running on eastern bank. Initially they thought that idea with icefloat was excellent way to outran persecutors, but after some time two runaways noticed that chase was moving with almost the same speed that game. However that was good for Maya and January anyway – floating with ice they could rest a bit, while pursuers were tiring themselves.

“And… what now?” Asked wolfess. “Where are we going?”

“We are not going.” Replied hybrid. “We’re just resting. When you are ready to run, we will try to reach the bank and get to Pack’s territory. We can’t enter human’s seats. They will shot Black and his sidekicks, but you will be shot too.”

“You could survive… as a half dog.”

“If wanted to be a sledpuller, I would have gone there earlier.” Murmured January. “Oh, don’t be afraid. I won’t leave you.”

“Yes, I know.” Said Maya and nestled to his side closer.

“By the way… on the first glance you could be glad that we die.” Said January. “The Pack loses it’s leader, while the stronger claimant for Talbourne alpha gets the score…” She wanted to say <I never thought like that!>, but he continued. “But it doesn’t work like that. If I’m down… Aarre becomes the leader. He is our beta-alpha… marshal in your words, I guess. So someone like Tenu. The funny point is that my family won’t suffer so much, because Aarre will still be obedient to my mother… But his aim – as well as aim of all Uniea survivors and their children – is to restore the glory of Uniea Clan. And they will attack Talbourne for sure – as revenge for war four years ago.”

“It’s horrible…”

“Well, remember that Tenu was planning offensive against us in nearest summer. So, now the question is just: Who whom?”

“We must survive and stop it!” she whispered.

“Why do you assume I wish to stop it?” asked malawolf. “I’m trying to fulfil my father’s dream, that’s all. Ultimate quest is different than Aarre’s, but means are the same. War.”

“No…” she sobbed. “You are not like that!”

“Like what?” he asked. “Like your parents? Like Aleu and Shadow? They all were fighting.” He noticed.

“We can change it!” assured Maya, putting her head on January’s side.

*

Good motivation can’t replace food and sleep, but could reduce need of those to very small dose. Both teams – Tan’s and Aarre’s had motivation and they were going with unbelievable speed. Thirty miles in such terrain and with such a weather was an achievement, if was done in less than eight hours.

Aarre as the first noticed tracks of runaways and chase – after all most of that race was done on his bank. Old hunter read from pawprints and other marks well. He saw the hole made by Maya (and the second, made by Maya too, yet intentionally) to more or less discover what happened. His head was full of theories about mysterious assassins but he tended to choose the right one – that was inner-Talbourne game, where January was not the main target. In the same time he felt relived and he was very angry on that circumstance.

“Werk!” he gasped, seeing edge of ice-layer and freely drifting floats. “Did he…”

“Boss’s son is amazing!” yelled Tomu – one of most trusted Aarre’s soldier. “They were eight and he managed to outwit them!”

“I doubt if he is able to outwit the river.” Said Aarre. “Anyway, we must go ahead.” His unit followed down the stream.

*

She gathered family in her cave. It wasn’t easy – she had to persuade lieutenants Ami that her “family business” was more important that another drill in Icy Valley, but she managed to do it. Istana found her time easily, because Teele was still in Home Cave, postponing most of recon operations.

“So, what’s up, mom?” asked Vin, entering as the last to cave.

“We must all talk about Ian.” She said. Ralph wanted to express his discontentment, but she froze him with her stare. “We must.”

“If you say so…” murmured wolf. Then asked with hope. “Have you convinced him to return to the clan?”

“No.” said wolfess. “And I don’t plan it. Or later. But first of all we must ask him for forgiveness for what we did to him when we was with us. Or for what we didn’t…” She looked on Istana. “Of course I don’t mean you, my dear, but I ask you to accompany us.”

“What!?” gasped Ralph. “We have to apologies him? He is a traitor, not us!”

“Mom…” added Viin with quieter voice. “It’s cool that Ian is alive… but it’s not my fault that he lost the qualification round…”

“I see you never learn.” Said Flame, looking on them with sad eyes. “Very well, let it be.” In that moment she made the final decision.

Two wolves – father and son – left the cave. Only Istana stayed. Flame sighed again and said to her daughter.

“And you? At least you’ve done nothing wrong.”

“But it’s my brother…”

“And my son.” Added Flame. “Please remember it, when… well, you will see when it will be worth to recall.”

*

Mother’s acting was strange, what Ian – taught by Varjo – noticed quickly. She made nothing especially strange, but all her person was sparkling with some mystery. She started to came there less frequent and talked less too. However Ian had enough brains to wait with question to the moment they were alone.

“Mom… what is going on?” She took a look around and smiled.

“Isn’t that obvious?” she asked.

“Wait…” gasped scout. “You don’t mean that…”

“Soon you will be free.” Said Flame. “I’ve already hid enough food to have a real meal before we go and acquired a route, where we could rest and dine in progress.”

“What!?” yelled Ian. Then he turned his voice lower. “Mother, I’m extremely grateful for that… but what means <we>? You want to escort me to the border?”

“You said you know lady Ea and January in person. I guess fixing the Pack’s asylum for me won’t be so hard.”

“But… to the Pack…” whispered scout. “You want to go with me… there? You can’t leave your home.”

“Tell me something, mister!” said Flame with faked harshness. “Do you still claim that you Pack is the finest one in Alaska?”

“Yes, but it…”

“So, don’t you want your mother to be on the right side, huh?”

“I want that you are with Pack… but… dad? Istana and Viin?”

“Sorry, Ian.” Said Flame with tensed voice. “They simply don’t see it.”

“See what?” asked scout. He was shocked, maybe in very pleasant way, but he also didn’t like someone was taking his fate in her or his paws.

“We failed you, Ian.” Replied wolfess. “You father and brother too, but mine fault is the greatest one. I failed as a mother.”

“But I didn’t ask you to defect because of that.”

“Wait, mister!” snorted Flame. “Do you want to return home, or not?”

“I want, but… aren’t you afraid that that help me in my mission and consequently help the Pack’s cause.”

“Soon that will be my cause as well.” Said wolfess. “Seeing uncertainness of her son, she added. “I wished that we all go. But if they can’t see that they should. However it doesn’t relieve my from my duties.”

“Wait! There is something you should know! About my mission…” yelled Ian.

“No, I don’t. In fact, I don’t care.” She replied. “I just want to deliver you there… and live there with you. You will show me your home… introduce me to your girl… Will you?”

“Of course, I will.” Said Ian with decisiveness. “But still we must go there.”

“Don’t worry!” smiled Flame. “I’ll show you, that you survival skill you got with genies!”

*

Varjo was highly reasonable wolf, that’s why he was wrong. He assumed that January was worrying about his own survival and interest of the Pack. That’s why he assumed that Steele’s son simply with the first possible opportunity left Reindeer Creek and hid in forest, waiting for rescue team. It was optimal option for heir, who was responsible for future of the
Pack. However it was bad tactic for young January, who was caring about Talbourne princess.

Kaata persuaded her father to give her six wolves and let her go south. Of course RAIA’s commander forbade daughter to get close to Buckland, but she was determined to visit even Anchorage, if that was a place where possible January was. She ran downriver at her full speed, but of course she was unable to make up to Aarre.

“Don’t worry, we will find him.” Assured Varjo, when he was looking with Ea on outgoing Kaata.

“I am worrying about it too.” She replied. “How we would explain it to him.”

*

“Sir! Fresh trail!” called Tomu to Aarre.

“Good, continue.” Replied beta-alpha.

“But sir… those are enemy’s trails.” Added sergeant. “Seven wolves of Talbourne. We can’t locate master January.”

“So… that changes nothing.” Replied Pack’s marshal. “Or no… let’s go a bit slower.”

“Sir?”

“We can’t let those Talbourne to spot us, right?”

“Right.” Nodded Tomu, not knowing that his commander had something different on mind.

*

The night had come and they had to land. January was barely standing on his paws, felt nausea attacks because of exhaustion and hunger, while Maya’s paw was still no good for run. Their only hope was weakness of enemy – after all pursuers also had to rest eventually. And there was a second reason for a stop – they almost reached human’s territory. Malawolf would do almost anything to avoid entering it, but he understood there was no other choice. Chase was restless and slope of valley seemed to be still too steep for Talbourne princess. Moreover January hoped that Black would scare of humans. That was a weak hope, however, because the damage was already done – Maya saw muzzles of assassins and leaving her alive was very unwise options for them.

“Be prepared.” Said hybrid to wolfess. “When I see good place, we swim to the shore. Then we will have to find some den and instantly dry up. Any minute of walking with wet fur will drain us. Too long time will kill us.”

“Do you know any hot source here?” asked Maya with sleepy voice.

“No, no! don’t sleep!” yelled January. “This time I simply can faint, saving you!”

“As you wish, Jan.” she replied

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