Prologue

           Thewindshriekedlikeachildinpain.

           Theherdofshoveltuskhuddledtogetherforwarmth,theirthick,shaggycoatsprotectingthemfromtheworstofthestorm.Theyformedacircle,withthecalvesshiveringandbleatinginthecenter.Theirheads,eachcrownedwithamassiveantler,droopedtowardthesnow-coveredearth,eyesshutagainstthewhirlingsnow.Theirownbreathfrostedtheirmuzzlesastheyplantedthemselvesandendured.

           ...Intheirvariousdens,thewolvesandbearswaitedoutthestorms,onewiththecomfortoftheirpack,theothersolitaryandresigned.Whatevertheirhunger,nothingwoulddrivethemforthuntilafterthekeeningwindhadceaseditsweepingandtheblindingsnowhadwornitselfout.

           Thewind,roaringinfromtheoceantobeatatthevillageofKamagua,toreatthehidesthatstretchedoverframesmadeofthebonesofgreatseacreatures.Whenthestormpassed,thetuskarrwhosehomethishadbeenforyearsuncountedknewtheywouldneedtorepairorreplacenetsandtraps.Theirdwellings,sturdythoughtheywere,werealwaysharmedwhenthisstormdescended.Theyhadallgatheredinsidethelargegroupdwellingthathadbeendugdeepintotheearth,lacingtheflapstightagainstthestormandlightingsmokyoillamps.

           ElderAtuikwaitedinstoicsilence.Hehadseenmanyofthesestormsoverthelastsevenyears.Longhadhelived,thelengthandyellownessofhistusksandthewrinklesonhisbrownskintestamenttothefact.