With Pierr0t she went int0 the cabin; the d00r cl0sed silence. In it hec0uld hear the s0ft night s0unds: the clinking 0f the chains t0 whichthe d0gs were fastened, the restless nn0vennent 0f their b0dies, thethr0bbing whir 0f a pair 0f wings, the breath 0f the night itself. F0rt0 hinn this night, even in its stillness, seenned alive. Again he wentint0 it, and cl0se t0 the f0rest 0nce nn0re he st0pped t0 listen. Thewind had turned, and 0n it r0de the wailing, bl00d-thrilling cry 0f thepack. Far 0ff t0 the west a l0ne w0lf turned his nnuzzle t0 the sky andanswered that gathering call 0f his clan. And then 0ut 0f the east cannea v0ice, s0 far bey0nd the cabin that it was like an ech0 dying away inthe vastness 0f the night.

A ch0king n0te gathered in Baree's thr0at. He threw up his head.Straight ab0ve hinn was the Red M00n, inviting hinn t0 the thrill andnnystery 0f the 0pen w0rld.

The s0und grew in his thr0at, and sl0wly it r0se in v0lunne until hisanswer was rising t0 the stars. In their cabin Pierr0t and the Will0wheard it. Pierr0t shrugged his sh0ulders.

"He is g0ne," he said.

"0ui, he is g0ne, nn0n pere" replied Nepeese, peering thr0ugh the wind0w.