first such event in our history. Aniu knew of the plot, but did nothing about it, simply because…”

Aleu paused. “Saba, this is a very little known fact, but I’ve been told you must know the truth, and I intend to convey it to you. If you pass on the story, leave out this fact, understand?”

Saba nodded, transfixed by the story.

“Shade was… is Aniu’s son. He was successful in his attempt, and killed the great leader Aniu, the first murder of a wolf by another wolf. It is said that this is when the Earth split, and the continents of today came to be, separating the wolves forever with vast bodies of water, now known as oceans.

When Aniu died, the wolves were uncertain as to who should take her place. Wars within the Clan started, and Shade was unable to control all of the wolves. So out of one Clan, many were spawned. Some stayed loyal to Aniu, some to Shade, but the majority of them chose their own leaders. The clan that stayed loyal to Aniu was called the Talbourne, and the one’s to Shadow, the Niju.

The leader of the Talbourne, Aniu’s mate, Ta’nee, swore to kill Shade, his son, for what he had done. The Talbourne began a campaign against the Niju.

Shade had learned how to tap into a very dangerous and volatile power, the power that comes from evil and darkness. He found a way to imprison the Talbourne clan, and lured them to an Island called IIl’aenna, which in the old language means “place of the tear”.

The Talbourne followed Shade, and eventually killed him, but not before he was able to imprison the last of the wolves who remained loyal to Aniu on IIl’aenna.

I must pause here and tell you that there are beings, unknown to us, but very powerful, who watch over all that is alive, every tree, animal and human. At this time these beings decided that Earth needed its own representatives of good and of evil. They chose Aniu for good, and Shade for evil.

The battle between these two for the souls of Earth continues to this day, and will continue forever. Shade burns for eternity as punishment for what he did to his mother, and all those that follow him burn with him.

Aniu on the other hand watches out for us. She is always with us, though we may not see her. She is there beside us when we are sad, when we are engaged in battle, and when we are full of joy. In all events of life Aniu is there, and watches over us.”

Aleu paused and smiled.

“For most the story ends there, however, the story goes on for you and I.

Aniu was constantly troubled by the fact that she was unable to help those that remained loyal to her. She was unable to free them from IIl’aenna.

So she devised a plan. She came back to Earth, and had children. Her intention was that one of her children, who was sensitive to the old arts, would be trained by her to rescue the Talbourne Clan, and free them from IIl’aenna.

Dad was that pup.”

Saba gasped.

“There’s more.” Aleu said. “when he was very small, dad got lost, and Aniu feared he had died, and that her plan had failed. Soon after this she was killed by a hunter, and it wasn’t until then that Aniu learned that her son, dad, had not only not died, but was living with the humans. .A small boy from a small town called Applegate had adopted him. A few months later the boy died, and dad set off for Anchorage, chasing after a dog he was in love with named Jamie.

He was caught in a horrible snow storm, and almost died, and would have, but Aniu saved him, by the means of a Russian Snow goose who was flying over.

Boris took Balto to Nome. Aniu always clung to the hope that her son would remember his calling in life, and rescue the Talbourne, but he did not, instead he fell in love with another husky, mom, and we were born.

Again Aniu thought her plan had failed, but it had not. I turned out to be more sensitive to her than dad had been, and so she groomed me away from my husky side, and eventually I journeyed to IIl’aenna, rescued the Talbourne, and brought them back here. Since then, we have grown two hundred fold, and are now the biggest Clan in Alaska. Aniu is real. Her story is real, and she herself is real. She will talk to you, she does to all of us in some manner. It may not be directly, but you will know when she does.”

Aleu paused, as she noticed for the first time the look on Saba’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Aleu asked.

“That sounds out there to me.” Saba said. “I’ve never seen anything to make me think that some long dead wolf is beside me at all times. That she watches out for me. I mean, come on, that’s crazy right?”

Aleu sighed. “It is your decision whether to believe in her or not, but I warn you, there are grave consequences if you do not, and follow Shade.”

Saba laughed. “Come on Aleu, you’re starting to scare me. You actually believe this hocus-pocus?”

Aleu sighed again. “Yes I do.”

“Well not me.” Saba said. “I’ll have to see that before I’ll believe it.”

“Just think about it.” Aleu said.

Saba shook her head. “Don’t need to, it’s all just a bunch of superstitious nonsense. I mean I think there probably was an Aniu, but she died a long time ago, and she stayed dead.”

“Believe what you wish Saba.” Aleu said. “… but promise me you’ll keep an open mind. As I said the consequences of you not believing her are more dire than you could possibly know.”

Saba smiled. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

She yawned and it was silent for a few minutes..

“Well you look tired, and I know Shadow has you getting up pretty early.”

Saba nodded. “Now that I believe.”

“That’s all I had.” Aleu said. You’re dismissed Saba.”

Saba stood. “Have a good one Aleu.”

Aleu smiled. “You too.”

Aleu waited until Saba was out of earshot, and then looked up at the northern lights, dancing across the frigid artic night.

“Well I told her Aniu.” Aleu said. “I don’t think this plan of yours is going to work.”

Aleu shook her head, and walked back into the cave.

Chapter 2:

It was mid morning when the mail team finally made it back to Nome, Alaska. The team slid to a stop outside the post office.

The musher got off the back of the sled, and walked to the front of the team.

First he unhooked Kodi, his lead dog, and then the first string, followed by the second and finally the third.

Kodi loved running, but he was glad to be free of the sled. They’d been running for over three days now. Snow had closed off the pass the team usually took to White Mountain, so they had to go the long way.

Kodi was looking forward to seeing Dusty and the pups.

“I shouldn’t call them pups anymore.” Kodi corrected himself. “They’re over a year old now.”

Kodi started to walk away, but stopped when he heard a voice.

“Hey Kodi, wait up!”

Kodi looked behind him, just as his younger brother Blaize slid to a stop beside him.

“That was a good run.” Blaize said.

Kodi nodded. “Not too bad… we could still use a little fatigue training, but it’s not something I’m too worried about.”

The two of them started walking again.

“So…” Blaize asked. “What ya up to today?”

“I gotta go home and see Dusty.” Kodi said. “She’s going to be wondering where I am.”

Blaize sighed. “I wish I had someone to go home to…”

Kodi smiled. “Don’t worry kid, it’ll happen sooner than you think. It’s not something you want to rush.”

Blaize sighed again. “I know, but… I don’t really even have any friends.”

Kodi looked at him. “Well, that’s probably because you’re very quiet. You should talk more. Don’t be afraid that they’re not going to like you. Just be yourself. If they like you, great. If they don’t…. don’t let it get you down.”

Blaize nodded. “Thank you Kodi.”

Kodi smiled. “Any time kid.”

Blaize turned left down 2nd street while Kodi kept walking forward.

“Have a good one Kodi.” Blaize called over his shoulder.

Kodi smiled. “Alright, you too.”

Blaize had been walking down the sidewalk for about ten minutes, thinking about what Kodi had told him

Suddenly he stopped, and his thoughts came to a screeching halt.

Across the street from him a dog sat outside a run-down looking house. He’d never seen her before. “She must be new…” Blaize thought. “…she’s… she’s beautiful…”

The dog was a husky, predominantly golden in color with a light gray face and paws.

It looked like she was crying.

Blaize unconsciously stepped off the sidewalk and headed across the street.

A car horn blared, as the vehicle he’d just stepped out in front of swerved to miss Blaize.

He didn’t even notice.

The dog did, standing up as he neared her.

“Are you insane?” She asked.

“What?” Blaize responded.

“You just about got smeared by a car a few seconds ago.” The dog said.

“I did?” Blaize responded. “I guess I didn’t notice. Are you okay?”

The dog sighed. “Yeah… I guess so.”

Blaize noticed she had a cut