAWS _H BE5 >RANG$ 9 A SPIRAL1
)A GAP ": ! ,WALK] _H SNAT*$ ! SEV5?4
,AT ! C5T] LAY A S+LE BLACK /"O TOO?4
  ..,OLDE/ ( ALL1 ! /"O .BITE4 ,! SECOND
"P (! ,NANUAK4
  ,SW1T SLID D[N 8 SP9E4 ,HE WOND]$ :AT
P[] HE WD UNL1% IF HE T\*$ X4
  ,HE /RET*$ \ 8 H&1 !N SNAT*$ X BACK1
REMEMB]+ ,R5N'S W>N+4 8,DON'T T\* !
,NANUAK ) YR B>E H&S40
  ,": 0 ! MITT58 ,HE M/ H DROPP$ X4
  ,)! RU%LI<T HE CA/ >.D1 PLUNG+    #BJG
8 H& 96! /9K+ M.DS4 ,AG ! DIZZI;S M.T$4
,AG ! FLAME D>K5$ '''4
  ,J 9 "T1 HE F.D ! MITT51 TI$ 6HIS
BELT4 ,YANK+ X ON1 HE R1*$ =! TOO?4
  ,! RU%LI<T GLIMM]$ ON ! CAVE WALL 2H !
/"O--& LIT ! GL1M ( ?\S&S ( EYES4
  ,) 8 H& POIS$ ABV ! TOO?1 HE MOV$ !
FLAME SL[LY 6& FRO4 ,X CAU<T ! LIQUID
GL1M ( EYES4 ,! WALLS 7 SW>M+ ) ,WAT*]S4
,:]"E ! LI<T T\*$1 !Y RIPPL$ & H1V$ L A
MA7OT-RI4L$ C>CASS4 ,IF HE TOOK ! TOO?1
!Y WD -E = HM4
  ,SU45LY1 "EY?+ HAPP5$ AT ONCE4
  ,F F> ABV CAME ,WOLF'S %>P1 URG5T B>K4
  ,R5N SCR1M$1 8,TORAK6 ,X'S -+60
  ,! ,WAT*]S EXPLOD$ >.D HM4
  ,! RU%LI<T W5T \4
  ,"S?+ /RUCK HM 9 ! BACK & HE FELL =W>D
ONTO ! /"O4
  ,AG ,R5N SCR1M$4 8,TORAK6 .,! .BE>60




                                    #BJH
























                ,,TW5TY             #BJI

  ,CLUT*+ ,TORAK'S QUIV]1 ,R5N RAC$ 6!
$GE (! TRAIL & TRIPP$ ON A TREE ROOT1
SPILL+ >R[S 9 ! DIRT4 ,PANIC BUB#D 9 H]
?ROAT4 ,:AT 6D8 ,:AT 6.D8
  ,ONLY MO;TS 2F1 %E'D BE5 PAC+ UP &
D[N1 :ILE A FLOCK ( GRE5F9*ES TORE AT !
YEW TREE'S JUICY P9K B]RIES & ,WOLF TU7$
ON ! L1%1 UTT]+ B>K-GR[LS T ,TORAK WD H
"U/OOD1 B %E J F.D WORRY+4
  ,!N ! F9*ES _H FL$ 9 A TWITT]+ CL\D1 &
%E'D GL.ED D[N ! HILL4 ,A GAP 9 ! FOG _H
GIV5 H] A CLE> VIEW3 ,%E'D SE5 ! /R1M
RU%+ PA/ A CLUMP ( SPRUCE1 &A BIG D>K
B\LD] HUN*$ 2S !M4 ,!N ! B\LD] _H MOV$4
  ,FROZ5 9 HORROR1 %E'D WAT*$ ! BE> RE>
UP ON XS H9D LEGS1 T[]+ OV] ! SPRUCE4 ,!
GRT H1D SWUNG Z X TA/$ ! AIR4 ,X CAU<T
H] SC5T & DROPP$ 6ALL F\RS4
  ,T 0 :5 %E'D RUN 6! CAVE & SCR1M$ A
W>N+ 6,TORAK--& GOT NO?+ BACK B E*OES4
  ,N[1 Z ! FOG CLOS$ 9 AG & %E FUM#D =!
>R[S1 %E PICTUR$ ! BE> CLIMB+ ! HILL TO-
W>D H]4 ,%E KNEW H[ FA/ BE>S C MOVE3 X
WD 2 "H 9 MO;TS4                    #BAJ
  ,! ROCK FACE 0 TOO /EEP = H] 6CLIMB2
2SS1 %E CDN'T L1VE ,WOLF4 ,T LEFT !
CAVE1 B E "P ( H] SCR1M$ N 6G 9SIDE4
,!Y'D 2 CAU<T L H>ES 9 A TRAP2 !Y'D N"E
GET \4
  ,WOLF'S DESP]ATE TU7+ ON ! L1% BROKE
H] PANIC4 ,HE 0 PULL+ H] T[>D ! CAVE--&
9 A FLA% %E KNEW HE 0 "R4 ,TORAK 0 IN-
SIDE4 ,!Y WD FI<T X TGR4
  ,%E PLUNG$ IN1 DRA7+ PACKS & SLEEP+-
SACKS 2H H]4 ,! D>K;S BL9D$ H]4 ,%E RAN
96SOLID ROCK1 HITT+ H] H1D4
  ,AF A BR1?.S SE>*1 %E "W$ \ T ! CAVE
N>R[$ %>PLY 6A SLIT4 ,WOLF 0 ALR "?1
PULL+ AT H] 6FOLL[4 ,%E TURN$ & $G$
SIDEWAYS--QKLY1 QKLY--!N DROPP$ 6H]
KNEES & R1*$ "? ! GAP 6DRAG ! GE> 9 AF
H]4
  ,Z %E YANK$ 9 PACKS & B[S & QUIV]1 %E
FELT A FLICK] ( HOPE4 ,MAYBE ! GAP 0 TOO
N>R[ =! BE>8 ,MAYBE !Y CD HOLD \4 '''
  ,H] WAT]SK9 0 WR5*$ F H] H& )A =CE T
SLAMM$ H] AG/ ! GAP & S5T PA9 %OOT+ "?
H] %\LD]4 ,9 A DAZE %E SCRAM#D SIDEWAYS
96A HOLL[1 YANK+ ,WOLF ) H]4        #BAA
  ,! BE> CDN'T H MOV$ T FA/1 %E ?"\
NUMBLY4
  ,A DEEP GR[L REV]B]AT$ "? ! CAVE4 ,H]
SK9 CRAWL$4
  ,X C'T GET "? ! GAP1 %E TOLD H]F4 ,/AY
/4 ,/AY V1 V /4
  ,F DEEP )9 ! CAVE CAME A CRY4 8,R5N60
  ,0 ,TORAK CALL+ = HELP1 OR 0 HE -+ TO
HELP H]8 ,%E CDN'T TELL4 ,CDN'T CALL \4
,CDN'T D ANY?+ B C[] ) ,WOLF 9 ! HOLL[1
"K+ %E 0 TOO CLOSE 6! GAP--J TWO PACES
AWAY--YET P[].S 6MOVE4 ,"S =CE 0 KEEP+
H] "!4 ,%E CDN'T TAKE H] EYES F T N>R[
SLIT ( "DLI<T4
  ,! "DLI<T TURN$ BLACK4
  ,"K+ X 0 ! WOR/ ?+ 6D1 ,R5N L1N$ =W>D
& PE]$ "? ! GAP4 ,! BLOOD RO>$ 9 H] H1D4
,A NI<TM>E GLIMPSE ( D>K FUR FLICK]+ 9
AN UNFELT W9D2 A FLA% ( L;G CRUEL CLAWS
GLI/5+ ) BLACK BLOOD4
  ,A RO> %OOK ! CAVE4 ,MOAN+1 ,R5N JAMM$
H] FI/S AG/ H] E>S Z ! RO> BATT]$ "? H]1
ON & ON TILL %E ?"\ H] SKULL WD CRACK4
'''
  ,SIL;E3 Z %OCK+ Z ! RO>4 ,TAK+    #BAB
H] FI/S F H] E>S1 %E HE>D A :ISP] ( DU/4
,WOLF PANT+4 ,NO?+ ELSE4
  ,SL[LY1 APPALL$ AT :AT %E 0 DO+1 %E
CRAWL$ T[>D ! SLIT1 PULL+ ! RELUCTANT
CUB ) H]4
  ,%E SAW "DLI<T AG4 ,GRAY ROCK FACE4 ,!
YEW TREE )A SCATT]+ ( B]RIES 2N4 ,NO
BE>4
  ,A %U4]+ GR[L1 S CLOSE T %E HE>D ! WET
*AMP ( JAWS1 SMELL$ ! REEK ( SLAU<T]4
,!N ! "DLI<T 0 BLOTT$ \1 & AN EYE HELD
H]S4 ,BLACK] ?AN BASALT1 YET *URN+ )
FIRE1 X DREW H]--X .WANT$ H]4
  ,%E TILT$ =W>D4
  ,WOLF WR5*$ H] BACK1 BR1K+ ! SPELL S T
%E %RANK \ (! WAY J Z ! D1DLY CLAWS
SLIC$ ! E>? ": %E'D BE5 KNEEL+4
  ,AG ! BE> RO>$4 ,AG %E C[]$ 9 ! HOLL[4
,!N %E HE>D NEW S.DS3 ! CLATT] ( ROCKS1
! GROANS (A DY+ TREE4 ,9 XS FURY1 ! BE>
0 CLAW+ AT ! M\? (! CAVE1 UPROOT+ ! YEW
& TE>+ X A"P4
  ,:IMP]+1 %E PRESS$ H]F 96! HOLL[4
  ,AG/ H] %\LD]1 ! ROCK MOV$4 ,)A CRY %E
JUMP$ BACK4                         #BAC
  ,F ! O!R SIDE1 %E HE>D /"OS %ATT]+1 &
E>? 2+ FLUNG ASIDE ) LE?AL 9T5T4 ,%E RE-
ALIZ$ :AT 0 HAPP5+4 ,! ROCK T =M$ ? SIDE
(! GAP 0 N1 Z %E _H ?"\1 A "P (! CAVE
XF1 B M]ELY A T;GUE ( /"O T JUTT$ F !
E>? FLOOR4 ,! BE> 0 CLAW+ AT XS ROOTS3
DI7+ !M \ L WOOD ANTS F A NE/4
  ,SW1T /R1M$ (F H]4 ,%E />$ AT ,WOLF4
  ,)A %OCK1 %E SAW T HE 0 A CUB NO L;G]4
,8 H1D 0 D[N1 8 EYES FIX$ ON ! ?+ 2Y !
SLIT4 ,8 BLACK LIPS 7 PEEL$ BACK 9 A
SN>L1 B>+ =MIDA# :ITE FANGS4
  ,"S?+ H>D5$ 9SIDE H]4 8,N L WOOD
ANTS10 %E :ISP]$4 ,! S.D ( H] VOICE GAVE
H] C\RAGE4
  ,%E UNTI$ ! L1% 6GIVE ,WOLF 8 FREEDOM3
,MAYBE HE CD ESCAPE1 EV5 IF %E & ,TORAK
CD N4 ,!N %E GROP$ = H] B[4 ,! T\* (!
COOL1 SMOO? YEW GAVE H] /R5G?4 ,%E GOT
6H] FEET4
  ,3C5TRATE ON ! T>GET1 %E TOLD H]F1 RE-
MEMB]+ ! _M LESSONS ,F9-,K$9N _H GIV5
H]4 ,T'S ! MO/ IMPORTANT ?+4 ,Y M/ 3C5-
TRATE S H>D T Y BURN A HOLE 9 ! T>GET4
''' ,& KEEP YR DRAW >M RELAX$2      #BAD
DON'T T5SE UP4 ,! =CE -ES F YR BACK1 N F
YR >M4 '''
  8,F\RTE5 >R[S10 %E SD4 8,I %D 2 A# TO
PUT 9 A FEW ( !M 2F X GETS ME40
  ,%E /EPP$ \ F ! HOLL[ & TOOK UP H] PO-
SI;N4

  ,TORAK TORE AT ! ,WAT*]S SW>M+ OV] HM4
  ,CLAWS SNA7$ 8 FACE & HAIR4 ,F\L W+S
/IFL$ 8 M\? & NOSE4 ,"SH[ HE MANAG$ TO
PULL ON ,R5N'S MITT5 & PICK UP ! /"O
TOO?4 ,X 0 H1VI] ?AN HE'D EXPECT$4 ,HE
WR5*$ (F ! MITT5 )! TOO? 9SIDE1 & %OV$ X
96! NECK ( 8 J]K94
  8,R5N60 HE YELL$ Z HE PU%$ HMF (F !
/"O4 ,8 CRY 0 D1D5$ 0L1!RY W+S4
  ,HE /RUCK \ "? ! /5*--B )! RU%LI<T
G"O1 HE CDN'T EV5 SEE 8 H&S 9 FRONT ( 8
FACE4
  ,FA9T & F> ABV CAME ,WOLF'S FR5ZI$
Y[LS3 ..,": >E Y8 ,DANG]6 .,DANG]6
  ,HE WAD$ T[>D ! S.D )! ,WAT*]S SW>M+
OV] HM1 PU%+ HM D[N 96! /9K4
  ,T]RI# IMAGES FILL$ 8 H1D4 ,WOLF &
,R5N LY+ D1D--J L ,FA4 .,:Y _H HE   #BAE
MADE !M /AY UP "! ": X 0 8SAFE10 :5 ALL
! "T T 0 ": ! TRUE DANG] LAY8
  ,RAG+ 9W>DLY1 HE DREW 8 KNIFE F XS %1?
& SLA%$ AT ! ,WAT*]S4 ,!Y SEEM$ 6LIFT TO
AVOID ! BLADE4 8,OH1 S Y'RE SC>$ ( X1 >E
Y80 HE %\T$4 8,WELL1 "H'S "S M60 ,HE
SLA%$ AT !M--& AG !Y LIFT$1 A D>K CL\D J
\ ( R1*4 ,! HILT GREW HOT 9 8 H&4 ,SN>L-
+1 HE PL[$ ON "? ! /9K4
  ,HE B>K$ 8 %9S ON SOLID ROCK4 ,HE'D
R1*$ ! L$GE4 8,I'M -+60 HE %\T$1 PULL+
HMF \ & />T+ UP ! SLOPE4
  ,A RO> %OOK ! CAVE1 B1T+ HM 6HIS
KNEES4 ,! ,WAT*]S ROSE 9 A CL\D & VAN-
I%$4
  ,! SIL;E AF ! LA/ E*O _H DI$ 0 WORSE4
,TORAK 2CAME AW>E ( ROCK 2N 8 KNEES2 !
/"O TOO? ?RO2+ 9SIDE 8 J]K94 ,HE /RU7L$
6HIS FEET & RAN UP ! L$GE4 ,X 0 /EEP--S
/EEP4 ,:Y 0 "! NO S.D F ABV8 ,:AT 0 HAP-
P5+ UP "!8
  ,ON & ON HE CLIMB$ TILL 8 KNEES A*$ &!
BR1? SE>$ 8 ?ROAT4 ,!N HE R.D$ ! LA/ B5D
&! "DLI<T BL9D$ HM4
  ,! CAVE M\? 0 FIVE PACES AWAY1    #BAF
& WID] ?AN HE REMEMB]$4 ,! GAP HE'D
SQUEEZ$ "? ON 8 DESC5T _H BE5 WR5*$ OP51
& 2F X /OOD ,R5N1 A SMALL1 UP"R FIGURE1
9CR$IBLY BRAVE1 TAK+ AIM ) H] LA/ >R[ AT
! ?+ LOOM+ OV] H]4
  ,=A HE>TB1T1 ,TORAK 0 BACK ) ,FA ON !
NI<T (! ATTACK1 TRANSFIX$ 0! MALICE ( ^?
DEMON-HAUNT$ EYES4 '''
  8,NO60 HE %\T$4
  ,R5N LOOS$ H] >R[4 ,! BE> BATT$ X AWAY
) "O SWEEP ( XS CLAWS4 ,B J Z X 0 AB TO
MOVE 9 =! KILL1 ,WOLF L1P$ F ! %AD[S--
L1P$ N AT ! BE>1 B AT ,R5N4 ,)A S+LE
SNAP ( 8 P[];L JAWS1 ,WOLF TORE ! RAV5-
SK9 P\* F H] BELT--KNOCK+ H] (F H] FEET1
\ ( R1* (! BE>--!N SP$ \ (! CAVE4 ,! BE>
LA%$ \1 G\G+ ! E>? A H&'S BR1D? F ": !
CUB _H BE54
  8,WOLF60 %\T$ ,TORAK1 ?R[+ HMF =W>D4
  ,)! P\* 9 8 JAWS1 ,WOLF 4APPE>$ 96!
FOG4 ,! BE> SWUNG >.D ) T]RIFY+ AGIL;Y &
RAC$ AF HM4
  8.,WOLF60 ,TORAK %\T$ AG4
  ,! FOG 5GULF$ !M1 L1V+ ! EMPTY
HILLSIDE MOCK+ HM4 ,! BE> 0 G"O4    #BAG
,S 0 ,WOLF4























                                    #BAH
























               ,,TW5TY-"O           #BAI

  .,": .>E .Y8 ,TORAK'S DESOLATE H[L E*-
O$ (F ! ROCKFACE4
  .,": .>E .Y8 ! HILLS H[L$ BACK AT HM4
  ,! OLD PA9 0 OP5+ UP 9 8 *E/4 ,F/ ,FA1
N[ ,WOLF4 ,PL1SE1 N ,WOLF '''
  ,R5N /OOD BL9K+ AT ! M\? (! CAVE4
  8.,:Y DID Y LET HM (F ! L1%80 HE CRI$4
  ,%E SWAY$4 8,I _H TO4 ,_H 6SET HM
FREE40
  ,)A CRY1 ,TORAK />T$ ROOT+ >.D 9 !
WRECKAGE4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+80 SD ,R5N4
  8,LOOK+ = MY PACK4 ,I'M GO+ AF ,WOLF40
  8,B X'LL 2 D>K SOON60
  8,S WE J SIT "H & WAIT80
  8,NO6 ,WE SALVAGE \R GE>2 WE BUILD A
%ELT] &A FIRE4 .,!N WE WAIT4 ,WE WAIT =
,WOLF 6F9D U40
  ,TORAK BIT BACK A RETORT4 ,=! F/ "T1
HE NOTIC$ T ,R5N 0 %AK+4 ,%E _H A BLOODY
SCRAPE D[N "O *EEK1 &A BRUISE ! SIZE (A
PIGEON'S EGG -+ UP OV] ! O!R EYE4
  ,HE FELT A%AM$4 ,%E'D FAC$ ! BE>4
,%E'D EV5 _H ! C\RAGE 6%OOT AT X4   #BBJ
,HE %DN'T H %\T$4 8,I'M SORRY10 HE SD4
8,I DIDN'T M1N ''' ,Y'RE "R4 ,I C'T
TRACK HM 9 ! D>K40
  ,R5N SAT D[N H1VILY ON A B\LD]4 8,I _H
NO IDEA :AT X WD 2 L10 %E SD4 8,I N"E
?"\ X WD 2 S '''0 ,%E COV]$ H] M\? ) BO?
H&S4
  ,TORAK UNE>!D AN >R[ F ! RUB#4 ,! %AFT
0 SNAPP$ 9 TWO4 8,DID Y HIT X80 HE ASK$4
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,I DON'T ?9K X MATT]S4
,>R[S C'T BR+ X D[N40 ,%E %OOK H] H1D4
8,"O MO;T X 0 AF ME1 &! NEXT X 0 AF
,WOLF4 ,:Y80
  ,HE TOSS$ AWAY ! BROK5 >R[ %AFT4
8,DOES T MATT]80
  8,MAYBE40 ,%E GL.ED AT HM4 8,DID Y GET
! /"O TOO?80
  ,HE'D ALM =GOTT5 AB X4 ,N[1 Z HE R1*$
9SIDE 8 J]K9 & BR"\ \ ! MITT51 HE J
WANT$ 6BE RID ( X4 ,2C (! ,NANUAK1 ,WOLF
MI<T 2 D1D4 ,NO M GROOM+ NIB#S 9 ! MORN-
+2 NO M UPRO>I\S GAMES ( HIDE & HUNT '''
,TORAK BIT 8 KNUCKLE1 FI<T+ 8 FE>4 ,HE
CDN'T LOSE ,WOLF4
  ,R5N TOOK ! MITT5 & TURN$ X 9     #BBA
H] F+]S4 8,WE'VE GOT ! SECOND "P (!
,NANUAK10 %E SD ?"\;LLY1 8& LO/ ! F/4 ,B
:Y DID ,WOLF TAKE X80
  ,) AN EF=T1 ,TORAK =C$ 8 M9D 6:AT %E 0
SAY+4 ,"S?+ FLICK]$ 9 8 MEMORY4 8,D Y
REMEMB]10 HE SD1 8:5 ,I F.D ! RIV] EYES
--X 0 Z IF ,WOLF CD HE> !M4 ,OR S5SE !M
9 "S WAY40
  ,R5N FR[N$4 8,Y ?9K--! BE> C TOO80
  8,8,ALL ! %9Y %9Y S\LS10'0 HE MURMUR$4
8,T'S :AT ! ,WALK] SD4 ,DEMONS HATE !
LIV+2 !Y HATE ! B"R;S (! S\LS40
  8,& IF ! S\LS ( ORD9>Y CR1TURES >E TOO
B"R10 SD ,R5N1 GETT+ 6H] FEET & 2G9N+ TO
PACE1 8!N H[ M* B"R]--M DAZZL+--M/ !
,NANUAK BE60
  8,T'S :Y X ATTACK$ Y--2C Y _H ! RIV]
EYES--0
  8,& T'S :Y ,WOLF TOOK ! P\*4 ,2C HE
.KNEW4 ,2C--0 ,%E /OPP$ PAC+ & />$ AT
,TORAK4 8,2C HE 0 LUR+ ! BE> AWAY F U4
,OH1 ,TORAK4 ,HE SAV$ \R LIVES40
  ,TORAK /UM#D 6! $GE (! TRAIL4 ,! FOG 0
CLE>+ AT LA/1 & 2L HM1 ! VA/;S (! ,=E/
M>*$ AWAY 96! WE/4 ,:AT *.E DID     #BBB
,WOLF H \ "!1 AL"O AG/ ! BE>8
  8,WOLVES >E CL"E] ?AN BE>S10 SD ,R5N4
  8,HE'S J A CUB1 ,R5N4 ,HE'S N EV5 F\R
MOONS OLD40
  8,B HE'S AL ! GUIDE4 ,IF ANY"O C F9D A
WAY1 HE C40

  ,WOLF RAC$ 2T ! BEE* TREES1 ! W9D AT 8
TAIL &! %9+1 S++ RAV5 SK9 GRIPP$ TI<T 9
8 JAWS4
  ,F> AWAY1 HE HE>D ! L"OLY H[L ( ,TALL
,TAIL.S4
  ,WOLF L;G$ 6H[L BACK1 B HE CDN'T4 ,!
W9D 0 GU/+ ! DEMON'S SC5T T[>D HM4 ,HE
SMELL$ XS RAGE & XS T]RI# HUNG]2 HE HE>D
XS TIRE.S BR1?4 ,/R;GE/ ( ALL1 HE S5S$
XS HATR$3 HATR$ = HM &=! ?+ HE BORE4
  ,B ,WOLF KNEW )A FI]CE1 B"R JOY T X WD
N"E CAT* HM4 ,! DEMON 0 FA/1 B HE 0 FA/-
]4
  ,HE NO L;G] FELT L A CUB :O M/ WAIT =!
POOR1 SL[ TAIL.SES 6CAT* UP4 ,HE 0 A
.WOLF--RAC+ 2T ! TREES 9 ! SWIFT WOLF-
LOPE T GOES ON ="E4 ,HE REVEL$ 9 ! /R5G?
( 8 LEGS &! /RET* ( 8 BACK2 9 !     #BBC
SUPPLE;S T LET HM TURN AT FULL SPE$ ON A
S+LE PAW4 ,OH NO1 ! DEMON WD N"E CAT*
HM6
  ,WOLF PAUS$ 6DR9K AT A NOISY LL ,WET1
DROPP+ ! RAV5 SK9 =A MO;T4 ,!N HE SNAT*$
X UP & SETTL$ BACK 96HIS /RIDE1 CLIMB+
HI<] T[>D ! ,GRT ,:ITE ,COLD T HE'D ONLY
"E SMELL$ 9 8 SLEEPS4
  ,A FRE% SC5T DROVE T F 8 H1D3 HE 0 EN-
T]+ ! RANGE (A PACK ( /RANG] WOLVES4 ,E
FEW PACES1 HE PASS$ _! SC5T M>K+S4 ,HE
M/ 2 C>E;L4 ,IF !Y CAU<T HM1 !Y MI<T AT-
TACK4 ,:5 HE NE$$ 6SPILL 8 SC5T1 HE
WAIT$ TILL HE R1*$ ANO!R LL ,FA/ ,WET &
SPILL$ 96T1 9/1D ( M>K+ A TREE4 ,8 SC5T
WD WA% AWAY1 & NEI ! /RANG] WOLVES NOR !
DEMON WD SMELL HM4
  ,! ,D>K CAME4 ,WOLF LOV$ ! ,D>K4 ,9 X1
SMELLS & S.DS 7 %>P]1 B HE CD SEE ALM Z
WELL Z 9 ! ,LI<T4
  ,F> AH1D1 ! /RANG] PACK 2GAN XS EV5+
H[L4 ,T MADE ,WOLF SAD4 ,HE REMEMB]$ H[
JOY;LLY 8 PACK US$ 6H[L2 H[ KE5LY !Y
GREET$ EA* O!R AF _! SLEEPS4 ,! SNU6LE-
LICK+ &! RU2+ ( SC5TS AG/ EA* O?-   #BBD
]2 ! SMIL+ & PLAY+ Z !Y 5C\RAG$ "O ANO!R
=! HUNT4
  ,Q SU45LY1 Z ,WOLF ?"\ ( 8 PACK1 HE
2GAN 6TIRE4 ,HE FELT EA* PAD /RIKE !
ROCKS Z N"E 2F4 ,HE FELT AN A*E RUNN+ UP
8 LEGS4 ,HE 2GAN 6HURT4
  ,FE> GNAW$ AT HM4 ,HE CD N G ON ="E4
,HE CD N G ON M* F>!R AT ALL4 ,HE 0 F> F
,TALL ,TAIL.S1 & CROSS+ ! RANGE (A
/RANG] PACK4 ,&! DEMON 0 TRACK+ HM RE-
L5T.SLY "? ! ,D>K4

  ,TORAK DRA7$ :AT REMA9$ ( _! GE> 96!
YEW BRAN* %ELT]1 !N KICK$ AT ! FIRE1
S5D+ SP>KS %OOT+ SKYW>D4 ,? WAIT+ 0 T]-
RI#4 ,HE'D BE5 H[L+ S9CE DUSK4 ,HE KNEW
T HE RISK$ DRAW+ ! BE>1 B ,WOLF 0 M IM-
PORTANT4 ,": 0 HE8
  ,X 0 A COLD1 />RY NI<T1 & EV5 )\T
LOOK+ UP1 HE CD FEEL ! R$ EYE (! ,GRT
,AURO* GL>+ D[N AT HM4 ,RELI%+ 8 TUR-
MOIL4
  ,R5N EM]G$ F ! D>K;S1 BE>+ AN >M;L (
L1VES & B>K4
  8,Y 7 A L;G "T10 ,TORAK SD        #BBE
CURTLY4
  8,I NE$$ ! "R ?+S4 ,NO SIGN ( ,WOLF80
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4
  ,R5N KNELT 0! FIRE & TIPP$ H] LOAD ON-
TO ! GR.D4 8,:5 ,I 0 LOOK+ = ^!1 ,I HE>D
HORNS4 ,BIR*-B>K HORNS40
  ,TORAK 0 HORRIFI$4 8,:AT8 ,":80
  ,%E NO4$ T[>D ! WE/4 8,L;G WAY AWAY40
  8,WAS X--,F9-,K$9N80
  ,AG %E NO4$4
  ,TORAK %UT 8 EYES4 8,I ?"\ HE'D H GIV5
UP 0N[40
  8,HE DOESN'T GIVE UP10 SD ,R5N4 ,"! 0
A H9T ( PRIDE 9 H] VOICE1 : IRRITAT$ HM4
  8,H Y =GOTT510 HE SD1 8T HE WANT$ TO
KILL ME8 ,8..,! ,LI/5] GIVES 8 HE>T'S
BLOOD 6! .,M.TA90'80
  ,%E R.D$ ON HM4 8,( C\RSE ,I HAV5'T =-
GOTT56 ,B ,I'M WORRI$ AB !M6 ,IF ! BE>
ISN'T UP "H1 !N X'S D[N "!1 ": !Y >E4
,:Y ELSE WD ,F9-,K$9N BL[ ! HORN80
  ,TORAK FELT BAD4 ,R5N 0 WORRI$1 & S 0
HE4 ,FI<T+ DIDN'T HELP4
  ,F 8 BELT HE UNTI$ ! LL GR\SE-B"O
:I/LE HE'D MADE :5 HE'D F/ F.D      #BBF
,WOLF4 8,"H40 ,HE HELD X \4 8,N[ Y C
CALL ,WOLF TOO40
  ,%E LOOK$ AT HM 9 SURPRISE4 8,?ANKS40
  ,"! 0 A SIL;E4 ,TORAK ASK$ H] :Y %E
NE$$ ! H]BS4
  8,=! /"O TOO?4 ,WE'VE GOT 6F9D "S WAY
( HID+ X F ! BE>4 ,IF WE DON'T1 X'LL
TRACK U D[N40
  ,L X'S TRACK+ ,WOLF1 ?"\ ,TORAK4 ,!
A*E 9 8 *E/ DEEP5$4 8,IF ! R[AN L1VES &!
P\* CDN'T HIDE ! RIV] EYES10 HE SD1 8:Y
D Y ?9K B>K & WORMWOOD C D ANY BETT]80
  8,2C ,I'M GO+ 6USE !M = "S?+ /R;G]40
,%E *EW$ H] LIP4 8,I'VE BE5 TRY+ 6REMEM-
B] EXACTLY :AT ,SAEUNN DOES4 ,%E'S ALW
TRY+ 6T1* ME ,MAGECRAFT1 & ,I'M ALW GO+
HUNT+ 9/1D4 ,I WI% ,I'D LI/5$40
  8,Y'RE LUCKY "!'S "S?+ Y C D10 MUTT]$
,TORAK4
  8,B :AT IF ,I GET X WR;G80
  ,HE DIDN'T ANSW]4 ,HE CD FEEL ! R$ EYE
MOCK+ HM4 ,EV5 IF ,WOLF DID F9D A WAY
BACK1 HE'D 2 BR++ ! BE> ) HM1 DRAWN 0!
RIV] EYES4 ,&! ONLY WAY ,WOLF CD %AKE (F
! BE> WD 2 0LOS+ ! RIV] EYES--:     #BBG
WD M1N "!'D 2 NO *.E ( DE/ROY+ ! BE>4
  ,"! _H 6BE A WAY \1 B ,TORAK CDN'T SEE
X4

  ,WOLF 0 TIR+ FA/4 ,"! 0 NO WAY \4
  ,0N[1 ! DEMON _H FALL5 TOO F> 2H 6BE
A# 6S5SE ! RAV5 SK91 B X 0 / TRACK+ HM
0SC5T1 & X WD G ON TRACK+ HM4 ,:5 AT LA/
HE SL[$1 Z 8 A*+ PAWS L;G$ TO1 X WD CAT*
HM4
  ,! /RANG] PACK _H L;G S9CE 5D$ _! H[L
& G"O HUNT+1 F> AWAY 9 ! ,M.TA9S4 ,WOLF
MISS$ _! VOICES4 ,HE FELT TRULY AL"O4
  ,! W9D TURN$1 & HE CAU<T A NEW SC5T4
,RE9DE]4 ,WOLF _H N"E HUNT$ RE9DE]1 B HE
KNEW ! SC5T WELL1 = 8 "M US$ 6BR+ HM !
BRAN*ES T GR[ F RE9DE]S' H1DS1 )! HIDE
HANG+ (F 9 DELICI\S1 *EWA# TATT]S4 ,N[1
Z HE SMELL$ ! H]D 9 ! NEXT VALLEY1 !
BLOOD URGE PUT NEW /R5G? 9 8 LIMBS1 &
HOPE L1P$ )9 HM4 ,IF HE CD R1* !M '''
  ,Z HE H1V$ HMF UP ! SLOPE1 ! ?"U ( _M
HOOVES DREW NE>]4 ,SU45LY ! GRT PREY
BUR/ ^U HM1 GALLOP+ ) _! BRAN*$ H1DS HI<
& _! HUGE HOOVES SPLAY$1 Z !Y       #BBH
FL[$ 2T ! BEE* TREES L AN UN/OPPA# ,FA/
,WET4
  ,WOLF TURN$ ON "O PAW & L1P$ AM;G !M1
& !Y T[]$ OV] HM Z HE PLUNG$ 96_! MUSKY
SC5T4 ,A BULL *>G$1 & ,WOLF DODG$ ! H1D-
BRAN*ES4 ,A C[ SNORT$ AT HM 6/AY AWAY F
H] CALF1 & HE DUCK$ 2N H] 6ESCAPE H]
P.D+ HOOVES4 ,B SOON ! H]D S5S$ T HE
WASN'T HUNT+ !M1 & =GOT AB HM4 ,HE RAN
UP ! VALLEY1 8 SC5T SWALL[$ UP 0T (!
H]D4
  ,!Y LEFT ! BEE*ES & RAN "? A SPRUCE =-
E/4 ,! ROCKS 2CAME BI7]1 ! TREES SMALL]2
!N ! TREES 7 LEFT 2H 5TIRELY Z !Y /R1M$
\ ONTO A /ONY FLAT;S L NO?+ HE'D "E "KN4
  ,0! SMELL ON ! W9D1 ,WOLF KNEW ? FLAT-
;S /RET*$ = _M LOPES 96! ,D>K1 & T 2Y X
LAY ! ,GRT ,:ITE ,COLD4 ,:AT 0 X8 ,HE
DIDN'T "K4 ,B "S": 2Y LAY ! ?+ T _H
CALL$ 6HM F 8 F/ ,D51 PULL+ HM ON4 '''
  ,F> 2H HM1 ! DEMON BELL[$4 ,X _H LO/ 8
SC5T6 ,9 DELI<T1 ,WOLF TOSS$ ! RAV5 SK9
HI< 9 ! AIR & CAU<T X )A SNAP4
  ,AF A "T1 ANO!R NOISE R1*$ HM4 ,V
FA9T1 B UNMISTAKA#3 ! HI<1 FLAT     #BBI
CALL T ,TALL ,TAIL.S MADE :5 HE PUT !
BIRD B"O 6HIS MUZZLE6
  ,!N ANO!R1 EV5 M 2LOV$ S.D3 ,TALL
,TAIL.S HMF1 H[L+ = HM6 ,! BE/ S.D 9 !
,=E/6
  ,! RE9DE] RAN ON1 B ,WOLF KNEW T HE _H
6TURN BACK & H1D 96! ,=E/ AG4 ,X 0 N YET
"T 6R1* ! ,GRT ,:ITE ,COLD & :AT LAY 2Y2
HE _H 6G BACK & FET* ,TALL ,TAIL.S4















                                    #BCJ
























              ,,TW5TY-TWO           #BCA

  ,R5N 0 HU4L$ 9 H] SLEEP+-SACK1 ?9K+ AB
GETT+ UP1 :5 ,TORAK APPE>$ AT ! 5TR.E 6!
%ELT]1 MAK+ H] JUMP4
  8,"T WE GOT />T$10 HE SD1 CR\*+ 0!
FIRE & H&+ H] A /RIP ( DRI$ DE] M1T4 ,F
! %AD[S "U 8 EYES1 %E GUESS$ T HE _HN'T
SLEPT ANY BETT] ?AN %E _H4
  ,%E SAT UP & TOOK A HALFHE>T$ BITE (
H] "DM1L4 ,! SCRAPE ON H] *EEK FELT HOT1
&! BRUISE ABV H] EYE HURT4 ,B WORSE ?AN
T 0 ! CREEP+ DR1D4 ,X WASN'T ONLY ! NE>-
;S (! CAVE1 OR T]ROR (! BE>4 ,X 0 "S?+
ELSE3 "S?+ %E DIDN'T WANT 6?9K AB4
  8,I F.D ! TRAIL10 SD ,TORAK1 CUTT+ ACR
H] ?"\S4
  ,%E /OPP$ 9 MID *EW4 8,: WAY DID !Y
G80
  8,WE/1 >.D ! O!R SIDE (! HILL1 !N D[N
96A BEE* WOOD40 ,HE R1*$ \ & /IRR$ !
FIRE1 8 ?9 FACE %>P ) ANXIETY4 8,! BE> 0
"R 2H HM40
  ,R5N PICTUR$ ,WOLF RAC+ "? ! ,=E/ )!
BE> CLOS+ IN4 8,TORAK10 %E SD1 8Y D
R1LIZE T :5 WE TRACK ,WOLF1 WE'LL   #BCB
AL 2 TRACK+ ! BE>80
  8,YES40
  8,IF WE CAT* UP ) X--0
  8,I "K10 HE BROKE IN1 8B ,I'M SICK (
WAIT+4 ,WE'VE WAIT$ ALL NI<T1 & / NO?+4
,WE'VE GOT 6G & F9D HM4 ,AT L1/1 ,I'VE
GOT TO4 ,Y C /AY "H--0
  8,NO6 ,( C\RSE ,I'M -+ ) Y6 ,I 0 ONLY
SAY+40 ,%E LOOK$ AT ! SALMON-SK9 MITT5
HANG+ F ! RO( PO/4
  8,D Y ?9K X'LL "W80 SD ,TORAK1 FOLL[+
H] GAZE4
  8,I DON'T "K40
  ,! *>M _H S.D$ S CL"E :5 %E'D EXPLA9$
X 6HM YE/]"D4 8,:5 "S"O GETS ILL10 %E'D
SD1 FEEL+ Q IMPORTANT1 8X'S USU,Y 2C
!Y'VE EAT5 "S?+ BAD4 ,B "S"TS X'S 2C _!
S\LS H BE5 LUR$ AWAY 0DEMONS4 ,! SICK
S\LS NE$ 6BE RESCU$4 ,I'VE SE5 ,SAEUNN D
X LOTS ( "TS4 ,%E TIES LL FI%HOOKS 6H]
F+]TIPS 6HELP H] CAT* ! SICK S\LS2 !N %E
TAKES A SPECIAL PO;N 6LOOS5 H] [N S\LS1
S T !Y C L1VE H] BODY & F9D !--0
  8,:AT'S ? GOT 6D )! ,NANUAK80
  8,I'M .AB 6TELL Y10 %E'D SD )A    #BCC
QUELL+ LOOK4 8,6F9D !M1 ,SAEUNN HAS TO
HIDE H] .[N S\LS F ! DEMONS40
  8,AH4 ,S IF Y D :AT %E DOES1 Y C HIDE
! ,NANUAK F ! BE>80
  8,I ?9K S1 YES4 ,64GUISE H]F1 %E SME>S
H] FACE ) WORMWOOD & E>?BLOOD1 !N PUTS
ON A MASK ( R[AN B>K TI$ ) HAIRS F EA*
MEMB] (! CLAN4 ,T'S :AT ,I'M GO+ 6D4
,WELL1 9 A WAY40
  ,AF T1 %E'D MADE A LL BOX ( FOLD$ R[AN
B>K & SME>$ X ) WORMWOOD & R$ O*RE4 ,!N
%E'D PUT ! /"O TOO? 9SIDE & TI$ X UP )
LOCKS ( H] [N & ,TORAK'S HAIR4
  ,X _H BE5 A RELIEF 6BE DO+ "S?+ 9/1D (
WORRY+ AB ,WOLF1 & %E'D FELT PR\D ( H]F4
,B N[1 9 ! FREEZ+ DAWN1 D\BTS CR[D$ IN4
,AF ALL1 :AT DID %E "K AB ,MAGECRAFT8
  8,-E ON10 SD ,TORAK1 JUMP+ UP4 8,!
TRACK+'S GD4 ,LI<T'S NICE & L[40
  ,R5N PE]$ \ (! %ELT]4 8,:AT AB ! BE>8
,X MI<T H LO/ ,WOLF'S SC5T & 2 -+ BACK =
U40
  8,I DON'T ?9K S10 HE SD4 8,I ?9K X'S /
AF ,WOLF40
  ,"SH[1 T DIDN'T MAKE H] FEEL      #BCD
ANY BETT]4
  8,:AT'S WR;G80 SD ,TORAK4
  ,%E SI<$4 ,:AT %E WANT$ 6SAY WAS3
8,I'M RE,Y1 .RE,Y MISS+ MY CLAN2 ,I'M
T]RIFI$ T ,F9-,K$9N W N"E =GIVE ME =
HELP+ Y ESCAPE2 ,I ?9K WE'RE MAD 6BE DE-
LIB]ATELY TRACK+ ! BE>2 ,I'VE GOT A HOR-
RI# FEEL+ T WE'RE GO+ 65D UP AT ! "O
PLACE ,I DON'T "E WANT 6G2 & ,I'M WORRI$
T ,I %DN'T EV5 .2 "H1 2C UNLIKE Y1 ,I'M
N ! ,LI/5] & ,I'M N 9 ! ,PROPHECY1 ,I'M
J ,R5N4 ,B X'S NO USE SAY+ ANY ( ?1 2C
ALL Y C ?9K AB IS F9D+ ,WOLF40 ,S 9 ! 5D
%E SIMPLY SD1 8,NO?+4 ,NO?+'S WR;G40
  ,TORAK ?REW H] A 4BELIEV+ LOOK & />T$
/AMP+ \ ! FIRE4

  ,ALL MORN+1 !Y FOLL[$ ! TRAIL "? !
BEE* WOOD & !N "? A SPRUCE =E/1 TURN+
NOR?EA/ & /1DILY CLIMB+4 ,Z ALW1 ,R5N 0
UNSETTL$ 0,TORAK'S SKILL AT TRACK+4 ,HE
SEEM$ 6G 96A TR.E1 SCANN+ ! L& ) 5D.S
PATI;E & (T5 F9D+ "S T9Y SIGN T MO/
FULL-GR[N HUNT]S WD H MISS$4
  ,X 0 MIDAFN &! LI<T 0 2G9N+ TO    #BCE
FAIL :5 HE /OPP$4
  8,:AT IS X80 ASK$ ,R5N4
  8,SH6 ,I ?"\ ,I HE>D "S?+40 ,HE CUPP$
8 H& 6HIS E>4 8,"!6 ,D Y HE> X80
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4
  ,8 FACE BROKE 96A GR94 8,X'S ,WOLF60
  8,>E Y SURE80
  8,I'D "K 8 H[L ANY":4 ,-E ON1 HE'S UP
T WAY60 ,HE PO9T$ EA/4
  ,R5N'S HE>T SANK4 ,N EA/1 %E ?"\4
,PL1SE N EA/4
  ,Z ,TORAK FOLL[$ ! S.D1 ! GR.D GOT
/ONI]1 &! TREES %RANK 6WAI/-HI< BIR* &
WILL[4
  8,>E Y SURE HE'S "H80 SD ,R5N4 8,IF WE
KEEP GO+1 WE'LL 5D UP ON ! FELLS40
  ,TORAK _HN'T HE>D H]2 HE 0 RUNN+ AH1D4
,HE 4APPE>$ 2H A B\LD]1 &A FEW MO;TS
LAT] %E HE>D HM EXCIT$LY YELL+ H] "N4
  ,%E RAC$ UP ! SLOPE & R.D$ ! B\LD] 96!
TEE? ( AN ICY NOR? W9D4 ,%E /A7]$ BACK4
,!Y _H R1*$ ! V $GE (! ,=E/4 ,! $GE (!
FELLS4
  ,2F H] /RET*$ A VA/ TREE.S WA/E1 ":
H1!R & DW>F WILL[ HU7$ ! GR.D 9 A   #BCF
VA9 ATTEMPT 6AVOID ! W9D2 ": SMALL P1T-
BR[N LAKES %IV]$ AMID TOSS+ M>% GRASS4
,F> 9 ! 4T.E1 A TR1*]\S SCREE SLOPE T[]$
ABV ! FELLS1 & 2Y X ROSE ! ,HI< ,M.TA9S4
,B 2T ! SCREE SLOPE &! ,M.TA9S1 GLIMPS$
ONLY Z A :ITE GLITT]1 LAY :AT ,R5N _H
BE5 DR1D+4
  ,TORAK1 ( C\RSE1 0 UNAW>E ( ALL T4
8,R5N60 HE %\T$1 ! W9D :IPP+ 8 VOICE
AWAY4 8,OV] "H60
  ,DRA7+ H] GAZE BACK1 %E SAW T HE 0
KNEEL+ ON ! BANK (A N>R[ /R1M4 ,WOLF LAY
2S HM1 EYES CLOS$1 ! RAV5-SK9 P\* AT 8
H1D4
  8,HE'S ALIVE60 CRI$ ,TORAK1 BURY+ 8
FACE 9 ! WET GRAY FUR4 ,WOLF OP5$ "O EYE
& FEEBLY ?UMP$ 8 TAIL4 ,R5N /UM#D "? !
H1!R T[>D !M4
  8,HE'S EXHAU/$10 SD ,TORAK )\T LOOK+
UP1 8& SOAK+ WET4 ,HE'S BE5 RUNN+ 9 !
/R1M 6?R[ ! BE> (F ! SC5T4 ,T 0 CL"E1
WASN'T X80
  ,R5N GL.ED >.D H] FE>;LLY4 8,B DID X
"W80
  8,OH YES10 SD ,TORAK4 8,LOOK AT   #BCG
ALL ! M>% PIPITS4 ,!Y WDN'T 2 "H IF !
BE> 0 NE>40
  ,WI%+ %E CD %>E 8 3FID;E1 ,R5N KNELT &
FUM#D 9 H] PACK =A SALMON CAKE 6GIVE TO
,WOLF4 ,%E 0 REW>D$ ) ANO!R1 SLI<TLY
/R;G]1 TAIL ?UMP4
  ,X 0 WOND];L 6SEE ,WOLF AG1 B %E FELT
O4LY CUT (F4 ,TOO M* ELSE 0 CR[D+ 9 ON
H]2 TOO M* T ,TORAK DIDN'T "K AB4
  ,%E PICK$ UP ! RAV5-SK9 P\* & LOOS5$
XS NECK 6*ECK 9SIDE4 ,! RIV] EYES 7 / 9
_! NE/ ( R[AN L1VES4
  8,YES1 TAKE X10 SD ,TORAK1 LIFT+ ,WOLF
9 8 >MS & LAY+ HM G5TLY ON A PAT* ( S(T
M>% GRASS4 8,WE NE$ 6HIDE X F ! BE> "R
AWAY40
  ,R5N UNTI$ ! R[AN-B>K BOX T HELD ! /"O
TOO? & TIPP$ 9 ! RIV] EYES2 !N %E REFAS-
T5$ ! BOX1 PUT X BACK 9 ! P\*1 & TI$ X
6H] BELT4
  8,HE'LL 2 ALL "R N[10 SD ,TORAK1 /OOP+
6GIVE ! CUB'S MUZZLE AN A6EC;NATE LICK4
8,WE C MAKE A %ELT] OV] "! 9 ! LEE ( T
SLOPE4 ,BUILD A FIRE1 LET HM RE/40
  8,N "H10 SD ,R5N QKLY4 8,WE %D    #BCH
GET BACK 6! ,=E/40 ,\ ON ? W9DSWEPT
FELL1 %E FELT EXPOS$1 L A CAT]PILL> DAN-
GL+ ON A ?R1D4
  8,BETT] IF WE /AY "H10 SD ,TORAK4 ,HE
PO9T$ NOR? T[>D ! SCREE SLOPE &! :ITE
GLITT]4 8,T'S ! FA/E/ WAY 6! ,M.TA940
  ,R5N'S BELLY TI<T5$4 8,:AT8 ,:AT >E Y
TALK+ AB80
  8,WOLF TOLD ME4 ,T'S ": WE'VE GOT 6G40
  8,B--WE C'T G UP "!40
  8,:Y N80
  8,2C T'S ! ICE RIV]60
  ,TORAK & ,WOLF LOOK$ AT H] 9 SURPRISE1
& %E F.D H]F FAC+ TWO PAIRS ( WOLF EYES3
"O AMB]1 "O LI<T GRAY4 ,X MADE H] FEEL V
LEFT \4
  8,B ,R5N10 SD ,TORAK PATI5TLY1 8T'S !
%ORTE/ WAY 6! ,M.TA940
  8,I DON'T C>E60 ,%E TRI$ 6?9K UP "S
R1SON T HE'D A3EPT4 8,WE'VE / GOT 6F9D !
?IRD PIECE (! ,NANUAK1 REMEMB]8
,8..,COLDE/ ( ALL1 ! D>KE/ .LI<T40'
,WE'RE N GO+ 6F9D X UP "!1 >E WE8 ,X'LL
2 COLD ALL "R1 B "!'S NO?+ UP "!60 ,NO?+
B D1?1 %E A4$ 6H]F4                 #BCI
  8,Y SAW ! R$ EYE LA/ NI<T10 SD ,TORAK4
8,X'S GETT+ HI<]4 ,WE'VE ONLY GOT A FEW
"DS--0
  8,>5'T Y LI/5+80 %E %\T$4 8,WE _C
CROSS ! ICE RIV]60
  8,YES WE C10 HE REPLI$ ) T]RIFY+ CALM4
8,WE'LL F9D A WAY40
  8,H[8 ,WE'VE GOT "O WAT]SK9 2T U & NO
>R[S LEFT6 .,NO .>R[S6 ,& X'S FREEZ+ \
"!1 & Y'VE GOT ONLY SUMM] CLO!S60
  ,HE LOOK$ AT H] ?"\;LLY4 8,T'S N :Y Y
DON'T WANT 6G40
  ,%E L1P$ 6H] FEET & /ALK$ (F1 !N M>*$
BACK AG4 8,MY "F DI$ ON AN ICE RIV] J L
T "O40
  ,! W9D HISS$ SADLY OV] ! FELLS4 ,TORAK
LOOK$ D[N AT ,WOLF1 !N BACK 6H]4
  8,X 0 A SN[FALL10 %E SD4 8,HE 0 ON !
ICE RIV] 2Y ,LAKE ,AXEH1D4 ,HALF AN ICE
CLIFF CAME D[N ON HM4 ,!Y DIDN'T F9D 8
BODY TILL ! SPR+4 ,SAEUNN _H 6D A SPE-
CIAL RITE 6GET 8 S\LS TGR40
  8,I'M SORRY10 SD ,TORAK4 8,I DIDN'T--0
  8,I'M N TELL+ Y S T Y'LL 2 SORRY =
ME10 %E CUT IN1 8,I'M TELL+ Y S T   #BDJ
Y'LL "U/&4 ,HE 0 A /R;G1 EXP]I;ED HUNT]
:O .KNEW ! M.TA9S--& / ! ICE RIV] KILL$
HM4 ,:AT HOPE--:AT *.E--D Y ?9K WE'D H80





















              ,,TW5TY-?REE          #BDA

  8,BE V1 .V QUIET10 :ISP]$ ,R5N4 8,ANY
SU45 NOISE & X MI<T WAKE UP40
  ,TORAK CRAN$ 8 NECK AT ! ICE CLI6S T[-
]+ OV] !M4 ,HE'D SE5 ICE 2F1 B NO?+ L ?4
,N ^! KNIFE-%>P CRAGS & GAP+ GULLIES1 ^!
ICICLES TALL] ?AN TREES4 ,X 0 Z IF A
GRT1 OV]>*+ WAVE _H BE5 FROZ5 0"O T\* (!
,_W ,_S'S F+]4 ,& YET1 :5 HE'D CAU<T
SI<T (! CLI6S F ! SCREE SLOPE !Y'D SEEM$
J A WR9KLE 9 ! VA/1 TUM#D RIV] ( ICE4
  ,AF LETT+ ,WOLF RE/ =A "D 0! LAKE1
!Y'D PLO4$ OV] ! M>%ES & UP ! SCREE1 ":
!Y'D CAMP$ 9 A HOLL[ T _H GIV5 SCANT
%ELT] F ! W9D4 ,"! _H BE5 NO SIGN (!
BE>4 ,P]H ! MASK+ *>M _H "W$2 OR P]H1 Z
,R5N PO9T$ \1 ! BE> 0 9 ! WE/1 WR1K+
HAVOC AM;G ! CLANS4
  ,NEXT MORN+1 !Y'D CLIMB$ ! FLANK (!
ICE RIV] & />T$ NOR?4
  ,X 0 MAD;S 6WALK 2N ! ICE CLI6S :5 AT
ANY MO;T A SN[FALL MI<T OBLIT]ATE !M1 B
!Y _H NO *OICE4 ,! WAY 6! WE/ 0 BLOCK$
0A TORR5T ( MELTWAT] T _H C>V$ A DEEP
BLUE GULLY4                         #BDB
  ,X 0 IMPOSSI# 6MOVE QUIETLY4 ,! SN[ 0
CRISP1 & _! BOOTS CRUN*$ L\DLY4 ,TORAK'S
NEW RE$ CAPE CRACKL$ L D1D L1VES2 EV5 8
BR1? S.D$ D1F5+4 ,ALL >.D1 HE HE>D WEIRD
CR1KS & E*O+ GROANS3 ! ICE RIV] MURMUR+
9 XS SLEEP4 ,X DIDN'T S.D Z IF X WD TAKE
M* 6WAK5 X4
  ,/RANGELY1 T DIDN'T SEEM 6BO!R ,WOLF4
,HE .LOV$ ! SN[1 P\NC+ ON X & TOSS+
LUMPS ( ICE HI< 9 ! AIR1 !N SKI4+ 6A
HALT 6LI/5 6LEMM+S & SN[ VOLES BURR[+ "U
! SURFACE4
  8,SH60 HISS$ ,TORAK1 =GETT+ 6SP1K
WOLF4
  8,SH60 HISS$ ,R5N UP AH1D4
  ,DESP]ATE 6QUIET5 ,WOLF1 ,TORAK PRE-
T5D$ 6SPOT "S 4TANT PREY1 0/&+ V / & />+
9T5TLY4
  ,WOLF COPI$ HM4 ,B :5 HE CAU<T NO SC5T
OR S.D1 HE TWIT*$ 8 :ISK]S & GL.ED AT
,TORAK4 ..,": IS X8 ,":'S ! .PREY8
  ,TORAK /RET*$ & YAWN$4 .,NO .PREY4
  ..,:AT8 ,!N :Y >E WE HUNT+8
  ..,J 2 .QUIET6
  ,WOLF GAVE A SMALL1 A7RIEV$       #BDC
:9E4
  8,-E .ON60 :ISP]$ ,R5N4 8,WE'VE GOT TO
GET ACR 2F NI<TFALL60
  ,X 0 FREEZ+ 9 ! %AD[ (! ICE CLI6S4
,!Y'D D"O :AT !Y CD :ILE CAMP+ 0! LAKE3
/U6+ _! BOOTS ) M>% GRASS1 MAK+ MITT5S &
CAPS F ,R5N'S SALMON SK9 &! RE/ (! RAW-
HIDE1 &! CAPE = ,TORAK F BUN*ES ( RE$S
TI$ ) M>% GRASS1 !N /IT*$ ) S9EW4 ,B X
WASN'T NE>LY 5\<4
  ,_! SUPPLIES 7 GETT+ L[1 TOO3 "O WAT]-
SK9 & ONLY 5 DRI$ SALMON & DE] M1T =A
C\PLE ( "DS4 ,TORAK CD IMAG9E :AT ,FA WD
SAY4 ..,A J\RNEY 9 SN[ IS NO GAME1 ,TO-
RAK4 ,IF Y ?9K X IS1 Y'LL 5D UP .D1D4
  ,HE 0 PA9;LLY AW>E T HE DIDN'T ACTU,Y
"K M* AB SN[4 ,Z ,R5N _H SD ) H] USUAL
UNFL9*+ A3URACY1 8,ALL ,I "K IS T X
MAKES TRACK+ A LOT EASI]1 X'S GD = SN[-
BALLS1 & IF Y GET CAU<T 9 A SN[/ORM1
Y'RE SUPPOS$ 6DIG YRF A SN[ CAVE & WAIT
TILL X /OPS4 ,B T'S ALL ,I "K40
  ,! SN[ DEEP5$1 & SOON !Y 7 S9K+ UP 6_!
?I<S4 ,WOLF DROPP$ 2H1 CL"ELY LETT+
,TORAK BR1K ! TRAIL S T HE CD       #BDD
TROT 9 8 FOOT/EPS4
  8,I HOPE HE "KS ! WAY10 SD ,R5N1 KEEP+
H] VOICE D[N4 8,I'VE N"E BE5 ? F> NOR?40
  8,HAS ANY"O80 SD ,TORAK4
  ,%E RAIS$ H] EYEBR[S4 8,WELL1 YES4 !
,ICE CLANS4 ,B !Y LIVE \ ON ! PLA9S1 N
ON ! ICE RIV]40
  8,! ,ICE CLANS80
  8,! ,:ITE ,FOXES4 ,! ,PT>MIGANS4 ,!
,N>WALS4 ,B SURELY Y--0
  8,NO10 HE SD WE>ILY1 8,I DON'T4 ,I
DON'T EV5--0
  ,2H HM1 ,WOLF GAVE AN URG5T GRUNT4
  ,TORAK TURN$ 6SEE ! CUB L1P+ = COV] 2N
AN >* ( SOLID ICE4 ,HE GL.ED UP4 8,LOOK
\60 HE CRI$1 GRA2+ ,R5N & YANK+ H] "U !
>*4
  ,AN E>SPLITT+ CRACK--& !Y 7 OV]:ELM$
0RO>+ :ITE;S4 ,ICE ?"U$ >.D !M1 SMA%+
96! SN[1 EXPLOD+ 9 LE?AL %>DS4 ,HU4L$ "U
! >*1 ,TORAK PRAY$ T X WDN'T COLLAPSE4
,IF X DID1 !Y'D 2 SPLATT]$ OV] ! SN[ L
CRU%$ L+ONB]RIES4 '''
  ,! ICEFALL 5D$ Z ABRUPTLY Z X _H 2GUN4
  ,TORAK BLEW \ A L;G BR1?4 ,N[     #BDE
ALL HE CD HE> 0 ! S(T SETTL+ ( SN[4
  8,:Y DID X /OP80 HISS$ ,R5N4
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,MAYBE X 0 J TURN+
OV] 9 XS SLEEP40
  ,R5N />$ AT ! ICE PIL$ >.D !M4 8,IF X
WASN'T = ,WOLF1 WE'D 2 "U T "R N[40 ,%E
0 PALE1 & H] CLAN-TATTOOS %[$ UP LIVID-
LY4 ,TORAK GUESS$ T %E 0 ?9K+ ( H] "F4
  ,WOLF /OOD UP & %OOK HMF1 SPATT]+ !M )
WET SN[4 ,HE TROTT$ A FEW PACES1 TOOK A
L;G SNIFF1 & WAIT$ = !M 6JO9 HM4
  8,-E ON10 SD ,TORAK4 8,I ?9K X'S
SAFE40
  8.,SAFE80 MUTT]$ ,R5N4
  ,Z ! "D WORE ON &! SUN TRAVEL$ WE/ "?
A CL\D.S SKY1 PU4LES ( MELTWAT] APPE>$ 9
! SN[1 M 9T5SELY BLUE ?AN ANY?+ ,TORAK
_H "E SE54 ,X GREW /1DILY W>M]4 ,>.D
MIDAFN1 ! SUN /RUCK ! CLI6S1 & 9 ! BL9K
( AN EYE1 ! FREEZ+ %AD[S TURN$ 6A />K
:ITE GL>E4 ,SOON ,TORAK 0 SW1T+ "U 8 RE$
CAPE4
  8,"H10 SD ,R5N1 H&+ HM A /RIP ( BIR*
BA/4 8,CUT SLITS 9 ? & TIE X >.D YR
EYES4 ,O!RWISE Y'LL G SN[-BL40      #BDF
  8,I ?"\ Y'D N"E BE5 ? F> NOR?40
  8,I HAV5'T1 B ,F9-,K$9N HAS4 ,HE TOLD
ME AB X40
  ,X MADE ,TORAK UNEASY 6BE PE]+ "? A
N>R[ SLIT :5 HE NE$$ 6BE ON 8 GU>D--:5 E
S (T5 A SLAB ( SN[ OR A GIANT ICICLE
?U4$ D[N F ! CLI6S4 ,Z !Y TRUDG$ ON1 HE
NOTIC$ T ,R5N 0 LA7+ 2H4 ,T _H N"E HAP-
P5$ 2F4 ,USU,Y %E 0 FA/] ?AN HE WAS4
  ,WAIT+ = H] 6CAT* UP1 HE 0 />TL$ 6SEE
T H] LIPS _H A BLUI% T+E4 ,HE ASK$ IF %E
0 ALL "R4
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D1 B5D+ OV] ) H] H&S ON
H] KNEES4 8,X'S BE5 -+ ON ALL "D10 %E
SD4 8,I FEEL--DRA9$4 ,I ?9K--,I ?9K X'S
! ,NANUAK40
  ,TORAK FELT GUILTY4 ,HE'D BE5 3C5TRAT+
S H>D ON N WAK+ ! ICE RIV] T HE'D =GOTT5
T ALL ? "T %E'D BE5 C>RY+ ! RAV5-SK9
P\*4 8,GIVE X 6ME10 HE SD4 8,WE'LL TAKE
TURNS40
  ,%E NO4$4 8,B ,I'LL C>RY ! WAT]SK94
,T'S ONLY FAIR40
  ,!Y SWAPP$4 ,TORAK TI$ ! P\* 6HIS
BELT1 :ILE ,R5N LOOK$ OV] H] %\L-   #BDG
D] AT H[ F> !Y'D -E4 8,M* TOO SL[10 %E
SD4 8,IF WE DON'T MAKE X ACR 0NI<TFALL
'''0
  ,%E DIDN'T NE$ 6ADD ! RE/4 ,TORAK PIC-
TUR$ !M DI7+ A SN[ CAVE & C[]+ 9 D>K;S1
:ILE ! ICE RIV] H1V$ & GROAN$ >.D !M4
,HE SD1 8,D Y ?9K WE'VE GOT 5 FIREWOOD80
  ,AG ,R5N %OOK H] H1D4
  ,2F H1D+ =! SCREE SLOPE1 !Y'D EA* GA?-
]$ A FA7OT FIREWOOD1 & PREP>$ A LL PIECE
( FIRE 6BR+ ) !M4 ,6D ?1 !Y'D CUT A
SMALL *UNK (! HORSEHO( MU%ROOM T GR[S ON
D1D BIR* TREES1 & SET FIRE 6X1 !N BL[N X
\ S T X 0 J SMOLD]+4 ,!N !Y'D ROLL$ X 9
BIR* B>K1 PI]C$ ! B>K A FEW "TS 6LET !
FIRE BR1!1 & PLU7$ ! ROLL ) BE>D-MOSS TO
KEEP X ASLEEP4 ,! FIRE CD 2 C>RI$ ALL
"D1 SLUMB]+ QUIETLY1 B R1DY 6BE WOK5 )
T9D] & BR1? :5 !Y NE$$ X4
  ,TORAK JUDG$ T !Y _H 5 FIREWOOD 6LA/ =
MAYBE A NI<T4 ,IF A /ORM BLEW UP & !Y _H
6DIG 9 = "DS1 !Y WD FREEZE4
  ,!Y TRUDG$ ON1 & SOON ,TORAK "U/OOD :Y
! ,NANUAK _H TIR$ ,R5N4 ,ALR HE CD FEEL
X WEI<+ HM D[N4                     #BDH
  ,SU45LY ,R5N /OPP$1 YANK+ ! BIR* BA/
AWAY F H] EYES4 8,":'S ! /R1M G"O80 %E
BR1!D4
  8,:AT80 SD ,TORAK4
  8,! MELTWAT]6 ,I'VE J NOTIC$4 ,T GUL-
LY'S G"O4 ,D Y ?9K T M1NS WE C GET \ F
"U ! CLI6S80
  ,TAK+ (F 8 [N BIR* BA/1 ,TORAK SQU9T$
AT ! SN[4 ,HE CDN'T SEE =! GL>E4 8,I C /
HE> X10 HE SD1 MOV+ =W>D 69VE/IGATE4
8,MAYBE X'S J SUNK F>!R "U !--0
  ,HE GOT NO W>N+4 ,NO CRACK ( ICE1 NO
.:UMP ( COLLAPS+ SN[4 ,"O MO;T HE 0
WALK+2 ! NEXT1 HE 0 FALL+ 96NO?+;S4










              ,,TW5TY-F\R           #BDI

  ,TORAK J>R$ 8 KNEE S PA9;LLY T HE CRI$
\4 8,TORAK60 :ISP]$ ,R5N F ABV4 8,>E Y
ALL "R80
  8,I--?9K S10 HE REPLI$4 ,B HE WASN'T4
,HE'D FALL5 D[N AN ICE HOLE4 ,ONLY A T9Y
L$GE _H /OPP$ HM F TUMBL+ 6HIS D1?4
  ,9 ! GLOOM HE SAW T ! HOLE 0 N>R[--HE
CD T\* XS SIDES ) 8 \T/RET*$ H&S--B FA?-
OM.S4 ,F> 2L1 HE HE>D ! RU% (! MELTWAT]
TORR5T4 ,HE 0 .9SIDE ! ICE RIV]4 ,H[ 0
HE GO+ 6GET \8
  ,R5N & ,WOLF 7 PE]+ D[N AT HM4 ,!Y M/
2 AB ?REE PACES ABV4 ,X MI<T Z WELL 2
?IRTY4 8,N[ WE "K ": ! MELTWAT] W5T10 HE
SD1 /RU7L+ 6/AY CALM4
  8,Y'RE N .T F> D[N10 SD ,R5N1 TRY+ TO
5C\RAGE HM4 8,AT L1/ Y'VE / GOT YR
PACK40
  8,& MY B[10 HE REPLI$1 HOP+ HE DIDN'T
S.D TOO SC>$4 8,&! ,NANUAK40 ,! P\* 0 /
SECURELY TI$ 6HIS BELT4 .,! .,NANUAK1 HE
?"\ 9 HORROR4
  ,:AT IF HE CDN'T GET \8 ,HE'D 2 /UCK
D[N "H1 &! ,NANUAK WD 2 /UCK )      #BEJ
HM4 ,)\T ! ,NANUAK1 "! WD 2 NO *.E ( DE-
/ROY+ ! BE>4 ,! 5TIRE ,=E/ WD 2 DOOM$3
DOOM$ 2C HE _HN'T WAT*$ 8 /EP '''
  8,TORAK80 :ISP]$ ,R5N4 8,>E Y ALL "R80
  ,HE TRI$ 6SAY YES1 B X CAME \ Z A
CROAK4
  8,N TOO L\D60 BR1!D ,R5N4 8,X MI<T S5D
D[N ANO!R SN[FALL--OR--OR CLOSE UP !
HOLE ) Y 9SIDE '''40
  8,?ANKS10 HE MUTT]$4 8,I _HN'T ?"\ (
T40
  8,"H1 TRY 6CAT* HOLD ( ?40 ,L1N+ P]IL-
\SLY OV] ! $GE1 %E DANGL$ H] AXE H1DF/1
)! %AFT /RAP >.D H] WRI/4
  8,Y CDN'T TAKE MY WEI<T10 HE TOLD H]4
8,I'D PULL Y D[N2 WE'D BO? FALL '''40
  8,FALL1 FALL10 E*O$ ! ICE >.D HM4
  8,IS "! ANY WAY Y C CLIMB \80 SD ,R5N1
2G9N+ 6S.D %AKY4
  8,PROBABLY4 ,IF ,I _H ! CLAWS (A WOL-
V]9E40
  8,CLAWS1 CLAWS10 SANG ! ICE4
  ,T GAVE ,TORAK AN IDEA4
  ,SL[LY1 T]RIFI$ ( SLIPP+ (F ! L$GE1 HE
UNHIT*$ 8 PACK F "O %\LD] & *ECK$   #BEA
T HE / _H ! ROE BUCK ANTL]S4 ,HE DID4
,!Y 7 %ORT1 & _! ROOTS _H JA7$ $GES4 ,IF
HE CD TIE "O 6EA* WRI/ & GRIP ! T9ES1 HE
MI<T 2 A# 6USE ! ROOTS Z ICE PICKS 6CLAW
8 WAY \4
  8,:AT >E Y GO+ 6D80 ASK$ ,R5N4
  8,Y'LL SEE10 HE SD4 ,HE DIDN'T H "T TO
EXPLA94 ,! L$GE 0 GETT+ SLIPP]Y 2N 8
BOOTS1 & 8 KNEE 0 HURT+4
  ,L1V+ ! ANTL]S 9 8 PACK UNTIL HE NE$$
!M1 HE TOOK 8 AXE F 8 BELT4 8,I'VE GOT
6CUT NOT*ES 9 ! ICE10 HE CALL$ 6,R5N4
8,I J HOPE ! ICE RIV] DOESN'T FEEL X40
  ,%E DID N REPLY4 ,( C\RSE X WD FEEL X4
,B :AT *OICE DID HE H8
  ,! F/ AXE BL[ S5T SPL9T]S ( ICE RATTL+
96! *ASM4 ,EV5 IF ! ICE RIV] DIDN'T FEEL
T1 X M/ H HE>D X4
  ,CL5*+ 8 TEE?1 ,TORAK =C$ HMF 6/RIKE
ANO!R BL[4 ,M %>DS CRA%$ D[N1 ! E*OES
RUMBL+ ON & ON4
  ,! ICE 0 H>D1 & HE DIDN'T D>E SW+ 8
AXE = FE> ( TOPPL+ (F ! L$GE1 B AF M*
ANXI\S *IPP+ HE MANAG$ F\R NOT*ES AT
/A7]$ 9T]VALS Z HI< Z HE CD R1*1    #BEB
) AB A =E>MS L5G? 2T EA* "O4 ,!Y 7 F"R5-
+LY %ALL[--NO DEEP] ?AN 8 ?UMB JO9T--&
HE _H NO IDEA IF !Y'D HOLD4 ,IF HE PUT 8
WEI<T ON "O1 X MI<T GIVE WAY1 TAK+ HM )
X4
  ,%OV+ 8 AXE BACK 9 8 BELT1 HE TOOK (F
8 MITT5S & FELT 9 8 PACK =! ANTL]S &!
LA/ /RIPS ( RAWHIDE4 ,8 F+]S 7 CLUMSY )
COLD1 & TY+ ! ANTL]S 6HIS WRI/S 0 9FURI-
AT+LY DI6ICULT4 ,AT LA/1 US+ 8 TEE? TO
TI<T5 ! KNOTS1 HE MANAG$ X4
  ,) 8 "R H& HE R1*$ =! NOT* ABV 8 H1D1
& DUG DEEP )! JA7$ $GE (! ANTL]4 ,X BIT
& HELD4 ,) 8 LEFT FOOT1 HE FELT =! F/
FOOTHOLD1 J A LL HI<] ?AN ! L$GE4 ,HE
F.D X & /EPP$ ONTO X4
  ,8 PACK 0 PULL+ HM BACKW>D 96! ICE
HOLE4 ,DESP]ATELY HE L1N$ =W>D1 PRESS+ 8
FACE 96! ICE--& REGA9$ 8 BAL.E4
  ,WOLF YIPP$ AT HM 6HURRY4 ,SN[ %[]$
D[N 96HIS HAIR4
  8,/AY .BACK60 ,R5N HISS$ AT ! CUB4
  ,TORAK HE>D S.DS (A SCU6LE--M SN[
TRICKL$ D[N--!N ,WOLF GAVE A PEEVI%
GR[L4                               #BEC
  8,J A BIT F>!R10 SD ,R5N4 8.,DON'T
.LOOK .D[N40
  ,TOO LATE4 ,TORAK _H J D"O S1 & CAU<T
A SICK5+ GLIMPSE (! VOID 2L4
  ,HE R1*$ =! NEXT H&HOLD & MISS$1 SNAP-
P+ (F A CRU/ ( ICE T NE>LY TOOK HM ) X4
,HE F"\ =! H&HOLD--&! ANTL] BIT J 9 "T4
  ,SL[LY1 SL[LY1 HE B5T 8 "R LEG & F.D !
NEXT FOOTHOLD1 AB A =E>M HI<] ?AN ! "O
HE'D /EPP$ ONTO ) 8 LEFT4 ,B Z HE H1V$
HMF ONTO X1 8 KNEE 2GAN 6%AKE4
  ,OH1 V CL"E1 ,TORAK1 HE TOLD HMF4
,Y'VE J PUT ALL YR WEI<T ON ! WR;G LEG--
! "O Y HURT 9 ! FALL6 8,MY KNEE'S GO+10
HE GASP$4 8,I C'T--0
  8,YES Y C10 URG$ ,R5N4 8,R1* = T LA/
H&HOLD1 ,I'LL GRAB Y '''40
  ,8 %\LD]S 7 BURN+2 8 PACK FELT Z IF X
0 FILL$ ) ROCKS4 ,HE GAVE A HUGE PU% & 8
KNEE BUCKL$4 ,!N A H& GRA2$ ! %\LD] /RAP
( 8 PACK & HE 0 HALF PULL$1 HALF PU%$ \
(! HOLE4
  ,TORAK & ,R5N LAY PANT+ AT ! $GE (!
ICE HOLE4 ,!N !Y H1V$ !MVS UP1 /A7]$
AWAY F ! ICE CLI6S1 & COLLAPS$ 9    #BED
A DRIFT ( P[D]Y SN[4 ,WOLF ?"\ X A HUGE
GAME1 & PR.ED >.D !M )A BIG WOLF-SMILE4
  ,R5N GAVE WAY 6PANICKY LAU<T]4 8,T 0
.F> TOO CLOSE6 ,NEXT "T1 LOOK ": Y'RE
GO+60
  8,I'LL TRY60 PANT$ ,TORAK4 ,HE LAY ON
8 BACK1 LETT+ ! BREEZE WAFT SN[ OV] 8
*EEKS4 ,HI< 9 ! SKY1 ?9 :ITE CL\DS 7
/ACK+ UP L PETALS4 ,HE'D N"E SE5 ANY?+ S
B1UTI;L4
  ,2H HM1 ,WOLF 0 CLAW+ AT "S?+ 9 ! ICE4
  8,:AT H Y GOT "!80 ASK$ ,TORAK4
  ,B ,WOLF _H FRE$ 8 PRIZE & 0 TOSS+ X
HI< & CAT*+ X 9 8 JAWS1 9 "O ( 8 FAVOR-
ITE GAMES4 ,HE L1P$ 6CAT* X 9 MIDAIR1
GAVE X A C\PLE ( *EWS1 !N B.D$ OV] &
SPAT X \ ON ,TORAK'S FACE4 ,ANO!R FAVOR-
ITE GAME4
  8,[60 SD ,TORAK4 8,WAT* :AT Y'RE DO+60
,!N HE SAW :AT X WAS4 ,X 0 AB ! SIZE (A
SMALL FI/3 BR[N1 FURRY1 & O4LY FLATT5$1
PROBABLY 0AN ICEFALL4 ,! LOOK ( \TRAGE
ON XS LL FACE /RUCK ,TORAK Z 9EXPRESSI-
BLY FUNNY4
  8,:AT IS X80 SD ,R5N1 TAK+ A      #BEE
PULL AT ! WAT]SK94
  ,HE FELT LAU<T] WELL+ UP 9SIDE HM4 8,A
FROZ5 LEMM+40
  ,R5N BUR/ \ LAU<+1 SPRAY+ WAT] ALL OV]
! ICE4
  8,SQUA%$ FLAT10 GASP$ ,TORAK1 ROLL+
>.D 9 ! SN[4 8,Y %D SEE XS FACE6 ,S--
.SURPRIS$60
  8,NO1 DON'T60 CRI$ ,R5N1 CLUT*+ H]
SIDES4
  ,!Y LAU<$ TILL X HURT1 :ILE ,WOLF
PR.ED >.D )A JOY;L ROCK+ GAIT1 TOSS+ &
CAT*+ ! FROZ5 LEMM+4 ,AT LA/ HE TOSS$ X
EXTRAVAGANTLY HI<1 MADE A SPECTACUL>
TWI/+ L1P1 & SWALL[$ X 9 "O GULP4 ,!N HE
DECID$ HE 0 HOT1 & FLOPP$ 96A POOL (
MELTWAT] 6COOL D[N4
  ,R5N SAT UP1 WIP+ H] EYES4 8,DOES HE
"E J .FET* ?+S1 9/1D ( ?R[+ !M 9 YR
FACE80
  ,TORAK %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I'VE TRI$ ASK+
HM4 ,HE N"E DOES40
  ,HE GOT 6HIS FEET4 ,X 0 TURN+ COLD]4
,! W9D _H /R5G!N$1 & P[D]Y SN[ 0 /R1M+
OV] ! GR.D L SMOKE4 ,! PETALLIKE    #BEF
CL\DS _H -PLETELY COV]$ ! SUN4
  8,LOOK10 SD ,R5N 2S HM4 ,%E 0 PO9T+
EA/4
  ,HE GL.ED >.D & SAW CL\DS BOIL+ UP OV]
! ICE CLI6S4 8,OH NO10 HE MURMUR$4
  8,OH YES10 SD ,R5N4 ,%E _H 6RAISE H]
VOICE ABV ! W9D4 8,A SN[/ORM40
  ,! ICE RIV] _H WOK5 UP4 ,& X 0 ANGRY4