'Everyone in Alaska knows about how you saved the children and won the race against the Bush Plane. Now they want you to lead a team to Anchorage from Koyuk!' Balto stared at him, speechlessly. Boris and Jenna looked aghast. 'They planned it long ago,' Mel went on, 'Anchorage also said that all the fastest and strongest dogs must join into three teams.'

Balto nodded. Then without another word, he turned towards the snowy bay. Jenna, Mel and Dipsy looked after him.

*

Balto sat down on the sand and watched the seagulls glide in the sky. How free and peaceful they seem, Balto thought, As if nothing could disturb them. He sighed enviously. How wonderful it would be to be like the seagull, born, celebrated as a new arrival, then slowly forgotten. Balto's fame due to his heroic act fetching the surum medicine hung over his life like a dark cloud. He wished he were free from it. He felt...almost used. As he walked slowly across the beach, some fishermen who were mending their nets, looked up at him and started talking quietly about something. Balto couldn't hear what thay were saying, but he hoped the conversation wasn't about him.

 

IV

Aleu gave a shuddering sigh as she looked down at her pack. She stood on the summit of a small rock pile. Eyes that were clouded with pain gazed dully back up at her. Thaze, guarded by Sleath and an amber-furred male wolf, sat submissively with head low. Aleu glared at him meaningfully, before turning to her pack. 'My Brothers and Sisters. I haven't been your leader for very long. Yet you have helped me and treated me like a sister, so I already feel at home in this pack. I feel I am truly part of it. And I mourn with you at the death of a reliable pack member.'

She glared at the witless Thaze. 'Thaze. You have disobeyed me,' she went on, 'You led the hunting party without permission and attacked a fellow pack member! Why? Anyone would think you were leading this pack yourself.'

All eyes flickered from Aleu to Thaze, wondering how would he respond. Still sitting, Thaze stared at his leader; his look of submissiveness had changed to fury.

    'Anyone...like Niju...'

 

 

Aleu froze.

    'He was willing to take over this pack before you came,' Thaze went on. Hhis guards snarled, but Thaze ignored them, 'You had no liberty to just come along and become our leader. You weren't born among us!'

Sleath spoke for Alue. 'She was chosen to lead us!'

    'She was born among dogs!' spat Thaze.

    'My destiny,' Aleu put in, 'was foretold me, to leave my family and lead you. If I hadn't, you would never have survived.' With these words Thaze sprang up at her with open jaws. Sleath and another wolf pushed him down quickly. He howled.

    'I would rather follow another wolf, than you! Arrrrk!!!' Sleath swiftly nipped him, subduing him to silence. The pack were backing away, whispering. Only Aleu didn't move. She was thinking. Thaze was reluctant to live under her leadership, meaning he would have to leave the island.

    'Thaze,' she said sadly, 'you don't mean that, do you?'

Thaze lay glaring up at Aleu, under the paws of his handlers. 'I always mean what I say!' he growled.

     'So be it,' she replied.

***

Before the sun started to sink behind the horizon, the whole pack was standing on the beach, awaiting the departure of their pack-member. Thaze stood before them all, looking grimly at the sea.

Standing up, Aleu paced the shore, 'You lived and hunted with us once. Now it is time you must leave...' she turned to him, 'anything further to say?'

    'Nothing!'

Aleu nodded. 'Then go.' Thaze shot her a look. Then he stepped into the water, slowly but without any sign of hesitation. The pack watched. Thaze waded on until the sea was up to his flanks, then he started to paddle. When he was a mile away from the shore, Thaze quickened. He swam with all his power. Everyone watched until he was less than a little black dot on the blue-green distance. Then he vanished.

* 

Thaze was forgotten almost instantly that evening as Aleu ordered her pack to meet next to the drinking pool, near their cave.

    'I called you here to discuss another matter. Hanler. He shall be remembered and respected for the great bravery he showed. And know it's time to pray for him.' The pack sat silent as there leader started the traditional words spoken at the death of a pack-member.

    'Spirits of the pack. Hanler, our brave, wise brother has left us. His soul has left his body to join you. We mourn for him deeply. He has been a great friend and a loyal pack-member.' The moon shone brightly as Aleu finished her words. It's glow made the pool ripple with a glow, white as snow freshly fallen. The whole pack wimpered as they gazed into the water. Then they all turned away to sleep.

***　

Aleu hoped that Thaze had managed to cross the sea to the old clan's home. I was true he had made a trecherous move. But he was still a fellow wolf, and she couldn't help worrying about him.

That night after the meeting, Aleu sat in the cave surrounded by her pack, who were all sleeping. Before laying down, Aleu pondered about the day's activities. So much had happened.

Soon she fell asleep...

***

Dark clouds, massed in the skies, looked red as dusk fell. On a cliff, Aleu could see two dogs facing each other. One she recognized as her father, the other was a black an white Alasken Malamute.

Near them was a sled, onto which was roped a box. Around them a whole team of dogs stood. They wheren't the team Aleu had seen in her last dream.

She watched as her father, looking much younger than how she remembered him, tried to reach for the box, but was blocked by his adversary.'Steele' Her father said calmly.' Let me help you.' He was answered by a terrible growl.

Balto walked to the sled, then Steele suddenly sprang in front of him and pushed the sled over to one side. They fought...

Suddenly Steele grabbed Balto by a back leg and swung him. He let go. Balto hit a jutting rock with a loud thump.

Aleu gasped and leapt forwards to confront Steele before he did something else. But the dream was already pulling her away. However hard she tried to tear away from it, it tugged the hardest. Aleu looked back helplessly at the vision again. Her father was very still.  

Aleu woke up and looked around. It was still dark.

 

V

When morning came, the pack watched with suprise as Aleu climbed back up the rock-pile, looking worried. Last night she had managed to decipher the meaning of her dreams.

It had taken her long hours.

Aleu waited as the pack gathered 'round the rocks. She cleared all thoughts before speaking. ' My Brothers and Sisters. I have received dreams from our spirit ancestors. Dreams that tell me of both the past and future. They have shown me of my father, Balto. He is in great trouble.' The wolves glanced at each other, ' He's in need of my help. I must go and find him. And help him.'

The pack froze, their jaws opened wide. Soon there was panic. 'But the law!'

    'Your own pack needs you?'

Aleu's heart sank.

    'Stop!' The protests died down and everyone turned to see who'd spoken. It was Sleath, 'Why remind our Alpha about the Laws of the Pack? Aleu is loyal! But she wants to help her family. Her father is a friend to us too. It was said he was ready to guide us over the sea to this island before his daughter stepped in for him.' The pack were silent.

    'Thank you, Sleath,' Aleu said. Sleath bowed. Aleu gazed long down at the pack, 'I understand your fear in me leaving you. But I'll shall return. I promise, with all my heart.' This comforted them and the Clan cheered. Aleu smiled at Sleath. 'Because you've shown wisdom and understanding, I will give you my leadership till the day I return.' Sleath's eyes grew wide in amazement. Aleu turned back to the rest of the pack, 'Obey our sister as you obey me. Now I will decide when to start my journey.'

**

Aleu had a lot on her mind. It was the afternoon and she was planning on leaving when the tide waves were calm.

She turned to the grove behind her and walked through it. There she hunted a small-rabbit, and began to eat. If Aleu was to start travelling soon then she must gain strength.

Aleu finished eating and sighed.

    'Sleath talked with good sense, didn't she?' A rough voice interupted Aleu. She turned to see who it was. Behind her stood a young male wolf she had never seen before. His fur was dusky red and his eyes were amber coloured. Aleu stared at him for a moment before asking.

    'Who are you?'

The wolf blinked, 'Don't you know me?' he said.

Aleu gazed into the wolf's eyes. Then she gave a cry of joy. 'Hanler!' And Hanler it was. But he had changed. He looked so young and strong, his eyes seemed to shine as if he'd seen happiness everywhere. His leg showed no sign of being broken. 'I thought you had died.'

    'I did. But my spirit lives.' he smiled at her, ' I must warn you, Alpha. You are to face many dangers on your journey. Even after you cross the great sea. So I am going to guide you, on your quest.'

Aleu's jaw dropped. She couldn't think of anything to say. She looked up at Hanler, and to

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