him and he burned away under the gaze. The ashes that fell from Lytion piled up on the ground until there was nothing left.

Lytion’s scream echoed off the trees for a moment. Then it was silent.

The remainder of the demons amongst the Talbourne exploded into ash themselves, and those of the Shadowclan that had survived turned and fled.

Aniu smiled. “…and he who is against me is fallen, his ashes; like his followers.”

Aniu paused and blew gently. The wind picked up and blew the ashes up into the sky where they disappeared.

“…scattered to the far ends of the earth.” She turned and looked out over the members of the Talbourne; bloodied and breathing hard from their battle.

“…such is the result of the mercy of the merciful, the righteousness of the righteous, and the depth of faith of my chosen few.”

Aniu finally reached the rock of the Origin and stepped up on it, then she turned and looked over her clan. “You are my voice to the world. You are the physical wings of my spirit, and you are the sole preservers of the graciousness of our great creator. Some of you had seen me before, and you believed. Many of you had never seen me, and yet still believed. Now, all of you have seen me and I urge you to share your belief. Our victory today is not complete, not yet. In time the battle will be over, one by one you will be called home to be with he, and with me when the time is right, but until then you must continue the fight each day. The fight may not be physical as it is today, but every day, every choice is a battle; a battle between the one who created you, and he who wishes to destroy you. Choose this day, now, who you will serve and keep that choice ever present in your heart and mind. Consult it often, and know that I will always be with you, whispering in your ear.”

Aniu nodded and two other spirits walked up onto the rock. Aniu looked at them and smiled. Then twin wings of the most brilliant blue extended from her shoulders. She took off in a great whirlwind and the rock was split in two.

The wolves of the Talbourne found themselves in the clearing alone, and yet… they knew they would never be alone again.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 17:

 

Achak looked around him. He’d tried to get away from this group in his mind over a thousand times since they’d left the Talbourne’s cave and all of them ended in disaster.

He sighed. It had been a long time since he’d felt completely hopeless. “…but it’s looking that way now.”

A red blur shot out from the trees and smacked into the rear wolf unnoticed by the others.

There were now nineteen.

The red blur shot across again.

There were eighteen.

The blur shot across the front of the group and the lead wolf was suddenly on his back, a very angry red wolf/dog on top of him, paw on his throat.

“Let him go.” She said.

The wolf laughed. “Why would I do that?” He asked.

“…because I’m going to kill you if you don’t.” She said.

“…but you’ll die.” The wolf said. “You may get me, but my soldiers will get you.”

“You’re probably right.” She said. “…but it won’t matter much to you.”

The wolf gulped. “…Lytion will kill me.” He said.

“Who says you have to go back to him?” Kiona asked.

The wolf appeared to think this over. Then a confused expression came over his face “…back off.” He said finally.

The wolves looked at one another, unsure they heard the order right.

“…back off!” He yelled.

The black wolves backed away from Achak.

“…he’s dead.” The wolf said. “Lytion’s dead. There’s nothing to go back to.” He looked at Kiona. “No one to kill me.”

Kiona looked at him.

“…would you mind letting me up?” The wolf asked.

Kiona got up off of him and the wolf nodded at his soldiers. They all took off in different directions.

Kiona turned and looked at Achak.

She hung her head and walked toward him.

“What… what are you doing here Kiona?” he asked.

Kiona sighed and stopped in front of him.

“…didn’t I tell you to go home?” He asked. “Didn’t I order you?”

Kiona nodded. “…but… I couldn’t.”

Achak smiled. “…for once I’m glad.”

Kiona smiled and nuzzled him. “I love you.” She said. “…and… and I’m…”

Achak nuzzled her back. “…you’re what Kiona?” He asked.

Kiona smiled. “…I’m going to try harder.” She said.

Achak laughed. “You just can’t say it can you?”

Kiona smiled. “Well…”

She sighed. “I’m… I’m sorry okay?”

Achak smiled. “…okay.” He said.

“...let’s go home Achak.” She said..

He nodded.

Achak turned and he and Kiona walked away.

 

Josh awoke first. He coughed up blood on the ground and was surprised to find himself lying on the snow. He looked up and saw the Cannery in flames, most of its structure had collapsed.

His memory came back slowly as he recalled Tiembe crashing through the ceiling, saving him.

Josh got to his paws and stumbled over to the brown furred lump on the ground not far away. He looked at Tiembe and a tear came to his eye. “What have I done.” He said aloud.

Tiembe coughed. “…you’ve… burned down a derelict building I would say.”

Josh smiled. “You’re… you’re alright?”

Tiembe rolled over and stood to his paws. “I suppose.” He said. “…but then, since when have you been concerned about that?”

Josh smiled. “Since you opened my eyes and saved my life.”

Tiembe smiled. “So I shouldn’t expect you to burst in and cart me off to be executed anymore then?”

Josh sighed. “I’ve… I’ve been a fool Teimbe.” He said. “…as far as I’m concerned… you and Shanaea have my blessing.”

Tiembe smiled. “Well I hardly think that’s necessary, but thank you.”

Josh smiled.

 

Shanaea and her father had no trouble finding the Tuna Cannery on Joyce. They just followed the smoke. By the time they reached the flaming building she was very concerned. She saw Tiembe and Josh standing outside. “Josh, no!” She screamed. Then she ran at them.

Josh turned and smiled.

Shanaea stopped. “Josh?”        

She looked at Tiembe. “….Tiembe?”

Tiembe smiled. “Shay.” He said. Then he ran to her.

Shanaea had tears in her eyes as she nuzzled him fiercely. “I… I thought I’d lost you.” She said.

Tiembe smiled and nuzzled her back. “…would take more than an angry brother to take me away from you.”

Shanaea smiled. “…and Josh?”

Blaize walked up behind him. “…he must be arrested. He is guilty of kidnapping and attempted murder.” He sighed. “He must stand trial for his crimes.”

Josh sighed. “…he… he is right.”

Tiembe smiled. “Blaize… I don’t wish to press charges. In fact, as far as I am concerned this whole thing never happened.”

Josh looked at him. “Why would you do that?”

Tiembe smiled. “…because I believe that you have had a change of heart Josh, and that is all that was needed.”

Blaize looked at him. “Tiembe, are you sure?”

Tiembe scoffed. “Are you kidding? I think he should be thrown in the stockade.”

Josh sighed.

Tiembe smiled. “No, I’m kidding. …of course I’m sure.”

Blaize smiled. “Well that makes my job easier.”

Tiembe nodded.

Josh walked over to his sister. “Shay, I’m… I’m so sorry.”

She nodded. “Josh… so much has happened between us. This is all so… sudden, I don’t know quite what to say, but… in time I might.”

Josh nodded.

Shanaea turned to Tiembe and smiled. “Let’s go home.” She said.

Tiembe nodded.

Shanaea and Tiembe walked away from the burning building.

Kodi looked at Blaize in shock. “What… just happened?” He asked.

Blaize started walking back toward Nome. “…perhaps you should ask your son.” He said. “It’s a long story.”

Kodi turned to his son. “…Josh?”

Josh sighed. “I’ll tell you on the way home dad.” He said.

Kodi nodded and the two of them began to walk away. Behind them what was left of the cannery collapsed to the ground.

 

Jenna saw Balto emerge from the smoke filled doorway from across the street in an old hotel, where Kate had taken them. “Jenna, stay here.” Kate said. “He told me to protect you.”

Jenna shook her head and leapt through the window. She ran across the deserted street and to his side. “…Balto?” She said. “Balto, are you okay?” She asked.

Balto coughed and rolled over to his paws. “I… I think so.” He said.

“Balto, what was wrong with him?” Jenna asked.

Balto sighed. “Jenna… I… I have something to tell you. Jason thought that… that Gemeni and I were… were sleeping together while you were banished, and that’s why he did this. He thought that I killed Drake.”

Jenna shook her head. “All of this over a misunderstanding?” She asked. “…That’s awful.”

Balto nodded. “There’s more.” He said.

“…what is it?” Jenna asked.

“…Gemeni’s dead.” He said.

Jenna’s mouth fell open. “…what?” She asked.

Balto nodded. “Jason… he killed her.”

“Oh… oh my God.” Jenna said. “…Gemeni?”

Balto nodded.

“…when?” Jenna asked.

“…last night I guess.” He said. “Blaize told me about it when I talked to him before I came here.”

Jenna shook her head and set down on the snow. “I… I can’t believe it.” She said.

Balto nodded.

“…what’s happening in the world?” She asked.

Balto sighed. “I don’t know.” He said.

Jenna stood up and looked at him. “…you’re hurt.” She said.

Balto nodded. “A bit, but I’ll manage.” He stood and nuzzled her. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”

Jenna smiled. “Thank you for coming for me Balto.” She said.

Balto smiled. “Don’t I always?” He asked.

She smiled back and nuzzled him. “Yes.” She said.

He looked at her and grinned. “Let’s go home.” He said.

“…but, what about you?” She asked. “You’re hurt.”

Balto smiled. “We’ll take care of that there.” He said.

Jenna nodded. “I’ll take care of that there.” She said.

Balto smiled. “…deal.” He said. He nuzzled her. “I love you.” He said.

“I love you.” She said.

Then the two of them walked across the street to meet Kate and Alyse.

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