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the distance. Never in his memory had the Five Communities been so upset.
    A sudden quick scuffling from the rear of the courtyard caught his attention, and he turned to see Doubtful squeezing his small body under the back gate.
    Boy Jaim said, “Why didn’t you bark? I’d have let you in.”
    â€œDidn’t want to bother you,” Doubtful told him. “You got things figured out now?”
    â€œHardly. All I know is what I’ve got to do.”
    â€œThat’s what I mean. You taking me?”
    â€œNo. It wouldn’t be safe.”
    The dog looked at him reproachfully. “Be safer with me.”
    â€œMaybe it would. So you know where I’m going, do you?”
    â€œSure. Always know.”
    L’Mara arrived then, coming so swiftly that she was forced to bank and circle before she could manage a sideslip and spin into the courtyard. It took unusual skill and quickness, for the sled she was using hadn’t been built for that sort of flying. Just watching it gave Boy Jaim a chill.
    â€œAre you crazy?” he snapped at her. “When I told you to hurry I didn’t mean for you to pull any silly tricks—”
    â€œI know what I’m doing!” she flared back. She shook her bronze hair from her face and glared at him with her big eyes full of fire. For a moment she looked like an angry little red squirrel. Then she wilted and became very small and young and frightened.
    â€œI—I’m sorry, Boy Jaim. It seems like everybody’s gone crazy, and it’s got me all upset. Why did that horrible beast have to come here and ruin everything?”
    â€œI can’t understand it,” he muttered, as he leaped aboard after Doubtful. “But maybe it’s a good thing he came. Let’s get on to Emmon’s.”
    She sent the sled upward and turned it toward the Elder’s distant hill. “W-what did you mean by saying it’s a good thing? I don’t see anything good about it. It’s awful!”
    He drew a deep breath. “Look, L’Mara, something’s going to happen, and that bear knows it. If he hadn’t come, we might have been caught by it. But now, maybe I can find out in time so we’ll know what to do. Don’t you see?”
    She nodded quickly. “Emmon thinks—well, wait till you talk to him. Father’s furious with you for running off. He’d hurried to cut out some special tips for you, but when you wouldn’t come home he called over Hiras and the other members of your archery team. Before they could get their arrows ready, the North Com team flew down, and then Councilman Traml came with a chemical he’d mixed—”
    â€œHey,” he interrupted. “What’s going on?”
    â€œI—I told you everyone’s gone crazy. It’s the bear—being allowed to kill it, I mean.”
    â€œBut—” A new kind of horror was rising in him. “Are—are you trying to tell me they all want to kill it?”
    â€œYes. Everybody wants to—even Father! The North Com team has challenged the West Com team to see who can locate it and put the first arrow in it. The East Com team wants to take part. They’re supposed to be getting ready to fight off goats, but they’re coming anyway—and the South Com team as well.”
    â€œBut didn’t Emmon tell them what the bear is like? Don’t they realize what will happen if they get too close to it?”
    â€œOf course Emmon told them! Do you think that made any difference? They don’t really believe him. They want to kill that bear. A lot of them are being stiff-backed and noble about it, as if they were everyone’s saviors—and some are even saying you ran off because you were afraid—but the truth is they’re all secretly excited about going hunting and killing something.” She paused and gave him a quick, worried look. “W-what are you going to do, Boy