same hell. Once he believed his father cheated his mother and he was spiritus movens of Balto’s case. But then he heard testimonies relieving Balto from charges… Jenna forgave him, so Kodi did the same. And he forgot about case with genuine relief. Discovering that his father lied was a blow for him, learning that he was honest was balsam on his uneasy heart. That version of history was so… comfortable, so easy. Looking back, Kodi understood that possibly they all believed Balto not because they were convinced, but they wanted to believe.

“It will be very hard for mom.” Kodiak thought. “But I can’t hesitate because of that. I think I would forget about whole case if there is no consequences of dad’s adultery. But Glemt… He is alive and real.” Then some disturbing question came to his mind. “Wait, I even didn’t ask him for his mother… and other pups of that litter. I even don’t know if I have more siblings.” But that possibility only strengthen his determination. “What ever it takes, we will reach the truth. And even there are more of my brothers and sisters… I will find them later. Glemt will help me.” Then he entered the main street of town. After a while of meditation he turned to Drake’s house. “First things first.” He decided. “I will ask Drake for gathering. Then I will talk with mom.” But perspective of that talk was burdening him hard.

*

Aleu was still in father’s house. Balto noticed that his daughter, alpha of biggest pack on Alaska in those days somehow returned to times of her puphood.  She just needed a break from pressing matters of leadership, she expressed that in rather unexpected way. Lot of time she spent playing with Drake’s son, Jason, or pranking around like one-year youngster.

“Well, she really needs holiday.” thought wolfdog.

But in next second he was a witness of amazing change. A wolf howl sounded in evening air over Nome. As far as Balto new it was alert call of Talbourne clan. Aleu instantly put Jason on floor, raised her ears and froze in place. Call was repeated.

“Not good.” She whispered. Then she turned to Balto. “Dad I must go immediately. I don’t know what happened, but if Lightning calls me with open code, there something important.”

“Should I go…”

“Dad!” interrupted him alphess. “Maybe you missed it, I’m on my own since some time. Just… take care of yourself. I will be back, as soon I discover what is going on.” Then she ran away from Luke’s hangar.

“Darling?” asked confused Jenna, who just entered the shed. “Where she went so fast?”

“To the pack.” Replied wolfdog. “They called her, I’m not sure what for.”

“Are you sure it’s all right?” asked redfurred. “Somehow I have very bad feeling about this.”

*

Beech Pack froze, hearing Talbourne cry. In next seconds, automatically without order, group formed a combat rank, ready to defence. But then call was repeated and Elske (as most gifted with senses) estimated it was shouted from distance over five kilometres, Fort gave a sing <at ease>.

“All right, don’t panic, crew.” Said alpha. “They call some kind of alert, but not about us.”

“Maybe about Glemt…” whispered Tro.

“Don’t be silly, what for they…” But seeing terrified stares of sister and mate he added. “All right, we will guard on shore tonight. If in twenty four hours nothing change, we will send for Glemt. Is that calms down you?”
”No, but it’s best thing to do now.” Said Elske.

*

And Glemt, still murmuring half-mad words of his future revenge just failed to hear that call. He walked down to town, still dragging long belts of his harness. It took him about an hour to calm down and start to think rationally.

“I must sleep a while, at least few hours. Then I will get for Balto… and take him to place of judgement.” He stopped and repeated. “Judgement… God, I’m sending him to death! If I prove he killed mom, they will kill him. Not that he didn’t deserve, but he… is my father after all. Kodi would surely stopped me, knowing in what direction it comes.” Then another wave of emotions deluged his face. “Too bad brother, you don’t know. We will bring him to the justice and finish this lie once for all!”

He entered abandoned shed on outskirts of Nome then laid on pile of old furs. Then forced his body to rest. Because of heavy training with Kodi, it wasn’t so hard. Adrenaline slowly started to be washed out from his blood. Heart beat slower and slower then poor and restless dog finally fell to the deep slumber. He never slept so easy since the day he heard about prophecy. Then all was already set. The judgement was above him and his father. He could left fate in paws of others.

*

Kodi entered house of miss Rossy. Because he was often guest there, he went without hesitation nor fear. Rossy’s family knew the new leader of Gunnar Kaasen’s sled, remembered him from times of puphood. To dog hatch was open for him as well as for other children of Jenna.

Redfurred wasn’t sleeping yet, she just had returned from Balto’s house. Kodi noticed she was every excited. It was hard to judge it was fear of hope, however mood of his mother was unusual.

“Kodiak!” smiled bitch. “Come here…” Sled dog laid in hall of house, where Jenna had her bedding. “So… did you heard the news?”

“What news?” asked surprised Kodi.

“It’s Saba.” Smiled redfurred. “She was seen with that newcomer, called Glemt. I know how strange it sounds… but I think she has a boyfriend…”

“What!?” yelled leader. “I mean, it great but…”

“No, it’s not great.” Thought. “It’s our brother after all. All he wanted was to get closer to our family and learn more. It just got so awkwardly… or I understand even less than I thought.”

“Yeah, it’s very good news.” Said Jenna. “You know… I thought that she would never find someone…” She noticed confused stare of her son. “What’s wrong? You seemed don’t trust that boy. But I could assure you he is very nice.”

“Dammit!” yelled Kodi silently. “Now how should I explain her that all?” Then he added aloud. “Nevermind, leave those matters to Saba. But you seemed to be a bit nervous. What happened?”

“Ow, it’s nothing. Just… Aleu had to go back to pack. She will came here again soon, but something happened in Talbourne scouting party.”

“Will she be here tomorrow morning?” asked leader.

“I have no idea. Why do you ask?”

“E… Drake asked all dogs that could to came at dawn to Dorothy’s Backwater.”

“Ow? For what?” asked Jenna with interest.

“It’s much harder that I could imagine.” Yelled Kodi in mind. so he tried carefully. “It’s about some old case he judged, but new evidence and witnesses were discovered recently.” When Jenna expressed no more excitement, leader pushed a bit further. “Mom… please don’t be angry for what I say… but are you sure it won’t be about… dad’s past?”

“Ha? What do you mean?” asked with genuine confusion Jenna.

“A… Trinea’s case.”

“Why you talk such a nonsense? We already proved that your father was completely innocent on that affaire.”

“Yeah, we did.” Nodded Kodi, but in the same time he asked himself. “Did we? Is mom’s belief makes an evidence?”

“Let’s forget about it.” Added Jenna. “You know… The best proof that your father was innocent is that Trinea never harassed us again. Don’t you think that she should give up so easily and just go away?”

In that second for the very first time Kodi was struck with some amorphous, but terrible premonition. “Brother?” he asked in mind. “What we are exactly doing?”

VI. Of Father and Son

Glemt awoke just past to midnight, exactly as he wanted too. He raised his head, yawned aloud and waited for few minutes, as slumber left his body. It was the time for which he was preparing since long. God had no proof that dealing with crime of his father would change anything about prophecy. But somehow he felt that was a turning point.

“I just sense like it’s day of trial. If those dreams were true or wrong.”

Then in place of sleepiness came excitement. Adrenaline rushed silverfurred’s veins, urging him to stand up and go. The hardest part of venture was before him, but he felt like it was already set and done, need only to reveal the final outcome.

“It’s not a point I make him confess.” He thought. “He was already doomed when someone decided to make this question. And now we are two – I and my brother Kodi.” Husky came to harness, lying on ground and carefully started to putting it on. Alone it was hard task, however possible. Besides he had no need to pull a sled, just much lighter cargo.

Then we exited shed and turned in Balto’s house direction. He was anxious about some details, especially one. He had to use some force, violence most likely. “I must be extremely careful.” He thought. “I’m not a judge. I can’t let my anger to consume. I can’t hurt him… I shouldn’t use more force that I have too.”

Passing building of sawmill, he noticed thing he was looking for. A thin log, about metre long that dog could easily grab in jaws. “Perfect.” He thought, carrying his tool. Belt of his harness were quietly scrubbing on the snow. That night was frosty one – snowlayer became hard and crispy. Dog often broke it, falling few inches below. “That is what I hoped for.” He smiled. “I bet that ice of Dorothy’s Backwater is fragile too…”

House of Luke was dark and silent. Glemt left his log at the doorstep of hangar and entered. As he thought – Balto ignored a nightly visit. “Life in town spoiled him. But… as a murdered he had an easy sleep.” Snorted dog silently. Wolfdog awoke when silverfiurred came almost to him.

“Hallo?” asked confused Balto. “Who is here?”

“It’s just me, Glemt.” Replied husky. “I must talk with you.”

“Ow, Glemt, hi.” Murmured hybrid with sleepy voice. “Talk? Now? Can’t it wait till morning?”

“Sorry, but in morning we will both have a lot of work to do.” Said silverfurred.

“I’m afraid I don’t get it.” Confessed Balto, then noticed Glemt’s silhouette.