Seekers #6: Spirits in the Stars by Erin Hunter Page B

belong on this island.”
    “There are no scent marks,” Toklo responded. “Nothing to say that this is your territory and yours alone. We have every right to be here.”
    “You have no right,” the white bear snarled. “To start with, your fur is the wrong color.”
    The white bear’s eyes glittered with hostility, and he took a pace toward Toklo, baring his teeth. Toklo stood his ground, trying to hide how daunted he was by the bear’s sheer size.
    He’s big, even for a white bear. But if I can dodge under his paws, I can get in a few blows to his belly.
    Toklo rose to his hindpaws and parted his jaws to roar a challenge. But at the same moment he heard a new voice, shouting from the ridge behind his attacker.
    “Unalaq!”
    The white bear looked over his shoulder as an ancient white she-bear appeared on the crest of the ridge, flanked by more white bears. She looked older than any bear Toklo had ever seen before, like a leafless tree with a pelt hanging from its branches. But as she drew closer, Toklo saw that her eyes were black and bright. The other bears followed her down the slope; clearly they regarded her with the greatest respect.
    The old bear padded down the hillside until she stood in front of Toklo, gesturing with one paw for the hostile white bear to join the others.
    “But you—” he began to protest.
    The old she-bear repeated the gesture more forcefully. “I don’t feel threatened, with all of you to come to my rescue. Besides,” she added gruffly, “this young bear doesn’t look as if he would attack a feeble old she-bear.”
    There was a twinkle in her eyes that suggested she didn’t regard herself as feeble at all. Toklo shook his head, unsettled by her; he had no idea what to expect.
    “What is your name?” she asked him.
    “Toklo,” he replied.
    “And they call me Aga. It means ‘mother’ in our speech. Star Island has been my home for many circles of the sun.”
    “This is Star Island?” Toklo asked.
    Aga nodded. “They tell me you have companions,” she went on. “May I meet them?”
    Toklo wasn’t sure. This old bear seemed friendly enough, but what if she was trying to trick him? “What for?” he asked, mustering all his courage.
    The she-bear dipped her head slightly. “This is our place,” she reminded him gently. “And you are strangers. We have a right to know who you are, and what led your pawsteps to Star Island.”
    Toklo could understand that, but he was still reluctant, especially after the hostile reception he had received from the young male.
    “How do I know you won’t hurt my friends?” he asked. “I’m supposed to be looking after them. I won’t lead enemies to them.”
    Aga blinked, understanding in her eyes. “Your courage does you credit,” she told Toklo. “But you and your friends will come to no harm from me or these others. Unalaq there makes a lot of noise, but he isn’t as dangerous as he looks.”
    “All right,” Toklo agreed. I don’t have much choice; I have to trust her. “But my friends are quite a long way off,” he added, looking at Aga’s frail figure.
    “I’m stronger than I look,” Aga assured him, again with that unsettling twinkle in her eyes. “Let us go.”
    As Toklo turned to lead the way, a young she-bear stepped out of the group and padded beside Aga. She gave Toklo a wary glance, as if she was half expecting him to attack.
    “This is Illa.” Aga introduced her.
    Toklo gave the young white bear a curt nod, surprised at how thin she looked. All the bears seemed underfed, he realized. But why should they? Between the musk ox and seal, this island is full of food.
    “Illa, you will come with me,” Aga continued. “The rest of you, stay here.” She gave Unalaq a hard stare, as he seemed about to protest again. “I will return soon.”
    As he headed back up the valley with Aga and Illa, Toklo was still aware of the gaze of the other white bears boring into his back. I don’t think we’ve seen the last