on silhouette in darkness.

They met marshal on outskirts. He was going with Gemini and few others dog of Nome. Some others were already in place. Some still waking up. But Kodi understood that almost nothing would left indifferent on that morning. Both groups mixed, then going on road north. Drake came closer to Kodi and asked quietly for Jenna not to hear.

“I did what you wanted... however I still hardly believe in that. But where is Balto? How do you know he will come.”

“Glemt… my brother told he would take him there.”

“Somehow I don’t like it all.” Murmured marshal.

“Believe me, sir.” Replied sled leader. “Me neither! But we both have to do what we are meant to.”

“Drake?” asked Jenna. “Could you tell me what is all about?”

“About law.” Replied dog. “Only that I could say for now.”

*

Aleu just panicked. Lightning noticed that instantly and took charge over the unit. Instead of running strictly to Balto’s house, he ordered his wolves to form line and search all the way between Nome and Dorothy’s Backwater. It took not long they caught hybrid’s smell.

“He was here.” Said Jack, sniffing. “Judging on trails on snow… he was dragged, while being unconsciousness. I know it sounds stupid, but I also see here clearly tracks of some belts… Like a single dog was pulling harness… with Balto.” He raised his muzzle up, but Lightning gasped.

“Don’t you dare report it!” Aleu was going about kilometre ahead, closer to town. She was nervous and accompanied by Shadow’s guardians. It was probable that just missed that trail. “First of all, let me think, what to do…” added master scout, but then sounded voice of junior scout Yuppal. She was going almost straight to the backwater and if she called in open code, aloud and alerting everyone nearby, the situation was really hard. “WERK!” growled Lighting. “Call for Aleu and we run!”

It was no need to repeat that. Howl of Jack reached alpha instantly and she ordered her charges to speed north. Lightning and his scouts were outran quickly, because Aleu seemed to find totally new reserve of strength, hearing that her father was in danger. But they all stopped on a hill, next to Yuppal, who was looking down on valley and backwater. They looked too and Aleu yelled.

“Oh, no!”

“I think that humans call it <hostage situation>.” Said Jack. “And that guy clearly have a hostage.”

“And we have hostile.” Added Wemer with growl. “That pack of eleven… on eleven o’clock.”

So, few words about what they saw. Range of hill that Aleu and her unit reached was a barrier of valley, where Dorothy’s Backwater was. Pool was iced with thick layer, however last frost made it very fragile and unstable. On frozen surface, about four hundred metres wide and over kilometre long, there were two shapes. In spite of almost complete darkness – late night was very slowly turning into day – on white snow everyone noticed dog, harnessed with leather belts and dragging… another dog. Second examination showed that were Glemt and Balto.

But much closer, next to mouth of backwater, where Dorothy’s Creek floated to it, there was another group of guests – Beech Pack. They were standing next to ford, intentionally or not, blocking further way for Aleu’s wolves.

Talbourne alpha wanted to ignore encountered group and called all her charges to run in Balto’s direction. Gasp of Lightning stopped her, as well as rest.

“No!” called greyfurred. “We will break the ice.” Aleu froze and senior scout continued. “He chose that place purposely. He knew that if we… or any bigger group from town enter the icelayer, it would just break.” He murmured quieter. “Whoever is that guy, he has a brains!”

“So…” hastened him alpha. “What we could do?”

“Get closer.” replied her friend, but then noticed that if they wanted to get a headland, coming closer to two dogs, they would have passed next to other pack. And Beeches didn’t seem to be friendly nor helpful. “Or… maybe we negotiate.”

“Hey, you!” called Aleu, before Lightning and Wemer managed to stop her. “We need to get to that dog, before he hurts Balto. So step aside…”

“Cross this river and die!” replied the other alphess with angry voice.

“That’s what I call direct negotiations.” Sighed senior scout. Aleu understood that she made a mistake and looked on friend, waiting for support. “Sorry, it’s  to late.” He replied. “And we can’t just strike them, leaving you unguarded.”

“You will not. I come too.” Said alpha and set off to run ahead. Lightning pounced on her and press to the ground.

“No! Do not freak now!”

“Let me go, dammit!” cried wolfess. “I’m your leader.”

“You are my leader and I won’t let you kill yourself so easily.” Growled Lightning.

He feared that Wemer and his soldiers would support crazy alpha’s idea. But senior guardian nodded his head and one of secures – Gerth, ran to help greyfurred. Both wolves immobilised their leaderess.

“I’m terribly sorry, ma’am.” Said soldier. “But we must keep you safe.”

“Help him!” yelped Aleu and burst in tears.

*

“All right, I’m lost.” Said Fort, observing that situation from the other bank. Beeches were still standing in place, just next to river fort, ready to welcome enemies while they were coming out from water. It was only defensive position of pack where outnumbered Beeches had some odds against unit of well trained soldiers. But that stalemate couldn’t last forever. “If any of you have some idea, I’m listening!”

“Get Glemt out of here!” yelled Elske.

“No, wait!” replied her Annen. “We can’t do that because the very same reason that they…” he pointed on Talbournes. “…don’t move. Ice is too fragile.”

“I will…” sobbed scarred wolfess.

“Wait!” stopped her Tro. “I want be there as well as you… But we must be careful and not endanger him. He know what he is doing. Besides it’s his quest. Until we see that something goes wrong, we should not interfere. For a while we must keep those Talbournes calm.”

“Ma’am?” Vis came to her alpha and whispered to her ear. “I’m sorry, but I have very bad feelings… Call him off… let’s run while we still can. This is the doom I dreamed about!”

“So let it be!” snorted alpha. “We will cover Glemt until he do what he have to. Let’s finish it all today!”

“Watch your space!” called Venn. “They want to get through!”

Beech Pack turned as if it was one body to the river, growling decisively. Four Aleu’s guardians, trying to pass river unnoticed, stopped in water, uncertain what to do.

“Get them!” ordered Talbourne’s alpha.

“Stay where you are!” shouted both Lightning and Wemer. Soldiers stopped, uncertain what to do.

“At least not only we have such a dilemma.” Murmured Fort, looking on enemies.

*

Glemt missed events behind him – he was looking on southern shore of backwater where crowd of Nome dogs grew with every minute. Most of creatures just stopped on beach, uncertain what to do. But suddenly redfurred husky reached the shore, looked on two dogs and called with fear.

“BALTO!”

“Dammit!” gasped Kodi. That wasn’t the way he set up with Glemt.

“Stop, you all!” called silverfurred with strong, however shivering – probably due to emotions – voice. “You can’t get to me, because any greater mass with just break the icelayer. So wait a while, until I reveal you reasons of today’s meeting.”

In that moment eastern side of horizon was enlightened by first day’s light. Sun was still unseen, but it was flaming the rim of sight with milky-light aura. To the real dawn remained about hour, but then more and more details was visible for gathered dogs. In predawn aura, Glemt noticed local law-keeper, Drake.

“Glemt!” called dog with angry voice. “What is the meaning of that? Did you take Balto against his will?”

“He did not protest, due to lack of consciousness.” Replied husky and hearing angry barks among dogs, added. “Wait a while. Soon you will learn, why I was forced to use violence.”

“That isn’t a deal we made!” called Kodi. “You promised you he would go with you willingly!”

“You were involved in this?” asked shocked Jenna, looking on son.

“Forgive, mother…” replied leader. “But he…”

“Kodi!” called Glemt. “And all Balto’s family. I’m very sorry to do that, but I have to. I don’t want to hurt you… but I have no choice.”

“Cut it.” Shouted Drake. “Just release him and tell what you want. We know what you claim.” Because most of dogs didn’t know, just heard some rumours, they turned theirs stared on marshal. “I was said that you have proof of old Balto’s crime. I mean that he actually seduced bitch call Trinea, three years ago.” Crowd around lawkeeper gasped with amaze.

“Drake?” asked Jenna. “Why are we listening to that stranger? Don’t say you believe him?”

Meanwhile Balto opened his eyes to learn he was tied up and beaten hard. It took about minute for him to understand where and why he was. Hybrid tried to move his paws, but belts were binding him tight. So he just rolled helplessly on the other side.

Ice sounded with dreadful creak. Some cracks showed on layer, next to Balto and Glemt. Wolfdog gulped aloud, but that threat seemed not attract silverfurred. He just smiled with mad smile and called.

“So you know the rules. Enter the backwater and kill us both.”

“Please, let him go!” yelled Jenna.

“Ma’am.” Said Glemt. “Why are you so soft-hearted on him. After all he cheated you.”

“I don’t believe you!” cried Jenna. “My Balto never lied to me!”

“Mom…” whispered Kodi to mother’s ear. “I’m hate to say it… but he is right.”

“He has been lying to you all for years!” shouted Glemt. “He said he never touched Trinea? So sow you explain my existence? I am son of Trinea and Balto!” That cry cut every talk in dogs crown and attracted every stare to two dogs on ice. “That’s right, I’m proof on his adultery.”

“Drake…” asked Star, standing next to marshal. “Could you really call this proof? I could have said I’m Balto’s son too, if I were a little