Frost Wolf by Kathryn Lasky

Author:Kathryn Lasky [Lasky, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780545388375
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2011-05-17T22:00:00+00:00

“I can’t say that I find snake exactly delicious — that would be an overstatement — but I think I prefer it to rat,” the Sark said.

It was their third day out, and the spoor trail was patchy at best. It went this way and it went that way. But the Sark was showing strength and energy and her usual persistence. When they holed up in an abandoned den or cave for rest, they often passed the hours in lengthy discussions about everything from the best fuels for fires to food.

“What about the snake eggs I found this morning?” Gwynneth asked.

“Definitely superior to Slough tern eggs. That of course is damning with faint praise. I can’t help but think my distaste for Slough tern has something to do with their obnoxious personalities. Although I suppose that’s something of a paradox — perhaps I should enjoy eating a creature that I find offensive in life.”

“I can’t believe you just said that, ma’am,” Gwynneth replied.

“Why ever not?” the Sark asked.

“You admire the caribou, don’t you? You consider them a noble breed.”

The Sark did not answer immediately. Her eye gave a skittish turn in its socket. “Ah! I see where this is going. Yes, I admire the caribou, I think they are noble. And so delicious! Point taken, Gwynneth. You are a clever owl.”

They were well into the Moon of the Mossflowers, perhaps one of the most beautiful of the summer moons. It was during this time that the harsh ground of the Beyond burst into flower with delicate white blossoms springing from the mossy expanse of the land. The blooms were no bigger than the dew claw of a pup and added a shimmer to the Beyond. Some wolves referred to this as the Moon of the Two Skies, for when darkness fell, it seemed as if both earth and sky were abloom with stars. This came in the middle of the summer moons and was normally the hottest time of the year. Soon after, the cooler ones blew through, beginning with the Caribou Moon. On its heels, like a point guard on prey in a byrrgis, came the Moon of the Frost Stars, the mildest of the three hunger moons. But this year, each moon brought only cold and want.

Nevertheless, this particular day dawned with a sudden heat, such as that of an early summer morning. The Sark stepped out of the cave, tipped her head up toward the ferocious sun, and bellowed, “Great Lupus! Enjoy it while it lasts — summer!” The Sark was not fool enough to think that a true summer had arrived, but the ever hopeful Gwynneth spread her wings and rose into the dazzling shafts of sunlight. She whooped joyously. “Glaux almighty, do you think we’ll see mossflowers?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” the Sark shouted back. “Is it hot enough to melt all this?” She tossed her head toward the mountainous drifts of snow the blizzard had left behind. “Never. Let’s hope for a bit of mushiness.”

But she knew that was a fragile hope at best.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.