The Longest Day Read Free Page A

the bears. They stopped near the spot at the lake’s edge where Oogrook used to sit. Water lapped at a small pile of rocks and sticks, placed there deliberately. “His spirit runs with the currents now,” Shesh murmured.
    As Toklo stared at the ripples, he heard a friendly growl. “Are you the bear who swam to Pawprint Island?”
    Tuari had followed them to the pile of stones. Two cubs peered from behind his wide haunches; they looked so similar that Toklo guessed they were denmates.
    â€œHe can’t be! He’s too young!” the she-cub huffed.
    â€œThat’s what made it so special,” her brother chuffed.
    â€œElki! Elsu! Be quiet!” Holata lumbered over and scolded the cubs.
    â€œWe’re only talking to Toklo!” protested the she-cub.
    â€œThey’re not bothering me—” Toklo began.
    Holata cut him off. “Come away,” he snapped. Elki and Elsu trotted obediently over to him.
    Tuari stayed where he was, gazing at Toklo. “ You made the fish come back!”
    A she-bear hurried closer. “That’s what I heard, too! Youmade Arcturus send them back to the rivers and the lakes.”
    More bears gathered around him. Toklo’s pelt twitched self-consciously as they stared at him.
    â€œThanks to you, I’ve had a full belly since last fishleap!” Tuari barked.
    Toklo backed toward the water, his hindpaw grazing Oogrook’s memorial of sticks and stones.
    â€œDon’t be shy.” Shesh nudged his shoulder. “We’re grateful to you. You were a brave cub.”
    Toklo was proud, but the gaze of so many bears felt hotter than the burn-sky sun. “I was happy I could do it,” he mumbled. “I just wanted to help—” His voice trailed away as he caught sight of a huge brown bear with glossy fur the color of bark. Toklo recognized him at once, and his heart sank.
    â€œYou wanted to prove you were better than anyone else!” Hattack snarled, his black eyes glittering with dislike. “ I was going to swim to the island, but you butted in before I could offer.”
    â€œThat’s not true!” Toklo growled. Hattack had claimed he couldn’t swim to Pawprint Island because he had cramps in his legs. He’d been the bears’ strongest swimmer, but he’d let Toklo take his place.
    A she-bear pushed in beside Hattack and glared at Toklo. “You came to show off at the last gathering, and now you’re here to show off again!”
    â€œHe’s not showing off, Wenona!” Tuari objected.
    Anger surged through Toklo’s pelt. Why would he show off? He’d been scared half to death on the swim to PawprintIsland, and he hadn’t asked anyone to thank him for it now.
    He felt Shesh shift beside him. “It’s too hot to argue. Let’s hunt instead.” The old bear nodded toward the trees. “We can find out if Holata is right about pine forests being the best place for prey.”
    Holata snapped his head around as he heard his name. He narrowed his eyes warily.
    Toklo didn’t like the tension that swirled around the gathering, as stifling as the hot wind whisking down from the hills. Oogrook should be here. He guessed that more than one of the bears was silently hoping to take the old leader’s place.
    He said out loud, “That’s a good idea, Shesh. Let’s hunt.” Chasing prey might ease the bears’ hunger—for food and for leadership. At least it would take their minds off it for a while.
    Toklo let Hattack, Holata, and Wenona take the lead, and walked between Shesh and Tuari as they climbed the shore and pushed their way into the ferns. Coolness swept over his pelt as he padded beneath the pines.
    â€œHolata!” A young bear’s call sounded from behind. Elki and Elsu were scrambling through the ferns, their eyes shining with excitement.
    â€œGo back to your mother!” Holata snapped. “We’re