and Ian. They easily avoided any Talbourne patrols, thanks to Ian’s skills, but also due to wolfesses’s knowledge. She new much about sentries, from Istana. Scoutess was never fully initiated to the plan, but she had to see what was her mother up to. And she willingly told clan’s secrets. But the way itself was just a beginning.

They reached outskirts of Home Valley exactly at he dawn of old year’s last day. No one planned so showy entrance, but it just happened. January ordered his guides to rest, before final infiltration. He needed a break himself. A rest and some consideration.

“As I said – Ian should join our military, but you, madam, are not a soldier. I strongly advice you to stay aside.”

“I wish to witness it.” She said. “And besides… I must make sure my family survive this. I know that the order is to spare lives of Istana, Viin and Ralph… but I want to make sure… they would allow you to spare them. I want convince them to give up, if the battle broke out.”

“Ma’am!” smiled January. “Have you ever thought that we could still lose?”

“In that case I must watch if Ian gives up.” She replied. “Sorry, my alpha… I admire your involvement and zeal, but for my long life I learned that only one thing that matters is the ones you love. Your family.”

“Easy to say.” Said malawolf. “My beloved ones are split into opposite parties.”

”And mine not?” asked Flame. “I had to make a cold-logic calculation, to protect them all. But I did it, because I love them all. I pray I’m right.”

“So… what would you advise me?” asked January with shivering voice. “There is an alternative – I am loyal to what I swore to my father, or I follow what my beloved asked me to do.”

“You are sure, that there is no other way?” she asked and he nodded his head. “So… I’m sure that in right moment your heart would tell you, what to do. Think, for what you are loved… and keep it up.”

“Yeah… but I will have a seconds to make a decision, most likely.” Said malawolf. “And if I choose wrong, many could die. I’m so scared about error.”

“Only dead ones make no errors.” Noticed Flame.

“That a vote for my father’s commands?” asked January with grim voice.

“Not, that a vote for your own judgement. I don’t know, whom you will choose… but I believe that the others will understand it.”

“Thanks, madam.” Replied January. “I guess you give me no answer, but it’s now somehow clearer anyway.”

They chose a small pan to take a nap. Malawolf wanted to enter the valley just before the dusk, to use the cover of darkness. He regretted that Ian was about to return to main forces – he wished to have experienced friend at his side. “But in fact it’s useless.” Thought hybrid. “I’m poor scout and presence of soundless Ian won’t make me any quieter.”

“Good night… or good day, whatever.” Said January. “Wake me up about hour before the sunset, all right?”

Perhaps sleeping so close to enemy is usually rather a poor choice, but in that particular moment they were safe as in Haven. In Home Valley almost all wolves were wrapped up by something different than searching for enemy’s scouts. If January looked carefully, he would noticed Maya returning home.

Brownfurred made her way rather slow, partially due to still aching paw, partially to Tan’s paranoia. Orangefurred lieutenant seemed to see Black and his sidekicks behind the every tree. He cleared all sentry outposts between Reindeer Creek and Home Valley from soldiers, to strengthen Maya’s retinue. After all everybody seemed to glad because of that – Tan, because Maya was safer and Aarre, because he encounter no guards whom he had to bother with killing.

Since five days Talbourne capitol was enflamed with growing argument. The division was clear – two parties emerged from indecisiveness. Tram was supported by his followers, but also those who wished Maya on lead generally believed in news about future relationship between cousins. Just few wolves replied Rose’s taunts about inbreeding perverts, while rest of “Mayalites” without zeal, but with calm determination went on southern side of Talbourne Creek where Tram was gathering his supporters.

At the first glance party of Sheik was in deep troubles. Serious group of wolves supported Aleu’s son, but that was still less that joined acolytes of Maya and Tram. Yet many undecided claners, who didn’t want to show any affiliation before, levered the balance. After all Sheik was a child of previous alpha. Most of traditionalists gave their conditional support to Aleu’s son.

There were rumour about Black’s involvement in Maya’s failed assassination. But Rose countered those with her own gossips, sounding no less unlikely. After Teele gave her agree on official duel instead of juridical trial, no one cared about the truth, but just hoped for a good show. And Tram realistically estimated that he stood no chance against Black. So he hoped that Maya would be back in time and then fix everything.

And Maya returned. She entered the main ledge and then all wolves turned they stares to her. Sheik and Tram ran to her, but Tan – seemingly ignoring all family-connections – stopped them about twenty yards from princess, as well as all wolves who were trying to get to brownfurred.

“Maya!” called Sheik. “I’m so happy that you are safe…”

“…in spite of his efforts.” Added Tram with poisonous voice.

“Lady Maya!” called Teele, pushing crowd of wolf aside and getting to her. Tan eventually let her go. “It’s so good to see you… Please, tell us, what happened at Reindeer Creek?”

In the same time a wave of whispers and gasped of amazement sounded among Talbourne. Four guardians of Home Guard were guiding young Ram. Lightfurred wolf was scared and severely beaten up. Sentries were almost dragging him to square and wolf seemed to follow only because of not full awareness. It was clear he was held as a prisoner.

“He is the one, who wanted to kill you.” Said sergeant Will. “He was hidden on Eastern Route, preparing to throw avalanche down.”

“He… is from Stardust Pack!” called Maya.

“Lady, is that true that he and his companions tried to kill you?” She nodded her head and all stared pointed not on her nor Ram, but on Rose, standing with her pups on Northern Ledge. But soon after that whole attention came to Sheik.

“That’s… that’s a misunderstanding!” started Aleu’s son. “I had nothing to do with that! Maya, tell them, please!”

“Do with what, sir?” asked Teele with polite voice, but it was obvious that Sheik ceased to be claimant and became a suspect.

“Teele.” Said Maya. “Thank you for your concern, but as a future alpha, I will solve it myself.”

I was done. Brownfurred for the very first time declared that she wanted to lead and no one protested. Just a whisper of confusion but also of agreement came among wolves and in next second Talbourne clan was looking on Maya as alpha-to-be. But few question were still open – was that true she mate with Tram? And what would happen with Stardusters, Rose… and Sheik.

“Leave him alone!” called voice from the crowd. It was Black.

Wolves dispersed form that area, showing darkfurred, slowly going to the centre of gathering. In almost combat rank, five wolves steeped to inside of audience circle and stopped in front of guardians. Tan gave a tail-wag and all sentries formed a wall before Maya. Just for sure.

“Let him go.” Said Black. “As temporally alpha of Stardust Pack I’m fully responsible for actions of my packmates.

Hearing that Rose gasped with fear. She closed her eyes, fighting the vision of imprisoned friends, most likely destined to be trailed and sentenced. She had a duty to help them… But Sheik… pups… in the same time she couldn’t. So she stood alone, praying for Aniu for any help.

Aniu had a bit different problems - overall lot on her head that moment - but let’s focus on clan’s issues. For a while all wolves in Home Valley were thinking what Black was up to. He entered the circle of audience and soldiers, in fact allowing guardians to catch him any moment. And he indirectly confessed his guilt.

“I must not involve Rose in this.” Thought darkfurred. “She is only of us, who could gone uncharged…”

“Black.” Said Maya with sad, yet decisive voice. “Why did you wanted my death?”

“That you wouldn’t became an alpha.” Said wolf. “And not mate with Tram, repeating the disgusting sin of his parents!” Actually he invented it just moment before, but it was a way to sidetrack any suspicions out of Rose.

“Wasn’t there any other motif?” she asked, looking in his eyes.

And there she found something she didn’t expected. A plead. He was silently begging her, not to dig that case. It was obvious for many that Black was just a scapegoat, he was taking Rose’s guilt. But if Maya accepted his sacrifice, redfurred and consequently Sheik were safe. Both sides wanted that – Black for Rose and Maya for Sheik.

“Why do you do it?” asked brownfurred with quiet voice, that only Starduster heard it. But for her own loss, Rose opened her eyes ion that moment. She read from lips of packmates. She made a step ahead, but Sheik stopped her with sudden nudge.

“Stay still!” he gasped. “God, we have pups! You can’t help him, just drown yourself.”

“Right, Black.” Said Maya aloud. “I don’t share you beliefs, but understand them. I’ll try to be benevolent for you all.”

“Let Ram free.” Ordered Black. “It’s me whom you want.”

“Don’t push it, Black!” said Maya with sudden decisiveness.

And then all happened at once. All Stardusters, who set thing up, pounced at Maya. Only Black and Garm reached her, while rest was stopped and pinned down by guardians. But Garm grabbed Maya and Black froze with jaws put on her nape. Guardians recoiled at once.

“Move and dig her grave!” gasped darkfurred to soldiers. Then whispered to brownfurred. “Sorry, girl, but it must be that way. Believe, I’m in the same deep swamp as you

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