eyes and was silent for longer while before he answered.

“That is not important now. A past, that is bygone for sure.”

“Don’t you want to tell it?” she asked. “Maybe it will help you.”

“Unless you are able to turn back the time, you won’t help. It’s just…” Steele felt strange. In the same time he wanted to quit that talk, but some voice in his heart was calling to share his burden. Absurd! Since early puphood, when he had been taken away from his parents, Steele was living on his own and counting just on his own. He never had a friend, even single one. Just allies and enemies. Underlings and rivals. Love to Jenna? That was the only exception of his egocentric life, but it still was an exception to stress the general rule. What drive him to say more was not even the need of heart but curiosity. He had never spoken about his life, problems and dreams in his life. And because most likely his life was about to expire, he felt a want to taste something new. “I doubt if you want to know more about me.”

“I wish know everything about dog you saved me.” Replied Berenice.

“But it could be very hard, because it will make you despise me. It turn your further way – not matter how long it take – a bit unpleasant.”

“Ow…” murmured Berenice. “I don’t want you to say about something you don’t want to. Just say what you have on mind. about her or about something else.”

“It’s not so…” started Steele, but suddenly he felt he couldn’t speak. This wasn’t due to cold of fever, but just due to sorrow. Dog was unable to cry, but a kind of sobbing shook his body. Berenice just nestled harder to his side, murmuring with sympathy, until he finished.

“You were sled-leader in Nome.” She said finally. “That what I read on your collar. You was the best, the strongest, and I assume the most handsome dog in town. But she…”

“Chose him.” Murmured Steele with breaking voice. “Although I was doing it all for her. To impress her, show I’m really care about her. She preferred that mutt…”

“Running from there you just gave up. Was that necessary?”

“Yes. Because he will carry this collar from now on.” Said dog with growing anger. “I’m not a master anymore. I’m just a shadow right now.”

“But that’s just a piece of leather and metal… I hasn’t brought you success, I guess it won’t bring him.”

“But it was my only advantage. I failed in every trial except racing in pulling. And now I lost even that. And he became a hero of town… He had everyone under his paw, including she… I know the dogs, Bere… Wealth and fortune don’t bring the happiness… automatically. But lack of those ruins every try. I can’t back to Nome. Balto became what I was.”

“I can speak only on my behalf.” Said Berenice carefully. “But I don’t care who you was, what prizes you got or what you did wrong. For me the matter is who you are here and now.”

“Assuming you know you I am now.” Smiled Steele with bitter smile.

“You are all I have.” Said she-malamute. “Do not give up… You don’t have to be their hero to be actual hero. To be someone important for her.”

“I like your naivety.” Replied former leader. “You are young… and ignorance is bliss.” Something grabbed his throat and started to strangling him, choking further words. But – unexpectedly for himself – Steele started to sing.

[You don’t have to be a hero
To rule place where you belong
You don’t need to be so noble
All you need is to be strong]

You just cast away a weakness
Only unforgiven crime
You don’t have to be a hero
To be hero of their time]

Berenice, quite surprised, stayed silent, just listening. Steele had gentle, however powerful voice, then making a bring contrast with usual, harsh tone of dog. Former leader closed his eyes, probably reminding scenes from past.

[You don’t have to give your best shot, you just have to win it through
Doesn’t matter what you believe, point is they believe in you
Only acceptable example is the leader in this race
You don’t have to be a hero, to wear shining hero’s face]

[She-dog could was carefully staring in absent-minded face of Steele, reading his expression. It seemed she was hearing much more that was in words of that bitter song.

[Count on your own, if You can count
The outcome sure’ll be clear – the what you want
Have faith in your strength, the only thing is real
You will always be a hero if a weakling you can kill]

Steele stopped, opened his eyes and his stare met Berenice’s. Dog quickly turn down his muzzle, clearly embarrassed.

“I’m sorry… it was…”

“Touching.” Replied Berenice. “Although I don’t believe you. I don’t know what happened in Nome and I don’t want to know. I just feel you are my hero, whatever they think about it.”

But Steele didn’t answered. He already had fallen asleep, peacefully cuddled in side of young bitch.

*

When former leader woke up, the meal was waiting. A hare – not much but good for a start. Berenice assured him, she eaten already. Steele looked on her with curiocity.

“How did you find him?” he asked. “In so deep snow…”

“I took him from some wolverine…”

“WHAT?” yelled dog. “You attacked…”

“Not exactly.” Explained Berenice. “He just noticed my oedemas and decided to leave his prey.” Steele discovered that on her side were two parallel, fresh cuts, what told dog that it wasn’t whole truth.

“I know we are going to die soon, but try not to quicken that, right?”

She nodded her head, then they started to eat. Steele felt a bit strange, because he ceased to be carer and become a charge. In fact he wasn’t sure if Berenice would manage on her own. After meal he carefully stood up and exited the den. It turned out to be a small hole on slope of unnamed hill in Yukon Valley. Former leader quickly regained his orientation and started to think about further way.

“We are going now?” asked Berenice.

“I guess… There is still probability, that we will survive a plague. So we’ll go closer to some town. We have to decide just to which one. North to Selawik or south to Galena. In fact it doesn’t matter in longer perspective. In both towns you will surely get to some real sled and start a career of puller. I assume you want that…”

“And you?” she asked with sudden anxiety.

“I have my own goals. You probably know what kind of.” He smiled with bloodthirsty smile.

“But you should go there with me!” she instantly replied. “You would watch over me and…”

“Girl… you are better in saving your tail than I am. You will manage, I’m sure of that.”

“But you could start again in Selawik or…”

“Not before I pay my debts.” Interrupted Steele. “Not that I didn’t like to.” He looked in Berenice’s eyes and smiled. “But I’m not able unless I did what I have to.”

“Murderers of your father?” asked she-malamute.

“That for a start. Then Balto.”

“Maybe I could help you?”

“No!” said Steele, setting off in south direction. Then he stopped and asked. “So what now? Galena.” She nodded her head. “It’s my revenge! Girl, you have a life to live and my sick vendetta is not the best way to spend it. I really appreciate you are so helpful… But that I should be take care of you, not you for me. Thanks, but I will manage. Besides, you will be excellent sleddog. As your parents or better.” Then he added with quiet murmur. “And we still don’t know if that blasted fever won’t finish us in half a way.”

“It won’t.” Said Berenice. “I feel more alive than ever.”

“Nice to hear that.” Replied Steele and set off to further march.

*

They were travelling for next few days with ease. They exited the area of epidemic and entered lower forests of valley. Life was slowly returning to Yukon, however it was still February life – muffled by snow and frost. But it was easy to find food. They encountered many frozen carcasses and ate to fulfilment. Only thing that was troubling Steele were pulsing swellings on his and Berenice’s neck.

When they stopped for night, in den about twenty miles from Yukon River, malamute looked on his companion and asked with serious voice.

“How are my oedemas?”

“I can’t see anything unusual…” said she-dog but even poor observer would find a false tone in her voice.

“What a shame.” Murmured Steele looking on her with examining stare. “But you wanted me to honest, so I will be. Your ones grew significantly for last three days.”

She turn her stare to the ground and replied with serious voice.

“I know… I feel the fever in me.” She said and entered the den. Steele followed her with no hesitation. If she was infected, he was too. “And I lied… You was looking perfectly healthy in last days… But yesterday I saw serious thickening on your neck. I guess you too.” She Laid down in lair and looked on Steele with inviting stare. He sat down next to her then she cuddled to his side. Although dog said nothing, he was really grateful for that. He needed a warm touch to bear this news calmly. Funny – a month earlier he was almost totally indifferent towards own death. But adventure with Berenice changed it a bit. It had fuelled dog’s curiosity. He was really sorry it was going to end.

“Well, I guess we can’t help it. It’s just our time.”

“Steele, I’m…”

“Don’t start again. I can’t blame you!” interrupted malamute. “I had been already finished before it happened. And I’m really glad I will die in your company. It would be… it’s sounds funny, but I think it’s better end than I deserved. Of course it really unfortunate you’re going down too… You would be the best sleddog in whole Alaska…” Suddenly Berenice licked Steele’s cheek and put her neck on his. Dog was feeling pulse of both blood and swollen lymph nodes.

“I’m scared.” Interrupted Berenice. “I… want to die. Will you stay with me?” Steele wasn’t sure how could he leave her – especially that she was in worse condition and probably she was first to pass away – but he just nodded his head.

“Of course I will.