the dirty part. However, I need you alive for this.”

Previous evening, after Steele generally recovered after his carbon intoxication, partial dehydration and hunger, both dogs exchanged scraps of own stories, concerning Balto. When Victor was digging a hole for night, Steele told him about his search of Ravens Pack and its deadly outcome. Then he mentioned about totally different case, that meant: wolfdog.

“That is the same.” Replied tired mongrel. “He is son of Black and Aniu.”

“You kidding me!” gasped malamute.

“Am I looking for someone with sense of humour?” asked yellow furred. “I was tracking them for last… ow, hell, it was almost five year.”

“How old are you?” asked a bit confused leader.

“Six.”

“So you have… an interesting life.” Said carefully Steele.

Victor didn’t know why he did it, however he did it. He told that strange malamute about his life, about Agatha and wolves, his life in Selawik and journeys in mountains. He had never show that much to anyone, even to Daisy. But that wounded dog seemed to understand him in way that Victor never expect would someone understand.

“I’m sorry.” Said finally.

“No, you don’t.” replied yellow furred.

“Well, I didn’t know your mate and I’m not talking about her, because indeed that wouldn’t be honest. I mean that I’m sorry to take your vengeance. It seems that you have taken a lot time in vain.” Victor unexpectedly laughed.

“You are interesting, puller.” He said. “And it seems that I need you for time being. I will guide you safe to Nome if you let me kill Balto and help me to do that.”

“Deal.” Agreed malamute.

So on the next day they moved to safer place, partially shielded from avalanched by some rocks. It looked funny – Victor was pulling, or better to say: dragging Steele on snow, grabbing his collar. It was way down, however it was still dangerous, so sled leader – and then also <sled cargo> was guiding his saviour about the path. That way they got to the rock pile.

“Den is ready.” Announced Victor. “But wait, I will help you.” He came to dog and dragged him inside.

“You seem to be skilled in such <nursing> stuff.” Noticed with half-irony Steele.

“Because I am. Since Agatha.”

“Ow, sorry.” Murmured malamute.

“There is nothing to apologize for.” Snorted mongrel. “I’m recall my love anytime I want and I like it.” Lied. In fact remark of Steele touched him deeply. “But now lay here and I will check in that forest nearby has any game inside.”

“How the hell you are going to feed us both?”

“I’m skilled in that too.” Said and disappeared in growing darkness.

*

They were living that way for about week – Victor was hunting, Steele was bored and his body was trying to heal wounded leg. On eighth day they decided to move down to find some cave. Possibility of another avalanche was still low, however if some accident would have happened, Victor couldn’t guarantee Steele’s safety in improvised keep. So they came to some cavern in Yu’s slope (way don was looking funny – giant malamute was constantly supporting on back of smaller dog) and took it as own. Somehow it was their own – it was the same crack that once Victor and Agatha took as shelter, then it was used for some time by Berenice’s parents and finally Victor had been camping there year earlier. So it brought both dogs some memories.

“Berenice…” said Steele with dreamy voice, on one evening when they were lying in cave. “When you see her, you will understand why I just let Balto go… Man, sometimes I think that I just threw away in vain that year I was running in mountains and looking for those wolves. I mean… it’s good that scums are dead… but I haven’t resurrected my father. And it actually caused that I was with Berenice a year earlier.”

“I can’t say I envy you that.” Snorted mongrel. “However it’s nice to hear you have your own way.”

“Haven’t you ever thought… to do something else than that revenge?” asked Steele.

“No. I don’t need such a plans right now.”

“E… never? Haven’t you… You know, any bitch have never…” Victor interrupted how with snort. “Ow, never mind.”

*

Balto became an often guest in Kaasen’s shed. In fact after death of Steele almost whole town recalled that malamute actually had done few nice things for community. Suddenly some started to talk about his sled leader career, some other reminded that Steele was saviour of Peter Kinrs’s and his team. Because it’s always much easier to show respect and admire to someone is not there, malamute became a hero, almost in the same degree as Balto three years earlier. Shed of master Gunnar became in some sense a central place of town and if Berenice and Steele used to ignored in society, then Berenice alone became a mayor figure of Nome community. But a deaf figure, because she totally shut from any other dogs.

There were some exceptions, most notable that Star and his niece: Maya (saved by expedition) were regularly visiting pregnant bitch. She seemed to be tired by that constant care, however she accepted that if huskies let her be alone for most of time. The third guest was Balto in person. Berenice was rather indifferent towards wolfdog’s concern, however she let him be with her for even more time that she let Star. Balto was easier companion, because he was rather silent (shy?) companion. She-malamute could accepted quiet presence of hybrid.

Labour was quite easy and Berenice gave birth to five pups, two dogs and three bitches. Master Gunnar called them: Steele (of course…), Sharp (it was just coincidence, Norwegian didn’t know he gave him grandparent’s name), Arrow, Regne and Sol. All of them looked somehow like mother’s mirrors, however when they started to open their eyes, Berenice saw that all of them had unusual for their breed blue eyes. Just like Steele.

“May I…” asked Balto on doorstep of shed. She-malamute just nodded her head so he entered. “Ow, they are beautiful.” Smiled hybrid, coming closer to pups, sucking mother’s breast.

“Yes, I notice that.” Said Berenice, but in that statement was no irony, just a sad indifference.

“May I look them closer?”

“Yes, sure.” Replied malamute, however when Balto was carefully touching pups, she was looking on that with watchful stare as if she was ready to take back her children by force. Wolfdog stroked tines, and but then quickly crawl back to mother, scared by new and unknown scent. “Maybe they even somehow sense that I killed their father.” Though Balto with spark of madness.

“Berenice.” He asked with breaking voice. “Please, tell me, how may I help you.”

“Now you can’t.” she replied. She wanted to add <but you could have brought back Steele>, but she didn’t. “Just… Balto, I’m very grateful that you told them about Steele’s past. Very grateful. But somehow I just can’t forget that he died saving your son. So please forgive that I’m sometimes harsh for you, because of things you haven’t caused.”

“I will go now.” Said wolfdog. “But if you need my help… my accompany, just tell. I’ll be here instantly.”

“You have your family.” Noticed Berenice.

“I guess you need more care than they, right now.” Replied, exiting the shed. Then he added in mind. “And I need you more than them. Than Jenna.”

He wanted to return to his boat, but she intercepted him before he left Nome. It could be pure coincidence, or she was waiting for him. It didn’t matter – Balto was really irritated to see Jenna.

“You were with Berenice.” She noticed with voice seemingly washed out from emotions. In fact she was really scared about Balto, however she wasn’t sure what exactly she was fearing.

“I was.” Nodded hybrid. “I guess, apart of Star and Maya, she let only me to watch over. Her pups have week right now.”

“Why are doing it, Balto?” she came to him and nestled to his side.

“I killed Steele.” said wolfdog without emotions.

“No!” she yelled with voice full of emotion. In fact what was relief, because the believed – or wanted to believe – that concern of her mate was caused only because of guilt. “That not true. It was an accident!”

“However Steele is dead and I could had prevent it.” Said Balto honestly. “I doubt if I ever forgive myself… and that why I’m responsible for those pups who will never see their father.”

“Yes… that’s so alike you.” Jenna murmured, still nestling to his side. “You are so noble and caring… But I think you have to take care more about me… Please, let’s go to your place today. Let it be like… in old good times.” With some sixth sense Jenna however knew that something was wrong. She wanted to have him just for herself and was desperately looking for way to secure that. She didn’t expressed it even in thoughts but maybe she even hoped that they would have pups once again. Mistress Rosy would accepted that.

“No, maybe not.” Replied Balto and Jenna tensed in his paws. “I will take you home and back to me. I must reconsider few things.”

“As you wish.” Agreed red furred, however she shivered inside.

*

To cross the Eagle pass they dared about fifteenth March. Then they made a few-days stop in forest of Buckland District. Steele could walk on his paws easily, however he got exhaust quickly – for not to burden wounded limb, he had to base on three others what wasn’t too comfortable. For some route Victor was supporting him, but however mongrel was strong, Steele weighed over eighty pounds what made that help very difficult.

So they stayed on western slope of range for few days. Steele was avid to go instantly, but Victor disagreed. He was already thinking about his revenge, so he planned it all carefully, still asking malamute about more and more details of Nome community.

“I think that public charge against Balto won’t work. They could just not believe he wanted to kill you.”

“Of course, they won’t he his a local hero. I told you that already.”

“Yes, but I was thinking over all possibilities.” Replied Victor. “So, what do