Alyse, she’s new here. I just ran into her this morning.”
“Hello,” Blaize said.
“Hi,” Alyse replied.
“Alyse, this is Blaize, he’s the Keeper of the Law around here.”
Blaize smiled. “Well I try…” He said.
“So you’ve got a thief in town?” Alyse asked.
Blaize sighed. “Yeah, it’s not that I want them to starve, but stealing from the butcher is nota good idea. He’s got a shotgun, and he’s pretty fond of it… I just don’t want to see her get killed, which is what’s going to happen if I can’t find her first.”
Alyse nodded. “…at least you care.”
Blaize nodded. “…yeah, well, that’s kind of the job.”
He smiled. “It was nice meeting you. I’ve got to go now, but if you ever need help, come find me. If I’m not here, my mate Astarre will know where I am.”
Alyse smiled. “…thanks.”
Blaize nodded and turned to Jenna. “…good seeing you Mom.”
Jenna nodded. “…you be careful Blaize and take care of yourself.”
Blaize nodded again. “I will, see ya.”
“…bye.” Jenna said.
Blaize walked toward the door and then turned around and ran back to the entryway of the cutting floor beyond.
“…Astarre?” Blaize called.
Astarre walked around the corner. “…heading out?” She asked.
“…yeah.” Blaize said. “I’m going to try to get to her before the butcher does… I’ll be back for lunch though ‘kay?”
Astarre nodded. “…be careful.”
“I will.” Blaize said.
He nuzzled her. “…love you.”
She smiled and nuzzled him back. “I love you too Blaize, I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“…alright.” Blaize said. “…bye.”
“…bye.” Astarre said. “…and good luck.”
“…thanks.” Blaize said.
He turned and walked out the door.
Astarre walked forward and stopped in front of Jenna and Alyse.
“…and who is this?” Astarre asked.
“…oh, I’m Alyse.” Alyse said. “I’m new here.”
“Welcome to Nome.” Astarre said. “It’s a quiet little town, but you’ll come to love it if you stay here long enough.”
“Oh we’re here for good as far as I know.” Alyse said.
“…good.” Astarre said. “It’s nice to meet you. My name is Astarre. I’m Blaize’s mate, and believe it or not I actually haven’t been here long either.”
“…really?” Alyse asked.
“Yeah,” Astarre said. “I’ve only been here about two months.”
“…and you like it huh?” Alyse asked.
“…of course I do.” Astarre said. “I met Blaize here.”
Alyse smiled. “Yeah, that’d do it I guess, wouldn’t it?”
Astarre laughed and the others joined in.
“Yeah,” Astarre said. “…but the town is really nice too… what does you owner do by the way?”
“Oh she’s a Veterinarian.” Alyse said.
“…really?” Jenna said. “That’ll help Doc out.”
“Who’s Doc?” Alyse asked.
Astarre smiled. “Doc is what we call the human that works in the hospital here.”
“…oh.” Alyse said.
“Yeah,” Jenna said. “He’s a human doctor, but we haven’t had a vet, so he just kind of learned how to help us too.”
“Yeah, and he’s been busy lately.” Astarre said.
“Why’s that?” Alyse asked.
Astarre sighed. “…a lot of dogs have been getting attacked in the outskirts lately.”
“…the outskirts?” Alyse asked. “…where’s this?”
“The outskirts is that mass of abandoned buildings south of town.” Astarre said. “You want to stay clear of that place Alyse.”
“Yeah,” Jenna said. “It’s pretty rough there.”
Alyse nodded. “I’ll do that.” She said.
Astarre sighed. “Blaize keeps wanting to go clean that place out but… I’m scared for him. I’ve been torn between talking him out of it and letting him do his job you know?”
Alyse nodded. “Yeah, I know what that’s like.” She looked at the floor and Jenna thought she was going to cry.
Astarre looked at Jenna who shrugged.
Something in the conversation had shaken Alyse up, what that something was, neither of them knew.
“So, have you been around town yet?” Jenna asked.
Alyse looked up and smiled, the saddened expression on her face gone. “No, not yet. I was hoping to find someone to show me around.”
Jenna smiled. “Well you found someone, care for a tour?”
Alyse smiled. “Yeah, I’d like that Jenna.”
“Alright.” Jenna said, she turned back to Astarre. “…nice talking with you Astarre.”
Astarre smiled. “…you too Jenna.”
“You guys need to stop by the house sometime.” Jenna said.
Astarre laughed “Yeah, I’ll have to see if I can pry Blaize away from his job long enough.”
Jenna smiled. “…take care of yourself Astarre.”
“You too Jenna.” Astarre said. “…nice meeting you Alyse, hope you like it here.”
“…thanks Astarre.” Alyse said. “It was nice meeting you too.”
Astarre turned and walked back onto the cutting floor.
Alyse turned to Jenna. “Okay, where do we start?”
Jenna smiled. “Well first I better go home and tell my mate where I’m at, otherwise he’s liable to have the whole town up and looking for me.”
Alyse laughed. “…he worries about you huh?”
Jenna nodded. “Yeah, a little.”
Alyse smiled. “Well, let’s go.”
Jenna smiled back. “…alright Alyse, follow me.”
The two of them walked out of the Old Mill.
Chapter 6:
Balto was still laying down in front of the couch in Jenna’s home when Jenna walked up and nuzzled him gently.
His eyes fluttered open and he yawned.
Jenna chuckled. “Wake-e, Wake-e sleepyhead…”
Balto smiled and stood up. He stretched his stiff limbs and shook himself off. He started to say something, but then he saw the dog that was with Jenna and stopped. “Who’s that with you Jen?” He asked.
Jenna smiled. “This is Alyse. She’s new here. I met her when I went on a walk this morning.”
Balto smiled back at her. “Oh really? Well that’s nice…”
Balto stopped talking and his smile disappeared. “…hey Jen…” He said.
Jenna sighed “…busted.” She thought. “What is it Balto?” She asked, trying not to let her guilt into her voice.
“…who went with you this morning?” Balto asked.
Jenna sighed again. “…no one did.” She said. “I went alone.”
Balto sighed and stepped forward. “Jen, I know we’ve talked about this.” He said. “You know how I feel about you going out alone, especially early in the morning or late at night…”
Jenna cut him off. “…when there’s not many others around. I know Balto.”
Balto sighed. “If you know why don’t you listen to me?”
Jenna raised her tone a little. “Balto…”
She stopped and stepped forward, lowering her voice to a harsh whisper. “…can we not do this now?”
Balto nodded. “Alright,” He said. “…but we’re not done with this okay Jen?”
Jenna sighed and nodded. “I feel like a pup again.” She thought.
Balto smiled and stepped forward. “I’m sorry about that Alyse.” He said. “I shouldn’t have started that conversation while we had company.” He turned to Jenna. “I’m sorry Jen, we’ll talk about that later…” He turned back to Alyse and smiled. “…for now, welcome to Nome.”
Alyse smiled back at him. “Thank you Balto.”
“How long have you been here?” Balto asked.
“We just got in last night.” Alyse answered.
Jenna stepped up beside Balto. “Her owner is a vet.”
“…really?” Balto said. “That’s great. I’m sure Doc will appreciate the help. What with the humans and us dogs; he’s got his hands pretty full right now.”
“I’m sure she’ll be glad to be of service to the town.” Alyse said.
“Alyse is from Anchorage.” Jenna said.
“Anchorage, really?” Balto said. “I’ve managed to make it there once or twice. How’re things there?”
Alyse sighed. “Big as ever...” She said. “…seems like everyone there is too busy to even stop and say hello these days. I’m actually looking forward to the slower pace of Nome.”
“Well that sounds great.” Balto said. “We’re glad to have you here… any family?”
Alyse started to answer and then hesitated. “…no.” She said finally. “…no, just me and my owner, Kristen.”
Balto nodded. “Well I hope the two of you like it here.”
Alyse smiled. “Thank you Balto.” She said.
Jenna walked over to Alyse’s side. “I’m going to keep showing her around… I’ll probably be back this evening sometime.”
Balto nodded. “Okay Jen.” He said. “I’ll see you then. I’m probly going to go see Kodi and check up on Shanaea; then I’ll probably go home and see Luke so he doesn’t get worried about me… but I’ll see you here tonight.”
Jenna smiled. “How about I just meet you at Luke’s; since you spent last night here.”
Balto nodded. “…fine with me.” He said. “I’ll see you this evening then.”
“…alright.” Jenna said.
Balto stepped forward and nuzzled her. He dropped his tone and spoke softly into her ear. “You know, I only worry because I love you.”
Jenna smiled. “I know and I love you Balto.”
“I’ll see you later Jen.” Balto said.
“…bye Balto.” Jenna said. She stepped back and turned to Alyse. “…you ready?”
“Alyse smiled. “…sure.” She looked over at Balto. “It was nice meeting you.”
Balto nodded. “…nice meeting you Alyse.”
With that Jenna and Alyse turned around and walked out of the house. Balto could hear them chatting back and forth as they stepped out the doggy-door. “I’m glad
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