dropped to minus forty. Wolfdog imagines how hard was a duty of soldier on Reindeer Creek Line. Except of time when one was on hunting for companions, the main task of Packers was to guard the ford (ford was not exact term, when river was iced, but it meant the narrowest place between two areas of wide pools – there crossing creek was easiest and safest) and wait on such a frost for long weeks. And January willingly decided to join that duty.

“Mother?” asked surprised Kaata. “What do you mean?”

“She let me go too easily.” Explained malawolf. “As if she had something smart on mind, but I’m too stupid to get what it is.”

“Oh, no!” protested Kaata and licked January’s forehead. “Sir, you are not stupid…” she paused and finished with laughter. “And even if, you have advisor staff proper for intellectual work!”

January pushed Kaata with side and giggling wolfess hobbled to hit the side of Apu, walking just next to them. Whole unit replied with carefree laughter. January didn’t resist and smiled too, but then he noticed another Pack unit, walking in forest almost parallel to them.

“And they… who are them?” asked himself. Kaata had to hear that and replied instantly.

“Don’t recognise? It’s Ian’s lot.” She called louder. “You, secret agent, come here!”

Soon to January’s column joined six more wolves from RAIA. They were leading by lightfurred wolf of light constitution and strange walk. Four years old scout was hobbling a little, what was a remembrance after general injuries he suffered two years earlier. Born as Talbourne, he was – that detail was never fully explained – captured or saved by Steele and his reconnaissance unit, when they were scouting Home Valley Region. Taken to Haven, he managed to recover and joined to Pack’s military, from that time on serving faithfully to his new family. Because wolf was in some sense charge of Steele and after leader’s death he came under care of Ea, January treated him like a brother. However they didn’t see each other too much recently – as very good scout, Ian was still busy in RAIA.

“Good to see you, ma’am!” he greeted daughter of his supervisor. “Hi, Jan.”

Most likely only Ian used that diminutive – because it was so similar to scout’s name, if someone else call like that, no one about which Ian/Jan was about. Malawolf nodded on reply to friend.

“Again some secret op?” asked January, involuntary putting in that irony tone of real envy. He wished to join the heat of battle – it didn’t matter if as front-soldier or scout in deep recon. “Shadow’s assassination or what?”

“I’m terribly sorry, Jan, but I can’t talk about it.” Replied Ian honestly. “All I could say, is that we are to verify rumours about Shadow’s death. Perhaps it’s a bit too late for assassination.”

Both units – future alpha’s group and scouts – burst in laughter. Yet hybrid felt a bitter taste of defeat – he just missed an opportunity, as would never kill Talbourne alpha. Shadow was considered as a strong leader and whatever would come after him, he or she would be much less honourable adversary to cope with.

“Whatever, good luck anyway. To where you will accompany with us.”

“To further than Reindeer Creek. We cross it and go into peninsula.” January nodded.

Lightfurred scout saw all the thoughts displayed on muzzle of his friend. He know January too long for not to read some wants he wasn’t able to express in words. Somehow Ian felt even worse, as he couldn’t tell to stepbrother what was actual goal for his mission. “I promised it to aunt Ea and I will keep it. Sorry, Jan.” He thought and speeded up his hobbling steps.

*

Tenu was lying on main square in front of Home Cave. The world around him was flowing with dangerous speed, but general was relaxed. He knew wolves souls well enough to predict future chain of events. He understood on that moment he had not too much to do. He would be necessary later, but much depended on how Maya would do her job.

Fida and Ama were close as usual. Twin sisters, always ready bodyguards of general laid on his both sides, taking half-aware naps. If any sign of danger appeared, they would in seconds stand up and stand for their commander. It was their duty and reason to live.

They were almost mirror reflections of themselves – the same shapes and features, varied only by colour of coat. As Fida was all black, Ama’s fur shone with whiteness. Two beautiful females were four and almost since birth lived with and server Tenu. They were saved by his group of wanderers, before hoaryfurred joined Talbourne, in by this time they become most deadly guardians that general could desire. If something went wrong, Tenu estimated that Fida and Ama would match at least ten common soldiers of clan. Of course, it was just a distant possibility and commander preferred to avoid any conflict. He was really counting that Talbourne would be used to his quest.

“Are you sleeping?” asked hoary leader. They were, but on the quietest utter from Tenu’s mouth they always woke up not to lose any of his words.

“Sir!” reported twins at once.

“Easy, I’m just observing. Take a look, if you wish.”

He turned his muzzle to several uneasy groups of Talbourne wolves. Careful observer would notice in that – on first glance usual chats of clanners – possible cores of future claimants parties.

Day before it was a memorial after Shadow. The main speaker was – of course – Sheik, but it was meaningfully that he said nothing about succession. Alpha’s son felt too weak to announce his power – at least too weak yet. Fortunately for him, Maya made no action. She was really crushed by death of her uncle and she disappeared on almost full day, to came on memorial in last moment. What Tenu didn’t see - but he had sense of – she spent that night, crying by side of Tram. Saba’s son was whispering his cousin words of sympathy, but also words of fondness, carefully sensing possibilities of relationship with Maya. However Tram in person couldn’t plot, his followers were active. Rumour about Shadow disowning Sheik was already on the run, strongly extending group of Tram’s acolytes. Meanwhile Rose and her most trusted wolves tried to counter that story, but unexpected gossip suddenly levelled balance of claimants parties. All undecided clanners – Tenu estimated their number on about half of Home Valley population – were ready to support Maya, but that agitation had to be done very carefully. Hoaryfurred doubted if innocent wolfess was ready to enter the political battlefield.

“And what would we do, sir?” asked Ama, after Tenu finished his briefing.

“Not too much for now.” Answered general. “Just wait… in fact it’s would be better if the question is open for longer time…” He took a look around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. They were lying on open air and in noise of countless wolves words, it was unlike for anyone to hear what commander was about to say. “Girls, I’m hoping for a war.”

“You have one, sir.” Noticed Fida.

“I mean the real war!” snorted Tenu. “And I’m suspecting we will have the enemy at the gates soon.”

“Sir…”

“But it’s perfect.” Smiled wolf. “When the Pack hear about Shadow’s death and succession tensions, Aarre would be a moron if he not use the opportunity. They will strike the full scale assault, hoping that before that some of Talbourne would kill each other in civil war.”

“It sounds reasonable, sir.” Noticed Fida. “For them. But we…”

“Only with clear outside threat, we would be able to secure Maya’s succession… and my leadership in military matters. For failures on the front we will blame Teele and the stronger claimant. Then we will make some deal with Packers…” he involuntary tuned down his voice. After all he was talking about aims completely different from clan’s expectation. He wasn’t traitor – because he never swore to be loyal – but he understood that guiding Talbourne by deceit was the easiest way to achieve the score. The score known only by him and his friends. His real brethrens, so different from pride wolves of old regime. He, Tenu was a morningstar of the new world order!

Maya exited the pine-plant after hard night. He woke up in snow, alone. Tram went away earlier, leaving <sorry> mark on snow. She understood he was busy, yet she felt very wrong again finding herself alone. On evening Tram came to her, as earlier with soothing words and soothing touch. She needed his proximity, so he laid in snow, nestling to her side, recalling all the good days they had with uncle Shadow in the past. And that way she fell asleep.

On morning she woke up and with uncertain steps (she felt as if she froze that night) walked to main cave. She passed by several loud groups of wolves, chatting with tensed voice. She noticed as all order failed there. Only Teele, as long intelligence commander and Ami as respected field commander who happened to be in home on Shadow’s funeral, tried to somehow guide confused clan. Those two females organised hunts, extinguished several bursting quarrels, and generally tried to make and impression that somehow was still in place among Followers of Aniu. But it wasn’t. Maya was looking on two commanders with gratitude, yet she still felt no strength to help them in any way. Then she passed by Tanu.

“Good day, princess!” called general.

“Good… what?” asked a bit confused wolfess.

“Day.” Replied hoaryfurred. “That is lapse of time when we observe sun-originated source of light. Of course, above the Arctic Circle definition is a bit more complicated, but…”

“How did you called me?” asked Maya, tired by black sense of general’s humour.

“Princess.” Repeated Tenu. “I hope I didn’t offend you. I could call you emperoress, but only after conquering the Pack’s land. That term is reserved to ruler who had in his or her power many once independent and sovereign domains.”

“Cut this, sir.” Said

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