would make a fine Keeper of the Law.”

Blaize looked shocked.

“Anyone else?” Balto said, looking around.

No one else spoke.

“Well then Blaize.” Balto said, turning. “Do you want to accept this nomination?”

Blaize looked at Astarre and smiled. “Yes I do.” He said.

“Very well.” Balto said. “Blaize, you will complete your training with Shep, and come back here to me. At that time you will accept and take over your duties as Keeper of the Law for Nome, Alaska.”

Blaize nodded.

Balto looked around. “Anything else we need to bring up while we’re all still out here?”

Not a word was said.

“Very well,” Balto said, “If there are no other issues, you are all dismissed. Take care returning to your homes.”

The dogs began to trickle out of the old mill, talking softly.

One dog remained in the old mill, watching as Balto walked down to his son and the two began talking.

Jason was friends with Balto’s son Blaize. The two had grown up playing together, and were one month shy of the same age.

This afternoon was the second time Jason had heard the story of his father’s death, and the more he thought about it, the less sense it made.

“…but why would anyone want to lie to me about the circumstances surrounding my own father’s death?” Jason thought. “…especially Balto, he’s like an uncle to me, and my own mother?”

That possibility made little sense to him as well, in fact, as of now, nothing made sense.

“…but I will get to the bottom of it.” Jason thought. “…and I think Balto knows more than he’s letting on. I’ll start with him… but how to go about it…”

Jason resolved to figure out the answers to his many questions tomorrow, for now, he was tired. He hadn’t gotten any sleep last night. He ‘d had the time, just not the ability.

Blaize and Balto began to walk out of the old mill together with an unfamiliar golden husky, a female.

Jason followed them with his eyes, his gaze especially focused on Balto.

“My father meant everything to me.” Jason thought. “I swear by the very blood that runs in my veins that I will get to the bottom of his death, and to whomever did it… may God have mercy on your soul, because I sure as hell won’t.”

Balto and his small band exited the old mill and Jason stepped toward the front of the room from his place in the back.

“I promise you dad,” he said aloud. “…whoever did this, they’ll pay, I’ll make sure of that!”

Balto and his son walked, together with Astarre, out of the old mill.

Balto turned to Blaize. “I need to speak to you son.”

Astarre seemed to sense that Balto wanted to speak to his son alone, and smiled.

“Hey Blaize, I’ll see you later, back at the shed, alright?”

Blaize nodded.

“She seems like a nice girl.” Balto said.

Blaize nodded. “She is.”

Balto smiled.

“So what is it you needed to talk to me about?” Blaize asked.

Balto sighed. “Son, when you go to Applegate, I want you to talk to Shep about your mother.”

Blaize nodded.

“Find out if there’s any way to reverse what Drake did, or some other way he could’ve done it, alright?”

Blaize nodded. “Sure thing dad.”

Balto smiled. “I think you’re going to turn out to be a great keeper of the law son. This is a very important position, treat it as such.”

Blaize noddded. “I will.”

“Good.” Balto said. “I think someone is waiting on you, so I guess I’ll let you go now.”

Blaize nodded and smiled. “Thanks dad.”

Then he turned and left.

Chapter 6:

Saidifar stepped into Saba’s chambers.

He’d been told by Everest, that the newly appointed Alpha wanted to speak to him, and he’d wanted to speak with her, so he’d come straight away.

Saba turned and smiled as he stepped into the chambers. “Hey Saidifar, how’re you?”

“Good.” Saidifar said, returning her smile. “…and you?”

“I’m alright.” Saba said. “Busy though.”

“I’ll bet.” Saidifar responded. “Being the new Alpha and all, I’ll bet you have a lot to do.”

Saba laughed softly. “You have no idea.”

“So, Everest said you wanted to speak with me?” Saidifar said.

Saba nodded. “I just wanted to thank you. It’s come to my attention that had you not been here, there probably wouldn’t be much of a clan left now for me to lead.”

Saidifar smiled. “I just did my job.”

“I’d like it very much if you’d stick around and lead the second unit.” Saba said. “…with Lightning’s death, the unit has no leader. From what I hear, you’re quite the fighter, and you’ve proven yourself to them. They’d listen.”

Saidifar smiled. “I’d love to do nothing else, unfortunately, I have some business to take care of first.”

“Oh?” Saba said. “…and what’s that?”

Saidifar sighed. “My mate and daughter were captured from my home in Persia almost three months ago. I came here looking for them, hoping to find them. I must continue my search, though if and when I do locate them, I would like to come back. I’ve grown attached to quite a few of the wolves of this clan. You’re a good bunch.”

Saba smiled. “Thank you. We try to offer every wolf a home.”

“You sure did a good job with me.” Saidifar said.

“Well, do you have any idea where your family is?” Saba asked.

Saidifar sighed. “No. I don’t have any leads yet…”

“Well, you helped us, I’d be glad to help you.”

“That’s not necessary.” Saidifar said.

“Well, we’ve got to do something.” Saba said. “You came to our aid during one of the toughest times in our history, and helped us to survive. Consider this our repayment. I’ll send one or two of our wolves out to the north. We’re allies with the Mountain Clan up there. I’ll see if they’ve heard anything. What are their names and what do they look like?”

Saidifar smiled. “My mate’s name is Charniece and my daughter is Neriah. Charniece is a golden wolf, about half my size. She has the brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen. Neriah is only about eight months old, but looks like a miniature of her mother, only she inherited my blue eyes.”

Saba nodded. “…and you say they were taken by humans?”

Saidifar nodded. “Trappers… yeah.”

“Well, like I said, I’ll send a messenger to the Mountain Clan and relay this info, see if they know something.”

“I appreciate that.” Saidifar said. “I’ve never had anyone care for me before, it’s a good feeling.”

Saba smiled. “Well, until I get word back from the Mountain Clan, you’re going to have to stay close, in case they do know something… how about staying with us? We’d be glad to have you.”

Saidifar smiled. “I think that would be great.”

Saba nodded. “Okay, I’ll get that messenger out soon. For now, would you lead the second unit?”

Saidifar nodded. “I don’t know much about leading a fighting unit, but I’ll do my best.”

“You’ll do fine.” Saba said. “When we get some news about your family, we’ll send some wolves with you. You can’t expect to rescue them all alone.”

“I’d appreciate it.” Saidifar said.

He yawned.

“Tired?” Saba asked.

Saidifar nodded. “Everest caught me coming off of guard duty. I haven’t slept in almost twenty-four hours.”

Saba smiled. “Well, I’m sorry for keeping you. You go get some rest. We’ll talk more later, and make your appointment of leader of the second unit official with the rest of the clan.”

Saidifar nodded. “Alright. Have a good day Saba.”

“You too.” Saba replied.

Saidifar turned and walked from the room.

It was late at night and Balto was sleeping, was, because he’d just been awoken by a scratching at the kitchen window.

Balto yawned and walked into the kitchen. “I wonder who it could be at this time of night?” Balto thought.

He was quite surprised to see Astarre’s familiar face in the window.

He hopped up on a chair, and then to the table in front of the window. Balto pushed the widow open and Astarre stepped in on top of the table.

“Hello Astarre.” Balto said. “How are you doing.”

“Cold.” Astarre said. “It’s freezing tonight.”

“Yeah it is.” Balto said. “What brings you out here?”

Astarre sighed. “I just… I’m sorry for coming by so late, but I just needed to talk to you.”

“What about?” Balto said, sitting beside her.

“Well, about the other day… I didn’t react very well to you, and