Balto: The Jenikian Journey Part Two

This story was inspired by Balto, (copyright 1995), Balto II: Wolf Quest (copyright 2000) and Balto III: Wings of Change(2005) by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.  The following: Black, Laren, Baltheis, Lahania, Kellan, Marcus, Denifence, the elven language (in my story), Larkan, Lucinda, Lucind, Jerec, Prince Roan, Veavles, Renodain, Jenika, When, June, Nikoe, Lyon, Decem, Illion, Curn, Sahen, Ruen, Rob, Vorgan, and the titles and ranks(Dragon captain ex.) and the events that take place in this story are copyright 2005 by Sam Dochoda (Aljan). The characters: Shadow, Dash, Melody, Shasta, Max, Flash, Timbre, Sheik, Lima, Thunder, Shade, Blaize, Lightning, June, Talkeet, Angel, Snow, Kalia, Rayne, James, Daie, Kitok Gareth, Hiruam are characters Copyright by 2005 by Anthony Rotramel who has given me permission to use some of his characters.  He has my thanks.  The original characters remain copyright property of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.

Intro

            We left off where Balto had met Baltheis, Dragon captain of When and wielder of the white sword, Larkan.  We listened to Baltheis tell the tale of how he received the rank Dragon captain and how he made When the way it is now.  We now join the man and the hybrid where we left off: walking out of the morning lit office together as friends and now more questions are forming in Balto’s head…

June and December

            Balto shook his head as he walked behind Baltheis.  The ground they walked upon was green with short grass and it felt soft against his paws.  They were walking across a field where other humans were sparring with each other with swords like the one Baltheis carried on his hip.  Others used weapons such as lances and axes that Balto could identify. However, there were some who were using other weapons that the hybrid couldn’t identify.  One man used a handle that had a chain and a spiked ball on the end.  Another used a combination of a lance and ax.  All were fighting with such strength and skill that Balto was surprised to see that none were harmed in any way.  A breeze blew through the training field and Balto remembered the gust of wind Baltheis threw at him when they met.

            “Baltheis,” he said.  “When we met, you hit me with a gust of wind.  How did you do that?” 

            The Dragon captain continued walking.  Balto looked up at the human.

            “Baltheis?”

            The Dragon captain then said, “It was magic that I summoned from within Larkan that you felt.” 

            The hybrid gasped.  “So you can do magic?” 

            Baltheis shook his head.  “I can’t do magic,” he said.  “I can summon magic from the sword for the sword itself is magic.  It was made by the elves.”

            This puzzled Balto.  “Elves?”

            “The race of Elves is a race of humans who, unlike us mortal humans, are immortal and can wield magic freely.  Of how they managed to become immortal has been kept a secret ever since they became elves.  They no longer counted themselves humans.  So they called themselves the fair folk and began to claim they were the wisest and the fairest of all races.  And who couldn’t say they were?  They were beautiful, male and female alike and they knew it.  Those are the elves, Balto.” He said.

            “I’d like to see one someday.” Said the hybrid.  Baltheis shook his head.

            “Nay, you wouldn’t want to for they’ll see you as an outcast not a pure blood.”  He said.  “I know from experience.”

            “You went to them?” asked Balto.

            “Aye,” replied Baltheis.  “Once and though they respected me I knew they despised me for I was born and raised on the plains, a place known to house many evils.”

            Balto paused then continued walking.  His life is almost like mine. He thought.  He was once despised and shunned by all except for his friends.  Then he proved himself worthy to all and was accepted.

            Then Baltheis stopped and Balto looked up.  Before him was the walls he had seen when falling through the sky.  The walls of When stood before him.  Made out of wood, stone, and earth, the walls stood strong and magnificent. 

            “These are the walls,” said Baltheis.  “Come, and see the beauty they give.”  The hybrid nodded and followed the Dragon captain up the stairs that were built right against the walls.  The walls were built with enough width to fit three ranks of men and allow them to fight without hitting each other.  The hybrid put his paws on the wall and looked at the view it supplied.  It was beautiful.  Green swirling grass rolled around When and into the distance.  A bright yellow sun rose in the blue cloudy sky and birds flew about singing their songs.  Balto saw Baltheis watching him.

            “Was this the beauty the walls give?” he asked. 

            Baltheis nodded.  “Aye, and much more.  You just have to be there to see and experience it.”

            Balto glanced one more at the swirling plains and was about to return to his feet when movement caught his eye in the east.  Turning to his left he saw a whole herd of horses running through the green swirling grass.  Though he had seen horses pull sleds and sleighs through Nome, these horses’ built were much more muscular and sleek then any he had seen. 

            Baltheis followed his gaze and smiled.  “That is the Whenian horse herd,” he said.  “Unlike some of our people who believe certain breeds of horses should be bred, we of When believe that strength, endurance, and intelligence come from nature itself so we let the horses breed amongst themselves.”

            Balto faced him.  “Can I see them?”

            The Dragon captain frowned.  “The stallion and mare of the herd must meet you first so that they know you are not dangerous.  I am not able to go to the herd at the moment.”  The hybrid returned the frown.

            “Why not?” he asked.  “You are the Dragon captain are you not?  Don’t you have the authority?”

            “I do,” said Baltheis.  “But my duty as a Dragon Captain has many—“  He stopped speaking and went to the side of the wall that over looked the town.  Balto, puzzled, did the same.  The captain pointed to the street.  A red dog was walking on the road, looking around as if confused by his surrounding.  His marking and color marks matched that of Jenna’s. 

            “Kodi!” cried Balto.  A sentry near them started at the enthusiastic bark that came out of the hybrid.  Baltheis waved him on and the soldier paid them no heed.  Balto called to his son again but the husky had disappeared. 

            The sun had now reached its height in the sky and was beginning its decent.  The afternoon rays hit Balto as he ran through the streets seeking his son.  Baltheis had gone to other duties and told him if he needed help he was to howl.  His words confused the hybrid for he was the only one Balto knew that could understand him. 

            Balto shook his head.  It didn’t matter now.  He needed to find his son. 

            He stopped at a corner and sniffed for a scent.  Kodi was here… he thought and he continued on following the scent.  He turned another corner and almost ran into a grey female dog that was walking down the alley.  The hybrid, locked-kneed, came to a stop inches from the female’s breast.  Their noses came within inches of touching.  Balto’s mind flashed back a year ago when he done the same to Jenna.  However, this female wasn’t Jenna, though, amazingly, this grey husky did have Jenna’s resemblance.  She was a grey husky well out of her winter coat.  Her eyes were that that he had never seen