white gold necklace inlayed with opal.

 “This is beautiful” Jenna whispered gazing at it.

“And it will set you back half a million” Onyx replied.

“That much for once piece!”

“Oh yeh, you see that layered necklace on the top shelf, made from white gold, diamonds, amethysts and opals?” Onyx asked pointing to a stunning piece in a case behind the counter. “That will set you back one point five million.”

“I never knew jewellery could cost so much.”

“Say Onyx how about we give these girls a tour of the town?” Ember suggested. “Prevent them land themselves in trouble.”

“Good thinking, come on.”

     Leaving the shop the four headed away from the posh area into the places where the average residents congregated. Soon they arrived at the bustling market, their senses overloaded with different sights, smells and sounds. The market was a hive of activity, stall holders called out their prices, carts full of goods travelled back and forth, dogs barked out greetings and townsfolk haggled for the best deal. Walking between stalls Jenna and Venus looked around them, Venus finding the different accents hard to understand and slightly unsure of herself. Jenna found herself thinking of how different Nome was, excited to be at a market in a city and curios about what else she would see.

 “This is a wonderful place I have not been here before” Venus commented as they walked.

“How come? You’ve lived here your entire life!” Ember replied in surprise.

“Well the grocer delivers the fruit and vegetables and there are plenty of stores selling food further in town” Venus replied as they passed a stall selling leather goods.

 “She does have a point Ember in her neighbourhood there are plenty of fancy food shops” Onyx said. “Her kind have no reason to mix with we riff raff.”

“You are no riff raff Onyx” Jenna replied.

“To dogs of Venus’s class he is, you don’t really get in Jenna, in Nome it’s different but not here” Ember replied shaking his head.

 “Speaking of Nome, won’t Rosie be getting worried about you?” asked Onyx as they left the market. “It was gone four when we left the shop, might be time you girls went home, this part of town isn’t safe for girls like you at night.”

“But it is not even evening time yet” Jenna replied as they passed the town hall. “In Nome I stay out much later.”

“Onyx is right Jen this isn’t Nome, you could both wind up in trouble pretty fast. Come on I’ll take you both home.”

“Good thinking Ember I have to get back to the shop” Onyx replied. “It’s been great to meet both of you.”

 “Bye Onyx.”

“See you soon Onyx.”

“Right now then girls” Ember said turning to Jenna and Venus “It is time I took you home, come on lead the way.”

    Walking back through town the trio passed shops that were shutting as the town wound down for the evening. Passing through town the trio chatted as they walked, engaging in a spontaneous race through the streets, their barks full of joy. Arriving in Venus’s neighbourhood they slowed, Ember gazing around him as he had not been to that part of town before. After leaving Venus at her house, Jenna and Ember made their way to Jenna’s home, arriving to find a very angry Princess waiting for her on the front porch next to Rosie.

“Hi Jenna I wondered where you had been all day” Rosie said hugging Jenna. “Ember I hoped I would see you.”

   Wagging his tail Ember licked Rosie’s cheek as she placed one arm around him, glad to see his sister’s owner again. With a quick bark and lick on Jenna’s cheek Ember was off, jumping over the gate in a swift bound.

 “You must have had an adventure today Jenna” Rosie replied as she walked back inside.

“Jenna what on earth were you thinking going off into town alone? If anyone had seen you think of the scandal it would have caused!”

“All I wanted to do was to see the city, where is the harm in that?”

“Jenna you do not understand the social implications.”

“You just want me to be caged. You cannot expect me to spend all my time here.”

“I expect you to behave like a lady.”

“I come from a town in the wilderness, I am used to freedom and I don’t need protecting. Besides I had to find my brother Ember, you don’t understand me Princess” Jenna replied walking into the house.

         The weeks passed slowly, when she was not with Rosie, Jenna spent a lot of time with Ember. Her friendship with Onyx grew and Jenna became confused over her feelings for the handsome Alsatian. Venus was the fourth member of the quartet, all spent time having fun around Juneau. Out with Rosie one day Jenna watched as a letter was sent to Steel’s owner Richard, glad that Steel and Balto would hear of her adventures.

     On day in mid August Jenna was playing in the park when to her surprise, Onyx turned up holding a flower in his mouth.

 “Jenna hi this is for you” he said dropping the flower at her feet.

“Onyx thank you this is beautiful” Jenna replied blushing slightly.

“I was wondering the Grand Theatre is premiering its new play on Friday. Going to be a huge occasion half the town will be there, I’m going, would you like to go with me?”

“Yes. I mean I would be glad to go with you.”

“Great that’s great, I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“Sure see you then.”

   Blushing Onyx walked off through the park as Jenna smiled to herself as she walked over to the pond. Looking into the pond Jenna watched the ducks swim by.

“Wow I cannot believe Onyx just as me out, I never expected that, he must really like me. I never thought he would like me in that way I am only his friend’s sister.” 

    On Friday night Jenna stood on the front porch wearing her pink collar, her fur washed and brushed. Then her eyes fell on Onyx who was walking up the path wearing a silver collar with an onyx stone hanging from it.

“Hi Jenna wow you look beautiful.”

“Thank you Onyx is that a piece of onyx hanging from your collar?

“Yes it is, it wasn’t good enough to go into a piece so my owner put it on a collar, do you like it?”

“Yes it suits you.”

“Perhaps we could find a stone that suits you” Onyx suggested as they left the garden.

     As they walked to the streets they received a few stares as they walked through the neighbourhood, many of the dogs surprised to see a downtown dog with an uptown girl. Arriving at the theatre they were met by a crowd of people a mixture of guests and media, as well as a large crowd of dogs. On spotting the pair one of the theatre dogs came over and guided them into the theatre through the performer’s entrance. Walking in Jenna gazed in awe at its size and opulence of the place. The curtain came down, the orchestra began to play and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth began. The performance brought cheers from the audience, many shrieking with fear when a ghost appeared through the trap door.

       The play ended with tremendous applause, the press running back to their offices, the cast heading to a restaurant for a party and the audience spilling out into the streets. Walking home Jenna and Onyx chatted about the play arriving at Jenna’s house sooner than expected.

 “I had fun tonight Onyx thank you for taking me out.”

   “It was my pleasure, would you like to go with me another night?”

“I would.”

    On impulse Onyx kissed Jenna on the cheek both blushing red as Jenna walked inside the house. Lying down on Rosie’s bed that night Jenna thought about her date with Onyx as huge smile on her face as she fell to sleep.

    Over the next couple of weeks Jenna and Onyx grew closer, going on dates and spending a lot of their time together. While this was happening, the trial that Arthur was persecuting was drawing to a close with the humans growing increasingly concerned about the coming of winter. The first of September arrived, Tillie, Rosie and William went back to school and talk turned to Tillie’s birthday on the 14th of the month. In secret discussions the parents planned her party, deciding that Tillie’s friends could bring their dogs with them. While Tillie was at school Judith shopped for Tillie’s present with Jenna joining her on a couple of occasions. In amongst the human planning Princess instructed Jenna on how to be the perfect hostess, something which the young husky found confusing. Finally the big day arrived, all of Tillie’s friends arrived at the house. The party was a success a good time was had by all dogs and humans alike.

    A couple of days after Tillie’s party Jenna sat with Ember on a roof overlooking the port, beneath them the people of Juneau went about their daily lives. Looking at his sister Ember could tell that something was wrong.

  “You feeling alright Jen? You’ve been a bit distant with me the past couple of days.”

“My time here is coming to an end Ember. Next week the jury will