River of Lost Bears

by Erin Hunter

  Shadows pooled in the valley like black water. Lusa reached the bottom first. Toklo, Kallik, and Yakone halted beside her, flanks heaving as they caught their breath.

  Kallik glanced up the next hill. “I can’t go on much farther.”

  Lusa’s nose twitched. The stench of coyote rolled toward them. She bounded a short way up the next slope. Warm light bathed the summit. “Look,” she called. “We’re almost at the top.”

  Grunting, Toklo, Kallik, and Yakone pushed after her.

  “You can do it!” She willed them on, wishing she was strong enough to help carry Yakone. “Not far to the top.” She chased the sunshine farther and farther uphill, but shadow was following them, stretching up the slope as the sun slid toward the far horizon. By the time they reached the top, it had set.

  Lusa’s heart sank. The sky was purple beyond the trees as clouds rolled in. Soon it would be dark. She scanned the slope behind them, belly tightening as she spotted eyes flashing from the shadows. “Hurry!” she urged.

  Her friends caught up with her, heat pulsing from them. The air smelled of blood. Lusa wrinkled her nose at its thick stone tang. Yakone’s paw was oozing.

  “Can you make it over another hill?” Lusa glanced anxiously down the slope.

  Kallik nodded. Toklo huffed. Perhaps the next hill would give them shelter. Maybe they’d find a cave. That would protect them from the coyotes, wouldn’t it?

  Lusa led them over the top and headed down into shadow. The ground grew stony. Rocks slithered under her paws. She squinted to see ahead, but clouds had swallowed the last of the sun. No moon lit the forest. They were lost in darkness.

  “Which way now, Lusa?” Toklo asked.

  “I can’t see—” Lusa yelped as her forepaw slipped from under her, spraying stones. She thumped to the ground, hardly feeling any pain as she heard pebbles clattering far below. Her pelt bushed in terror. “Stop!” she barked to Toklo. “Cliff!” The earth dropped away beside her. Wind ruffled her pelt.

  Toklo and Kallik stumbled to a halt, Yakone slithering between them, as Lusa lay, stiff with fear. It’s going to be okay. She tried to calm herself, but her terror began to spiral. The air stank of coyote. “We’re trapped!”

  “No, we’re not.” Toklo was following the cliff edge. “There’s a way down.” He turned, his eyes shining in the darkness. “Yakone, I need you to walk this next bit.”

  Yakone growled.

  “Can you do it?” Toklo asked.

  Lusa got to her paws.

  Kallik was breathing fast. “Can you do it, Yakone? Can you get down the slope?”

  Toklo chimed in. “I’ll be ahead of you, Kallik and Lusa behind. We’ll steady you where we can, but the path’s steep. Will you try?”

  Yakone took a deep, shuddering breath. He lifted his muzzle, and Lusa saw his gaze harden. “Yes,” he growled.

  Lusa peered over the edge. The world disappeared into a pool of darkness. She had no idea how far the valley was below them. For a moment she thought of plunging over the edge, falling, falling, with the roar of water in her ears … No! Don’t think of Chenoa! Not now!

  Toklo was already heading down the path. As Yakone and Kallik moved off, Lusa followed. The path was stony, slippery underpaw. She spread her claws, digging them in where she could to get a grip. Kallik’s rump swayed ahead of her. Please let Yakone make it! Cold air buffeted her side. Rock brushed her pelt. Just keep moving.

  Toklo was taking it slow. Lusa saw his eyes flash every now and then, as he looked over his shoulder. “Are you okay, Yakone?” he called.

  Yakone grunted.

  “He’s okay!” Kallik barked.

  The path steepened. Lusa’s heart pounded. How could Yakone grip with a wounded paw? She saw Kallik lean forward and hook her muzzle around Yakone’s rump, pressing him against the cliff face.

  Lusa blinked. The sky was clearing. Moonlight was glowing through thinning clouds. She could see a stream sparkling at the bottom of the cliff. Wide pebble beaches stretched along either side. Bushes dotted the shores, while plants clumped at the water’s edge. Gnarled trees jutted from another cliff beyond. They were climbing down into a gorge. She glanced up, scanning the sky for Ujurak. Are you watching? A dark shadow caught her eye. The stones at the top of the cliff were moving. Lusa stared, puzzled for a moment. Then dread swept through her. Those weren’t stones. The coyotes were watching.

  No!

  Eyes glinted against the starry sky.

  “Toklo!” Lusa’s voice trembled.

  “I know,” Toklo growled. “Don’t look at them. They won’t follow.”

  They’re waiting for Yakone to die.

  White fur flashed in front of Lusa, moving too fast for the slope.

  “Yakone!” Kallik barked with terror.

  Lusa froze. Yakone was falling!

  Kallik thrust out her forepaws and snagged his pelt. “Help!”

  Toklo whirled around and grabbed Yakone’s scruff as the white bear tumbled over the edge. Panic jolted Lusa to life. She darted forward, squeezing past Kallik, and snatched at Yakone’s pelt until she grabbed fur between her teeth. Her paws skidded on grit as his weight dragged her forward. Closing her eyes, she strained to pull him up. Stones showered down into the gorge as Kallik trembled beside her. A growl rolled in Toklo’s throat as, together, they hauled the white bear back onto the path.

  With a grunt, Yakone rolled limply toward the cliff face.

  As Lusa collapsed, gasping for breath, she heard whining above. She looked up. The coyotes were pacing excitedly. Lusa bared her teeth. He’s not dead yet!

  Toklo heaved himself to his paws.

  Kallik straightened and shook out her pelt. “Yakone?”

  The white bear growled and stood up, his shoulders at an awkward angle as he tried to keep his weight off his injured paw.

  “It’s not far,” Toklo told him. “Hang on to my tail.”

  Lusa steadied her breathing as they limped to the bottom.

  Kallik stumbled onto the beach. “We have to stop.”

  “I know.” Toklo’s eyes were dull in the moonlight. He glanced at the cliff edging the far shore. “Let’s build a nest against the rock.”

  Lusa saw Yakone sway on his paws. “I need to lie down,” he mumbled.

  Kallik brushed against him. “Come on.” She steered him toward the stream. “Let’s get a drink, then I’ll make you a nest.”

  Yakone stumbled into the shallow stream and lapped at it blindly. Lusa padded after him, relieved to feel cool water wash around her paws. She dipped her muzzle in the stream and drank until her belly hurt. She hadn’t realized how thirsty she was, or how tired.

  When they’d drunk, Yakone rested against the cliff while Toklo, Lusa, and Kallik collected leaves and moss for a nest.

  “Here, Yakone.” Kallik tucked a large clump of water-weed beneath his head. Lusa peeled moss from a stone and dipped it in the stream. She laid it, dripping, beside Yakone’s snout. “In case you get thirsty.” His nose was dry and hot. Lusa frowned. Was the wound turning bad? She gasped, remembering. “I was going to find herbs!”

  She dashed away, splashing downstream, sniffing from one plant to another.

  Toklo caught up with her. “Don’t run off by yourself,” he hissed.

  Lusa jerked up her head. “I promised to find herbs!” How had she forgotten something so important? Her heart thumped in her chest.

  “Do you know what you’re looking for?” Toklo scanned the water’s edge.

  Lusa shook her head. “I wish I’d listened harder when Ujurak was with us. He knew so much. I should have tried to learn.”

  Toklo sighed. “We didn’t know we were going to lose him.”

  Lusa met his gaze. It was misted with grief. As sadness welled in her throat, a sharp, bitter scent touched her nose. “Hornwort!”

  Chenoa’s herb!

  She splashed downstream and tore out a mouthful of leaves, then bounded back to Yakone. The white bear was asleep, his breath steady. L
usa sniffed his injured paw. The stream had washed it clean. Quickly, she chewed up the leaves and dressed his wounds.

  As she admired her work, her belly rumbled. The long day’s trek had left her hungry. “Did you see any fish in the stream?” she asked Toklo as he paced in front of the nest.

  “Only minnows.”

  Kallik settled beside Yakone and laid her snout on his shoulder. “Come and rest, Toklo.”

  “Someone needs to keep guard.” He glanced at the cliff they’d climbed down.

  Lusa followed his gaze. The coyotes were still pacing at the top, silhouetted against the stars. “They won’t attack while Yakone’s still alive,” she reminded him.

  “But they might come to check,” Toklo growled.

  “I can take first watch,” Kallik offered.

  Toklo shook his head. “No, I’ll do it. I’ll wake you at moonhigh.”

  Lusa sat up. “What about me?”

  “Kallik will wake you.” Toklo turned and walked along the edge of the water.

  Weary and anxious, Lusa nestled in beside Yakone. The warmth of his fur soothed her, but the pungent smell of blood made her wince. Would it chase her through her dreams? She watched the stream sparkle as it passed, her eyes soon glazing. Exhausted, she drifted into sleep.

  “Lusa.” It seemed only a moment before Kallik was waking her with a gentle nudge. “It’s your turn to keep watch.”

  Lusa stretched, her paws quivering. The predawn sky was milky white. Toklo was snoring beside Yakone. “Any trouble?” she asked Kallik.

  “The coyotes started down the slope a few times, but turned back,” she told her.

  “They must know that he’s still alive.” Lusa glanced uneasily at Kallik. The white she-bear looked ragged with worry. “Go to sleep,” Lusa told her softly. “I’ll wake you if there’s danger.”

  “Thank you.” Kallik touched her nose to Lusa’s head, then settled beside Yakone.

  Lusa headed for the stream. She sat down, letting the water swish over her pawtips. The coyotes sat as motionless as rocks at the top of the cliff. Anger surged through her. We can’t live like prey for the rest of the journey! Were the coyotes going to hunt them forever? If Yakone could just get well, they would leave us alone.

  Lusa flexed her claws. She was going to find every plant Ujurak ever used. She’d recognize their scent if she found them. She lifted her muzzle and glared at the coyotes. One raised its head and gazed back, ears pricked against the dawn sky.

  Cowards! Why don’t you come and fight? You’re like vultures, waiting to pick our bones. She growled. You won’t have him!

  The coyote watched her, unmoving.

  I would fight you right now! Lusa leaped to her paws. But you cowards don’t come close enough! You’ll only come near if Yakone dies!

  She paused.

  If Yakone dies …

  She hurried back to the nest. Yakone was awake. “How are you?” She leaned and sniffed his paw. The wound was dry and smelled of hornwort.

  “Not bad,” he rumbled. He blinked at her, his eyes weary but clear after a night’s rest.

  “Does your paw hurt?”

  Yakone drew it closer to his chest. “It feels like it’s on fire.”

  Lusa nudged his cheek with her nose, her heart twisting with pity. “I wish I could stop the pain.”

  “Lusa?” Toklo snapped awake. “Where are the coyotes?”

  “It’s okay, Toklo.” Lusa glanced over her shoulder. “I’m just checking on Yakone.”

  Yakone hauled himself to his paws. “Coyotes?” He swung his head around, scanning the gorge. “Where?”

  Toklo stood up and shook out his pelt. “We saw some in the area yesterday.” He stretched slowly. “Nothing to worry about.” He gave Lusa a warning glance.

  “We’re just keeping a lookout,” she told Yakone. She padded away from the nest. “Toklo?” She willed him to follow, relieved when he did.

  “I’ve had an idea,” she whispered. She glanced back at Yakone. He was sniffing his injured paw.

  Kallik stirred beside the white bear. She stretched her muzzle closer to his. “How’s your wound?”

  “It’s stopped bleeding,” Yakone told her.

  As Yakone lapped at it gingerly, Kallik looked up at Lusa. “Where are you two going? Is everything okay?” Heaving herself to her paws, she padded toward them.

  “Lusa’s got an idea.” Toklo narrowed his eyes. “What is it?”

  Lusa waited for Kallik to reach them. “We need to get those coyotes out in the open, right?” she whispered. “Close enough for us to fight them.”

  Kallik shook her head. “They won’t come near unless—” She paused. “Unless one of us is dead.”

  Lusa met her gaze. “So, let’s make that happen.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Kallik

  “Make that happen?” Kallik stared at Lusa. “What do you mean?” A chill ran through her pelt.

  “Not really make it happen.” Lusa’s eyes were bright. “But if Yakone pretended to be dead, then the coyotes—”

  Kallik cut her off. “No way!” The thought made her quiver. Yakone was too badly hurt! How could Lusa even think of pretending he was dead? The coyotes would be on him like flies on a wound. They’d eat him alive!

  Toklo leaned closer. “How would it work, Lusa?”

  Kallik stared at him in disbelief. “You’re not actually thinking of doing this?”

  “We won’t let them hurt him,” Lusa insisted. “But if we could just get them to come sniffing around him, it would give us a chance to chase them away.”

  Kallik glanced at the coyotes, milling at the top of the cliff. She could hear them whimpering with excitement. Her pelt bristled as she imagined them closing in on Yakone. “He’s not strong enough.”

  “He doesn’t need to be,” Lusa pressed. “We’ll do the fighting.”

  “He can’t do it!” Kallik showed her teeth. “He’ll be bait!”

  Toklo gazed at her steadily. “We can’t keep moving with the coyotes tracking us. How will Yakone have a chance to heal? Isn’t it better to lure them out and fight them? If we chase them off, we can move at our own speed, without watching our backs. Right now, we can’t even hunt properly. We’re scared to take our eyes off one another.”

  “And that’s no good for Yakone,” Lusa added. “He needs good food and rest to get better. He’ll never get that while they’re tracking us.”

  Kallik’s head swam. “So you’re saying he has to play dead for the coyotes.”

  “It will be his choice,” Toklo told her.

  Kallik flexed her claws. “You know he’s too brave to say no.”

  Toklo gazed at her steadily. “If you don’t want us to ask him, then we won’t.”

  Kallik turned to watch Yakone. He had limped down to the stream to drink and was leaning over the water, lapping. She had to ask him. He’d never forgive her if she didn’t give him a chance to help them.

  Lusa shifted her paws. “What do you think?”

  Kallik growled quietly. “I’ll ask him,” she agreed. Toklo was right. The coyotes would keep chasing them until Yakone collapsed from exhaustion. This was the only way they’d get rid of them. She caught Lusa’s eye. “But we can’t leave him long enough for the coyotes to hurt him.”

  “We won’t,” Lusa promised.

  Toklo puffed out his chest. “I’ll fight to the death to protect him.”

  Kallik took a breath. She knew Toklo meant it, and her heart lifted. But how could she ask Yakone to lie still while the coyotes closed in? She could picture their jaws snapping beside his pelt. They’d be close enough to really hurt him. They might even kill him. She shuddered.

  “It’s okay if he says no,” Toklo said.

  Of course he won’t say no. Paws heavy, Kallik padded to the nest.

  Yakone had returned to the soft leaves and was inspecting his paw again. It was dripping from the stream. His wound gaped, red and raw.

  “Yakone?”
/>   He didn’t look up. “It’s a bit of a mess,” he huffed.

  Kallik padded closer. “Yakone.”

  “What?” His gaze darkened as it met hers. “What’s wrong?”

  Kallik sat down. “Can you see the coyotes at the top of the cliff?”

  Yakone jerked his head up, blinking. “Toklo mentioned coyotes. Are they the same ones?”

  Kallik nodded. “They’ve been following us since you hurt your paw.”

  “I wondered what the foul stench was,” Yakone muttered. “I thought it was Lusa’s herbs.”

  “This is serious!” Kallik growled.

  Yakone frowned. “You think I don’t know that?” He held up his paw. “This is what they’re following, isn’t it? It’s my trail of blood that they’re tracking.”

  Kallik’s throat tightened. “No one’s blaming you.”

  “I am,” Yakone snapped. “If I’d looked where I was going, I wouldn’t be in this mess.” He closed his eyes. “I’ve put you all in danger.”

  Kallik turned as paws rattled the pebbles behind her.

  “We take care of one another.” Toklo stopped at her side. “If one of us is hurt, the others protect them and help them heal.”

  Yakone’s gaze flashed. “But I’m not one of you, am I?”

  Kallik bristled. “Of course you are! You swam after Chenoa. You found roots for Lusa. You’ve learned to hunt like a brown bear.”

  Yakone dropped his gaze. “But now I’m a burden.”

  “Do you want to help us?” Toklo asked briskly.

  “Yes.” Yakone shifted on his rump.

  “We need to shake off the coyotes.”

  Yakone leaned forward. “How?”

  “We need to draw them out,” Toklo explained. “But they won’t come close until they think you’re dead.”

  Kallik sat beside Yakone. Her chest tightened. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “No, you don’t,” Toklo agreed. “But if you pretend to be dead, long enough to bring the coyotes to you, we can take them by surprise. Once they see we’re ready to fight to protect you, they’ll back off.”

  Yakone’s pelt spiked up. “You want me to lie down like dead prey.”