But Torak couldn't turn back now, and Wolf couldn't come with him. Torak cast him a reassuring glance and pressed on through the reed-bed, jumping from tussock to tussock. The sun was low, but with luck he would reach the healing spring before dusk. He couldn't wait till morning. The wound on his chest was burning, and had begun oozing yellow pus. The Soul-Eaters were reasserting their power.Uff!barked Wolf from the edge of the trees.Go back!Torak said in wolf talk. Through the reeds 225 he saw Wolf running in circles, whining. The rock face was as he remembered: steep, yet oddly enticing, with its waterfall misting the ferns. It was surprisingly easy to climb, with convenient footholds and bushes, but he was soon soaked in spray. Uff! Glancing down, Torak saw with a pang that Wolf was coming after him. But the rock face was too much for him. He leaped--clawed granite--and fell back with a yelp. It didn't help that Rip and Rek alighted on a ledge and laughed at him. Go back! Torak told him.I'm at the Den in the Light!He hated not being able to explain that he would be back soon; but in wolf talk there is no future.
