The Quest Begins Read Free Page A

still?” Kallik asked. “Does that mean it doesn’t know we’re coming?”
    â€œOne way to throw off your prey is to hide your scent,” Nisa said. “Like this—follow me.” She led them to a channelof melted water in the ice and they swam across one by one.
    â€œBlech, now my fur’s all wet,” Taqqiq complained, shaking himself as they climbed out the other side.
    â€œThat should make it harder to smell us coming,” Nisa said.
    â€œAnd that big, old bear back there won’t be able to follow our trail, either, right?” Kallik said.
    â€œHopefully,” Nisa said, touching Kallik’s muzzle with hers.
    As they got closer, the fishy scent got stronger, and Kallik could smell salt and blood and faraway ocean scents mingled with it. Soon she saw a dark shape lying on the ice. At first she thought it must be a giant seal, from the way the flippers were splayed out, but then she saw that it was the carcass of a whale. Huge chunks had been torn off it, and there were large bite marks and claw slashes in its side. The snow around it was covered in blood.
    â€œIt’s a gray whale,” Nisa explained. “Another bear must have killed it and dragged it onto the ice.”
    Kallik stared at the carcass in awe. It must have been a very strong bear to overpower something so big and pull it all the way out of the water. Even with the large bites taken out of it, there was still plenty for the three of them to eat. Hungrily, she stretched out her muzzle and tugged a piece of meat free.
    Nisa nudged her, making her drop the meat. “Don’t forget to express gratitude to the spirits of the ice,” Kallik’s mother said gently. “You must always remember that you are part of a bigger world.” She bowed her head and touched her nose to the ice. “We thank you, spirits of the ice, for guiding us to this meal,” she murmured. Kallik imitated her mother, whisperingthe same words, and Taqqiq followed. Then, with happy rumbles, they began to eat.
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    The fog had rolled away by the time night fell, and the stars shone brightly in a clear sky. Kallik sprawled on the ice, her full belly keeping her warm. Next to her were her mother and brother. Not a hint of a breeze stirred the fur on their shoulders; for once, the wind had died down and the sea far beneath the ice was silent.
    â€œMother?” Kallik asked. “Please tell me again about the spirits under the ice.”
    Taqqiq gave a little huff of laughter, but Nisa touched her nose to her daughter’s side with a serious expression.
    â€œWhen a white bear dies,” she said, “its spirit sinks into the ice, lower and lower, until all you can see is a shadow under the ice. But you shouldn’t be frightened of them, little star. The spirits are there to guide you. If you are a good bear, they will always be there to take care of you and help you find food or shelter.”
    â€œI’d rather you took care of me,” Kallik said with a shiver.
    â€œI’ll take care of you, too,” her mother promised.
    â€œWhat about the ice spots in the sky?” Kallik said, pointing her muzzle upward. “Aren’t those the spirits of bears, too?”
    â€œWhen the ice melts,” Nisa explained, “the bear spirits escape and drift up to the sky on the snow-winds, light as snowflakes, where they become stars. Those spirits are watching you, too, only from farther away.”
    â€œWhat about that star over there?” Taqqiq asked. “The onethat’s really bright. I’ve even seen it in the daytime, once, and it never moves like the others do.”
    â€œThat’s the Pathway Star,” Nisa said.
    â€œWhy is it called the Pathway Star?” Taqqiq prompted.
    â€œBecause if you follow it,” Nisa said solemnly, “it will lead you to a place far, far away where the ice never melts.”
    â€œNever?” Kallik gasped. “You