The Prince Who Fell From the Sky Read Online Free PDF Page B

looked with confusion to the other wolves atop the rise, but they said nothing.
    The eyes moved closer. For a moment Rend thought the eyes were simply hovering in the darkness. Then, as a set of white teeth flashed briefly, she understood that,unlike the rest of the gray-coated wolves, Ogeema Dire’s fur was black.
    He stepped out from the alcove, moving so silently and gracefully that he could have been mist. Circling around Rend and Gall, the Ogeema paused before the guard, who was only half his size. “Well, this is most generous of you … what is your name, guard?”
    “Goad,” the wolf replied.
    “Yes, forgive me, Goad. Of course. This is kind of you to bring your Summer’s End tribute early.” The Ogeema eyed Rend and Gall hungrily. “You clearly know my weakness for yellow backs. I will enjoy them immensely.”
    Gall’s back legs gave out, and he whimpered as he tried to rise again.
    “My Ogeema,” the guard said. “No. I’m sorry, I didn’t bring them for you to … what I mean, my general, is these coyotes bring news. From Chief Alioth’s range.”
    The black wolf’s eyes narrowed. “The bears?”
    “Yes, my Ogeema.”
    The Ogeema glared at him. “You could not have carried their message to me, guard?”
    “Well, yes … but I thought it best for you to hear it directly from them, my general.”
    The guard cringed, but the Ogeema said, “Very well. Return to your post.” The Ogeema watched Goad ashe and the other guards trotted away. The Ogeema’s mismatched eyes lingered on them until they were gone. Without turning his head, the Ogeema asked, “Have the pickings grown so scarce in Chief Alioth’s range?”
    Rend didn’t realize the Ogeema was addressing her until he turned to look at her.
    “What do you mean?” she asked, remembering to add, “My Ogeema.”
    “You want something. Usually it is better hunting grounds. The few that have managed to outwit my guards to gain an audience with me often ask to be allowed the last of the carcasses after my wolves are finished. Food. That’s what it often comes down to, doesn’t it?
    “If it’s not better eating you seek,” he continued, “maybe it is territory. The others in your pack are attacking your young, or maybe it’s my wolves?”
    “I’m not here for that, my Ogeema,” Rend said.
    “But you’re here for something,” the Ogeema whispered. Rend noticed a pale scar beneath the fur at Dire’s throat and wondered if it was the cause of his quiet voice. “They always come to me wanting something. But it is customary to offer some token. What have you brought me, coyote? Is it your companion?”
    Gall collapsed.
    “No, my Ogeema,” Rend quickly said. “This is my mate. I apologize that I have no token to offer you, but you will understand once you hear what I have to say.”
    The Ogeema growled, circling Gall, who had rolled onto his back with his legs limply sticking up as if he were already dead. “I care nothing for gossip, coyote! Whatever you have overheard Chief Alioth blabbering is worthless to me.”
    “It is not gossip I bring,” Rend said, considering whether she would defend Gall if the Ogeema sank his teeth into his exposed stomach. He was a terrible coward, but he was the father of her pups, after all. To win the Ogeema’s favor, however, might be worth his life.
    “My guard said—” the Ogeema began.
    “I lied to him,” Rend interrupted. “What I have to tell is too important to give to any lesser wolf, my Ogeema.”
    The Ogeema turned from Gall. His expression changed. His jaws relaxed and his ears perked up. “You have gravel guts, don’t you, coyote?”
    Rend felt pleasure at this but knew better than to let a compliment get the better of her. She had to stay focused and to use all her cleverness and courage. “I admit I have no love of the bears,” she said. “And if what I tell you drives them from my territory, then I won’t whine.”
    “So speak, coyote. And quickly, while your