Hello all!
Here it is!
Finally, after all your waiting, through a horrible cliffhanger,
(I'm sorry
) the second part to “Balto: All Good Things…” is finished.
I give you Balto: …Must Come to an End.
I’d like to take a moment here to thank my roommate, Corporal Saedifar. He “allowed” me to stay up VERY late last night to finish this story so that I could post it for you today. (I appolagize for any grammar mistakes, I decided I left you off so badly last time that I'd post it today, rather than correct it tonight. The story will be on the site soon, but I'm going to proof-read it before then.)
So, thank you Corporal.
Now, here it is, Balto: …Must Come to an End!
Please enjoy and as always, I appreciate your input!
P.S. I've heard of a rumor that some people thought that the title of the two stories together (Balto: All Good Things Must Come to an End) means that this may be my last Fanfic... I am VERY pleased to tell you this is NOT the case. I will NEVER stop writing Balto stories. The title instead points to the end of Aleu's tenure as Alpha of the Talbourne Clan.
Description:
"In the conclusion of “Balto: All Good Things…” Blaize still struggles to understand the new dog Astarre, whom he’s fallen in love with, Tycha struggles to deal with Tim’s recent infidelity, Balto and Jenna may be forever separated and Shade finally gets what he has wanted for so long as Aleu’s tenure as Alpha of the Talbourne Clan comes to an end. It is a story of struggle, of emotional limits, new friends, old enemies, new journeys, the end of old friends and the eternal battle against good and evil."
Balto: …Must Come
to an End
A sequel to: Balto: All Good Things…
Pages: 147 Words: 22,750
Started: 04/16/06
Finished: 05/07/06
Written By: Anthony E. Rotramel
Note: This story was inspired by Balto, (© 1995), Balto II: Wolf Quest (© 2000) and Balto III: Wings of Change (© 2005) by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. The characters Shadow, Dash, Melody, Timbre, June, Drake, Gemeni, Everest, Trina, James, Stripe, Tycha, Tim, Astarre, Asta, Sheik, Lima, Thunder, Saeidifar, Sam, Asta, Saba, Everest, Rife, Sunny, Tram, Junior, Jill, Lighting and the events of this story are © 2005 by Anthony Rotramel. The other characters are © Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. The name Saba is the intellectual property of Juuchan 17.
© 2006 All Rights Reserved.
Prologue:
(Previously in Balto: All Good Things…)
Saba had learned a lot in the last few days.
Aniu was indeed, very real, and though Saba hadn’t believed in her, had taken the young husky under her wing, teaching Saba how to fight, and how to defend herself; how to make decisions, and how to lead. For what purpose, Saba did not know.
Aniu walked into the chamber where Saba was practicing. “How are you doing my child?” Aniu asked.
Saba smiled. “Fine.” She said.
A great sadness seemed to come over Aniu’s face. “Come over here for a minute child, I need to talk to you.”
Saba nodded and walked over to the white wolf. “What is it Aniu? Is something wrong?”
Aniu sighed. “The time for which you came is approaching, and you need to know what you will do.”
“What do you mean?” Saba asked. ‘I mean… I can’t help can I? I’m dead… right?”
Aniu nodded. “…for now.”
“For now!” Saba cried. “What does that mean?!”
Aniu sighed. “My child, Shade has escaped once again and I am afraid that my son has done more harm now than ever before.”
“You want me to fight him?” Saba asked.
“Something like that, yes.” Aniu said. “However, this time he’s not a wolf.”
“What?” Saba asked. “What is he?”
Aniu sighed again. “My child, do you remember when I said I could assume any form I chose?”
Saba nodded.
“Shade is human… for now. How long he will be able to maintain that form is unknown to me, but he took the body of a very influential human, and is going to use it to bring great trouble upon the Talbourne Clan… this and…”
Aniu sighed.
“What?” Saba asked.
“Aleu will not be leader of the Talbourne for much longer. Her time is short.”
“Well then let’s stop him!” Saba said.
“Not yet.” Aniu said. “You are not yet ready for such a confrontation… but soon, yes, you will face him. It was destined for you to come home to me as you did, and it is destined for you to return and save the clan.”
Saba nodded. “Teach me.”
Aniu smiled. “My child you must master the things I have already taught you in order to move on to the others.” Aniu stood. “I see you are making great progress, keep practicing and soon I will teach you more.”
Saba nodded and Aniu walked out of the chamber.
Night had fallen on the forest, high in the mountains, near Nome, Alaska.
Aleu stood on the rock ledge outside her chambers, high above the ground.
She sighed as she thought of the many wolves who had been killed in this new attack by the humans.
They carried weapons of a type Aleu had never seen before… never even heard of.
…but that wasn’t the only thing that had drawn Aleu out tonight; she felt as if something were dreadfully wrong, but she couldn’t think of what.
She’d come out here to think.
A voice from behind startled her.
“Aleu?”
She turned. “Shadow.” She said, as he stepped up to her.
“Aleu, what are you doing?” Shadow asked.
“I just needed to think.” Aleu said.
“Well get down from there.” Shadow said. “A human could pick you off like a young deer up there.”
Aleu smiled. “…always worried about me.” She thought.
“Aleu, I’m serious.” Shadow said.
She nodded. “I’ll be in soon. I promise. Just… just give me a few more minutes… okay?”
Shadow nodded reluctantly. “Alright, but just a few minutes; then you’ve got to come inside, where it’s safe.”
Aleu nodded. “I will.”
Shadow turned and walked away from Aleu, back into the cave.
Aleu turned back to the ledge, and walked to the edge of it. She looked up at the twinkling stars and the many colored light that whipped through the air like a serpent.
“Oh Aniu,” Aleu thought. “How will we ever get out of this one? These humans are too well armed. You said that the key was to train Saba… but she died… I fear… I fear all is lost.”
A single man made his way through the woods, trying his best to be quiet.
“Things are so much easier as a wolf.” The man thought. He looked down at the Springfield Sniper Rifle he held in his arms and reconsidered. “Humans do have their advantages though…”
The soldiers he commanded were making short work of the wolves of the Talbourne Clan.
The man climbed up on a large rock and pulled the small bipod legs on his rifle out, creating a stable position.
He aimed high and centered his scope on a gray wolf standing on a rock ledge more than six hundred yards away and maybe fifty feet higher than his position.
The man skillfully adjusted his scope for the conditions and centered the crosshairs on the wolf’s chest.
“Good-bye Aleu.” The man thought. “Finally, I will win. I’ve fought you for so long Aleu, so long… but it ends tonight, tonight you die.”
Then the man pulled the trigger.
Chapter 1:
Aleu was still standing on the ledge outside the cave. She was thinking; thinking about friends lost, lives sacrificed… for what?
During her time as Alpha of the Talbourne many wolves had given their lives so that she could live on, continuing to lead and guide the Talbourne.
There were so many of them that Aleu had lost count.
Who was she that others should die that she might live? This question had plagued Aleu ever since Alai had given his life to save hers, and had continued to this day. With every wolf that died in this way the question grew stronger.
Was she some kind of royalty, that her life was worth more than those that gave it so willingly? She was the daughter of Balto and Jenna, two normal dogs, nothing special, nothing that warranted their actions… yet without their sacrifice, Aleu would most undoubtedly be long gone, killed long ago, probably before even making it back to Alaska.
Was this what she wanted?
Had her life taken that course, Aleu would’ve never known Shadow, would’ve never had children of her own, Sheik, Lima and Thunder… she would’ve never known what it was to be loved… to love.
Aleu supposed that she should be grateful for what they had given her, but… at the same time she felt guilty. Those many wolves had families of their own… what of them? What of their mates… their children? Could Aleu possibly ignore all of this?
Aleu sighed and looked toward the stars. “What does it all mean Aniu?” Aleu asked.
Aleu lowered her gaze and looked down the valley, at the river that curved through the land.
The air was suddenly filled with a harsh crack, and Aleu stumbled backward and fell.
She found it hard to breathe.
“What happened?” Aleu thought.
She tried to stand, but her paws slid out from under her and she fell to the ground.
Aleu became aware of an intense burning feeling in her chest, as if it were on fire.
She looked down and saw a puddle of blood beginning to form under her. It was pumping from a round hole in the right side of her chest in sudden pulses.
Aleu sighed and tried to stand again… but failed.
The pain had grown worse now, and was still steadily increasing.
Aleu drew herself into a ball on the shelf and lay there, the pool of blood spreading to envelop her head.
Aleu felt light-headed and realized with a frightening intensity what was happening.
“I’m dying.” Aleu thought. “So this is what it’s like… this is how it ends… how all those wolves felt…”
The pain had increased to a point that Aleu’s thoughts became jumbled with its intensity.
Aleu was grateful a few minutes later, when the world turned black and she felt herself drift away.
Shadow opened his eyes with a start as the crash filled the air.
He recognized the sound and sighed. “Probably one of the sentries.” He thought. “Wonder who we’ll have to deliver bad news to tonight?
“Aleu?” Shadow said.
No one answered him.
Shadow’s heart quickened.
The last place he’d seen her had been on the ledge, when he’d spoken to her almost an hour before.
“I was sure she’d follow me in.” Shadow thought. “She said she wanted a few more minutes.”
Shadow decided that maybe she was just asleep, and stood up, looking beside him, but Aleu’s familiar form was absent.
Somehow Shadow knew what had happened, how he didn’t know, but he knew.
He stood and ran out onto the ledge, calling her name. “Aleu! Aleu answer me!”
He stopped as he saw the ledge… and at the end, Aleu, crumpled in a ball in the middle of a spreading puddle of bright red blood.
“ALEU!” Shadow yelled.
He ran to her side.
Aleu didn’t respond, didn’t move at all.
“Aleu you can’t give up on me!” Shadow yelled.
He bit the scruff of her neck and began to drag her backward, towards the safety of the cave.
A second crack sounded, and Shadow fell. His shoulder felt like ice, and it hurt!
He looked at it, but he already knew…
The human had claimed a second victim.
Shadow had seen many hurt wolves, and had seen many of them die. He knew intuitively that the wound was deep, and serious. Blood already covered his shoulder and left leg, and he could feel blood dripping down his right leg.
The bullet had punched straight through him.
Shadow tried not to think about what the consequences of that would probably be, but instead willed himself to stand and resume dragging Aleu toward the cave.
Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, Shadow made it into the cave and collapsed beside Aleu.
She still didn’t move.
With much effort, Shadow picked his head out of the rapidly spreading pool of blood both their wounds had caused, and looked at Aleu.
Her eyes were closed, and she didn’t move.
A tear came to Shadow’s eye and he smiled, licking her face for what would probably be the last time.
“At least we’re together.” Shadow said.
Then his strength gave out and Shadow’s head fell to the floor.
Neither of the wolves moved.
Long live the Talbourne Clan.
Chapter 2:
Tim didn’t return home until early the next morning. He snuck quietly up the ramp that led to the top deck of the old trawler.
Tycha was there waiting for him.
“Hey Tycha…” Tim said.
Tycha just looked at him, hurt evident in her eyes. “Tim… I have a question for you, and I want you to tell me truthfully.”
Tim nodded. “What is it Tycha?”
She sighed, and a tear came to her eye. “Tim… do you love me?”
Tim sighed, and remained silent.
With every passing second of silence, Tycha got more and more upset, finally breaking out into tears.
“Don’t worry Tim,” she said. “Your silence has answered everything I could have ever asked.”
Tim sighed again. He’d never meant to hurt Tycha. He still cared for her, but as more of a friend now, a best friend none the less.
Tycha was clearly upset now. She walked a short distance away from Tim and turned her back to him. Tears streamed down her face. Tim had never seen her this upset before. He felt bad.
“I didn’t want to hurt her.” Tim thought.
He sighed and walked over to her. “Tycha…”
She spun around, cutting him off. “Just leave Tim!” She said. “Don’t do this, just go! Go back to your little girlfriend in town! She stopped yelling and sighed. “I don’t… I don’t care anymore…”
Tim sighed. “Tycha please…”
Tycha gritted her teeth and hit him with her paw, knocking him backward.
Tim stumbled back in shock. His face hurt.
Tycha growled at him, as he raised his paw to his face and then looked at it., as if unable to believe what Tycha had done.
She had never hit him before.
Tycha started crying again and turned away once more.
Tim felt even worse now. He walked back over to her. “Tycha please…”
Tycha spun around, and without warning, hit him three times, pushing him back to the edge of the deck. Tycha scowled at him, and hit Tim one more time, knocking him over the deck railing.
He crashed to the snow below, about a twenty foot fall.
Tim felt the air whoosh out of his lungs as he struck the ground, and it took him a few minutes to stand up.
He looked up to the deck where Tycha still stood.
“Go on Tim! Don’t you ever come back! I never want to see you again!” She yelled.
Tim hung his head, but realized it was probably in the best interests of his personal safety to listen to her.
Tim turned and began to slowly walk away.
As Tycha watched him go, a great sadness and almost depression came over her. She hadn’t wanted to hurt Tim, but he’d hurt her deeper than anyone could possibly have done with the sharpest knife.
“I’ll get you Trina…” Tycha thought. “You’ve taken away the thing I love most, so I’ll do the same to you… after all, I have nothing to lose now.”
Tycha hopped down from the railing and went to prepare herself.
Dash was a little concerned as he walked up the shelves of rock that led to Aleu’s chambers that morning.
Aleu and Shadow usually showed up at the relief of the sentries from the night before, but today, neither of them were there.
“They probably overslept.” Dash thought. “Yeah… that’s it… overslept…”
Even as he tried to convince himself that were alright, he was remembering the sound from the night before.
He’d woken from a horrible dream, but was unable to remember what it been about, just that he’d wanted to scream, and had when he woke up. Soon after he thought he’d heard a shot.
It was muffled, outside the cave, but he’d thought that was what it was. Soon after, it was followed by another.
Two shots.
Dash had gotten up and went to check on the sentries, but they were all alright. They too said they’d heard them.
Dash had thought about reporting it to Aleu, but it was late, and as everyone seemed to be okay, he decided to tell her in the morning.
Now though, as he climbed the last shelf, he couldn’t help but think that Aleu might already know about the shots in the night…
Dash stopped at the entrance to her chambers and called his sister’s name. “Aleu?”
There was no response.
“Aleu!” Dash called.
Still nothing, then, a scream; it sounded like Luna.
Dash ran into the chambers and froze, shocked beyond any response at what he saw.
Aleu and Shadow lay in the middle of the floor, exactly where they’d fallen. A wide red pool of blood spread from underneath them.
In front of her parents sat a very shocked young wolf.
Dash hurried over and turned Luna’s eyes away from the sight of her parents.
“This is something a child should never have to see.” Dash thought.
He looked down at Luna.
She was shaking.
“Luna, are you alright?” Dash asked.
Luna nodded.
“Listen to me.” Dash continued. “Go get your brothers, keep them from coming in here, alright?”
Luna nodded again and turned, running into the next chamber.
Dash looked back at Aleu and Shadow and sighed. “What are we going to do without you Aleu?” He thought.
Then Dash leapt back, surprised.
“Impossible…” he said under his breath.
…but as he watched it happened again.
Aleu and Shadow breathed.
They were alive.
“That’s suicide!” Timbre yelled.
“We’ve got to do something!” Dash said. “You got any better ideas?”
“Taking her back to Nome would be the same thing as just killing her here.” Timbre responded. “Why take her all that way if that’s all you want to do?”
Dash sighed. “Timbre look… In all my years living there I never saw one thing that would lead me to believe that Doc would kill her… or Shadow.”
“All your years?” Timbre asked. “You mean in your year, right? You were a year old when you came here.”
Dash sighed and nodded.
“That’s not long to know someone.” Timbre said.
“Look,” Dash yelled. “If we don’t do something both of them are going to die!”
He stopped and sighed. “Now I’m taking her, that’s not arguable, the question is… are you going to help me.”
Timbre sighed. “Yeah, I guess at least they’ll have a chance.”
Dash looked down at the two and sighed. “Whatever we’re going to do we’ve got to hurry… they don’t have much time…
Balto was walking down the street later that morning. He was a little worried about Jenna. She seemed to be taking Everest’s death really hard.
Balto hated losing his son as well, but he understood that, as hard as it was, Everest had broken the law, and he’d known the possible consequences that could result from him returning.
If he was angry at anyone, blamed anyone for Everest’s death it wasn’t Drake, it was Everest himself. His son had made the decision to return, and in so doing had brought all this heartache on his family.
As Balto was thinking this, he saw a familiar shape flit from behind a group of trashcans in the alley.
“Was that who I thought it was?” Balto thought, turning to walk toward the alley. “Surely not… it’s dangerous for him to be here. Why would he come back home?”
Balto stepped into the alley. “Hello?”
He heard a trashcan tip over, as someone darted out from behind it.
Balto ran into the adjacent shed.
“Hello?” He asked again, walking slowly into the shed.
Balto saw a dark shape in the corner.
“Is someone there?” He asked.
“Dad?” the shape said.
“Dash? What are you doing here?” Balto asked.
Dash’s familiar form stepped out of the shadows. “We had to come here.”
“Why?” Balto asked.
“Aleu got hurt.” Timbre said, stepping from behind an oil drum behind Balto.
“Yeah and Shadow too.” Dash added. He sighed. “It was real bad dad.”
“Well are they alright?” Balto asked. “What happened to them?”
“They were shot.” Timbre said.
“We don’t know how it happened.” Dash added. “I just went up to talk to her, and they were both in the center of their chambers in a pool of blood. I thought they were dead ‘till I saw them breathing.”
Balto sighed. “So you brought them here? They’re wolves. The humans will kill them.”
Dash sighed. “It’s a chance we had to take… they’d’ve died without Doc’s help.”
“How are they now?” Balto asked.
Dash sighed. “Stable, last time I checked. Neither of them has woken up yet. Of course, we’re going to have to get them both out of there as soon as we can, otherwise someone other than Doc might get wind of the situation, and then we might get him in trouble. He saved both their lives, so I wouldn’t want to do that.”
“No,” Balto said. “Doc’s a pretty good guy, for a human anyway.”
Dash nodded.
“Well as soon as you get some word you let me know.” Balto said. “Timbre I suggest you stay hidden. People will recognize you as a wolf. Dash… I don’t know, you’ve gotten a little rougher looking living with them, but you could probably pass as one of the strays from the outskirts. You should be okay to move around town. I’ll let Drake know you’re here.”
Dash nodded. “Thanks dad.”
Balto smiled. “Sure thing son, just remember, any word at all, let me know.”
Dash nodded again. “I will.”
“It’s good to see you son,” Balto said. “I’d like to stay and talk, but I’m supposed to be meeting your mother.”
Dash nodded. “Alright, good-bye dad.”
Balto smiled. “Bye son.”
Balto then walked out of the shed, as both the wolves melted back into the shadows.
Chapter 3:
Aleu opened her eyes.
The world was kind of fuzzy for a moment, then it sharpened, and she became aware of a painful burning in her chest.
She blinked a few times, as bright light flooded into the room.
Aleu looked around, and noticed Shadow in a cage across the room. She then noticed that she too was in some kind of plastic box.
“What happened to me?” Aleu thought. “Where am I?”
The last thing Aleu remembered was being on the ledge and then hearing the loud bang…
“That was a gun-shot.” Aleu thought. “I must’ve gotten shot… but how did Shadow get hurt?”
She thought for a moment.
“He must have come after me.” Aleu thought. “He must have gotten hurt trying to save me.”
Aleu looked around, but didn’t see anyone else in the room… dog or human.
“Shadow.” She said quietly. “Shadow?”
He didn’t move.
“Oh no…” Aleu thought. “What if he didn’t make it?”
She looked around again, but still saw nothing.
“Shadow please answer me!” Aleu cried.
Shadow groaned and rolled over.
“He’s alive!” Aleu said to herself. “You’re alive!” She yelled.
Shadow groaned again, and tried to stand, but hit his head on the top of the plastic box.
“Aleu?” He said.
Aleu smiled and nodded. “Yeah, it’s me… I’m so glad you’re alright!”
“Aleu, you’re alive!” Shadow yelled.
Aleu smiled and nodded again.
“I thought I’d lost you!” Shadow said. He looked around. “Where are we?”
Aleu shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Well… how did we get here?” Shadow asked.
“I don’t know that either.” Aleu said.
“We should try to leave.” Shadow said. “Can you make it?”
Aleu nodded. “Yeah.”
Aleu looked around and walked to the front of the box. She stuck her paw through the wire door and tried to release the catch, but to no avail… it was locked.
Aleu tried to push the door open, but that didn’t work either.
She struck the door in frustration.
The plastic box rocked a little, then settled back on the shelf.
She looked around. “Shadow, hang on just a minute, I’ve got an idea.”
Aleu backed up a few steps, to the back of the plastic box, and ran at the door.
She hit it with her shoulder, and the box tipped forward. Her weight was enough to do the rest, and the box tumbled off the shelf, exploding on the ground below.
Aleu climbed out from under the broken plastic and ran over to the opposite shelf, then she jumped up to the level that Shadow’s box was on.
Now free of the confines of her own cage, Aleu quickly dismantled the makeshift lock with her sharp teeth, and the door to Shadow’s cage swung open.
She smiled at him, as he stepped out of the plastic cage. “Where would you be without me?”
Shadow chuckled. “There’s no telling Aleu, no telling.”
“Come on.” Aleu said. “Let’s get out of here.”
Shadow stopped. “Aleu, are you alright?”
Aleu winced. “My chest hurts a bit, but other than that I’m fine.”
“You’re covered in a white bandage.” Shadow said. “Are you sure?”
Aleu looked down, noticing for the first time the white cloth that was wrapped around her.
“I must’ve been hurt pretty bad.” Aleu said.
“I thought I’d lost you.” Shadow said. “There was so much blood…”
Aleu cut him off. “Shadow… they’ll be time for this later. We’ve got to get out of here, wherever here is.”
Shadow nodded. “I’ll follow you.”
Aleu smiled. “As always.”
Dash was running back to the shed where Timbre and he had taken refuge. He’d decided to go check on Aleu and Shadow, but when he’d arrived there, he found a gathering of people.
At first he was scared, thinking that they had been discovered, but it wasn’t that at all…
…Aleu and Shadow had escaped.
Obviously they were doing pretty good to get away, and Dash figured they’d probably headed back home.
He had to let Timbre know. The sooner the two wolves could get out of Nome the better.
Dash looked around to make sure that no one was following him, and then ducked into the shed. “Timbre?”
The brown wolf stepped out of the shadows. “Dash, what’s the news? Anything good?”
Dash smiled. “I’ll say. They escaped.”
“What?” Timbre asked.
“I overheard Doc talking to some of the other humans. Apparently they made quite a mess on their exit.”
Timbre smiled. “So they’re alright?”
Dash nodded. “Sounds like it to me.”
“They’ll probably head home.” Timbre said. “We should get back there.”
Dash nodded. “You go on ahead… I need to talk to someone.”
“Who’s that?” Timbre asked.
Dash sighed. “I need to tell my father about… about Saba.”
Timbre sighed and nodded.
“You get on out of here though.” Dash said. “It’s too dangerous for you to remain here.”
Timbre nodded. “Yeah, I don’t blend in as well as you do. I’ll head back; be careful.”
Dash smiled and nodded. “…of course.”
Timbre stood and walked quickly out of the shed.
Dash waited until he was alone, then he hung his head and sighed. He didn’t want to have to relay the news of Saba’s death to his father, but… Saba was his daughter… he deserved to know.
Dash shook his head and walked out of the shed.
Dash was walking down the sidewalk in Nome, when he saw his father across the street. He looked to insure that no cars were coming, remembering what it had been like to live in town, and ran across the street.
“Dad!”
Balto stopped and turned. “Dash?”
Dash smiled. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“Have you heard anything more about Aleu?” Balto asked.
“Yeah, as a matter of fact I did.” Dash said. “They’re gone.”
“What?” Balto said, taking a step forward. “What do you mean gone?”
Dash smiled. “I mean they woke up, realized that they weren’t home, and decided to leave.”
“Where did they go?” Balto asked.
Dash shrugged. “Don’t know, home I assume.”
“Well… will Aleu be alright?” Balto asked. “I mean… you did say she was injured…”
“She’ll be fine dad.” Dash said, a smile coming to his face. “You know Aleu.”
“I guess so.” Balto said. “…but sometimes I wish she wasn’t so stubborn. I’m afraid it’s going to get her in a lot of trouble some day.”
Dash sighed, and his smile faded.
“Something wrong Dash?” Balto asked.
Dash sighed again. “Dad… I… I don’t know how to tell you this, but… dad, Saba… Saba’s dead.”
“What?” Balto asked, taking a step back. “How… how do you know?”
“She and Everest came to live with us after they were banished. They’re part of the clan.”
“Wait a minute.” Balto said. “You said she and Everest… right?”
Dash nodded.
“…but that’s impossible.” Balto continued. “Everest was killed here in Nome, for returning for his children with Saba.”
“What?” Dash asked. “I don’t know where you heard that, but Everest is back at the cave with his children.”
“Everest is alive!” Balto said.
Dash smiled and nodded. “Yeah.”
“…but Saba’s dead.” Balto said.
Dash sighed. “Yeah… it happened while Shadow was training her… an ice bridge broke and… and she fell.”
Balto felt a tear come to his eye, a tear both of joy… and sadness.
He’d found his son was alive… but lost his daughter.
“At least Drake didn’t have anything to do with your sister’s death.” Balto said. “I’ve got to go tell your mother. She was taking Everest’s supposed death really hard.”
Dash nodded. “Alright dad. I’d better get going too; got to see how Aleu is doing.”
Balto nodded and smiled at him. “You make me proud Dash. Take care of yourself.”
Dash smiled back at his father. “You too dad.”
Then Dash turned and ran off towards the forest that bordered Nome.
Balto watched him for a few seconds, then turned and headed toward Jenna’s.
Chapter 4:
Jenna was trying very hard to persuade herself to go home… but wasn’t quite able to do it.
She’d been watching Drake’s son Jason for the past few days, and she knew that soon, the young dog would come running around the bend, right through the outskirts.
“No one will ever know it was me.” Jenna thought.
The outskirts was a dangerous place for a young dog such as Jason.
On some level of her mind Jenna knew what she was planning was wrong… but there had been a dark presence in her mind that seemed to cloud out all else recently.
“That’s right.” The voice said in her head, it’s deep dark tone filling her mind. “I’m here to give you confidence and courage when you can’t find it on your own. Now, do this, and I promise I will leave you alone, do this, and I will leave you…”
Jenna started to shake.
Could she really do this? It wasn’t in her nature to be violent, but… certain times called for certain, severe measures.
Jenna could hear him running now, it would be a matter of seconds before he rounded the bend.
The sound of the approaching dog got louder, until finally, Jenna saw him run around the curve and slow to a trot. “Hey Jenna!” He said.
Jenna smiled. “Hi Jason… would you… um… come here for a moment?”
“Sure.” Jason said.
He walked over to Jenna. “So what do you want?”
Jenna hit him, fast so that he wouldn’t dodge the unexpected attack. Though she knew little of fighting, certain events in her life had made it a necessity to at least know the basics.
Her paw connected with the side of Jason’s head and he fell to the snow.
Jenna looked at him. “He’s still breathing.” She thought.
Jenna looked around, and, satisfied that no one had seen her, drug Jason into a nearby shed.
Jenna didn’t notice a very shocked looking golden Samoyed that turned, running back towards Nome.
Balto was puzzled.
Jenna wasn’t at her house.
“She must be out with Rosie.” Balto thought. “Yeah, that’s it…”
Balto couldn’t explain why, but he felt very uneasy all of a sudden, as if he should feel in danger, or something awful was going to happen.
Once he’d found that Jenna wasn’t home, he’d decided to go tell Drake that he was not responsible for Everest’s alleged death.
“Probably help calm the poor guy’s thoughts.” Balto thought.
Drake was taking Everest’s alleged death fairly hard as well. Drake had been a friend of Balto and Jenna’s for a long time, and had developed a close bond with their children. They’d even taken to calling him uncle Drake.
Balto trotted up the steps to the old mill, where Drake lived, and scratched on the door.
Soon a brown colored dog peaked his head out of the doorway.
“Hey there Balto.” Drake said. “Good to see ya, wasn’t plannin’ on you dropping by.”
Balto smiled. “How are you doing Drake.”
Drake sighed. “Well… I’ve been better I guess… I mean… I really do feel sorry… about Everest I mean… I didn’t make the decision for him to come into town, he did…”
Balto cut his friend off. “About that, I have some wonderful news.”
“What’s that?” Drake asked.
“You aren’t responsible for Everest’s death. I just ran into Dash, he said that Everest and Saba are living with Aleu’s pack.”
“What?!” Drake asked, taking a step forward. “You mean… you mean he’s alive!”
Balto smiled. “Yeah.”
“That’s… that’s great!” Drake said. “I… I feel a load off my shoulders.”
“Well I’m glad Drake.” Balto said. “You’ve been a good friend to me.”
Drake was about to reply, but stopped, as a golden colored dog leapt up the steps to the old mill, sliding to a stop beside him. “Drake come quick!” Gemeni said. “You have to come with me, now!”
“What’s wrong Gemeni?” Drake asked. He noticed she’d been crying.
“It’s horrible.” Gemeni said. “I wouldn’t believe it had I not seen it with my own eyes.” “What happened?” Balto asked.
“Well, I was going after Jason, you know how he likes to run in the morning, and well… I’ve told him a thousand times not to run through the outskirts, but he did anyway… Jenna was there… she hit him.”
“What?!” Drake and Balto said simultaneously.
Gemeni nodded. “It’s true, I saw her hit him and then drag him into a shed that was nearby… what are we going to do?”
Drake looked at Balto.
“What are you looking at me for?” Balto asked. “I didn’t know about this.”
Drake sighed. “Where is she?”
“Follow me.” Gemeni said. “I’ll lead us there.”
Gemeni and Drake started running.
“Wait up guys!” Balto yelled. “I’m coming too!”
Jenna looked down at the unmoving form on the ground in front of her.
What she had done nearly made her sick.
Blood oozed out of several small holes in the young dog’s neck.
Jenna shivered. She could still taste it in her mouth.
Jason groaned and rolled over, his eyes fluttering open.
Jenna had been unable to kill him, though she had tried, though the dark voice in her head had screamed at her, had cursed her, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
It wasn’t in her to murder another in cold blood like this.
Jason woke up enough to realize he was hurt, and screamed.
Jenna stepped back, tears flooding her eyes as she heard this sound, this sound that she had caused.
Pain.
Suffering.
Agony.
Jason ran backwards away from her, still screaming, until he hit the wall at the side of the building, collapsing to the ground.
Just then, the door to the shed swung open.
Light flooded the darkened room, and there stood…
“Balto.” Jenna said.
“Jen?” Balto asked, stepping into the shed.
Jason recognized his parents and ran to them.
“Mommy!” He yelled. “Mommy! Daddy! Help me!”
He slid to a stop beside his mother and collapsed into tears.
Gemeni nuzzled her son. She noticed the blood on his neck.
“Drake look.” She said.
Drake did, then turned back to Jenna, whom Balto had started to walk towards.
“Jenna?” Balto said again.
She was shrouded in darkness, and Balto could only make out her shape, nothing more.
Drake walked up and stepped in front of Balto, blocking his friend’s advance.
“Jenna, step into the light. Please… don’t make this any harder than it has to be.”
Jenna sighed, and hung her head. Then, she walked forward.
Jenna entered the light, and both Balto and Drake gasped.
Jenna’s cream colored muzzle was spattered red with blood… with James’ blood.
“Jenna.” Drake said. “With the power given me by the dogs of Nome I hereby place you under arrest. You are charged with Assault, Kidnapping and attempted murder.” Drake stopped and a tear rolled down his face. “…why Jenna?”
Balto was probably the most shocked of all. He just stood there, speechless, as Jenna walked by him, led by Drake.
“Why…” He thought.
Chapter 5:
Tycha snuck through the streets of Nome.
She didn’t want to be noticed, if everything happened the way she hoped it would, she’d have to stay away from Nome for a while…
… a long while.
The more she thought of what Tim had done, the angrier she seemed to get. At first she’d been hurt, but now…
“I’ll show you.” Tycha thought. “I’ll show you I’m no one to mess with…”
Tycha quickly ducked into a shed as she heard someone coming down the alley.
She waited for a few minutes, as the two dogs walked through the alley and around the corner.
Tycha poked her head out of a hole in the shed wall and looked around.
Satisfied that she was once again alone, she exited the shed and continued down the street, walking toward a familiar green house…
Tycha shook with anger.
She’d expected to find Trina in the small home, but what she was surprised to see was Tim curled up next to the pretty golden husky, sleeping, a smile on his face.
“I told him to go back to her.” Tycha thought. “…but I didn’t really think that he would.”
Tycha realized now more than ever that Tim was lost to her… because of Trina.
This threw a bit of a wrench into her plans for Trina… she didn’t want to hurt Tim. As dumb as it may have sounded, she still loved him, though he no longer loved her.
Tycha raised her paw to her face, wiping away an errant tear.
She couldn’t start crying and make noise; then Trina was sure to find her.
She laid there on the wooden rafters, far above the floor.
Tycha would wait, as long as it took.
Tim couldn’t stay by Trina’s side forever…
The time Tycha had been waiting for happened a short time later.
Tim got up, licked Trina on the nose, and walked quietly out the doggy door at the front of the house.
Tycha watched all of this from her perch above the floor.
“Perfect.” Tycha thought. “Time for us to spend some quality time together Trina…”
Trina woke up and blinked her eyes several times.
She shook her head, stood up, and yawned. Then she smiled.
Tim had shared with her some wonderful news… for her at least.
It seemed that Tim’s mate, Tycha, had found out about she and Tim’s midnight rendezvous.
Trina smiled as she remembered how he’d been when they’d first met. That had been over three months ago. He’d seemed lost, and alone.
Then she hadn’t known about Tycha. It wasn’t in her nature to get between mates like that, but she’d only learned about Tycha after… well, after it was too late.
She really liked Tim, and he seemed to like her, so the two kept seeing each other. Night after night after glorious night.
Trina soon learned that Tim no longer loved Tycha. Why this was, Trina didn’t know, and even Tim himself couldn’t seem to figure out, but it was true.
She and Tim had become closer then, and Trina had told him to tell Tycha how he felt, so that the two of them could be together, but…
…Tim had been unable to.
He still felt an attachment to Tycha, and even if it wasn’t the love he’d once felt for her… Tim didn’t want to hurt Tycha in this way.
Trina had then decided that if this was the case, they should never see one another again, and for a time, the two remained separated, but…
…time had a way of bringing them back together, and soon they were back together.
Trina had tried to explain to Tim that Tycha would be more hurt by finding out the truth for herself, rather than being told, but Tim wouldn’t listen and refused to tell Tycha of their degrading relationship.
Tim and Trina had talked and played together… she really liked him, I mean really liked him. There wasn’t a dog like Tim to be found anywhere, at least, not for Trina.
She did feel sorry for poor Tycha though, and had considered even telling Tycha herself, indeed had made it all the way to the boat that Tim and Tycha called home, but…
…she’d left that night, unable to convey the news to Tycha. After all, how would it sound coming from her? Another female; the one that her mate was now interested in… in love with.
Trina stretched again.
“…but all that’s through now. I’ve got Tim, and I’m never letting go. I’m sorry Tycha, I really am, but… I guess you two weren’t meant for each other like we are.”
Trina heard a voice call her name from above. “Trina?”
She looked up.
“Thought that might get your attention.” Tycha said, dropping to the floor from her perch on the rafters.
“Tycha?” Trina said. “What… what a surprise… heh, heh… um… what are you doing here?”
Tycha glared at the golden dog.
“You’re why I’m here you tart!” She said. “You couldn’t keep your paws off of Tim could you?”
Trina smiled defensively and took a step back. “Uhh… it was… um… his… his idea… and uh…”
Trina suddenly grew angry. Who was this female, barging into her home like this in the middle of the night anyway?”
“… No!” She said, stepping forward. “No, you know what? I love Tim, and he loves me, just because he didn’t love you doesn’t make me a bad person!”
“What?” Tycha said, stepping forward, teeth bared. “You’re saying this is my fault?! Tim and I had a child together, raised him… I… I was the best mate I knew how to be, I… I tried… why did you have to mess up my life?!”
“What?” Trina asked. “Tim came looking for me, something wasn’t right at home miss! You obviously weren’t doing it for him!”
“That is enough!” Tycha said, her anger flaring. “I’ve had it with your talk!”
Tycha jumped at Trina and landed on the young dog, slamming her into the wall.
Trina blinked a few times. Her vision was already growing blurry.
Tycha hit her in the side of the head, and Trina tasted blood in her mouth.
Tycha leaned down next to the golden dog’s ear.
“Tonight you pay for what you’ve done!” Tycha said. “Oh yes, tonight you pay.”
Tycha hit Trina twice more, and the dog fell to the floor once more.
“Don’t worry sweetie.” Tycha said, a malevolent tone creeping into her voice. “It’ll all be over soon…”
Tycha viciously tore into the young dog’s shoulder.
Trina screamed.
Jenna sat in an abandoned shed near the old mill.
“What have I done?” She thought.
Jenna stood up and walked to the only window that the small, one room shed had.
“This all seems like a bad dream.” She thought. “...but if it’s a dream, why don’t I wake up?”
Jenna sighed and walked back to the corner of the shed, shrouded in darkness.
A few minutes later the door swung open, and a familiar looking dog stepped through it.
“Balto.” Jenna said, standing.
She walked over to him, but Balto stepped back.
A tear rolled out of Jenna’s eye.
“Balto… please don’t look at me like that.” She said.
Balto looked at her, a sadness showed in his eyes like she’d never seen before, and said one word.
“Why?”
Jenna sighed. “You’ll… you’ll think I’m crazy if I tell you.”
“Try me.” Balto said.
“Look Balto…”
“Should I tell him about the voice?” Jenna thought.
She sighed. “…Drake was responsible for the death of our son, our son! I was… was just trying to make him realize what we felt like.”
“Oh Jenna.” Balto said. “Drake wasn’t responsible for Everest’s death, in fact, he’s not dead at all. All you’ve done is get yourself in deep trouble.”
He paused and sighed. “Why didn’t you talk to me?”
“I wanted to Balto,” Jenna thought. “…but the voice… it threatened the kids… and you… if I didn’t follow through with it’s wishes… if I told you anything. I… I did it so you would be safe.”
“Really?” Jenna asked. “Everest is alive?”
Balto nodded. “He and the children are living with Aleu right now.”
“Then I have made a mistake.” Jenna said.
“I’ll say!” Balto yelled.
This sudden outburst startled Jenna, and she backed into the corner.
“I don’t know what Drake is going to do with you!” Balto continued. “He can have you killed! Do you realize that? Did you think about that? What that would do to me?”
Jenna sighed and shook her head. “No… I didn’t.”
“Well think about it now.” Balto said. “Think about it long and hard Jenna.”
Jenna sighed again, hung her head and closed her eyes.
Balto sighed. “Your trial is scheduled for two days from now. I suggest you find something better tell Drake than you told me by then, otherwise…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, just turned and walked out the door, leaving Jenna in the dark shed… alone.
Chapter 6:
Aleu and Shadow were walking through the woods near the Talbourne’s cave.
They’d almost made it home.
Both Aleu and Shadow were moving somewhat slower than usual, owing to the fact that both of them had been knocking on death’s door only yesterday.
Aleu hopped over a fallen tree, waiting for Shadow, who climbed over.
Shadow seemed to be hurt worse than Aleu. He was moving quite a bit slower than Aleu would have liked.
She wanted to get home.
A new group of humans had begun to attack the Talbourne, and their weapons rivaled anything Aleu had ever seen.
She especially feared for her children’s safety. If one of the humans had been able to pick off she and Shadow, the kids would be easy targets for him.
They were about twenty miles from home now, and Aleu wanted to run all the way, but Shadow couldn’t keep up with her, and Aleu herself was not sure she could even do it if he could.
“So,” Shadow said. “Who do you think is behind this new attack?”
Aleu shook her head. “It has to be Shade. He targeted the two of us specifically.”
“…but we were both shot.” Shadow retorted. “Shade couldn’t do that, could he?”
Aleu and Shadow began to climb the steep hill in front of them.
“Not as a wolf.” Aleu said, looking at him. “No.”
“So you think he’s a human?” Shadow asked.
Aleu sighed. “Most likely.”
The two of them stepped up on top of the hill and stopped for a moment to catch their breath.
“That’s not good.” Shadow said. “He’s hard enough to fight as a wolf.”
Aleu nodded.
Suddenly, a black blur shot out of the trees in front of the two.
“Look out!” An unfamiliar voice called.
Aleu was struck by the black blur and knocked to the ground.
A yelp escaped her as she landed on her stomach and rolled over backwards, the black thing on top of her. The two of them rolled off the edge of the hill, and toward the bottom.
Just as Shadow was about to lay into whatever had attacked Aleu, a sharp crack split the air, and the ground where Aleu had been standing exploded upward in a plume of snow.
Shadow leapt down the hill, following Aleu.
He ran to the bottom, where Aleu and a large black wolf, of a type Shadow had never seen before, lay.
Aleu rolled over and shook her head.
“Oww.” She said. “What was that? What happened?”
Shadow was short of breath from his sprint down the hill. “You almost got shot again.”
“What hit me?” She asked.
“He did.” Shadow said.
“Who?” Aleu asked.
Shadow tossed his head in the direction of the black wolf.
Aleu turned and stood up quickly. “My, he’s big!”
Shadow nodded. “I haven’t ever seen a wolf that big before. He must not be from around here.”
Aleu nodded. “I wonder where?”
“I don’t know.” Shadow said. “Why don’t you ask him?”
“What?” Aleu asked.
“He’s coming around.” Shadow said.
Aleu walked over and stood over the unconscious wolf.
He groaned and opened his eyes. He blinked a few times and looked around.
At first his vision was a little blurry, and it seemed as if there were three of Aleu to him, all rotating around each other. Soon though, the three images coalesced into one.
“Hello.” Aleu said.
The black wolf groaned again, and sat up.
“Thank you for saving me?” Aleu said. “What’s your name?”
“My name is Saeidifar.” The black wolf said.
“Well… where are you from?” Aleu asked. “…obviously not from around here.”
Saeidifar laughed. “No, not from around here. I used to live in Persia.”
“Persia?” Aleu asked. “Where’s that?”
“Suffice it to say that it’s a long ways from here.” Saeidifar said.
“Oh…” Aleu responded. “What brings you to Alaska, so far away from home?”
Saeidifar sighed. “My… my mate and only child were taken from me, trapped in the mountains by a group of humans… I’m trying to find them.”
“How did you get here?” Aleu asked.
“I snuck on board a ship that was coming here. I heard this is where they were taken.”
“That’s awful.” Aleu said.
Saeidifar nodded. “Yeah…” he said, sighing. “It… it is.”
Shadow stepped up next to Aleu. “Do you have anywhere to stay?” He asked.
“No.” Saeidifar said. “…but I’ll make do.”
“Nonsense.” Aleu said. “I’m the alpha of a Clan nearby, you can stay with us for a while.”
Saeidifar smiled. “Thank you for the offer, but I really must continue my search.”
“Oh come on.” Aleu said. “Stay one night at least, I owe you my life, it’s the least I can do to repay you.”
Saeidifar laughed. “Alright Aleu.” He said. “You talked me into it.”
Saeidifar yawned.
“I am a little tired.”
“Well just follow us.” Shadow said. “We’ll lead you to our cave.”
Saeidifar smiled. “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”
Aleu and Shadow began to walk back up the hill, Saeidifar close behind.
Blaize was walking down the street, headed once more for the house that Astarre lived in.
He felt as if he were walking on air.
“So this is what it feels like to be in love.” Blaize thought dreamily.
Blaize had finally found the dog that was for him, and her name was Astarre.
He’d been unable to stop thinking about the golden husky since he’d first laid eyes on her a few days ago.
Though they hadn’t known each other long, Blaize knew this was the dog that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
He thought that Astarre might feel the same way, but there was no way for him to know but ask, and he couldn’t even think about that right now. The very thought made him feel lightheaded.
“I’ll find out soon enough.” Blaize thought.
He stopped as he came near the door to the now familiar home that Astarre lived in.
He heard yelling coming from inside.
“Where do you think you’re going?!” a gruff voice said.
“I’m going for a walk.” Astarre responded.
“Is that boy going with you?” The other dog asked.
“Yes! Yes he is!” Astarre yelled. “Does it really matter?”
“Young lady if you talk to me like that again, I swear…”
Astarre cut off the dog.
“…that what!? You’ll hit me again!? No wonder mom left you!”
There was a long pause.
Blaize stepped up on the porch.
“That must be her father.” Blaize thought. “…but she said “again”, when has he…”
Blaize stopped as he remembered how many times Astarre had “hurt herself” in the last few days.
“Oh man!” Blaize thought. “She was trying to cover for him.”
Blaize felt his anger rise as he thought of Astarre being hurt, and it took more than a little willpower to keep him from marching inside and taking care of the problem.
Soon, the door creaked open, and Astarre stepped out onto the porch.
“Hey Astarre.” Blaize said.
Astarre looked up at him. Her eyes glistened with the tears that coursed down her cheeks.
“Did you hear that?” She asked quietly.
Blaize nodded.
Astarre sighed. “Please… don’t tell anyone.”
Blaize shook his head. “Astarre, what he is doing to you is wrong, we should tell Drake.” “No!” Astarre said. She stopped and looked back to the door, then back at Blaize. “Let’s talk about this someplace else.”
Blaize nodded. “Come on, in the alley.”
Astarre nodded and followed him down the steps.
“NO!” Astarre yelled. “We can’t do that!”
Blaize sighed. “Astarre, he’s obviously hurt you, why don’t you want to put an end to it?”
“…because.” Astarre said. “He’s my father… and the only family I have left.”
Blaize shook his head. “I don’t understand why you won’t let me help you.”
“You don’t have to.” Astarre said. “Thank you for trying to help me Blaize, but that’s not the way.”
Blaize shook his head again. “I still don’t understand… but it won’t matter if I tell Drake, you’re the only one who can say you’ve witnessed his behavior. It’ll take that to get him convicted.”
“Can we just forget this conversation?” Astarre asked.
Blaize nodded. “…for now.”
Astarre smiled.
Blaize looked at her for a moment.
Her beautiful face had already begun to swell where her father had struck her, but other than that she was the most beautiful creature Blaize had ever laid eyes on.
The thought of someone abusing her made Blaize shake with anger… but for now, for her, Blaize would stay quiet about it. If it got any worse however…
“You better stay out of my way...” Blaize thought. “Otherwise, there may not be enough of you left for Drake to sentence.”
Chapter 7:
Drake was currently standing outside the old shed that Jenna was being kept in.
This was going to be a very difficult decision.
By all accounts Jenna was guilty; there was no question about her innocence, or more accurately lack there of, however…
Drake sighed.
“How can I do this to Balto… to their kids… to Jenna?” He thought.
Just then, Balto stepped into view, interrupting Drake’s thoughts.
“Hey Balto.” Drake said.
“Hello Drake…” Balto responded.
Drake sighed. “We’re both in a bit of a pickle, eh?”
Balto sighed and nodded. “That’s actually what I’m here to talk about.”
“What’s on your mind Balto?” Drake asked.
“What are you thinking about all this?” Balto asked.
Drake sighed. “Well… we caught her in the act.” Drake said. “Had we not stepped in when we did…”
“Drake stop.” Balto said, knowing where Drake was headed with this line of comment. “Both you and I know Jenna would never do anything like that, especially to your son. You’re a friend of the family… I don’t understand it, but something’s not right here, and I intend to find out what it is.”
Drake sighed again. “I hope you do Balto, because Jenna has got a pretty strong case on her.”
Balto’s mouth fell open a bit in shock.
“You’re… you’re really planning on pushing this, aren’t you?”
Drake sighed. “I’m sorry Balto, but the law is the law and it doesn’t make exceptions for friends… or family.”
Balto sighed. “I know it doesn’t Drake, but…”
Drake looked at him. “…but what Balto?”
“…this is Jenna we’re talking about.” Balto said. “Do you honestly think she would’ve murdered James?”
Drake sighed. “I don’t know what to think Balto.”
Balto shook his head. “Well I do, and something isn’t right. I mean… Jenna’s never hurt anybody who’s not been threatening her life or the ones she loved… she’s not a murderer Drake.”
Drake sighed. “Balto, I would’ve believed you until yesterday, but now… I saw her Balto, she was going to kill James.”
Balto shook his head. “No Drake, I’m telling you she wouldn’t do it.”
“I have to go on what I saw.” Drake said.
Balto sighed. “Then I guess there’s no point in continuing this conversation.”
Drake stared at Balto for a minute before replying. “I guess not.”
Balto turned and walked away, leaving Drake to his thoughts.
Saba could feel it.
The time when she would be ready to return to the Talbourne was drawing near.
She found the amount of knowledge she had gained the past few days amazing. Saba’s entire world had turned inside out and it was just now starting to make sense. Everything that had happened to her was coming together to make one picture.
A now familiar female voice came from behind her. “My child, I would speak with you.”
Saba turned around, and the window to the physical world that she had been looking in collapsed, becoming nothing once more. “What is it Aniu?”
“Who were you watching?” Aniu asked.
Saba knew that Aniu already knew the answer to her question. As she knew most everything; the question was more Aniu’s way of making conversation.
“I was watching my mother.” Saba answered.
Aniu sighed. “Her position is precarious, and unfortunate. My son was able to get to her first, and in the weakness of her grief, Jenna listened to him. I can do little for her now, it is in the dog’s hands.”
“Drake?” Saba asked.
Aniu nodded. “Perhaps he will find it in his heart to forgive her.”
Saba nodded. “We can only hope.”
Aniu nodded too. “This, however, is not the thing I came to speak to you about.”
“What is it?” Saba asked.
Aniu sighed. “Aleu’s time as leader is drawing to a close. Soon, she will be no more. Someone must take her place.”
“Who?” Saba asked.
Aniu smiled. “You are, my child. This is why you have been trained. This is your purpose for being here.”
Saba chuckled. “Aniu, I have no idea how to lead a clan. Surely someone else more qualified could take her place.”
Aniu’s face remained passive. “Saba, there is no one else. It is your destiny and has been since you were born. With the knowledge of leadership, I will help you, you need not worry at all, only concentrate on your coming battle with Shade.”
Saba nodded. “May I ask you a question Aniu?”
“What is it my child?” Aniu responded.
“Why me?” She asked.
Aniu smiled. “The leader of the Talbourne has always been a descendant of myself. Melody does not possess the proper traits to be a leader, and Aleu’s children are still too small. They do not yet even grasp how things work in their world. These cannot be trusted with the safeguard of my clan. You can be.”
“How do you know this?” Saba asked. “What if I mess it up?”
Aniu smiled. “My child you will mess up. It is only natural, but you will not be alone, I will be there with you in a way.”
“In a way?” Saba asked.
“All things will become clear to you soon.” Aniu said. “For now you must simply trust me when I say that you will be able to carry out these duties.”
Saba nodded. “I do Aniu, I do.”
Aniu smiled. “I know.”
Chapter 8:
Drake was awakened the next morning by a sound of frantic scratching on the door of the old mill.
He got up and walked to the door, pushing it open.
Drake blinked at the harsh morning light that streamed in the open door and yawned. “Hello?”
“Oh Drake you have to come with me!” A frantic gray dog said.
Drake shook his head, and looked at the dog for a moment. “Dusty?”
The gray dog nodded. “Hurry Drake, she might be dead already!”
This woke Drake up extremely fast. “What are you talking about Dusty?” He said. “Who might be dead?”
“Trina!” Dusty cried. “I’ve been going to see her every day for the past few weeks. Poor thing never gets out much. You know her owners keep her tied up all the time? Yep, right there on the porch, and all day! The only time she has to herself is at night…”
Drake could tell that Dusty was starting to ramble, probably shaken from whatever she’d seen.
“Dusty, can you tell me what happened to Trina? Is she alright?”
Dusty shook her head. “No, no… I think she’s… I think she’s dead.”
Drake sighed.
“Well, can you take me to her?”
Dusty nodded. “That I can do, follow me!”
Dusty took off, running as fast as she could.
Drake jumped off the porch, at the front of the old mill, and ran after her. “Dusty slow down.”
Dusty chose not to listen, and Drake tried his best to keep up with her.
Timbre crept through the woods.
He couldn’t explain why, but he felt very ill at ease. Every hair on his body seemed to be standing straight on end.
Dash was in a similarly alerted condition.
He looked over at his friend and Dash nodded.
They were close to home, whatever the danger was, they’d deal with it.
“Now if only I could figure out what that danger is…” Timbre thought.
A green uniformed man lowered his binoculars.
“That’s them.” An older man behind him said, standing. “Tell your troops to get ready.”
The young man nodded once, and hurried off to do as his commanding officer had ordered.
The man turned back around and raised his own binoculars, looking at the two wolves walking silently through the forest.
“You’ll never know what hit you.” The man thought. “Just like Aleu and her precious mate Shadow… you will die.”
In his mind, Shade laughed.
Timbre jumped back, and Dash crouched down, ready to fend off an attack, as a crack resounded through the forest.
“It’s okay.” A familiar voice said. “It’s just me.”
Dash and Timbre stood as Lightning and almost twenty wolves materialized out of the foliage.
“What are you doing out here?” Dash asked.
Lightning smiled. “Just thought we’d meet you here.”
“Why the army?” Timbre asked, indicating the other wolves.
Lightning sighed. “There was a sniper out last night, probably the same one who took out Aleu and Shadow. He shot two of the sentries, killed them. We’re just being careful.”
A moment of silence passed, as if in memory of those who had died.
“…speaking of Aleu, how are she and Shadow?”
“They’re alright.” Dash said. “…at least, we hope so. They both escaped Doc. We were hoping she’d come back here.”
“Probably will.” Lightning said. “It’s good to hear she’s alive though, just the thought of the Talbourne without her… I can’t imagine.”
“Yeah.” Dash said.
An understanding passed between the two wolves, and they continued, talking of the past few days events.
“That’s them alright sir.” A young man said as he centered his scope on the wolf in front.
Shade smiled inwardly. “The ability to reach out and strike my enemies from a distance almost makes up for being trapped in this pathetic body.”
He patted the young man on the shoulder and smiled.
“Fire.”
Dash, Timbre and Lightning were interrupted by a gunshot.
One of the wolves near Lightning dropped, and the rest dropped to the ground.
“Where’d it come from?” Dash asked.
“I don’t know.” Timbre said; he turned his head to Lightning. “…you?”
Lightning shook his head. “No.”
“It was somewhere in that direction.” Dash said, tossing his head to the front.
“Let’s make our way over there, maybe we can get him.” Lightning said.
Dash and Timbre nodded.
“If we get spotted, run at him, maybe we can scare him that way. I’ll go to the left, you can keep going to the front. I’ll catch him off guard.”
Timbre and Dash nodded.
“Everyone hear that?” Dash asked.
The wolves all nodded silently.
“Who got hit?” Timbre asked.
“It’s Hilar.” One of the wolves said. “He’s dead.”
Lightning sighed.
“That’s the last wolf this guy kills.” Timbre said.
Dash nodded. “Let’s go.”
The wolves began to move forward.
Over the sights of his gun, a young man saw the wolves start to move up.
“They’re coming right at us.” The man said.
Shade walked over and looked through his binoculars. “Let them close to one hundred yards.”
“Then what?” The young man asked.
Shade smiled. “Light ’em up.”
The young man nodded and Shade walked away.
The man sighed and jacked the charging handle back on his machine gun, chambering a round. “Seems like an awful waste to just slaughter these poor critters.” He thought. “I wonder what these wolves did to make the U. S. Army involved.”
The group of wolves had covered almost two hundred yards without incident.
Dash looked over at Timbre. “Maybe he left already.”
Timbre shook his head. “He’s still there. I can feel it.”
The wolves took another step forward, and suddenly the trees in front of them lit up with orange flashes too quick to count.
Timbre and Dash were the lowest, so the first volley went over their heads and into the midst of the other wolves, killing some and wounding almost all.
The group split in two, one stayed with the original group, the other tried to seek refuge from the raining steel by running towards the tree line to the right.
They were caught out in the open and were being slaughtered.
Lightning was up on his feet and running before Timbre and Dash could tell him that they’d be dead before he could do anything.
The two of them crawled to a fallen log, finding refuge from the deadly hail of lead.
From there they watched, helplessly as Lightning tried to lead the wolves to safety.
He never stood a chance.
Lightning made it to the group of beleaguered wolves.
“Get out of here! Go to the left to the trees, go!” He yelled, standing in front of them. Stay low and…”
A new wave of fire ensued and cut him off in mid sentence.
Lightning fell to the ground in a cloud of red mist.
Timbre and Dash stayed out of the way of the humans as they finished off the rest of the wolves, then stood and walked forward, toward the cave.
Once they were sure that the humans were gone, Dash and Timbre walked out from behind the log that had by chance saved their lives when so many other’s had been lost.
Timbre and Dash stumbled through the clearing that had only moments later been a field of death, now… death was all that remained.
Most of the wolves were dead or dying. Many were torn asunder, so many shots having hit them that they fell in pieces.
Dash choked back a bile that rose suddenly in his throat as he made his way across the blood drenched snow.
Finally they stopped alongside their fallen comrade.
“Oh no…” Dash said.
Lightning opened his eyes and coughed.
“Lightning!” Dash said. “You’re… you’re alive!”
Lightning smiled, a thin red line running from his mouth to the snow. “…not… not for long… I’m… I’m afraid.”
Timbre sighed and turned, walking away from the scene.
Dash felt tears come to his eyes as he watched his friend.
“Lightning… you’re going to be fine.” He said, knowing even as he said it that it was a lie.
Lightning was covered in blood from his ears to his tail. There were at least fifteen, if not more, holes in his friend, and he was quickly losing blood.
Dash knew from experience, it wouldn’t be long.
“Lightning, thank you for all you’ve done for me.” Dash said. “You… you were the one that taught me all I know… I’ll never forget you. The one that turned a love-sick husky pup into a wolf.
Lightning smiled. “…and… and a… a pretty good one… at that.”
He took a deep breath and Dash could tell he was fading fast. “Take… take care of… of Aleu. She is the… the most important thing… more than you… or I…”
Dash nodded.
“Yo
)
Silly me. Can't wait to see how you resolve the whole Balto, Jenna situation. But I trust you! 
(Tim and Tycha)
(Aleu and Shadow again)
(the troops at the cave)
