blow on target. Katya rolled over and picked up his spear. When Mark attacked him next, he parried the blow and using the blunt end of his spear smashed Mark on his shoulders. Mark fell down screaming in pain. Katya walked to him and kicked the spear away from his hand.

Mark clenched his injured shoulder. 'Please... stop...' he stammered.

'No,' said Katya. With a slow, well-aimed punch he broke Mark's nose.

There was an outcry in the camp. The whole group had gathered around Katya. Aunt Yukai was cleaning the blood from Mark's broken nose and applying a herbal paste. Kiara sat next to Rob on the ground, running her hands through his hair. He had a black eye and a swollen face.

The Professor was seething. 'The boy needs tobe punished,' he screamed.

'They were troubling Orinon,' Katya snapped.

'Did we hurt him?' Rob spat out bitterly. 'Look at him. He is perfectly fine!'

'Did they mistreat you?' Atuqtuaq asked Orinon.

Orinon looked down on the ground, red-faced. He was too embarrassed to admit that he was bullied. He cleared his throat. 'No,' he said quietly. 'We were just playing.'

Katya stared at his brother, shocked. 'But...'

Atuqtuaq looked straight at Katya. 'You disappoint me.'

Katya didn't know what to say. 'I...'

'He needs to be punished,' said the Professor furiously.

'And he will be,' said Atuqtuaq.

Katya looked at his father, perplexed. His father didn't understand. His father didn't see. They are dangerous. They have to be controlled. They should know that we will strike back if they try anything. Don't you see that?

'From today you