IV. A new quest

As a pup I was spoiled by my owners. Mainly that Clara was giving me everything I wanted but her parents weren’t much more reasonable about that. If going on street I saw coloured scarf or some pretty toy, I was able to stare with silent plead into Clara’s eyes as long as she made her parents to buy my chosen trophy. Of course, soon after I lost my interest with every gift and was looking for another whim. Sadly to say – the same was later but not only with toys but also with dogs. I was seeking friendship or adore of every creature I wanted but I got bored with every companion very quick. And that way life was going for three years. Until I saw him...

In spite of his short legs Ice was running on the lead of relief. Then were speeding sisters and division was closing by Daniel. After short and easy way in flat and thin forest, they went to slope of hill. There was a clearing so they could see in bright light of moon a strange and dreadful view. Four wolverines were chasing a pair of runaways – grey-furred husky and cherry-furred female lying on his back. Dog, probably too exhausted to look for help, didn’t see the assistance. He was jumping down from rocks, desperately trying to reach planar ground where he was quicker or at least not slower than chase. But persecutors were agile and smart creatures, perfectly climbing among stone cracks.

One of brown-furred predators jumped down over ten yards and crossed Jack escape route. Husky stopped helplessly, unable to fight with that condition. But then Ice gave a loud howl to announce the relief.

“Those are not cute wolves!” barked Marry with clear disappointment.

“Go up!” screamed Daniel. “Don’t let them get to wounded!”

The rest of wolverines jumped down too. One of them missed the ledge below him and landed even lower, just before running Ice. Seeing that he got in serious trouble, he made another jump and pounced down on lower ledge, where was Eve. Daniel saw with terror that completely surprised mackenzie stood in front of charging enemy. Wolverine was much smaller than she-dog but he was also raging with berserk after his mother death. Additionally Eva seemed to be paralysed by unexpected view and stood in place, when predator was jumping to lethal charge.

Husky was too far to be on time. So he only gasped with pain, looking on flying mass of muscles and claws and amazed bitch that made no attempt to shun enemy. But in last second Eva moved with enormous speed – she stepped a step aside, snapped her jaw on wolverine’s neck and with agile pull, changed his direction by 90 degrees. Predator struck in hard stone wall and fell motionless on the ledge. Still amazed Eva was looking on fallen enemy with expression of confusion and guilt, like she had broke the favourite vase of her owner.

“God!” she whispered. But Daniel looked no longer on her, because he had own problems.

Ice pounced on one of wolverines and although he made him ho concrete harm, he pushed him three yards away the chased pair. Betty and Marry hit with theirs masses the two remaining predators, pinning them to the ground. Daniel jumped ahead, hoping get to runaway-duo and cover them from possible aftermath. Still in the air, he saw the cherry-furred female on husky’s back. Although it was going with amazing speed, he managed to notice how beauty cherry-furred was. She was barely awake, looking with terror on struggle around her. Her companion was standing as solid rock and press his side to stone wall in order to make more space for assist. Daniel landed before them and instantly turned back. In last moment.

Wolverine hit by Ice just stood on paws but instead of fighting new enemy he pounced back on hated husky. He was so blinded by rage that he didn’t notice the death of brother and was burning with single quest to rip the throats of his mother’s murderers.

Daniel jumped and intercepted flying predator. He grabbed his side with jaws and with strong motion pushed him away. Then he loosed his grip and surprised wolverine glided away the edge of ledge. Husky landed before runaways.

“She’s alive?” called and saw Jack’s nod. So he turned his stare on Batty and Marry. Sisters successfully knocked out surprised enemies. Daniel sighed with relief. “Ice?” he called.

“Here!” replied confused Ice, who was carefully climbing from ledge below. “Team, report! Eve!”

“I’m coming, sir!” answered him mackenzie.

“Betty? Marry?”

“Ok, leader!” replied Marry.

“Hey! Wolverines are all down, I guess.” Said Ice to Daniel. But dark-furred husky seemed not to see him. He was gazing on beautiful cherry-furred, whom grey-furred dog was putting on rock. “Hey, buddy?” But then he also turned to runaways. And in the same moment Cher opened her eyes. Theirs stares crossed.

Cherry-furred felt a sudden bolt of unknown feeling. She saw a moderate-built, grey-brownish-furred greenland, who was examining her with concern. In that stare was some kind of gentle force, a will to help and save the strangers. His absolute calmness and sane sight hypnotized Cher. She opened her mouth, trying to say something, but she made no audibility sound.

“Miss, hold on!” said greenland with decisive and calm voice. “We will get you down.” He looked in Jack eyes. “We will take care of her. Can you walk?”

“I guess...” replied husky, but he hobbled, trying to came closer to Cher.

“I’m here, sir!” reported Eve. “I’m afraid that creature that fell on me is dead.”

“You’ve got medal of honor.” Replied ice with slight irony. “And you will earn another if you take her down.” He pointed on Cher.

“I will!” called Daniel, who just had prevailed first shock.

“God, you are wounded!” gasped Ice.

Then husky noticed that his side was burning with fire. He immediately raised his paws and touched his cut, like he was trying to rub bloody spot. He was vaguely knowing that he was doing it, for not to show beautiful cherry-furred his spotted coat. But it only caused another wave of pain. Meanwhile Ice helped Eva to lift Cher and Betty and Marry took care about Jack. The whole group was ready to return.

“Will you make it?” asked Ice, looking on blooded side of Daniel.

“Yes.” Answered husky, but he was still gazing on Cher.

Cherry-furred was only partially aware of events around her. She was lying Eva’s back, shivering and cuddling to warm fur of mackenzie. But with eyes she was searching that greenland. “So protective.” She though, seeing Ice. “And so wilfully. He is the real leader!”

“All is ok, miss?” asked Daniel, who was marching next to Eva and Cher.

“Cold...” replied cherry-furred.

“We will be in our sled soon.” Said husky.

“Yes, humans will help you.” Added Ice, walking on the lead. Cher lost her consciousness for good to wake not before reaching the sled. Being precise: the shot wake her.

*

“Don’t shoot!” called Arashi Tazaku, pushing his son-in-law. “Those are ours!”

It sounded strange, where word <ours> meant pack of dogs, but it was true. John fired because he took a newcomers as wolves. And he took them as wolves because of strange silhouettes on led. He didn’t recognise Eva and Marry with others dogs on back. But when rescue team entered the circle of lamp-light, Ash lowered his rifle.

“Ice!” barked Arrow with relief.

“All intact?” asked David positively.

“Daniel got a cut, but not deep.” Answered Ice, coming to the sled. “And our guests are in bad conditions. Help me to attract masters.”

But it wasn’t required. Both humans run to strange profession and when Ash was guarding with rifle, Tazaku bended down to Eva and Cher. He grabbed the wounded husky and took her to sled.

“Get that second dog.” Ordered to son-in-law. “I can’t help them here. We will take care about them in home. Seeing the wound on Daniel’s side, he also put him on sled. “Great! You get some scars too.” Japanese looked on rest of team. “You must pull us in seven. And as fast as you could. I don’t know what have you encounter in forest, but I’m too old for another war. Mush!”

So they started in Buckland’s direction. Ice took a single harness on front and Arrow went to pair with Ringo. Cher, Jack and Daniel were laid on load of sled and covered with thick furs. Daniel noticed that he was placed next to beautiful strangeress. Seeing she is shivering, he nestled to her with barely repressing excitement. She smiled in slumber, but mainly because she though that handsome and intriguing greenland was near. In fact she didn’t care about huskies (both: on her right and on her left) but enjoyed the double warmth the produced.

*

They reached Buckland before dawn and Tazaku immediately took his patients home. He started by injecting exhausted strangers portions of morphine then quickly stitched Daniels wound as the easier injury he had to heal. Then he examined unknown husky and judged that his life isn’t in danger. So he finally started to operate cherry-furred. Nasty fracture required surgical intervention, because some bone-shards sunk in muscles of paw.

Some other surgeon wouldn’t risk that operation in such primitive conditions. But Arashi Tazaku was the master healer. He was once a navy-surgeon on deck of dreadnought „Yashima” and Empire Navy had been taking only the best doctors. His ship sunk in battle of Port Arthur but Tazaku survived, avoided of capture and even get through Russian coast to Vladivostok and then on whale-cutter, to Alaska. He have never returned to Japan, ashamed by defeat of his unit, but he found a new home in Land of North. For over twenty years he was medic and vet of Buckland and in his town he was the master and champion in health matters.

“All right.” He muttered to anaesthetised Cher. “I cleaned everything. Soon your pretty paws will be as good as new.” She understood just a incomprehensive murmur from beyond the veil of sleep, but she sighed with relief. She felt safe and