consign it to a distant memory.”

“Balto there is something you have to know,” Aniu began hurriedly. “Jenna……….”

“NO Mother! I don’t want to hear about it Jenna least of all. It’s been difficult enough moving on from her. She means nothing to me a dog in my past that is,” Balto replied walking over to where Mist, Pukiq, Mat and Arden played in the snow.

        Watching him play Aniu hung her head sadly both for Balto and for little Rosa who dreamed for her father. For Aniu had wanted to tell Balto about his children, she had not been expecting his reaction about news from Nome.  

“Yet perhaps Balto’s reaction is best for all concerned. Knowledge of his pup’s existence would only cause pain for him and they are raised as dogs. My son wished to start a new. By keeping silence I am allowing him that chance. For the past to remain in the past………… to allow all to move on with their lives…………..Rosa or her siblings would be unable to find Balto without my help and Jenna would not allow them to run off into the wilderness alone. She would talk to them of the practicalities of such a plan, she would prevent them from taking such a path so would their own common sense. Both groups could be happy apart so lifting the shadow the past. The past cannot be changed. What good would come from a meeting between Balto and his pups?” Aniu thought looking down at her sons playing. “I know what the future would have been had Balto saved the children, of Alue who would have been born and become a pack leader and Rosa who would have walked a different path. Will two futures now become one or will Rosa’s fate remain the same?”

 Part 3

   Father’s Legacy

  March 1927

    Jenna, Rosa, Arthur, Violet stood at the side of the racetrack in Nome. In Violet’s arms was a baby of eight months, her and Arthur’s son. Two years had passed since the epidemic had rocked Nome; at last the town and its inhabitants had begun to heal. For Arthur and Violet this had come in the form of their son who had brought light back into their lives. Time had also healed Jenna; the pain of losing Rosie had eased as she had concentrated on raising her pups and caring for Arthur and Violet’s son.

      Up above a gun blasted announcing the one mile marker of the race. In the distance the sound of dogs drifted into the ears of the spectators. Around a corner two teams appeared one led by Kaltag, the other by Steel. Running in Kaltag’s team were Star and Kodi. Catching sight of his former teammate Kaltag gritted his teeth and flashed a look at Star, who nodded in return. Drawing on all his strength Kaltag increased his speed, for a while both teams were neck and neck. In a flash Kaltag’s team broke away from Steel’s, crossing the line first and winning the race. Standing on the sidelines Rosa and Jenna cheered with delight, Jenna’s heart bursting with pride. As the dogs slipped out of their harnesses the pair ran over to congratulate them.

“Uncle Star Uncle Kaltag that was AMAZING! Kodi you were so fast,” Rosa shouted wagging her tail.

“He sure was, Kodi will be a lead dog one day,” Kaltag laughed as Jenna licked Kodi.

“Moommm people are watching. You really think so Uncle Kaltag?” Kodi asked with delight.

“Sure you will Kodi you have talent,” Star replied as the team gathered around.

“You were all wonderful I am sure you will be overall winners this season,” Jenna said looking at her friends.

“I hope so Jenna. Winning this race was a pleasure,” Kaltag replied.

“Seeing the look on Steel’s face was reward enough,” Star said grinning. “He could not believe we beat him.”

“Steel’s reign as top dog is fading,” shouted Kirby who was on the team. “We see him for what he is. No it is us and dogs like Kodi who are the future.”

“That’s true Kodi and his friends are the future,” Kaltag replied proudly, looking at Kodi and a female dog called Dusty who was also a member of the team.

“Uncle Kaltag do you think my Father would be proud of me?” Kodi asked quietly, a little unsure of what the answer would be.

“He would be very proud of you Kodi, he dreamed of being a sled dog,” Kaltag answered aware of how important the answer was for Kodi.

“He did?”

“He did and was good enough to be in a team, he could have been greater than Steel. You are just as fast as he was,” Star replied, knowing full well how important the answer was to Kodi.

“I’d love to tell him I’m on your team,” Kodi replied as Steel walked over to them.

        Silence descended on the team as they waited for Steel’s reaction, well aware of the past and tensions. Kaltag stared proudly at his former team mate, hatred burning in his eyes as Kaltag had been unable to forgive Steel for his actions during the epidemic.

“Congratulations on your win Kaltag you raced well, your teams is now seconds in the overall rankings,” Steel said graciously.

“Thanks Steel your team nearly won thought,” Star replied unsure of Steel’s intent.

“A very close race, I’m impressed,” Steel replied fixing his eyes on Kodi. “Well done kid you race well for a rookie.”

“Thanks Steel,” Kodi replied, surprised Steel was talking to him.

“I call it as I see it, I know a future lead dog when I see one,” Steel replied walking over to Jenna. “So Jenna little changes, you still watch races, listen how about we go someone together tonight.”

“Sorry Steel I have places to be,” Jenna replied moving away from Steel, all too aware of lustful look in his eyes.

“Come now Jenna, I only want an hour of your time for dinner, your pups can take care of themselves,” Steel replied placing a leg around her shoulder.

“My Mother said no Steel,” Rosa said pushing in between the two dogs. “Leave her alone, if she had wanted to join you she would have agreed.”

“Ah Rosa as always so refreshing to see you, this is not your place little wolf.”

“Be very careful of what you say Steel,” Kodi snarled stepping forward.

“Relax kid I mean no offense to your sister.”

        Ignoring Kodi, Steel turned his attention back to Rosa, the mixed feelings about her surfacing again. For Rosa was a problem for Steel, as thought she looked like both her parents, Balto who he hated and Jenna who he desired above all else. This mean his treatment of Rosa was always uncertain. What Steel was sure of was that he did not hate Rosa as he had done her father, most of the time he ignored her. This was not shared by other dogs in town that were outright hostile to Rosa and took any opportunity to make her life difficult.

“You need to relax around me Rosa, I don’t treat you the way other dogs in town do.”

“You dare and you will be sorry,” Jenna snapped stepping in. “I’ve not forgotten the past Steel or what you did.”

“Still the same old opinion of me Jenna, I made a mistake all those years ago, for that I am sorry. Think on my offer Jenna, you are still a pretty dog, we could be happy together.”

“I could never be happy with you,” Jenna snapped flicking her tail in disgust. “Kodi, Rosa let’s leave.”

“Sure Mom, come on guys lets go celebrate,” Kodi replied looking at his teammates.   

“You could if you gave me a chance,” Steel replied as Jenna, Kodi and Rosa began to walk away. “Balto abandoned you. Accept it Jenna he’s never coming back, you need to move on with your life.”

“DON’T YOU DARE SAY THAT!” Jenna shouted turning on her heal and slapping Steel across the face. “He will come back when he is ready and we will be happy.”

“Ah that hurt. You’re dreaming Jenna, he’s never coming back,” Steel spat, his eyes glinting with danger.

“Mom come on, he isn’t worth it,” Kodi said as he and Rosa gathered around Jenna.

        Walking away Jenna shot Steel a look of pure hatred, yet in the deepest part of her heart she knew he spoke true. His words had hurt deeply and yet she could not deny Steel was a handsome dog.

“Don’t be a fool Jenna you love Balto. Steel drove him away from you; remember that Steel caused Rosie’s death. Balto is your true love, he will come back to you, and in your heart you know that.”

        Walking away from the race track the sled team regrouped behind the cinema and soon a lively party had emerged. Dogs chatted while dogs attached to the theatre performed popular songs on a set of barrels, dragging members of the crowd up to join them. A rustle of wings accounted the arrival of Boris and his wife Stella, the pair landing gracefully in front of Kodi and Kirby who stood chatting.

“Hi Uncle Boris Aunt Stella,” Kodi said wagging his tail in greeting.

“Afternoon Kodi, so then race winner,” Boris said proudly ruffling Kodi’s fur.

“That was one heck of a close race at one point Steels team looked certain to win,” Stella said as Rosa walked