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Eh, unfortunately I – in opposition to Tony – often kill my characters, limiting Deus ex machina salvations to required minimum.
But look on the brighter side of that – somehow the story doesn’t end and I Tony allow me to continue… (see: in epilogue).

Ps.
There will be X (name of character cut for not to spoil the story). Remmeber that X has nothing to do with my X, but more than X from RTW’s ffics;) (however there is slight splot-difference)

Epilogue – The Prophecy

Annen was right – only thing they could do, was to choose a nice place for Vis to die.
Shaman suffered a mayor internal bleeding, what she understood just after fight. Discovering she was almost done, she asked.
“Take me to the forest.”
Anned and Venn lifted her dying body and followed Tro, guiding remnants of the pack to the mountains. After few hours of march they came to calm and beautiful pan in spruce grove. It happened that single beech was growing there, so alpha decided to stop there.
“Thank you.” Whispered Vis. “It’s wonderful place… so similar to our home.”
Wolves surrounded their shaman, only Tro came closer and bended down to friend and carer.
“I’m sorry I failed in defending Fort.” She said. “I’m sorry we all failed in defending Glemt.”
“We were a pack.” Replied Tro. “Both blame and glory belong to all of us.”
“Were?” asked Vis.
“Yes.” Nodded alpha. “I told it to all already. They agreed. You had right, Vis. In everything.” She sighed and continued. “Yes, Glemt led our pack to the doom. Because from now on, we are not longer a pack.” She said louder for all to hear. “The Beeches are dead, only Avengers left. We all chose to die in our sworn vengeance for lives of Glemt and Fort… and you.”
“No…” whispered shaman.
“Yes.” Said Annen, coming closer. “I’m with Tro too. We are no longer pack. All we need to do is to punish those who killed our family. We will strike and take down Aleu and as many of her soldiers as we manage.”
“That’s a suicide.” Said Vis with tired voice.
“It’s a sacrifice.” Corrected her beta. “We have no other way. It just like you foreseen.”
“Yes.” Nodded Elske, coming to dying shaman. “As you said – Glemt led us to doom. There was no his fault in that, but in the result we are going to die to avenge him. We have no chance to win this war… but we will lose with honour.”
“So it happened as it had to happened.” Sighed Vis. “Do not blame anyone – it was unavoidable.”
“We won’t.” agreed Tro. “We will just follow the path we are destined to.”
“It was a honour to be in your pack, ma’am.” Said Vis, closing her eyes.
“I love you, Vis.” Replied Tro. “When you get there, tell Glemt we already miss him too.”
“But we will join him soon!” said Elske in the moment when shaman made her last breath. “We will join him soon!” called wolfess louder.
“We are you in such a rush?” asked a voice from behind.
Former Beeches turned back to see lone dog in front of them. Black and white malamute in older age was looking on gathering with ironic half-smile. He came closer with no fear, in spite that Venn bared his fangs, growling. Stranger just stopped before Tro and said.
“Let me salute to that brave warrioress too.”
“You even didn’t know her.” Noticed former alpha.
“But she died in battle with my sworn enemies.” Replied malamute. “Just believe me that if I’m able to feel some gratitude, I feel it now.” He bended down to dead Vis and licked her forehead with genuine respect. It looked strange and would looked even stranger if wolves knew who the stranger was and how unwillingly he showed any sign of respect.
“Who the hell are you?” asked Elske with harsh voice.
“A friend.” Replied malamute and seeing hostile muzzles of other wolves added. “An enemy of your enemies.”
“That means…”
“My primary target is to kill Balto, but if you show me you have some chances to do that, I will support your attempt to remove Aleu.”
“Why?” asked Tro.
“My only prize is just a sight of her lifeless body.” Said dog. “It’s a long story, someday I will tell it to you. We have much time now, because – as I said – from now on we are best friends.”
“Are we?” asked Tro sceptically.
“My name is Steele.” said malamute. “You don’t have to introduce. Your little show disrupted my plan of killing Balto in those days. I was observing you and saw whole the thing.” He gasped quietly that no one heard him. “Glemt was so close… why did he hesitate!?” Then added aloud. “It’s nice to meet you, Beech Pack. I always hated wolves, but wolf who seeks the vengeance upon Balto’s family is… like family to me.”
“Why should we use your help?” asked Elske.
“Because I killed wolves, dogs, humans and even more creatures you could imagine. In more ways you could imagine. In number greater you could imagine. And I’m just good in it.” Explained shortly. “But my age is going to claim me, maybe before I fulfil my quest. I need your fangs… you need my knowledge.”
“Do we?” asked Venn and pounced on malamute.
They even failed to see him dodging. In one second dog was standing on wolf attack’s path and in the next he was pressing surprised Venn into the snow.
“Not bad, pup!” smiled Steele. “But it was so expectable that in fact boring. You have some muscles, but we will work over your brains.” He let him stand up. “Listen to me, we could use the chaos that overcame Talborne’s Territories. From now on Aleu will be desperately looking for Uniea’s remnants, after she learned what danger those could be. We will use that situation. The darkest place is under a lantern, as humans say. We will do, what she expects from Uniea partisans – we will infiltrate her domain and kill her in her lair.”
“Nice.” Replied Elske. “But still sounds like suicidal mission to me.”
“I guess you wanted to die? Am I right?” smiled malamute.
“So what your plan changes?”
“I will teach you to die wisely! And for a price!” explained Steele. “I’m not sure if we succeed to kill Aleu… but we hurt her deeply anyway. So what it could be, Tro?” she looked on wolfess. “Will you give your pack under my command?” Hearing that Annen growled with anger. “Calm down, buddy. It’s only logical solution. I will be a leader, because the plan is mine and I will teach you how to fulfil it. And also…” he smiled with malicious smile. “My harm is the oldest one. I have a right to fight for my vengeance in the first line.”
“We are no longer a pack.” Replied Tro. “They are free wolves, and they could do what they want.”
“Ow, I see.” Nodded Steele. “So speak for yourself – will you go under my command?”
“Will you promise me my vengeance?” asked former alpha.
“We will kill her or die trying.” Replied Steele. “Be ***** sure about that!”
“So let’s do it.” Said Tro and lowered her ear in gesture of submission.
Elske followed her in next moment. It took a while when rest of former Beeches were think over that proposition. But had they any choice? I guest it was all settled before. They had to follow that path.
“I hope you will show your honesty… sir.” Said Annen, lowering his ears before dog.
“I like your attitude.” Replied malamute. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
“We are doing it only for Glemt, Fort and Vis.” Said Tro, coming closer to Steele.
“Wrong.” Said dog. “That’s what you think now. But in time you will learn you are doing it for you. Vengeance… is a tasty piece of meat. You will savour it.”
“Maybe.” Agreed Tro. “I see you do.”
“That’s what I was made for.” Nodded Steele and nestled to wolfess side. He lustfully licked her muzzle, but she didn’t resist. “From now on we are the best friends, sweetie. Believe or not, but you are going to enjoy this!”

The End

Taka_PL
Semptember 2007

Nice epilogue. Steele's up to his old tricks I see and wants to help the newly destroyed Beech Pack be rid of Balto and Aleu. Interesting, very interesting. Good story and a nice way to give a what if this happened. Hmm... now why do I have this feeling that there's gonna be sequel?

I’m glad You liked this story, in spite it had a bit different feeling than original RTW’s fancics.
As I wrote earlier – that Steele has nothing to do with my vision of that character – he is more taken directly from RTW’s stories, but modified slightly – he had no contact with any supernatural forces – and most likely that’s why he is still alive;)
*
To be honest: yes, there is a sequel, even ready to publishing. But I’m still waiting for Tony’s approval, because its plot is even more controversial that BB’s.
*
But now for something completely different: HPL-tribute story. Yes, that’s not a joke – I will try to mix Balto-universe with Lovecraftian stylistic (however due to both universes are rather incompatible, treat it as a half-parody). That is a light-story, not high on my priority-list, so I’m not sure how often updated would be.
But for now: take a look.

WARNIG!
This is a tale written as a tribute to Howard Phillips Lovecraft’s reading. Most if ideas are inspired by wirings of “Solitary from Providence”. Do not take them too seriously. All similarities to real places (like Anchorage or Nome) and real persons are made only to keep Balto-feeling and author doesn’t mean to offend anyone.
Also similarities to author’s own characters should taken just a joke.
I give not age rating on this story, because I suppose that Reader in every age is endangered by sanity loss – if not due to scary atmosphere, surely due to its absurd;)

Howler in the Mist

I.
All for could hope creature of this Earth is merciful peace of oblivion and comfort of inaccurate senses. Everyone on us is designed to receive just a small portion of knowledge about world that surrounds us. And normally we know exactly what we are capable to comprehend. Just few individuals are marked by data that she or he is not ready to understand. In such a case the flaws of our canine mind are very helpful. Usually.
I haven’t such a luck – I saw what I shouldn’t had to and remembered much more that it was reasonable to. Somehow security limits of my consciousness didn’t work. That’s why I’m here where I am and that’s why my life soon will come to end.
I’m lying now in main hall of Anchorage Animal Shelter, feeling that my mind is slowly returning to state of its normal instability. I have to go down do basement and find some more mushrooms to muffle down those silent screams in my head. It’s been almost a year since I returned from Nome and for that time my body received much more of natural drug than it was able. My life won’t last much longer – sooner or later I will reach the uncrossable barrier of flesh’s endurance, then I will pass away from this incomprehensive state you all call life. And that’s good – this is not my place anymore, since I saw and feel how thin veil stands between the world of our common sense and realm of unknown. I just hope that it will happen here, in warn inside of Anchorage Animal Shelter, where I’m shielded from what is waiting for me outside.
December started with weird aura. The weather is mad as thoughts inside of me – fierce frosts are succeeded by warm days of almost thaw. And then comes mist, covering all around and muffling every sound when worlds is screaming with fear. It’s silent and lifeless. I can’t believe that no one sees in the infinite whiteness the same horror I see and the same horror that in January of 1929 claimed life of my owner and rest of my sled team.
It’s good that those memories will die with me. I hope they will, because I believe that part of that terror is still in my mind. For example – those howls. I still hear those, however no sound could be heard now. I close my eyes, raise my ears and then comes that ***** call just from white layer above the winter landscape.
I recall the events from year before. That is stranger than me – my memory was twisted too.
*
I’m white furred Samoyed, born in Fairbanks Breeding of pair of 1922 champions – Natalia and Mike. I was named Mark by my career and one of breeding owners – John Ferrey. For two happy years I was raising in town, under care of my owner and parents, training to sleding duty. Since fall of 1923 I started to run with sleds in mail teams and in various other quests. When I reached three, I was transferred to Anchorage to new master. I bid farewell to parents and home I know and with all the trust of young age I gave myself to new life and new duties. My new owner was called Lucas Marshal and was nephew of John Ferrey. Young man was studying in Anchorage Academy on medicine faculty, but as born and raised in Alaskan interior, he still loved sledding and treks in taiga. So in spite I was town-man’s pet, I was still close to sledding duties.
My life isn’t a theme of an interesting tale. I did what most of pullers does in service on North. For peaceful four years of my duty I visited most of towns on western coast and Seward Peninsula. I saw Aurora Borealis, wonders of Polar Day, I heard singing of breaking glacier, I smelt aroma of Alaskan volcanoes, where lava was melting ice around it. Those were amazing, sometimes mysterious experiences and I was convinced that I know the world around me. How wrong I was!
When I met my new owner, he was on fourth year of medicine faculty, specialization: general bacteriology. He was a restless spirit – apart of his studies he was fascinated in nature around us. Always when he had enough of spare time, he took his sled, team and me to wander in mountains and forest, without any other aim that to look on white majesty of North.
When Nome Epidemic burst I was assigned to mr. Marshal just for about a year. I remember that time well – master Lucas, hearing about disease was the first person of Anchorage staff ready to go there. In spite he was just a trainee, his knowledge and zeal to work was widely known, so most he would have been sent there, if conditions were more favourable, he would have joined rescue team. But the blizzard shut us out of Nome and only single team was sent with serums.
I paid limited attention to that event. Except of disappointment of my owner that he couldn’t experience his adventure, Nome accident meant nothing to me. But after all those was already done, I recalled that from winter of 1925 began obsession of Lucas Marshal. For several years after that time he gathered countless data, information and even press articles about diphtheria epidemic. Often, on long winter night, when I was sitting inside of my master’s house, he used to talk to me. Of course with no hope for response, but my owner already was a bit weird man, whose sharp-witted mind caused his oddity to most of his environment. Mr. Marshal was wrapped up by his studies. In time the main part of his interest become the mysterious epidemic in Nome.
“Listen, pal.” Said master Lucas one night, when he was sitting over his notes and experiments results. “Isn’t it strange? The burst of epidemic happened in late January… You know, boy, how its on western coast then. Frosts lower than minus fifty degrees, freezing winds… But they all got infected.”
I remember he stood up then and started to pace nervously in our common room in mrs. Shiley’s attic. In his hands he was holding his notes, in mouth he was chewing an end of pencil. He paid limited attention on, just talking to his doubts.
“Diphtheria in vast majority of cases infects by aerosolized secretions. With such a low temperature the incubation period was most likely long, up to five days… But how the hell so many people got infected? Normal people stays in houses when there is fifty minus!” He grabbed my neck and looked deep into my eyes. I sensed first sparks of obsession inside. “Tell me! How they could got infected!? Over thousand cases in town of over ten thousands. No massive events, church closed as soon as first infection were spotted, no common water tanks, food from earlier reserves. How they had contact with bacteria?”
I just barked with incomprehension, unable to give required answer. My master let me lose and returned to his nervous pacing. After few minutes he threw his notes away and burst again.
“That wasn’t diphtheria!” Then he lowered his voice, being careful for mrs. Shiley not to hear. “Antitoxin worked, but it didn’t have to be exact the same species. It was something different… mutated bacterium with easier spread or extremely elongated incubation period.” Then his pupils narrowed and smile appeared on his lips. “Yes! I will find it! I will discover Corynebacterium Marshalium diphtheriae.” I should have been scared by that oath. I wasn’t for I was not fully aware that did it mean.
Time passed, bringing my master finish of his studies and first practise in White Falls near Anchorage. Meanwhile I became a father to litter of five pups. My children are now sledding dog in teams from Seward to Barrow, but I hadn’t any opportunity to meet them after their departure from breeding. I also haven’t kept a normal relationship with my mate – our mating was arranged by breeding program – there was not much emotion it that. Maybe if I had a family with me I would be better prepared to cope with terror that is killing me now. But perhaps it would be even worse – I just could infected them with my fears, giving them nothing but more of worries and doubts. Anyway – let’s just say I was almost as lone as my master.
However after moving to White Falls, I became a pack leader and first puller in sled. As six years old and experienced dog I was natural candidate for that duty. And for two years of medical practice of mr. Marshal I was already well trained guide, aware of all dangers of North, or at least I believed in that.
One day – I guess it was about of Christmas of 1928 – to White Falls came new physician, mr. Biggs. Master Lucal decided that it was the best opportunity to check is theories. Before the new medic managed to accustom to new post, he was asked by his college to take his duties for a while.
“Come on, John!” said my master. “Juts give me a two weeks of break.”
“Lucas, I barely know what’s going on here.” Replied young doctor. He had just graduated and my owner remembered him from times of studies as younger and calm adept. Also John Biggs was known for his inability of refusing.
“I’m sure you will manage.” Assured him mr. Marshal. “You know, you must get known your patients by yourself. I can’t guide your every step.”
In fact my master was just two years older than mister Biggs and also had just two years more of practise. But in small town of White Banks even that difference in hierarchy was meaningful. Biggs had no other way that agree on colleague’s holidays and staying during Christmas on duty. Meanwhile we were going to have a trip to Nome.
“You know, boy.” Said master Lucas, when we were preparing to set off. He had a custom of speaking to me, so in that particular monologue I saw nothing strange. “I want to check it out. The weather is similar to that four years ago. I’m taking with me both antitoxins and diphtheria samples. I want to check theirs blood…”
Although I was just a dog, far from being aware of human knowledge, I found that very unusual that my owner took also a samples of disease with him. Master Lucas was known for being obsessed with Nome epidemic subject, but no one knew that monomania got so far.
He took me to Anchorage for some supplies before our departure. Somehow one of Academy tutors got know about Marshal’s project. When my master tied be in front of general shop on Edgar Allan Poe’s street, he were greeted by Japanese man in ordinary coat. But my owner instantly replied that welcome, recognising his tutor from old years.
“Doctor Tazaku!” said master Lucas. “It’s nice to see you again.”
Older physician looked on younger colleague and examined him for few long seconds. Then he got straight to the point.
“I heard you are going to Nome.”
“Well…” replied a bit confused Marshal. “Yes, I have such a plan. But what…”
“Leave it, boy.” Said Japanese. “Just don’t follow the trails that is most likely false.”
“Sir, I don’t understand…”
“Doctor Welch doesn’t like any strangers looking around his town. We are amazed how he managed to stop the epidemic.”
“Sir!” called amazed Marshal. “I don’t mean to search for any errors of doctor Welch. I’m interested in that case due to my bacteriological research. Nothing more.”
”Still, you can’t expect for warm welcome there.” Said Tazaku and just left us on the street without saying even goodbye.

I really like this. At first I wasn't too sure but yeah, this is great. Is there gonna be any more? This is really something I wasn't too keen on reading but after careful consideration, I decided to see what this story was about. Now I've read chapter 1 and I'm hoping for chapter 2. You've done it again Taka... keep it up buddy!

I must admit I have some real fun, writing stuff like this. I’m devoted HPL’s fan, but a little of half-serious conversion of master’s atmosphere won’t hurt;)

Ps.
I hope that in about week I will be able to introduce to You new Balto/RTW story, that is direct sequel of BB.

II.
That event a bit confused my master, but preparations to trek was going in its normal routine. As we planned – we were going to run in whole, seven-pieces team, with me as a leader. I had under my charge husky triplets: Ezekiel, Nebuchadrezzar and Cyrus, two Mackenzies: Buck and Fitch and she-Alaskan husky, called Emma. Redfurred bitch was definitely the most attractive part of my team, but I liked all my charges as pros and tempered canines.
Part of our way we have done by train – the only segment to run with sled was between Nenana and Galena and then to Nome. Way between Nenana and Galena was easy and pleasant – our way was flat and wide route next to Yukon’s bed. That went smoothly, giving us just pure pleasure of ride, without any problems. Although December was frosty, in valley of river, with often stops in good conditions even lowest temperature isn’t a problem.
We spent Christmas on route. For my master it wasn’t a problem – he had no family and seemed totally indifferent towards social message of those days. We, as dogs, felt nothing strange about that, however the picture of our sled, moving thought silent and half-asleep villages could bring some uneasiness to our minds. But on the new year he stopped in Galena.
Master Lucas make two days of break. He bought necessary equipment and stocks, then set off further. There were three possible ways to Nome – one on southern coast, the longest and safest one. The second was bypassing Yu Range from north, coming next to Buckland – that made it just slightly shorter than previous. But the real shortcut was way straight west, via Eagle Pass and – not surprisingly – our master chose that route.
Fortunately – seeing the monstrous view of the range – he changed his decision and we took a circuit to Buckland. But because we went near the pass to one night we were in higher groves of Yu slope. That would be quite meaningless episode, but when I recall it now, I suspect that some harbingers of coming doom could be seen already then.
We pitched a camp on brink of forest, seeing nothing but Ice Fields of Eagle Pass on west. As experienced trapper, master Lucas quickly prepared us to sleep, then he entered his tent and fall asleep instantly. But somehow I was unable to do the same. I dug my snow-shelter and laid down, but sleep didn’t come. I was lying half-awake, with head on the surface, mindlessly gazing into the stars. It was frosty and cloudless night, so I could see all wonders of polar night. Aurora Borealis was dancing above us, singing silent song that no mortal could comprehend. I had to enter a trance, seeing that orgy of colours, because in spite of harsh frost I was still looking up, without hiding my head under the snow. About midnight I heard Emma’s scream.
In first impulse I felt irrational anger towards her, that she broke my moment of delight, as I had been watching distant skydancers. But then my rational mind ordered me to stand up and run to her lair. Before I got there, I noticed very strange thing – no one except of me seemed to hear it. But I ignored that enigma and came to Emma.
She seemed to be just awoken. When I stopped above her, she greeted me initially with another bark of fear, then with sight of relief. She stood up from her den and nestled to me with shock locked on her muzzle.
“What happened?” I asked, seriously scared.
“They are calling…” she started, but then instantly he lowered her voice and continued more easy. “Ow… it’s just a dream.”
“Thanks God.” I replied. “You really scared me with that scream.”
“I screamed?” she asked amazed. “I thought I just screamed in dream.”
“Some dreams are more real that we suspect.” I replied, not knowing how terrible truth I was confirming. “But none of them as much as we could initially think. I guess there is nothing to fear now.”
“Could you…” she asked uncertainly.
“I could dig my den here.” I replied, reading her intentions. “If something is wrong, just call me.”
And then we laid to sleep, just few metres from each other, that time I had no problems with falling into slumber. But what slumber it was! I dreamed about old and great mountains, ten times more ancient and ten times higher than peaks known to residents of Alaska. I dreams about monstrous caverns, where no light shone since the days when Old Ones walked the Earth. I saw creatures that no dog nor wolf could see in real world. But the most weirdest of that all was the fog.
White mass of untouchable cold was crawling out from interiors on Earth and sliding down to valleys and forest. In my dream I was there – inside of fog – and I was floating down to cover and extinguish all life I meet. That float took me through many miles and many places I had never seen, but somehow I recalled. Finally I reach some town, lifeless and cold, when dogs, humans and the other creatures greeted me not as a threat by a sweetest companion of their blasphemous existence. They didn’t fear me, because all I could take from them, was already taken. Then a shout of musher woke me up.
I suddenly shook away all clouds of that crazy dream, opened my eyes and saw I was again on brink of forest, just next to standing up Emma. In short second our sights crossed and for one second I was sure she had been dreaming about the same. On her muzzle I saw the terror and delight mixed in one expression of fearful longing. But she quickly turned her stare down and after that she refused to explain any of her nightly experiences to me. But then again master Lucas said to us.
“We must go.” He judged, looking on west. I turned my stare there and froze in place. “Look at this mist. Whole pass if filled with it. Going there would be suicide.”
I couldn’t believe what I saw. In spite of frost, the white-hoary mist was floating in Eagle Pass down to us through ice fields. It was impossible – from all I knew about the weather I understood that such a phenomena is not possible. Instantly my mind went back to dream I had, but rational part of my mind quickly cut those wonderings. However I greeted with relief next words of my master.
“Well, I see there is no use in coming through. We will take a route north.”
Then he prepared setting off. We managed to start our way in incredible time. Somehow no one – neither musher nor dogs – wanted to stay in place when mist would reach the brink of forest. We just retreated from white mass, down to the valley and came to North Route in Buckland direction. I was harnessed as lead dog and I did my best to leave that strange place quickly.
On next stop I tried to speak with Emma, but she refused to give any explanations to me. After I saw I wouldn’t get know anymore I wanted to forget about enigmatic events of last night. But when I was running on the front of my sled, I thought about strange perspective I had in my slumber – I recalled that I had been seeing valleys I had been coming down to, but those weren’t any of places I was before, or at least not any place I saw from that perspective. In spite in my dream I event wasn’t sure if it was night or day, I took assumption that my being was sliding down to west or south-west, because of well known shore I saw in the end of journey. It was part of Nome’s Shore. Recalling that I got easier – I understood that my fantasy, fuelled by weird tales just mounted a odd vision of that cursed town and presented it as a dream. Morning shock of Emma I took as ordinary shame of showing fear. After all I saw experienced sled-dog, shaking after puppyish nightmare. I cleared my mind, appeased by that version and next part of route made without any worry.
We had some minor problems, but those were caused only because of master’s Lucas bravado. He was a skilled marksmen and devoted hunter and just after we picked a trail of elk, we left our route and followed. Because blizzard burst, we got lost and for several hours were trying to find way back. But finally, on morning of fourth January we reached Buckland to have two days of rest.
Some strange dreams, somehow similar to that one from Eagle Pass were haunting me, but on morning I was unable to recall any detail of nightly wonders. Then I thought it was better for me, but now I see if I read those premonitions properly I possibly had been better prepared to face the nightmare I saw in Nome.
On sixth January we set off on south-west, to get to strange town on southern coast.

Good chapter. It seemas though the trip to Nome is filled with many a thing but I wonder what the dream is about... ah well... I guess I'll just have to find out which I'm ready to lol! Again, good chapter. It's good that you're having fun writing this cause I like reading it.

So, more of „Nome Horror” <lol2>
Ps.
If any of Nome citizens reads that:
Please, do take it as any offence. I’m writing not about real place, but more about virtual city I know only from Balto Trilogy and “North to Alaska”.
All resemblances to Innsmouth are coincidental

III.
We managed to get to Nome quite fast, just in four days. We have a luck – frost become less fierce, but no blizzard came. So we were running in forests of valleys on western side of Yu Range. Somehow our master lost his usual bravado and picked the easiest way to coast, to turn then west. Maybe it was caused by strange and disturbing tales he heard in Buckland. Staying there he was talking with John Ash, Arashi Tazaku’s son-in-law, who was active musher and postman of town. Bucklander told him about some crazy wolves who two years earlier assaulted his sled, killing his leader – Sky, and almost killed him too. Beasts didn’t fear of guns, were unexpectedly intelligent and careful. But what my master ignored and I heard accidentally was that attack on John Ash happened during strange mist, that covered land in spite of frost. I somehow I didn’t link that story with my dream, but when I think about those days I guess that Emma sensed something evil about it. During our way to Nome she was silent and scared, was sleeping always in centre of group, careful to stay close to me and master Lucas. She also was hurrying me to faster run, what surprised all in team, even mr. Marshal.
Fortunately we encounter no wolfpack – however I smelled a distant smell of danger – and master Lucas revolvers as well as rifle stayed unused. Also no unusual aura accompanied us in tour. So about midday of fourth day of way we spotted first signs of town – old cottages, used by hunters in warmer months, also numerous traps. But all of them were empty, as if no one changed them in weeks. About four pm we came to lone forester’s lodge.
It was odd place – coming closer I sensed no human’s presence. Mr. Marshal noticed something was wrong too and stopped to check the house. He was a brave, even fearless man, at least I know him to be like that. But he unharnessed me and took both revolvers ready to use. He hastened me to lead, showing strange uneasiness.
We came to lone cottage, standing on hill over Nome Route. No smoke was coming from chimney and door were open. Master Lucas clenched his grasp in guns, then we both slowed down our steps. I smelled no disturbing aromas, definitely I sensed no smell of body. But that was even more troubling – we should encounter any remnants of food, or at least scent of burned wood. But there was nothing, just is that cottage was lifeless since at least two weeks.
Of course mr. Marshal couldn’t say so much without visual examination, but he confirmed all my suspicions when we entered the house. We found no body, no food, no signs of any fight, lack of supplies and thick layer of ice on most of furniture. Lodge was dead since a long time.
“That’s odd, buddy…” murmured my owner. “Here should be a forester. There was no change in administration here. If previous one resigned, or something happened to him, in a week they should send here someone else. Have you found something?”
I sniffed out all cottage, but I fail to answer what could happened there. I saw a rocking chair, placed just in front of fireplace, right in distance that would allow average human to place his feet in warm proximity of fire. If not an layer of snow on furniture and skid iced to the floor I would swear that in chair should still be seating owner of that lodge. But the strange picture I saw looked as if resident suddenly had vanished, even without backing his chair out from fireplace.
Master Lucas had to think about the same absurd association, because he touched the chair, checking if it was iced to the ground. After that he took another look around, then finally turned down his guns.
“Come on.” He said. “We will report about it in town. Maybe that man is simply living in Nome, after resigning from duty.”
We set off to further way and soon after he came to Nome. It was already after the sunset and we were all glad we reached our destination without need of another camping in forest. But I felt something different – view of town haven’t appeased me, but evoked quite different uneasiness.
Nome was big, but half-dead town. Small village, settled as Anvil City, was merely a trade post before the Gold Rush. But then Nome burst to independent town, biggest in vicinity, calling all adventures, gold seekers and other troubling men from all Alaska. That caused chaotic and mad look of that place. Houses were built quickly, with light attention to art of architecture. Town hadn’t grown in years around its centre – it burst in one sudden explosion of its size that was more similar to cancer than healthy grow. In every building of that place there was something temporally, as if human’s works were just a layer over mysterious and wild land. Nome soil seemed to be ready to shake off the coat of human’s presence and return to state of its unchangeable nature.
As I said, we came there on evening, so I observed Nome only thanks to artificial light, coming from windows of houses. And that view scared me seriously – most of building were lifeless. Perhaps their residents were already asleep but it looked as we came to ghost town, inhabited by creatures that live in darkness. Or – what sounded paradoxically better – no inhabited at all.
We went to main square of city, where a negligently-built and rotten boiler room seemed to be sort of kennels for local dogs. Master Lucas exchanged few words with gloomy Nomer in house next to boilers, then opened the gate and led our pack in. Our coming seemed to have minimal impact on local dogs. Just few of them even raised their states when mr. Marshal was unharnessing us and placing in free box of building.
As soon as I was freed and master Lucas went away to find some shelter for himself, I started to examine our hosts. But even short look caused very unpleasant feeling, creeping along my spine. What I initially took as lack of interest was in fact the most sophisticated kind of it. Dogs were looking on us discreetly, observing without any word, pretending their sleep or indifference. Only few – I guess younger ones – showed their curiosity, while rest was just lurking in dark boxes, giving stealthy glances on guests. For short moment I felt like lost dog in forest who is being examined by pack of starved wolves. Those stares were devouring.
“Hallo!” I called into darkness. But there was no response. I came closer to bars, seeing that one of younger dogs was there. I repeated. “Hallo.”
“Hush!” gasped darkfurred husky. Or I thought it was husky. But in fact I came to conclusion I saw wolf hybrid, whose only few ancestors belonged to any breed known to us. He looked as a wolf, only his coat resembled dog. His stare was wild and violent. I involuntary stepped back from bars. “They are sleeping. Are you leaving tomorrow?” he added.
Even after that cold welcome, I was a bit surprised by such a blunt hostility. For few seconds I didn’t know what to answer, but then I replied with all my knowledge.
“I’m not sure. I don’t know exactly what our master want to do here.”
“Here is nothing to do.” Replied hybrid. “Neither for you, nor for your human. It would be good for you to leave soon.”
“I’m Mark of Fairbanks Breeding. What’s your name?” I asked, trying to sound as friendly as I could, seeing odd and harsh stares of locals.
“My name?” asked half husky, sounding very confused. For short second I thought that no one asked him about it earlier and young canine had no name at all. But then – with some effort seen on his muzzle – my interlocutor said. “Gribth. My name is Gribth.”
Then I wondered if that weird name had any diminutive, or mother of that dog called him simply Gribth even in early puphood. But harsh and cold muzzle of local seemed to say that he forget every caress he received from his parents.
“You don’t seem to be hospitable.” I said, giving my voice a tone of joke. But the answer that came to me was completely serious.
“I guess we aren’t.” replied Gribht. “But now be quiet. Elders want to sleep easy this night.”
“What?” I tried one more to establish any friendly chat. “Any full-night-party tomorrow?”
“That’s not your business.” Barked Gribth and I felt that conversation was definitely over. Seeing angry stare of hybrid I turned my eyes down and soon after stepped back to my companions.
Somehow uneasy mood affected all of us – without any word we formed a tight group just next to the wall and nestling to each other, more due to anxiety than cold, we quietly tried to fall asleep. I did it after several minutes of blank watching darkness of boiler room.
In my dream I returned to strange visions I left before Buckland. I saw again the for, or better – I was a fog again. I was floating down from mountains to reach the sea. But that time I recognised more and more details about landscape. Seen from different perspective, forest seemed weird, but I was sure I was watching on pine groves in Nome Area. I wanted to cover the town and all area in front of me and embrace it tight. There was a perverse joy in extinguishing all move and life under my cloudy body – I cherished it with laughter. That laughing had to be quiet, because I had no muzzle to form a sound. The same was Emma – she said no word, she even wasn’t visible, but I was she stayed with me and she was a fog too.
Once I looked aside to see cumulus of light greyness just next to and I sensed her inside. I learned that my body was very similar and we are already joined with our mountain master with unspeakable bound.
I woke with sweat all on my coat.
When I opened my eyes, I noticed as Emma did the same just second before. Out stared met and there was no need to explain. Without any word she stood up and came to me, whispering.
“I don’t want to…”
“Hush, it’s just a dream.” I replied, in the same time knowing that fact we were talking about the same thing made it more real than any eventual dream.
“Could I stay with you?” she asked and not waiting for answer, laid down and hugged to my side. What sounded a bit strange, I was glad about that primary not because she was beautiful female, but because touch of her body, the real body, was giving me some certainness about me.
“We have to sleep anyway.” I said carefully. “To dawn there is more than two hours.”
“I know.” She replied. “Just… wake me, if you manage…”
But to morning we stayed with no dreams.

Interesting chapter. It seems as though most of Nome has fallen into a dark pit and Mark, along with his master and team are now living within it. Gribth is an interesting character but wait, he's half wolf it seems... hmm... very interesting.

As for a good horror, nothing can be actually explained. So, enjoy the madness… and Steele in his new role!
<lol2>

IV.
We were awoken by the opening of gate, to see kennels overseer, the same that master Lucas had spoken day before. It was very strange that none of us was alerted by sounds of the other dogs, who apparently had woken even earlier. In light of day I could examine rest of your hosts and that view didn’t improved my mood.
All dogs of Nome kennels were weird. I saw many strange breeds and even I used to thinks about few wolf hybrids as good acquaintance, but muzzles I saw in boiler room filled me with unspeakable disgust and anxiety. I saw members of many breeds, but one of them looked as I expected pure breeds to look like. It wasn’t a matter of blood I guess – just features of our hosts seemed to looked as odd as strange surrounding of that town.
Additionally every dog, doesn’t matter of what breed, had something wolfish in his look. Maybe it was a way of moving, maybe wild and hungry stare, but each local I looked on, resembles me most savage predators from deeps forests. I guess that all my team took a similar impression, because involuntary we formed a tight pack, almost pressing the wall of building. But fortunately, just after local keeper came master Lucas.
“Ow, I see you are fine.” He murmured, looking on us. I almost barked with fear, because my owner didn’t look good. He seemed not to sleep during last night and looking with anxiety behind his back almost all the time. Moreover he was wearing a belt with holsters, as if he felt that his colts could be needed any moment. “You will stay here for…”
“No.” said local. “They won’t.” A bit confused mr. Marshal looked on him, then boy added. “All dogs are out when we are warming water tanks. You must tie them outside.”
Master Lucal wanted to argue, but seeing keeper opening other boxes and leading all local dogs out, he just sighed and took us away. He tied us in front of kennels, just next to main street of town.
“I’m sorry, crew.” He murmured, before he went away. “I have a work to do, I can’t keep an eye on you all the time.”
And then he went in local hospital direction. Then we have another chance to watch Nome architecture, yet in daylight. Well, saying <daylight> I might exaggerated a bit – it was daytime, but milky grey of half-asleep light that was soaking from through heavy clouds was barely pretending to that name. However I saw the main street of Nome to notice how empty it was.
As houses – standing in uneven row – were just a walls of lifeless canyon. The main artery of town was covered with snow and from that layer I could learn that very small number of creature walked it that day. Even if someone was going, he was sneaking close to line of buildings, as if he was scared to march in centre of street. I initially thought that they could had that habit due to cars, but I saw no automobile in sight.
But focusing on those few humans I spotted I got anxious feeling they are loathing even that little portion of light that served winter day. Most of them had caps deep placed on heads, covering most of faces. Master Lucas tired to speak with few, but they replied him mostly with gestures that words, guiding to hospital. When I saw my owned disappearing in that building I turned my stare aside, to even more shocking view.
On main street was walking wolf. Just like that – wild creature, seemingly taken just out from forest, was marching like most respected citizen of town. Even humans present nearby seemed to paid no attention on him, while other dogs apparently were too scared – maybe too shy – to talk with brownish furred canine. He came in our direction, then stopped about twenty feet before wall of Boiler Building. He called to Gribth, totally indifferent that we could hear that.
“Hey, boy. Are those strangers I was told about?”
“Yes, sir.” Replied hybrid. “But they seem to cause no trouble.”
“Just keep an eye on them.” Added wolf and moved along the street.
“Excuse me.” I said to Gribth. “Who was that wolf?”
“He is half-husky, the same as I.” Replied young wolfdog, with a bit surprised voice. “Don’t you know Balto?”
“Balto?” I repeated with even more surprised tone. “That was Nome sled leader?”
“For now he doesn’t run with sleds anymore.” Said Gribth. “He left that, after his son Kodi took all his duties. But still you should be careful not to upset him.”
”That’s freaks town.” Snorted Fitch to my ear. “I hope that master will be back soon and we leave this place as soon as possible.”
Soon after that kennels keeper came to us again, holding a bucket of frozen fishes. At least they came to conclusion we could use some feeding – he starter to ration food. Iced mackerels maybe wasn’t the thing I would savour with, but I was really hungry. That’s why I was really angry, when keeper just gave us two fishes per muzzle, put the bucket on the snow and with no word went away.
“There are still some fishes inside.” Noticed Cyrus.
“Mark, could you reach it?” asked Nebuchadrezzar. As a leading dog I was usually leached as last in row, so I was actually the closest to bucket. I tried to get there, however our leach was too short. “There is no use.” Added Nebuchadrezzar. “But maybe you will cut it? We would help you.”
In normal conditions I would never thought about it, but as I said, we were hungry. And even thickest leash was after all a piece of leather. If three dogs cooperated – two were stretching rope while the third bit it – freeing wasn’t hard. We did that way.
After being released, I dragged bucked to my companions and additional meal started. I ate two more mackerels, but then came to conclusion that my “escape” would be fortunate also due to other reasons.
“How about a little recon?” I asked. “I will go for a short walk and sniff what is going on in this strange den. Just stay here and howl if master is back.”
“We shouldn’t separate.” Said Emma.
“You still stay in pack.” I notice. “And besides I’ll be fine.”
I just grabbed few fished from bucket and walked in random direction, hope to meet some local, any other than strange dogs in kennels. But before I got anywhere, I was attracted by discrete hissing from between houses. I came there to see old malamute of black and white coat and blue, a bit crazy eyes.
“Get away from the street!” gasped old spitz. “They can’t see you!”
I wished to ask him about that sudden anxiety, but I had three mackerels in mouth, so I just followed him without any remark. He led me in backyard of inhabited house, then entered that dark building. Finally we got to place that was apparently his bedding. I put my fishes on the ground and asked.
“Why don’t you live with humans? You seem to be purebred. I don’t believe that no one wanted you.”
“I don’t want to live with those humans.” Replied malamute. “They are almost as infected as dogs.”
“What?” I asked, seriously confused. “What you are talking about.”
“Shh! Not so loud!” hissed dog. “They all are in league with Balto and his disgusting offspring.”
“Excuse me, but I think…” I wanted to calm down scared interlocutor, but I was interrupted.
“Huh? You don’t want to listen! No one wants to listen to old Steele. When Balto brought that disease from the forest, I was warning all of them, but no one listened. Now all they are lost. I’m the last one who is clean… I guess.” Steele nervously looked on his paws, then licked his lips. “But only because I stayed away from Balto and humans whom he affected.”
“Wait a second.” I said. “What disease you mean? I heard that Balto brought here an antitoxin for diphtheria.”
Steele wagged his tail with impatience. “Yes, he did. But the pest he brought with him is ten times worse!”
“My master wants to examine local humans…”
“He’d better not!” snorted Steele. “Just get away to your companions and stay there until out owner is back.”
“Not so fast.” I protested. “Tell me about that <plague>.” When he looked hungrily on my fishes, I put one closer to him and nodded my head. Steele looked as if he hadn’t any solid meal since long time. “So, tell me more. Mackerels are waiting.”
But instead of tale I heard just a sound chewing – dog started to eat his trophy instantly. It took not more than minute for him to swallow fish; then he spat on the snow, looked around, as of he was searching for eavesdroppers, then said to me with lower and quieter voice.
“Well… let it be. I’ll tell ya!” he smiled to himself with half-mad smile. “You say you know about the epidemic… Hell, no one really knows what happened there. It was just after January Race, where I won, as usual. You know… I was sled leader in those days, before that mutt brought his filth and ruined my life!” Steele snorted with freezing scorn. “But anyway, that was on January, four years ago. Nome wasn’t a big town, in fact it was a den of some kind. However quite nice den, where you could live easily. But humans were unprepared for diphtheria… or what they call that sickness. They sent a team to Nenana for serums. And I – of course – was a leader or that sorry lot. Even when we set off, I already smelled something was wrong. There was a blizzard that covered track with six feet of fresh snow. But it didn’t mater – I’ve seen worse blizzards. But that fog, chocking us with every step…”
“Fog?” I involuntary interrupted him.
“Yeah, boy, a God ***** fog. So fifthly and sticky that even today I have a creeps thinking about it. But anyway – are you listening, or not?” I just nodded my head. “So, let’s back. In town was living that mutt, Balto. He was a stray that had come from the forest and stayed on outskirts, where no one paid any attention on him. But we should have killed him, or at least sent him back to his kins. However we hadn’t and Balto was always going around here, trying to join any dogs party. But he was just a hybrid, all were feared him or drove him away in any opportunity. But somehow – I swear I had no idea how – he picked up my girl, Jenna.” Steele stopped and panted with anger. His ears raised and for short second I was sure he would ran instantly to avenge old harm he was recalling. Dog actually stood up, made a step towards street, but then stopped, lowered his ears, as if he heard something dreadful in silence of winter day. He returned to his bedding and continued with a bit less certain voice. “Poor Jenna… She was such a sweet girl… But now she’s gone.”
“She’s dead?” I asked.
“No, you idiot!” snorted Steele. “She is gone, because she’s lost to him. Since that winter she’s infected.”
“What the hell is that illness, you are talking about?”
“Don’t interrupt me.” Replied dog. “I must tell whole the story.” And indeed, he continued. “So when my team set off to Nenana, Balto and Jenna followed us. If I knew that, I would stayed and killed that savage, before he reunited with his kins. But we knew nothing. We got to Nenana, picked the cargo and set off in return way. Balto interfered in half a way. He attacked me from ambush…” his voice became a bit uncertain, as if he wasn’t saying everything. “…and took the sled over. Musher was out and my team accepted that stray as a leader. It was their grave mistake. Before I get back to Nome, Balto guided them there…” Steele paused his voice. I wasn’t sure if that was a purposeful cliff-hanger or he had serious problem with recalling those memories. “I not sure what happened there. I hoped that they were dead and I just returned to Nome. But they returned! In that blizzard and frost! That wasn’t natural. Of course, they had serums and thanks to that the epidemic was halted. But you know… almost all of us were infected with diphtheria bacteria. Some got sick some others resisted, but immunity of our bodies was seriously weakened. That why the pest that Balto brought here burst so easily.”
“What’s that pest?” I asked, avid for any concrete. But Steele seemed be not interested in explaining anything. He just spat on the snow and exclaimed.
“Can’t you see? They all are rotten! Look in they eyes, look as they move, look at their coats and tail. Those aren’t dogs anymore. They aren’t wolves too. They are from there?” he pointed with muzzle on north.
“From where?” I was really tired of those stupid guesses.
“From…” dog hesitated for a moment, realising he didn’t know what to say. “Out of here. But that thing… is coming to us? Have you seen Jenna’s and Balto’s children? Some of them are normal, like Kodi or Saba. But rest? Aleu had to flee to forest, because she was even too odd for this den of oddity. I saw her few moths ago, she had nothing to do with our kind… Even her fur got lighter, as it was turning into that milky filth…” Then he looked on me and examined carefully. With smile mixed with confusion, he said. “You seems to be akin to them. Your coat… is like theirs.”
“I guess it’s nothing special for samoyed to be white.” I replied, but instinctively looked down on own paws. My nerves were so stretched that I really wondered if colour of my fur had changed in previous few days.
“It isn’t white… it’s… just washed out from any colour.” Said Steele, drawing back from me. “Don’t touch me! You are one of them! You caught it somewhere!”
He turned back and set off to run away, leaving me inside of ghost house with dirty bedding and two unfinished mackerels. I stayed for few minutes, trying to order that strange talk in my mind, but when I finally decided that old Steele was just an old maddog, pressed by his age and memories of past fame, I just walked back on main street.
I encountered odd looking husky with wolfish-look coat. I wanted to pass him by, but he stopped seeing my uncertainness and called with decisive voice.
“Hey, you! You’re one of that strangers.”
“Well, I am.” I replied, not slowing down.
“My father told you are sniffing around.” Snorted dog with angry voice. Then he added with confusion. “You talked with Steele!”
“I have to go. Sorry, bro!” I called back and sprang to run.
I didn’t look back, but I felt he was following me. So I ran as fast as I could to kennel building, slowing down just in last part of my way. In blurry light of dying day I saw tight semicircle of local dogs, surrounding my team, who still stood next to Boiler Room wall. In my first impulse I wanted to turn aside and run from those creatures too. But there were my companions, whom I couldn’t leave. And moreover – I understood it a bit later, but maybe my mind was subconsciously analysing that way – my only chance to get away from that town alive was to go with my team and musher. I had to protect them and sled until master Lucas was back. I sprang over line of dogs and landed inside of hostile semicircle.