Qeya River three

Nagruk settles, her nub-tail stirring the snow at her rear as she watches the woman work the trails. Many here are stale now, but Saatsine still hunted the taiga freely. She, an outsider, is right to be cautious.

She speaks and Nagruk listens to the question that has often occupied her thoughts since her arrival. "That depends," a tilt of a dark muzzle betrays her confliction. "Sun Clan roams these lands as the caribou do. But much is changing. One-Eye's cubs will be born soon - and others too will join them," she explains, thinking of Sivaak. As far as she knew, Chieftain may well have sired her litter too.

"They have settled for now until their cubs grow strong. This is the time they will be most vulnerable... and most vigilant." There is opportunity here, as there is challenge. The three are not equipped to launch a full-scale invasion without themselves being torn to shreds by a slew of angry clanmen and women - and Nagruk is not convinced she wants to.

Her eyes glitter dangerously. "Our numbers are small. Even if we conquer, who will follow? There must be other ways."