Balto: The Fall of Aniu

Written by: Anthony E. Rotramel (A.K.A RTW)

Started: 06/24/07
Finished: 11/26/07

Pages: 212

Words: 35,328









© 2007 Anthony E. Rotramel.
All Rights Reserved.

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 Angie, James, Fairbourne, Shanaea, Tiembe, Josh, Jack, Alyse, Hilluck, Raeona, Lytion, Shade, Daema, Fairbourne, Jason, Shadow, Dash, Timbre, Melody, Ami, and the events of this story are © 2007 by Anthony Rotramel. The other characters are © Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment..

Congratulations to Lonewolf_Fanwriter and Breeze Starbuck of baltosource, as contest winners, their characters: Jack and Alyse (sorry Starbuck, I had to change the name lol) are included within this story.
 
Warning! This fic is rated PG-13 for violence  and some  foul language. Reader’s discretion is advised.






Prologue:

    The sky was black and snow was falling steadily from the sky. The mountains of Alaska were silent and beautiful.
    An orange wolf suddenly broke through the bushes ahead, sprinting toward the river.
    The wolf felt a searing pain in her shoulder, but she knew she couldn’t stop to rest… to stop was to die.
    A howl split the night then and the orange wolf ran even harder.
    “…they’re going to catch me.” The wolf thought.
    She looked back at the young gray wolf following her.
    “…I can’t let them find her.”  The wolf thought. “…but where…”
    Suddenly she saw the cave, there, right by the river, behind the waterfall from the cliffs above.
    The orange wolf shifted her run in the cave’s direction and stopped when she stood at the water’s edge.
    She wavered a bit and then she fell in the water.
    The young gray wolf ran up to her side.
    “…Mom!” She cried. “…mom, are you alright?”
    The orange wolf took a deep breath and stood, keeping her left side from the view of her daughter.
    “Yes, yes I’m fine Raye.” The wolf said.
    “…no you’re not.” Raye said. “…you’re hurt.”
    The orange wolf sighed.
    “It… it doesn’t matter anymore.”
    “What are you saying?” Raye asked. “…of course it matters.”
    The orange wolf shook her head.
    “…Raye, listen to me.” She swallowed and shook her head again, trying to clear her blurred vision. “…listen to me okay?”
    Raye nodded.
    “…I want you to go into that cave, under the waterfall.”
    “Mom, I’m not leaving you alone.” Raye said.
    “Yes you are Raye.”
    “No…” Raye started, but her mother cut her off.
    “…listen to me Raye… I’m going to go get help from the Talbourne Clan. I’m going to go get Aleu, now stay here until either I or Aleu come back, okay?”
    “Mom I…” Raye started, but her mother cut her off again.
    “Raye, please… after… after tonight you’re the last hope for our clan.”
    Raye nodded reluctantly.
    “…okay.” She said. “Alright, I’ll wait here.”
    The orange wolf smiled at her daughter.
    “…you’ve grown so much.”
    Raye smiled back at her mother and nuzzled her.
    “…aww Mom, geez… don’t start that please.”
    The orange wolf laughed.
    “…alright Raye, alright.”
    The orange wolf paused as she realized that this would probably be her last chance to speak to her daughter.
    “I know that you will be a great Alpha for our clan someday… listen to Aleu, she will guide you well. Listen to her advice as you would my own.”
    “Mom… what are talking about?” Raye asked. “…you’re going to be by my side… right?”
    The orange wolf sighed.
    “…yeah… yeah of course.” She lied.
    She looked up at her daughter.
    “I love you Raye.”
    “I love you too Mom.” Raye said.
    The orange wolf turned and started to run again.
    Raye watched her mother until she vanished into the foliage, then she swam across the river and climbed into the cave to await her mother’s return.

















Chapter 1:

    Shadow stood outside the main entrance. It had been a while since he’d stood guard duty, but the best fighters in the pack were now the only ones on guard duty.    
    The attacks by the mystery clan of black wolves had only gotten worse with the passing of time and Shadow feared an all out attack soon.
    He was thinking about this when he first saw the dark shape of a wolf dart out of the trees ahead.
    The wolf was running.
    As the wolf got closer Shadow could tell that it was a female, and she was orange.
    “…you there, stop!” Shadow called.
    The wolf slowed to a trot.
    “I… I need to speak with Aleu immediately.”
    “…and why is this?” Shadow asked.
    “Aleu is your Alpha is she not?” The wolf asked.
    Shadow noticed that the wolf seemed to be swaying a bit as she walked.   
    “No she is not.” Shadow said. “She stepped down and was succeeded by her sister Saba.”
    The wolf considered this for a moment, then walked shakily up to Shadow.
    “I still must see Aleu, even if she is not your Alpha.”
    “…you aren’t going anywhere until you tell me what your business here is.” Shadow said.
    “…there’s no time.” The wolf said, dashing past Shadow and into the cave.
    “Hey you stop!” Shadow yelled as he tackled the female to the ground.
    She went down easily and Shadow leaned over her.
    “…now what is your business with Aleu?” Shadow asked.
    “…Shadow?” A familiar voice said.
    Shadow stood and Aleu walked up beside him.
    “…let her pass.” Aleu said.
    “…you know her?” Shadow asked.
    Aleu nodded and Shadow nodded back, then walked back to the entrance to resume his post.
    “…Raeona?” Aleu asked.
    The orange wolf nodded and tried to catch her breath.
    “What brings you here?” Aleu asked.
    “We… we were attacked.” Raeona said.
    “…oh no.” Aleu said. “…by who?”
    “…black… black wolves… don’t… don’t know what they call their clan… but their… their Alpha calls himself Lytion.”
    Aleu sighed.
“…sounds like the same group we’re dealing with right now.”
“…the… the situation is far worse… than… than you know.” Raeona said.
“Are you okay?” Aleu asked.
Raeona smiled.
“I’m… I’m afraid not…”
“…let me see if I can help you.” Aleu said.
Raeona rolled over and Aleu gasped and stepped back.
“…oh my God.” Aleu said.
 Raeona’s flank was split from her collar bone all the way back to the middle of her belly, and then the horrific injury headed upwards to end in the middle of her back.
Aleu could see white bone poking through her back and her entire left side was covered in blood.
“…what happened?” Aleu asked. “…who did this to you?”
“…Lytion.”  Raeona said.
“…they attacked us at night… I was sleeping with my mate and son… they never had a chance. The black ones… des… destroyed our fighters and mad…made it to our chamber. They… they killed… Hiluck and… and my son.”
Aleu sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
    Then a thought occurred to her.
    “…where’s Raye?”
    Raeona smiled.
    “She… she is nearby… this… this is why I came to you. Aleu, you saved her once before, can… I beg you… save my daughter… and… and take… take care of her… for me.”
    Aleu nodded.
    “I will Raeona, where is she?”
    Raeona shook her head a few times.
“She is.. is in a cave nearby… to the east… along the river… behind… behind a waterfall… please help her.”
Aleu nodded again.
“I will Raeona.”
Raeona put her paw on Aleu’s shoulder, a sudden surge of strength running through her body as she fought to deliver this last message..
“Aleu, our positioning here in this part of Alaska is not an accident… learn more of… of the Origin of Aniu… it… it is key…”
This last surge of strength seemed to drain Raeona dry, and a dull look came over her eyes.
“…please… Aleu… find… find my… my daughter… save… save her…”
Raeona’s eyes swelled and then she jerked once, and was still.
Aleu sighed and stood up.
“What’s going on?” A familiar voice called from behind her.
Aleu turned to see Saba standing behind her.
“Hey Saba.” Aleu said. “This is… was Raeona. She was the mate of the Alpha of the Onasie clan.”
“What happened to her?” Saba asked, a disgusted look on her face as she took in the orange wolf’s injuries.
“…apparently their clan was overrun by  black wolves.” Aleu said. “She says that Hiluck and her son are dead.”
“This is not good.” Saba said.
“No,” Aleu said. “It’s not.”
She paused a moment.
“If they were able to take out the Onasie clan… do you think that it’s possible they could have taken out the other three as well…”
“…could be the reason for our breakdown in communications with them.” Saba said.
Aleu shook her head.
“Well, anyway, I’ve got to go.”
“…go where?” Saba asked.
“Raeona hid her daughter in a cave just up the river. She asked me to go get her and make sure she’s safe.”
Saba nodded.
“…take whoever you require.”
“…Dash and Timbre should be fine.” Aleu said.
Saba sighed.
“Aleu, Dash and Timbre are out on patrol.”
“…what?” Aleu asked. “…why? …when?”
“…I sent them out this morning.” Saba said. “Timbre’s unit will return tonight, and Dash  tomorrow.”
“Wait a minute…” Aleu said. “You said Timbre’s unit and Dash? Is Dash alone?”
Saba nodded.
“It was his idea. He thought he could do a better sneak and peek by himself than with his whole unit.”
“…but Saba, you’ve left the cave very…”
Aleu stopped and knelt to the floor of the cave.
“I am sorry my Alpha. I did not mean to question your judgment.”
Saba smiled.
“Aleu, you know that’s unnecessary.”    Aleu stayed down on the ground.
“Aleu you can stand up.” Saba said. “…just go find Raye and bring her back here.”
Aleu nodded and turned, walking out of the cave.












Chapter 2:

    Aleu ran east, following the river as it threaded its way through the artic woods.
    Aleu had no trouble following Raeona’s trail as it curved its way through the woods.
    “If she left this good a trail from her cave to the waterfall Raye may be in trouble…” Aleu thought.
    She ran faster and jumped a group of bushes ahead to land in a clearing at the side of the river.
    Aleu crept backwards into the bushes and watched… but nothing moved.
    She stepped back out into the clearing and walked cautiously to the water’s edge and swam through it to the edge of the cave. She climbed out and stood in the dark cave.
    “…Raye?” Aleu asked tentatively.
    The only sound Aleu heard was the steady drip drop of the water as it seeped through the rock ceiling to splatter on the rocks below.
    “…Raye?” Aleu asked again, stepping further into the cave.
    She waited a minute, and when her calls went unanswered Aleu started to walk further into the cave.
    “…Raye, where are you?”
    “Maybe I’m too late...” Aleu thought.    “…Aleu?” a voice said behind her. “Aleu, is that you?”
    Aleu turned and saw a young gray wolf standing behind her.
    “…Raye?” Aleu asked.
    The gray wolf stepped forward and nodded.
    “…where’s my Mom?” Raye asked.
    Aleu sighed.
    “…she… she was hurt bad Raye… she… she barely made it to our cave…”
    Raye took a step back.
    “…no…”       
    Aleu took a step toward the distressed young wolf.
    “…I’m sorry Raye.” She said.
    Raye nodded.
    “Thank… thank you Aleu.”
    Raye sighed.
    Aleu didn’t know what else to say to soothe the youngster’s pain, so she stayed quiet.
    Suddenly there was a growl from outside the cave, splitting the silence that had reined for nearly five minutes.
    “…Raye, perhaps we should leave…” Aleu said.
    A cold laugh came from behind her.
    “…heh… heh… you aren’t going anywhere.”
    Aleu turned to see two black wolves standing behind her.
    “…have they been here the whole time?” Aleu thought. “How did they sneak up on me like that?”
    She took a cautious step backwards.
    “Raye… stay back.”
    Raye’s reply was less than encouraging.
    “…um… Aleu… can’t do that.”
    Aleu turned to see another of the black wolves climb out of the river and into the cave.
    Aleu growled and crouched down, preparing for the fight she knew was only moments away.
    The black wolf in front of her smiled.
    “As much fun as it would be to kill a beautiful thing such as yourself Aleu I have a proposition to make that will ensure you remain alive throughout this exchange.”
    Aleu growled.
    “How do you know my name?” Aleu asked. “…I’ve never met you before.”
    The wolf laughed again.
    “…you’ll find we know a great deal more than you think we do.”
    “…who’s we?” Aleu asked.
    The wolf laughed again and circled her slowly.
    “…the Shadow Clan of course…”
    He paused and stopped circling her.
    “…now, want to hear the proposition?”
    “…sure.” Aleu said, never taking her gaze from his yellow eyes.
    The wolf smiled.
    “The truth is that we’re really not interested in a full out war. We don’t want to kill… but we will do what we must to accomplish our mission. Now, since you are no longer the Alpha of the Talbourne, you do not concern us. Make your way back to your cave, leave this young one to our…”
    The wolf looked over at Raye and smiled, licking his lips.
    “…care, and you live.”
    Aleu smirked.
    “You said you knew more about me than I knew… well you obviously don’t know much if you think I’d accept a deal like that.”
    The wolf smiled.   
    “…so that’s a no then?”
    “Yeah,” Aleu said. “...that would be a hell no.”
    The wolf smiled again.
    “…good.”
He looked her in the eyes.
“…I like it better this way.”
His eyes suddenly turned red and Aleu gasped.
“…Shade!”
The wolf laughed.
“…not quite.”
Then he hit her.
Aleu’s head snapped to the right from the blow and she rolled with it, carrying her away from her assailant.
The black wolf turned to his friend, who was standing in front of Raye and smiled.
“You kill her, Aleu’s mine.”
The wolf nodded and turned back to Raye, just as the young gray wolf tackled him.
Aleu crouched down and growled as the black wolf turned to face her.
“…just give it up Aleu.” The black wolf said.
    The third wolf circled behind her and Aleu mentally ran through the attacks she could use in her mind.
    Then the wolves attacked.
    Aleu ducked and the two slammed into one another.
    Aleu jumped to the side as one of the wolves tried to hit her, and instead he caught his partner full on the jaw.
    Aleu watched in amazement as the wolves paw crushed his partner’s muzzle and then went through his head, popping it like a gory balloon.
    The wolf dropped to the ground.
    Aleu turned to face her remaining attacker.
    He growled.
    “…I’m gonna get you for that one.” He said. “It’s going to be heaven to hear you scream…”
    Aleu growled and leapt at him.
    The wolf slashed at her, and Aleu rolled under him, tearing at his belly with her claws, then she used the momentum from her leap to roll clear of the wolf, coming back up on her paws.
    Her attack had done some damage, and the wolf limped noticeably as he came after her.
    “…Aniu I could really use your help.” Aleu thought… but instead of the calming sensation she normally felt in the wolven goddess’ presence she felt…
    …nothing.
    “…Aniu?” Aleu thought.
    …nothing.   
    Aleu turned her attention back to the by now very angry black wolf that was standing in front of her.
    Aleu growled and swung her paw at the side of his head, but the wolf turned his head and snapped at Aleu’s paw, catching it in his jaws.
    He bit down and Aleu yelped in pain.
    The wolf didn’t let go, but instead turned his head and flipped Aleu over on her back.
    Aleu felt something in her shoulder pop and she screamed as the wolf’s teeth tore into her paw.
    Aleu slid under the wolf and used her back legs to kick the wolf just below his stomach.
    The wolf yelped and for a moment Aleu’s paw was free.
    She jerked it clear of the wolf’s mouth and kicked him twice more.
    The wolf dropped to his side and Aleu kicked him again.
    The wolf tried to snap at Aleu’s back leg.
    This is what Aleu had been waiting for.
    As the wolf snapped at her, he stretched out his neck and exposed it to her flashing jaws.
    One snap and it was over.
    The wolf looked dumbfounded at the blood that flowed across his shoulder.
    He crawled a few feet away, then he stopped and was still.
    Aleu spit on the ground, trying to rid her mouth of the horrible taste.
    She tucked her injured left foreleg close to her side and turned.
    “…Raye step back and…”
    Raye dropped the dead wolf from her jaws and walked over to Aleu.
    “…you’re hurt?” She asked.
    “…nothing too bad.” Aleu said. “…got my leg a bit is all… you’re a good fighter.”
    Raye smiled and then sighed.
    “…yeah… yeah, my… my father made sure I knew how to defend myself.”
    “…well come on Raye.” Aleu said. “We’ll go back to our cave. It’s just to the west of here, only about two miles… you’ll be safe there.”
    Raye nodded and the two walked out of the cave.
   
    Aleu had been walking for almost ten minutes when she heard the first voices.
    She turned to Raye and crouched low, walking back to her.
    “What is it Aleu? Raye asked.
    “Shh…” Aleu whispered. “…voices, just ahead. We’re going to check it out, but keep quiet.”
    Raye nodded.
Aleu turned and crept forward.
Soon they came to the upward slope of a hill and Aleu looked around, expecting a trap… but no one sprang from the darkness.
She turned to Raye.
“…stick close.”
Raye nodded and Aleu crept up the hill, making hardly a noise as she ascended.
When they got to the top Aleu gasped.
The valley below was filled with black wolves.
“…there must be at least two hundred of them.” Raye whispered.
Aleu sighed.
“…they’re walking west.”
“…you think they’re going to attack your Clan?” Raye asked.
“…are there any other Clans around?” Aleu asked.
“…guess not.” Raye said.
Aleu heard a new voice then, this one closer.
“Raye, stay here.” Aleu whispered. “…I’ll be right back… if for some reason I don’t return or you hear them give an alarm get out of here, okay?”
“…but there’s no way you could take all of them Aleu.” Raye whispered.
“I don’t think the addition of one more would make much difference.” Aleu said. “They’d just kill us both. …don’t try to be a hero. If something goes wrong, just get out of here as quietly as you can.”
Raye nodded.
“…be careful Aleu.”
Aleu smiled.
“…of course kid.”
Then she crept away from Raye towards a group of bushes on top of the hill.
The voices grew louder as she approached, and soon Aleu could see the forms of three black wolves standing on the other side of the bushes.
“…everything is going as planned sir.” One of them said. “…we’re making our way toward the Talbourne and should be there in about five minutes. The other three units are already in place and are simply awaiting your word.”
The bigger black wolf smiled.
“…excellent Payne. You will lead our forces to victory this night… rejoin them and report to me if anything changes.”
“Yes sir.” The wolf said.
He turned and walked back down the hill to join the flood of wolves in the valley below.
“Can I talk to you sir?” The other black wolf said.
“…what is it Jaso?” The other said.
“Sir I have to say… well, I’ve been your friend for some years now Lytion, and I must question your judgment in attacking the Talbourne.”
“…and why is that Jaso?” Lytion asked.
“Though we have them outnumbered sir they are protected by Aniu herself and all attempts to extinguish their light from this world have been met with failure, no matter what the odds. Shade himself failed in this.”
Lytion smiled.
“…Aniu will pose no problem this night, nor will she be able to stick her nose into our affairs… my father is even now taking care of that.”
Aleu gasped and the wolves turned.
“What was that?” Jaso asked.
Lytion closed his eyes.
Aleu felt a calming sensation come over her.
“…Aniu?” Aleu thought.
Then it was gone and Aleu knew she was alone once more.
“…I sense nothing.” Lytion said. “…must’ve been the wind.”
Aleu crept silently away from the bushes and back to Raye.
“…well?” Raye whispered.
“…we have to get out of here.” Aleu said. “…I’ll tell you later.”
Raye nodded and followed Aleu as she crept down the hill.
When they reached the bottom Aleu turned to Raye.
“…try to keep up.” She said.
Then Aleu turned east and started running back toward the river.      
Raye followed.

It didn’t take long for Aleu to make it to the cave she had in mind.
It was about six miles south of the cave.
She crept silently up to the entrance and looked around, but if anyone was there Aleu could not see, hear, or smell them.
“It seems safe.” Aleu said.   
She stepped into the cave and walked back into it a ways.
Raye followed.
“Aleu, do you mind telling me what we’re doing here?”
“We’re spending the night here.” Aleu said.
    “…but… but the Shadow Clan is headed for the Talbourne… aren’t they?”
    Aleu sighed and nodded.
    “…yeah kid… yeah they are.”
    “Then what are we doing here?” Raye asked.  “We should be warning them!”
    Aleu shook her head. “…you saw how many of them there were didn’t you?”
    “Yeah I did.” Raye said.
    “That’s only one unit.” Aleu said. “I overheard their Alpha talking… there are two more already in place… if you were seen at the cave… it’d just trip the attack that much sooner. We wouldn’t be able to warn them of anything… at least this way Timbre’s unit might be able to make it back to the cave before they attack.”
    “How can you just abandon them?” Raye asked.
    “I’m not abandoning them.” Aleu said. “I promised your mother that I would take care of you, that I would keep you safe… taking you into a war zone is hardly what I’d call safe.”
    “…but it’ll be a massacre!” Raye said.
    Aleu sighed.
    “It… it would be whether we were there or not… but yes, I fear you are right.”
    “…but what about your family?” Raye asked.
    Aleu sighed.
    “Raye… I hate to leave them but… but Shadow is a great fighter… and I doubt the cave will fall in one night.”
    “…that’s cold Aleu.” Raye said. “…don’t you love them? What if they’re killed!”
    “Raye that’s enough!” Aleu said. “…I know it’s cold but y’know what, that’s life Raye. You’ll learn when you’re an Alpha… you have to look at the big picture, no matter how important the small one seems to be… we’re going to go back, just not tonight.”
    “…when then?” Raye asked.
    “…tomorrow.” Aleu said.
    She sighed.
    “The fight tonight will be bad, there’s no doubt of that… but the Clan shouldn’t fall the first night… we’re stronger than that… we’ll go back tomorrow morning before they counter-attack.”
    Raye nodded.
    “Aleu… Aleu I’m sorry.”
    Aleu shook her head.
    “It’s okay kid.”
    Raye sighed.
    “…thank you, for coming after me… tonight I mean.”
    “You’re welcome kid.” Aleu said. “…now, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow… let’s just get some sleep.”
    Raye nodded and Aleu laid down, wincing as her injured leg touched the floor.
    “Are you going to be alright Aleu?” Raye asked.
    Aleu yawned.
    “Yeah kid… I’ve been hurt worse.”
    Raye walked over and laid down beside Aleu.
    Soon the two of them were sound asleep.
     






















Chapter 3

    Balto walked down the icy sidewalk of Nome. He was on his way to see Jenna.
    He and Luke had just returned from another trip in his plane and he was running a little late.
    “…I’m running a lot late…”  Balto thought.
    He turned the corner and could see Jenna’s home just down the street. Balto picked up his pace a little and soon he was standing in front of the old two story house.
    Balto walked up the steps in the front and stepped through the doggy door.
    He took a few steps inside and then stopped and smiled.
    Jenna was curled up on the couch. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing deeply, caught in the throes of sleep.
    Balto walked quietly over to the couch and crawled up beside her, snuggling close to her.
    He looked at her for a moment, taking this quiet moment to reflect on how beautiful she was and how truly lucky he was to be with her.
    After a few minutes he gently nudged her and her eyes fluttered open. She smiled.
    “Hey Balto…” She said.
    Jenna yawned.
    “…running a little late aren’t you?” She said with a smile.
    Balto sighed.
    “Yeah, sorry about that; we hit a bad patch of weather on our way back. It cost us some time.”
    “It’s alright.” Jenna said. “I’m just messing with you.”
    Balto smiled and nuzzled her.
    “I know.”
    Jenna yawned again.
    “…are you tired?” Balto asked. “I can leave if you’d like to get some sleep. I can come back tomorrow.”
    Jenna shook her head slowly.
    “No, I’m fine. I want you here.”
    Balto smiled and Jenna laid her head on his shoulder, cuddling close to him.
    “How’d your trip go?” Jenna asked.
    “As good as can be expected…” Balto said. “…other than that storm of course.”
    “…well that’s good.” Jenna said.
    “Yeah…” Balto responded.
    “I’m glad to be back Balto.” She said. “I… I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
    Balto smiled.
    “I’m glad to have you back Jenna… it was hard for me to live without you.”
    Jenna smiled and snuggled closer to him.
    “You know Balto… out of all the things we’ve done and seen together… I think the times like this are best. …when we’re here together, just you and I with no worries or concerns… just us.”
    Balto nodded.
    “Yeah… I agree.”
    “I love you Balto.” Jenna said.
    Balto looked at her and smiled.
    “I love you too Jen…”
    Jenna sighed.
    “Balto… can you promise me something?”
    “What’s that Jen?” Balto said.
    Jenna looked up at him.
    “…that you’ll never leave me.”
    Balto smiled and laid his head across Jenna’s neck.
    “I promise.” Balto said.
    Balto laid there a moment  longer and before he knew it he and Jenna had drifted off to sleep.

Snow was steadily drifting from the sky as a group of wolves came over the top of the hill. Though it was partially concealed by the falling snow, the wolves could see the cave’s main entrance where Shadow still stood guard.
Timbre for one was glad. His unit was just now returning from a twenty-four hour stint outside the cave during which it had been their mission to locate and destroy the group of black wolves who’d been attacking them as of late… they’d accomplished neither.
    Timbre turned and saw his own feelings reflected on the faces of the wolves behind him.
    “The faster we get home the faster I can dismiss you… do you have one last one left in you?” He asked.
    Though no one spoke up the looks on their exhausted faces said it all.
    Timbre took off running and the rest followed suit.
    Soon they were at the cave.
    Shadow walked over to Timbre and smiled.
    “Ah, so my relief is here.”
    Timbre stopped walking and as he turned, Shadow could tell just how hard the twenty-four hours had been on him. Timbre had pushed his unit to their limits in their attempt to locate the wolves, and it showed.
    “…what?” Timbre asked.
    Shadow laughed.
    “I’m kidding.” He said. “…how’d it go.”
    Timbre sighed.
    “….nothing, we didn’t find a damn thing… it’s like they’re ghosts or something.”
    Shadow sighed.
    “I thought as much.”
    He smiled.
    “Well, you need to get some rest. You look like you could use it.”
    Timbre nodded.
    “Yeah… I definitely do.”
    Shadow nodded back at him.
“Well dismiss your unit and then make sure you…”
    A shrill howl cut through the darkness and over fifty black wolves tore down the hill in front of the cave.
    “…looks like they found you instead.” Shadow said.
    “…what?” Timbre said, turning his head.
    His eyes snapped open as he saw the wolves.
    “Third unit, we are under attack!” He yelled.
    The wolves turned to him, awaiting orders.
    Timbre ran over and stood in front of them.
    “They’re exhausted…”  He thought. “This is going to be bad.”
    “…we’ll defend the front entrance.”
    Timbre turned to Shadow.
    “Where’s Dash? We need the second unit.”
    “He’s still out looking for them.” Shadow said.
    Timbre saw Ami walking through the cave toward him then.
    “Ami, get over here!” He called.
    She broke out into a run and soon she stood in front of him.
    Timbre turned to his unit.
    “…go and meet them. Do everything you can to stop them. I’ll be with you shortly.”
    As one the unit nodded and ran out the entrance to meet the approaching wolves.
    Timbre turned to Ami.
    “What’s up Timbre?” She asked.
    “The black wolves are attacking the cave, in force this time.” Timbre responded. “My unit is attempting to stop them. I want you to mobilize the second unit and meet them here, your job is interior security, in case they get past us.”
    Ami nodded.
    “…go.” Timbre said.
    Ami turned to leave, but Timbre stopped her.
    “…and Ami… fly, I don’t know how long we can hold them… my unit is exhausted.”
    Ami nodded.
    “…don’t worry Timbre. I won’t let you down.”
    Timbre nodded back at her and Ami took off.
    Timbre turned to Shadow.
    “I’ll get the first unit together Timbre.” Shadow said. We’ll provide security for Saba… but do your best to keep them here… most of my unit is still out looking for them.”
    Timbre sighed.
    “I fear our Alpha has made a grave mistake.”
    Shadow nodded.
    “…that may be, but our job now is to defend her. We’ll discuss tactics later.”
     Timbre heard growling and barking just then… the sounds of battle.
    “I need to get out there with my unit…” He said. “…take care Shadow.”
    “…you too my friend.” Shadow said.
    Then Timbre turned and ran out of the cave.

    As Ami ran by the chamber, Melody could tell that something was wrong. She stepped outside.
    “Hey Ami…”
    Ami stopped and turned.
    “What is it Melody?”
    “What’s up?” Melody asked.
    “We’re under attack.” Ami said. “I’m on my way to organize the second unit.”
    “…Timbre?” Melody asked.
    “He’s already out there with his unit. They just got back… “
    “It’s the black wolves isn’t it?” Melody said.
    Ami nodded.
    “Yeah, but this isn’t a harassment attack… this is a bad one… they’re in force.”
    Melody nodded.
    Ami sighed.
    “Look… Melody… everyone is supposed to remain calm, but… well I’d get in your chamber and stay there… there’s a lot of them.”
    Melody nodded.
    “…thanks Ami.”
    Ami smiled.
    “We’ll do our best to hold them, but I’ve got to get back to getting the unit together… I’ve got a few more wolves to notify.”
    Melody nodded.
    “…be careful Ami…”
    Ami smiled.
    “Don’t worry about me. I was taught by one of the best.”
    Melody nodded.
    “…still…”
    Ami smiled again.
    “I will Melody.”
    Then she turned and ran off.
    Melody sighed.
    “You better be careful Timbre…” She thought.
    Then she turned and walked back into the chamber.
   
    Timbre ducked a paw that flew at him from the left, and dropped to the ground to avoid a set of jaws that were meant for his neck. They snapped shut on air.
    The wolf kicked him in the shoulder and he rolled across the ground through the group of fighting wolves.
    The black wolf followed him and as Timbre regained his footing he attacked.
    Timbre ducked the paw and hit the wolf in the belly. He flopped over on his back and Timbre jumped on him and sunk his teeth into the wolf’s throat.
    The wolf kicked a few times and then went limp.
    Timbre dropped the dead wolf’s head to the ground and looked around.
    In the ten minutes that the battle had been raging his unit had fallen back almost seventy yards. It was only five or six feet to the entrance of the cave.
    The unit had done their best… but they were very near to being overrun.
    “…there’s just too many of them.” Timbre thought.
    He walked backwards and rejoined his side of the battle.
    “Third Unit prepare to fall back into the cave!” He called. “…we’ll stage the remainder our defense there!”
    The wolves began to fall back and Timbre joined them.
    “I hope Ami organized the second unit…”  He thought. “…if not, we may be in trouble.”

    Shadow made it to Saba’s chamber, his two best fighters close behind.
    He’d sent the rest of the first unit down under command of Ami to join the second unit as a third line of defense.
    He turned to the two behind him.
    “Tye, Jon, you two stay out here.” He said. “…warn us if the enemy approaches.”
    The two wolves nodded and took up positions in the shadows outside the chamber entrance.
Shadow stepped into the chamber.
Saba was already walking toward him.
“What’s going on?” She asked.
“It’s an attack Saba.” Shadow said.    “…the black wolves again?” Saba asked.
Shadow nodded.
    “…they’re in force this time. This isn’t another harassment action… they mean business this time.”
    Saba nodded.
    “I’ll be there shortly… just let me tell Everest.”
    “No you won’t.” Shadow said.
    Saba stopped.
    “…excuse me?” She asked.
    “You don’t need to be out there.” Shadow said.
    “Yes I do.” She said. “I need to be with them. This is my pack.”
    “You’re correct Saba, and that is why you don’t need to be out there.”
    Saba sighed.
    “…Shadow, if it were Aleu you were speaking to would it be different?”
    “Yeah,” Shadow said. “Yeah it would.”
    “…why am I any different than her?” Saba said. “She was the alpha, she fought with them… I’m the alpha, so should I.”
    “No Saba,” Shadow said. “You and Aleu on are on two different levels.”
    “…oh yeah?” Saba said, an irritated tone entering her voice. “…and why’s that?”
      Shadow sighed.
    “Saba, don’t take this personally okay? …but Aleu has been living as a wolf for much longer than you have and she has been in many battles… she has experience fighting and leading in battle that you lack… we can’t allow anything to happen to our alpha. You need to leave the cave and I’ll come let you know when it’s over.”
    “…and if you lose the battle?” Saba asked.
    “…then we lose.” Shadow said. “…but the Talbourne will live on as long as you are alive. That’s what’s important, it doesn’t matter how many of us are killed, as long as you and the Talbourne continue on.”
    “Shadow, I won’t leave them.” Saba said.
    “…Saba listen to me.”
    “Shadow…” Saba started.
    “Saba will you please try to understand!” Shadow yelled. “I’m trying to protect you! It’s what’s best for the Clan! I don’t have time for this!”
    “Shadow that’s enough!” Saba yelled.
    Shadow fell silent.
    “I’ll not have you talking to me like that. I’m the alpha, and I’ll decide what’s best for the clan.”
    She sighed.
    “Shadow, go out and join your unit, take your guards with you. I’ll be down in a moment.”
    Shadow shook his head.
    “I’m not leaving until you do.”
    Saba sighed again and looked at him.
    “Shadow, take your guards and rejoin the battle… that’s an order.”
    Shadow sighed and hesitated for a moment, then nodded once.
    “…as you wish my alpha.”
    He turned and walked out of the chamber.
    Saba sighed.
    “What’s up?” Everest asked as he walked into the chamber. “…what was that all about?”
    “The cave is under attack.” Saba said. “I have to go.”
    A voice from the shadows startled Saba and she turned to face it.
“…oh you’re not going anywhere.”
“Who are you, and what are you doing in my chambers?” Saba asked.
“heh-heh.” The voice laughed. “…well, you’re not going to like that answer much I’m afraid Saba…”
Saba growled.
The voice laughed again and a black wolf stepped from the shadows.
“My name is Lytion, and I am taking over your clan… you can either join me, or die, your choice.”
Saba laughed.
“Many have tried to destroy us Lytion, many have tried and many have failed… what makes you think you’ll be different?”
“…because you’ve always had a certain little angle that you don’t anymore.”
Lytion smiled.                “We’ll see about that.” Saba said.
She closed her eyes.
“Aniu, I could really use your help.”
Saba felt a tingle that started at her nose and traveled down her back to the tip of her tail, filling her with strength. Aniu’s sweet voice echoed in Saba’s mind, all at once calming and soothing her.
“…I will do what I can for you my child…”
Saba’s eyes snapped open.
Aniu’s voice sounded strained and far away. She’d never heard the great wolf sound like that.
“…I wonder what that means?” Saba thought.
She turned to face the wolf.
All at once, Saba felt alone.
She took a step back.
“…Aniu?” Saba thought.
The sound that filled her mind then was enough to shatter the poor alpha’s determination and resolve.
Aniu’s soothing voice was stretched in a high pitched wail of pain and suffering.
Saba’s vision exploded into starbursts of bright color and she fell.
Everest knelt beside her
“…Saba?”
Saba opened her eyes and blinked a few times.
Lytion laughed.
“…feel abandoned by your precious leader little wolfie?”
“What’s wrong Saba?” Everest asked.
“It’s Aniu.” Saba said. “…she’s in pain.”
“…but how can that be?” Everest asked.
“I don’t know.” Saba said. “…but I heard her scream and now… she’s not connected to me anymore.”
Lytion began to circle her.
“So what’s it going to be Saba, do you cooperate with us or do we kill you.”
Saba struggled to her feet.
“I’ll never surrender this pack to you.”
Lytion nodded and smiled.
“Aniu does seem to inspire great devotion in her followers… the other four Clan’s made much the same decision… but we’re here now, so you can see how well that came out.”
Saba started to shake.
Lytion chuckled.
“Aww… is the little wolfie scared now? You’re not so tough without you all powerful wolf goddess on your side are you?”
Saba growled.
“…tough enough.” She said.
“We shall see.” Lytion said as an evil grin spread across his face. “…we shall see.”

Shadow dodged a paw that was meant for his face and hit his assailant in the stomach, knocking him to the ground.
He bent over and snapped his jaws around the wolf’s throat.
The wolf went still.
Shadow looked up and surveyed the battle. They were getting pushed back further and further into the main chamber. If they fell back any more they would be on the first step towards the Alpha’s chambers.
“We’re going to have to hold them here.” Shadow thought. “If we lose any more ground we’re going to lose this battle.”
He was a little worried, as Saba hadn’t shown up yet. He considered going up and checking on her…
…then he looked around the chamber. Many wolves lay dead or dying on the chamber floor, and most of them were members of his team. The losses thus far had been catastrophic.
“No,” Shadow thought. “I’ve got to stay here and lead the team, they need it…”
    He looked over the chamber again.
“…they really need it.”
  One of the black wolves charged at Shadow and jumped at him. Shadow tried to duck the attack, but he couldn’t get low enough and the wolf slammed into his shoulder, knocking him back another two feet. The wolf advanced as Shadow regained his footing.
The wolf growled and was soon joined by another.
Shadow leapt at them, rejoining the raging battle.

Everest picked himself up off the floor of the chamber and shook his head, trying his best to clear it.
Lytion smiled and laughed. “I must admit I admire your dedication.” He said.
Everest took a deep breath and looked across the chamber at the fallen form of Saba.
He didn’t know if she was still alive or not.
He closed his eyes and took another deep breath. “It doesn’t matter right now.” He thought. “Whether she is or not I’ve got to survive this battle first… I’ve got to concentrate…”
…but try as he might Everest could not get the thought out of his head.
Suddenly, anger consumed him, anger at this wolf who had invaded his home, attacked his family and possibly killed his mate.
He growled and leapt at Lytion.
Lytion ducked and time seemed to slow as Everest realized his attack was too high.
Lytion twisted as he ducked and sprang upward in an impossibly fast motion.
Everest felt a sharp pain in his neck, and then time resumed its normal pace. He put out his legs to lack from his jump, but as his paws touched the ground his legs folded beneath him and he slammed to the ground. The momentum he had gained from his leap caused him to roll, and he slammed into the wall of the chamber.
He didn’t move.
Lytion turned and smiled as he saw Saba struggling to regain her footing. Red blood coated his muzzle and dripped to the floor.
He stepped back as Saba walked past him, as if blind to his presence, only to stumble and fall five feet from Everest’s side.
She crawled the remaining distance and then her strength gave out on her and she dropped to the ground.
Everest opened his eyes and blinked a few times. His vision was blurry and the room seemed to be spinning. Surprisingly there was very little pain, only a dull throbbing that pulsed throughout his body.
He sensed Saba beside him and tried to lift his head, but found that even this, the smallest movement required great effort.
Saba’s face and muzzle were covered in bright red slashes that oozed blood. Her left eye was swollen almost completely shut and dark red blood coated her shoulder, turning her beautiful white coat an angry crimson.
She laid her head on his shoulder, oblivious to the large amount of blood that had accumulated there.
“I’m… I’m sorry… Saba.” He said, every word requiring more effort than the last.
Saba felt tears rolling down her face and mixing with the blood on his shoulder.
“I… I wasn’t… wasn’t able to pro… protect you this time.” Everest said.
“Shh…” Saba said. “You’re… you’re going to be fine Everest, save your strength.”
Everest smiled rolled onto his side, raising his head to look at her beautiful blue eyes.
“Saba… I’m afraid that this is the end of my path. You… you still have… have a chance… you can beat him… Aniu will not… will not let this clan fall… I know it.”
Saba moved closer to him and sat down at his side.
Everest took a deep breath and, summoning much of his remaining energy, struggled to a sitting position beside her.
He leaned forward and nuzzled her.
“Oh Everest…” Saba said, then she collapsed into tears, unable to say anything more.
“I’ll… I’ll be… be waiting for you… Saba.” He said.
She buried her face in his neck and he nuzzled her once more.
“I… I love… love you… Saba.” He said.
Saba didn’t feel his breath on her neck anymore and she closed her eyes.
Everest faltered for a moment, and then fell to the side off her shoulder to the ground.
Saba took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
“…shall we continue?” Lytion asked with a smile.








Chapter 4

    Kalia was sleeping when she heard the first sound; a yelp, not of pain, but of fright. She woke suddenly to find four black wolves in the chamber.
    “What was I doing sleeping?” Kalia chastised herself. “I have a duty to perform.”
    She stood up.
    “What are you doing in here?” Kalia asked.
     “Help us Kalia!” Sunny called. “They want to hurt us.”
    One of the wolves turned his gaze to Kalia and smiled. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He said. “Right now you are of little concern to us. Whether you live or die it makes no difference, but interfere with our plans and I will kill you.”
    Kalia shivered, but held her ground.
    “Who are you?” She asked.
    The wolf laughed. “We are the Niju Clan you need know no more than that.”
    “What is your business here?” Kalia asked, taking a step forward.
    The wolf laughed again. “We are here to kill these three, and they will die, if you interfere, you will die as well. If you stand back and let this happen then you will not be harmed.”
    Kalia growled.
    “I can’t let that happen. They’re my responsibility. I could never forgive myself.”
    The wolf smiled.
    “…your choice.”
    Kalia growled again and leapt at the wolves. She hit the one that had been talking in the face and he went down, but before she could leap onto him she found herself attacked from three sides.
    Her training never taught her how to deal with this situation, and she almost instantly overwhelmed.
    She hit the ground and one of the wolves tore into her shoulder and she screamed.  Kalia tried to kick him off of her, but her back leg was caught by another of the wolves. He bit down and twisted his head and Kalia screamed again as a good amount of skin and muscle was torn from her leg.
    The wolf that Kalia had hit had regained his feet and had backed the young ones into the corner.
    Kalia’s vision was already blurring, whether as a result of her recent head trauma or the loss of blood she couldn’t tell. She could just see past the black wolves’ paws. She heard a sharp yelp of pain that sent a shiver down her spine, then a bright red sheet of blood sprayed across the chamber wall.
    “NO!” Kalia screamed.
    She kicked and squirmed, but to no avail. All her efforts got her was another swift kick to the side of the head, which did nothing to aid her already limited visual capacity.
    She heard another yelp, and another spray of blood shot toward the ceiling.
    “Help me!” a young voice called.
    “Sunny!” Kalia answered. “Sunny, it’s going to be alright, just hang on, hang on Sunny!”
    The black wolf whom Kalia had hit picked up Sunny by the scruff of her neck and carried the young pup over to Kalia’s side.
    “I want you to see this.” He said with a chuckle.
    He sat the pup down and prepared to strike at her.
    “No!” one of the wolves yelled.
     The other stopped.
    The wolf that had spoken walked over to him. “Do you not remember our orders? Our orders were to kill the other two… this one Lytion wants alive.”
    The wolf growled. “….very well…” he turned and, picking up Sunny once more, started to walk from the chamber.
    “Lights out wolfie.” One of the other wolves said. Kalia was vaguely aware of the paw as it smacked into the back of her head and smashed her face into the ground.
    The wolf started to walk away, thinking he had knocked Kalia unconscious… but she raised her head.
    Kalia’s vision was blurry and the room seemed to be spinning slowly, but she could still see far more than she wanted to.
    Alongside the far wall of the chamber lay two small dark forms. “…Rife… Tram…” Kalia thought.
The two small forms were covered in blood. A large amount of it ran down the wall to pool on the rock below, surrounding the two bodies like a macabre moat.
A tear ran down her face. “I’m so sorry… I… I failed you both.”
Kalia looked behind her and saw the hole she’d entered through this morning.     “I could get out of here…” She thought.     Then she shook her head. “No… no I can’t do that.” She thought. “I fell asleep and because of that Rife and Tram are dead and Sunny’s been captured. No, I have to get her back, or die trying.”
Kalia took a step forward and fell on her face.
A familiar voice reached her ears just then. “…Kalia?”
Kalia turned her head and saw Jack run up beside her. “What happened to you?” He asked.
Kalia shook her head and stood up. “I have to get Sunny.”
“No Kalia.” Jack said. “…don’t worry about her, you’re hurt Kalia, follow me, the cave is under attack, and by the looks of it you’re in no condition to finish the fight.”
“I’ll finish it Jack… one way or the other.” She said.
“Kalia listen to me!” Jack pleaded. “If you go after them you’ll be killed for sure. There’s a point where bravery becomes stupidity, and sacrifice becomes suicide.”
“If I must die to protect her… then that’s what I’ll do.” Kalia said. It’s my duty.”    Jack shook his head.
“I told your father I’d watch out for you while he was gone, now you’re not dying on me now. Follow me, I know the way to another cave. You can rest up and heal there and then we’ll come back.”
Kalia shook her head.
Jack sighed. “…you’re not going to listen to me are you?”
“…I’m sorry Jack.” She said. “I can’t leave her.”
“…well I’m sorry too.” Jack said.
A confused look came over Kalia’s face.
“What are you sorry fo…”
Before Kalia finished the last word Jack brought up his paw and smacked her in the face.
Kalia dropped limp to the ground.
Jack looked around and then knelt beside her, pulling her onto his back.
Jack stood up and looked toward the place where the wolves had disappeared with Sunny.
“I’m sorry little one.” He whispered. Jack sighed and looked upward. “…there’s only one being that can save you now.”
Then he turned and ran from the chamber.    
   
    Saba stumbled backwards under the vicious blows of Lytion. He wasn’t playing around anymore.
    Saba had come to rely so much on Aniu’s strength that she had forgotten much of her own. It was all she could do to remain alive.
    Lytion hit her again, and she stumbled backwards, out of the chamber.
    Saba shook her head, trying to clear it, and was surprised to find that it didn’t really work. She glanced over her shoulder to see the wolves still going at it below.
    “They fight on,” Lytion said. “…but only because you live, once I take care of you they will fall quickly.”
    Saba looked back to Lytion, a reply on her lips, but she was struck again in the face and soon found herself rolling down the shelves of rock in front of her chamber.
    When she finally came to rest on the floor of the main chamber, Saba knew she was finished. She couldn’t even muster the strength to stand, let alone fight.
    Lytion leapt down the shelves and stopped near Saba.
   
    Shadow struck down the wolf in front of him and kicked the one that followed him in the side, throwing him to the ground. Shadow leapt on him and clamped his jaws around the wolf’s throat.
    They were pinned against the shelves at the back of the main chamber now, and it was almost certain that members of the black wolves’ clan had begun to spread the attack throughout the cave.
    “We’re losing…” he thought.
    He twisted his jaws and the wolf stopped struggling.
    He looked up and behind him to see Saba lying on the floor of the main chamber and standing over her was a black wolf.
    “NO!” Shadow yelled.
    …but even as he turned Shadow knew he’d never be able to make it to her side in time.
    “I told you to leave the cave Saba.” Shadow thought. “…why didn’t you listen to me?”
    The wolf grinned and raised his paw high.
    Saba looked up at it and shut her eyes.
    “I’m sorry Aniu…” She said quietly. “…I’ve failed you.”
    Then the wolf dropped his paw and Saba’s head snapped back.
    She screamed and fell to the floor of the chamber.
Saba didn’t move.
    All around the chamber the wolves stopped fighting as they heard that scream. As one they all gazed down on their Alpha, bloodied and broken.
    Lytion walked over to the center of the chamber. “You all have a choice to make at this moment.” He said. “You may cease fighting and live to see tomorrow… or you may continue to resist and we will slaughter you like dogs.”
    Shadow looked around and realized everyone was looking at him. He glanced at Saba’s fallen form.
    By the angle of Saba’s head Shadow could tell she wouldn’t be getting up… ever.
    He sighed and looked around.
    “Well, what’s it going to be?” Lytion asked. “…life? …or death? I’ve already bested your Alpha so it matters not how much you resist… this clan is mine now.”
    Shadow looked around him and realized with the force that Lytion had with him and the force that lay in reserve outside Lytion could easily slaughter all of them.
    Shadow glanced back at Saba and a tear came to his eye. “…forgive me my Alpha.” He whispered.
    Shadow closed his eyes and knelt to the ground, keeping his head facing the rock.
    The others soon followed suit.
    Lytion laughed.
    “I thought as much.” He said.
    Shadow opened his eyes and glanced up. He saw Ami out of the corner of his eye. She was a little beat up but she seemed to be doing fine… the look she sent Shadow should have killed him though.
    Shadow sighed.
    “If we live to fight another day we might get our revenge.” He thought. “…if we fight here, we die here, tonight.”
    “Rise my loyal subjects.” Lytion said.
    All of the wolves stood.
    “…long live the Talbourne Clan.” Lytion said in a mocking tone.
    He laughed.






    
Chapter 5:


     Tiembe wasn’t quite sure why he woke up, he just woke up. It happened sometimes. It seemed to happen especially when his frequent nightmares ended. Tiembe realised that he was shaking. He looked at his paws, which trembled agaisnt Shanaea’s shoulder. Tiembe stared at them, willing them to stop shaking, but he couldn’t. “That dream must have really got to me.” He thought.  For the life in him he couldn’t remember what the dream had been about this time; just that it had been bad… real bad.
    Tiembe put his paws on top of each other and wrapped his forelegs around one another in an attempt to get them to stop shaking. However, this just had the effect of making his whole body shake, andonce it started he couldn’t get it to stop either. Tiembe sighed and turned his thoughts to Shanaea.
    Tiembe and Shanaea had moved out of town and were now living in the old trawler that Balto had once called home. Tim didn’t live there anymore. Shanaea had suggested the move, citing the fact that it would give Tiembe a place to retreat to if and when he needed to.
Tiembe knew that Shanaea was expecting him to ask her to be his mate, and truth be told, Tiembe wanted nothing else, but he wanted to get over his condition before he asked her to make a commitment like that to him. Tiembe loved Shanaea with all his heart, and he knew that she loved him; after the events surrounding the beginning of their relationship it was likely nothing would ever drive them apart, but Tiembe didn’t feel he was worthy of her love just yet. As long as the nightmares and thoughts of his mother lingered in his mind he felt he was a danger to her, something he wanted desperatly not to be.
As long as he felt he was a danger to her Tiembe would withold this final act which would confirm and cement their love for one another. He would do this, not because he was unsure of himself, indeed every cell in his body burned to be with the young husky forever… but if she proved unable to help Tiembe, or if he suffered a relapse of his condition, Tiembe wanted her to be happy. He would do anything to make Shanaea happy.
    Tiembe gently nuzzled Shanaea so as not to wake her. What with his frequent nightmares, Shanaea’s sleep had become somewhat of a precious commodity and he didn’t want to waste it.
Tiembe heard muted voices drifting into the wheel house from outside the boat. He looked back at Shanaea and smiled. Then he got up and walked out of the wheel house to investigate the strange voices.
“Hey it’s the murderer!” Someone yelled.
Tiembe turned to see a group of dogs on the deck of the old trawler. At their head was Shanaea’s brother Josh.
He stepped forward. “That’s right Tiembe…” he said. “…enough is enough. We’ve come for you and this time you won’t be going to Blaize.”
“What are you talking about Josh?” Tiembe asked. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Josh laughed. “Oh no Tiembe?” He asked. “…just today two more dissapeared, two more females… that’s your type isn’t it?”
Timebe frowned. “I’m truly sorry about that, but I had nothing to do with it. You’ve got the wrong guy.”
Josh smiled. “I don’t believe you.”
Tiembe sighed. “Alright, let’s take this to Blaize then. You accuse me of murder, let’s make it official. Have you got any evidence agaisnt me… any at all?”
“Oh Timebe…” Josh said. He laughed softly and looked at the wooden deck beneath his paws. Suddenly he snarled and snapped his head up to lock eyes with Tiembe. “There will be no trial!” He yelled. “You have been found guilty by a group of your peers, and as the judge of this case I sentence you to death.”
“NO!” Shanaea yelled as she ran up beside Tiembe.
Josh sighed. “Shanaea…”
…but Shanaea interuptted him. “No Josh… I won’t let you hurt him.”
Josh gritted his teeth to keep from yelling at his sister. “…but he is a danger to this town… and to you, can’t you see that?”
“…he isn’t.” Shanaea said. “He hasn’t hurt a fly.”
A gray dog stepped out of the group. “You defend this murderer?” He asked.
Shanaea’s eyes flashed. “He’s not a murderer.” She said sharply. Then she looked up at Tiembe and smiled. “…but yes I do protect him… I love him.”
The gray dog crouched down. “Then I say you’re as guilty as he is.”
Then he leapt at her.
Time seemed to slow as Tiembe turned and jumped toward Shanaea, but he knew even as he did that he would never make it.
The gray dog’s paws hit Shanaea’s shoulder just before Tiembe would’ve knocked him out of the way. Tiembe felt a warm spray across his face and then time seemed to resume its normal course. The gray dog landed on his shoulder and rolled to come up on his paws. Tiembe sailed through the empty space the dog had occupied just moments before, and Shanaea landed on her side and rolled across the deck until she slammed into the railing.
Teimbe felt something run down his face and drip to the deck. He looked down and started shaking again. It was blood, but not his, he’d remained uninjured.
    Tiembe looked across the deck to Shanaea, who still lay on her side. “Shanaea!”  Tiembe yelled. He ran over to her and everyone else dissapeared in his mind’s eye. The world consisted of only two dogs at that one moment, he and Shanaea.
    Tiembe stopped beside her and laid down, his eyes closed for fear of what he’d see. He laid his head on her cheast and waited.
    It seemed as if he’d been waiting for hours and nothing had happened.
    “Oh no…” Tiembe thought. “What if she’s…”
    Just then Shanaea’s chest moved up and down beneath his head.
    Teimbe’s heart leapt up in his throat. “…she’s alive!”  He thought.
    Then he opened his eyes…          …and his heart plumetted through the deck beneath his paws.
    Shanaea was alive… for now.
    The gray dog’s jaws had caught Shanaea just below her right ear, but the inertia the dog had as a result of his attack had ripped the wound all the way down to the top of her shoulder. The dog had in effect ripped away nearly half of the young husky’s face and neck.
    Tiembe saw a thin jet of dark red blood squirting rythmically from the side of her neck. He placed his paws on it and pushed down hard, trying to make the bleeding stop, williing it to stop.
    …but Shanaea’s body didn’t respond to his will.
    Tears started to fall from Teimbe’s eyes as the blood pooled up underneath his paws until it finally just ran over them to join the ever deepening pool around them.
    “Oh Shay…” He said. “I’m… I’m so sorry.”
    Shanaea didn’t answer, but her wide eyes turned to him.
    Tiembe started to gently lick the side of her butchered face.
    “…let… let me go.” Shanaea said, her sweet voice was raspy and her words were choked.
    “…what?” Tiembe asked. “…but… but you’ll die Shay.”
    She turned her eyes back toward him. Her beautiful blue eyes now widened in pain and suffering. “Tiembe… nothing… nothing can… can stop that now… you… you have to… to let me go.”
    Tiembe nodded and slowly picked up his blood soaked paws, setting them on the deck once more. The rythmic squirting started again, and Shanaea’s eyes opened a little wider.
Tiembe moved his head close to hers and nuzzled her softly. “Oh God Shay… I… I love you… so much.”
Shanaea smiled. “I know… Tiembe. I… I love you… too.”
Tiembe had so many tears in his eyes now that he could barely see her as Shanaea struggled to puck up her head and lay it on his shoulder.  “I don’t want you to leave Shanaea.” He said. “I’m… I’m not ready for you to leave me.”
Shanaea winced a bit and picked up her paw, rubbing it against his cheek. “I know Tiembe…” She said. “…but…” She picked up her head and laid it against his neck, looking up into his eyes. She put her other paw on top of his and smiled. “…you… you were… were the best thung tha… that ever… happened… to… me.”
Shanaea’s head dropped to his shoulder and Tiembe closed his eyes, unable to take in the gruesome sight any longer. “I love you too Shay.” He said. “You gave me a chance… when no one else would. I… I deserved to die for what I’d done… and I still do I guess… but you saved me… thank you Shay.”
Tiembe put his other paw on top of hers and squeezed it gently in between them.
Shanaea didn’t respond.
Tiembe opened his eyes.
Shanaea’s head was laying against his shoulder, her blue unblinking eyes staring back at him. Her mouth was open slightly and she was completely limp against his side.
Tiembe shut his eyes against tears he no longer had control of and he buried his head in her fur. “Shay!” He screamed. “No! Shay!” He screamed her name over and over, hoping this was another of his nightmares, that he would wake up and see her smiling face but…

“SHAY!” Tiembe yelled “SHA-A-AY!”
He felt someone shaking him and opened his eyes.
“Shh…” Shanaea said. “Tiembe it’s alright, I’m here.”
Tiembe started crying again and put his paws on her shoulders, pulling her down to him.
“It’s alright Tiembe, I’m here. You just had a nightmare; calm down.”
Tiembe just kept saying her name over and over and buried his face in her fur, nuzzling her fiercly.
“Are you alright Tiembe?” Shanaea asked. A concerned look came over her face; while Tiembe’s nightmares were normal and very frequent, this reaction to them was not.
Tiembe shook his head and wrapped his paws around her neck, squeezing her against him tightly.
Shanaea lowered her head and laid down beside him. She gently nuzzled the top of his head. “Tiembe talk to me.” Shanaea said. “What’s wrong; what happened?”
Tiembe stopped nuzzling her and looked up at her blue eyes. The vision of those bright eyes staring back at him, dead and lifeless still haunted his memories and would for some time. “…you… you died.” Tiembe said.
“…what?” Shanaea asked.
Teimbe nodded. “You… you bled to death right there at my paws.” Tiembe tossed his head at the rail at the edge of the deck, just outside the wheel house.
Shanaea sighed and looked back at him. “Well don’t worry Tiembe; it was just a dream. I’m right here, and I’m fine.”
Tiembe stopped crying and hugged her even closer. “I don’t ever want to lose you Shay.” He said.
Shanaea smiled and hugged him back. You won’t.” She said. “I plan on living for quite a while now.”
Tiembe smiled and kissed her softly on the nose. “I love you Shay.”
“I love you too Tiembe.” Shanaea answered. “…now come on sweetheart. It’s really early and we should probably both be getting back to sleep.”
Tiembe shook his head. “I don’t want to dream about you again Shanaea… not like that.”
Shanaea sighed. “Teimbe, I’ll be right here when you wake up. I’ll never leave your side, okay?”
    Tiembe nodded reluctantly and wrapped his forelegs around her neck. “I’ll make you a deal.” He said.
    “…what’s that?” Shanaea asked.
    “I’ll try to go back to sleep…” he said. “…as long as you stay here like this, right beside me.”
    Shanaea smiled. “Well I don’t see a problem with that Tiembe.” She laid her head on his shoulder and looked up at him. Tiembe had a horrified look on his face.
    Shanaea’s look of concern returned. “what’s wrong Tiembe?” She asked.
    “You were laying like this in the dream when you… when you died. You there and looked up at me just like you a now… but I was covered in… in your blood and you laid there and just… laid there and bled to death. …and …all the blood…” Tiembe started shaking again. “…so much blood.”
    Shanaea closed her eyes and rubbed her head against his shoulder. “It’s okay Tiembe.” She said. “It was just a bad dream, nothing more.”
    “…but it was so real.” Tiembe said.
    Shanaea smiled. “Tiembe it was a dream, it wasn’t real… but this is.”
    She stretched he neck upward and licked him on the nose. He nuzzled her and she smiled. “I’m here Tiembe, it doesn’t matter what happened in the dream, it wasn’t real.” She said. “I know it might have seemed like it, but it wasn’t. …like I said, I plan on living for a while yet. …besides, if anyone does try to hurt me I’ve got a big strong husky to protect me now.”
    Tiembe sighed. “I’ll do my best Shay, and that’s a promise.”
    Shanaea grinned. “…see? Let’s not waste out time worrying about the future; let’s enjoy the present. We’re both still awful young to be worried about dying… let’s just enjoy beign together… live with no regrets.”
    Tiembe smiled. “You’re right Shanaea. …somehow you always are.”
    Shanaea laid her head on his shoulder. “…so…” She yawned, cutting her sentence in two. “…you think you can sleep now?”
    Teimbe nodded. “Yeah, I’m sorry for keeping you up all night Shay… I know you’re tired.”
    Shanaea snuggled up closer to him an smiled. “It’s okay.” She said. “I love you for who you are Tiembe, and that means I want to face this disorder with you, no matter what consequences that has…” She paused and looked up at him. “…for better or worse Tiembe I never want you to be alone.”
    Tiembe smiled and nuzzled her. “Thank you.” He said. “That means a lot to me. I really do love you Shay.”
    “I know…” Shanaea yawned again. “…I love you too Tiembe… more than I know words to express it.”
    He smiled again. “We’d better get some sleep. You look really tired.”
    “…’kay.” Shanaea said. “…sweet dreams Tiembe.”
    “…goodnight Shay.” Tiembe said.
    It wasn’t long before Shanaea’s breathing got deeper and she drifted off to sleep. Tiembe was trying, but try as he might he couldn’t get those wide pain filled blue eyes out of his mind.
    “…let… let me go.”
    Tiembe shivered.















Chapter 6:

Jason’s eyes snapped open and he looked up to see what had woken him.
Fairbourne smiled. “…you learn well kid.” He said.
Jason sat up and yawned. “…what’s on the agenda for today?” He asked.
“…there’s no more training.” Fairbourne said.
Jason shut his mouth and looked at Fairbourne sharply. “...you mean…”
Fairbourne smiled and nodded. “…today we go to Nome kid…”


    Jenna was walking down Main Street. She’d woken earlier than Balto and decided to go for a morning stroll. She looked around her and smiled.
    The bustling pace that Nome had taken on had yet to begin, and the streets were quiet and empty. Only the casual passerby graced the sidewalks, and Jenna had yet to see a single car this morning.
    Jenna liked it like this. The small town of Nome was growing, and growing fast. Most people were glad and looked on the progress with anticipation…
…Jenna did not.
She liked the small town atmosphere, the quietness that Nome had when she was growing up… she missed it, and feared what this quick expansion would do to the burgeoning town.
Jenna walked up to the edge of the sidewalk and stopped, looking carefully both ways for cars before she crossed the street. Once she was across, Jenna turned right and walked down 1st street.
Balto would have chided her for going out alone when he was there and could have gone with her. Especially at this time of day when there was no one else around.
“…but he worries too much.” Jenna thought. “…nothing’s going to happen to me right here in town.”
Jenna laughed softly to herself and continued walking down the sidewalk.
 
At the same time a brown and white dog stopped on the sidewalk that ran alongside Main Street.
The Collie looked around and sighed.
“Oh no…” She thought. “I can’t be lost…”
She looked around again and took a few uncertain steps forward. “…now where did that dog say to go?”
She paused and looked around again. “…he said to take a left, but…”
She turned around and looked back down the street. “…which left?”
She sighed and turned, walking down the alley beside the general store. “…guess this one’s as good as any…” She thought.

Jenna was still walking down 1st Street when she saw a dog walk out of the alley ahead of her. At first her heart sped up a bit and she almost stopped walking.
She hadn’t seen another dog all morning, most of them were asleep. “…wonder what she wants?” Jenna thought. “…I’ve never seen her before…”
Jenna stopped walking and watched the dog as she stopped and looked around.
“She must be new.” Jenna thought. “…and she looks lost.”
Jenna smiled and started walking forward until she was within hearing of the dog. “Hey… uh you look lost.” Jenna said.
The dog turned and sighed. “…yeah… I am.” She said.
Jenna smiled. “Where are you trying to go?”
The dog sighed again. “I’m trying to find the Keeper of the Law.”
“…why’s that?” Jenna asked. “Is something wrong?”
“…well, I’m new so… I just wanted to check in with him… or her and uh… let ‘em know I’m here.”
Jenna smiled. “Where are you from?”
The dog smiled. “I’m from Anchorage.”
Jenna smiled back at her. “Well you don’t have to check in with anyone when you get here in Nome.” She said. “…but I can take you to him if you’d like?”
“You know him?” The dog asked.
Jenna laughed. “Yeah, he’s my son.”
“Oh good…” The dog said. “I’ve been trying to find him for a while now… I asked for directions, but… well I guess I wasn’t specific enough.”
Jenna smiled. “Well follow me, I’ll lead you to him.”
“…thank you.” The dog said. “I’d appreciate it.”
Jenna turned and began walking up the alley the dog had emerged out of.
“…imagine that.” The dog said. “…of course I was going the complete wrong way.”
She laughed, and Jenna joined her.
“…that’s alright.” Jenna said. “You’re new, it’s understandable. You’ll get your bearings soon.”
“…yeah,” the dog said. “…shouldn’t take too long. This place is pretty small.”
Jenna sighed. “Yeah well… it’s a lot bigger than it used to be.”
The dog smiled. “So uh, what’s your name?”
Jenna smiled. “Oh, I’m sorry, my name is Jenna. I live over on 3rd Street.”
Jenna walked out of the alley and turned left, walking up Main Street.
“This is Main Street.” Jenna said. “…pretty much everything is on this street, the only things on the others are homes really.”
The dog nodded. “My name is Alyse.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jenna said. “Are you staying long?”
Alyse nodded.  “Yeah, we’re here permanently as far as I know.”
Jenna nodded. “Well I think you’ll like it here… I’m sure it will be quiet compared to Anchorage.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping.” Alyse said.
Jenna smiled. “The Keeper of the Law lives in the Old Mill. It’s just up the road, see it?”
The dog nodded. “Oh… okay, I walked down there, but not that far.”
Jenna nodded and kept walking. “…the Old Mill is where we dogs have any meetings or trials or… well, any gathering really.”
Alyse nodded and looked around. “I think I’m going to like it here.” She said. “…Anchorage held some… well, bad memories.”
Jenna could tell by the change in Alyse’s tone that those “bad memories” were probably a subject best left alone for now.
“Well, we’re here.” Jenna said, climbing the steps up to the porch at the front of the Old Mill.
She pushed open the door and stepped inside. “…Blaize?” She called.
“Is that you Jenna?” a familiar voice said.
Jenna turned to see Astarre walking up beside her. “…hey Astarre.” She said.
 Astarre smiled. “What brings you all the way out here this early, something wrong?”
Jenna smiled back. “No, nothing wrong, just went for a walk thins morning and ran into someone new, and she wanted to meet Blaize.”
“Well hang on a second,” Astarre said. “I’ll see if he’s still here.” Astarre said.
Jenna turned and saw that Alyse was standing outside on the porch and smiled. “Hey Alyse, you can come inside. It’s a little warmer in here.”
Alyse smiled and stepped through the door. “I just uh… didn’t want to seem presumptuous.” She said.
Jenna smiled. “Alyse, everyone in Nome is pretty friendly for the most part. Just walk in, don’t worry about being asked inside.”
Alyse nodded and sat down.
“…hey Mom.” A familiar voice said.
Jenna turned around and smiled. “Hey Blaize, how’re you?”
He smiled back. “…doing good, busy, but good. You’re lucky you caught me, I was just leaving to check out the butcher’s.”
Jenna sighed. “…got another thief?”
Blaize nodded. “…yeah, and not a particularly smart one either. She got shot at yesterday, but I don’t think she got hit. Kaltag saw her.”
“Kaltag huh?” Jenna said. “…how’s he doing? …haven’t heard from him in a while now.”
“He’s doing good.” Blaize said. “…got his eye on a girl now, thinking about quitting the team and settling down I guess.”
“…Kaltag?” Jenna asked. “…I can’t imagine that.”
They both laughed.
“So, what brings you out this early?” Blaize asked. “Astarre told me you had someone that wanted to meet me?”
“Yeah,” Jenna said. “…Blaize, this is Alyse, she’s new here. I just ran into her this morning.”
“Hello,” Blaize said.
“Hi,” Alyse replied.
“Alyse, this is Blaize, he’s the Keeper of the Law around here.”
Blaize smiled. “Well I try…” He said.
“So you’ve got a thief in town?” Alyse asked.
Blaize sighed. “Yeah, it’s not that I want them to starve, but stealing from the butcher is nota good idea. He’s got a shotgun, and he’s pretty fond of it… I just don’t want to see her get killed, which is what’s going to happen if I can’t find her first.”
Alyse nodded. “…at least you care.”
Blaize nodded. “…yeah, well, that’s kind of the job.”
He smiled. “It was nice meeting you. I’ve got to go now, but if you ever need help, come find me. If I’m not here, my mate Astarre will know where I am.”
Alyse smiled. “…thanks.”
Blaize nodded and turned to Jenna. “…good seeing you Mom.”
Jenna nodded. “…you be careful Blaize and take care of yourself.”
Blaize nodded again. “I will, see ya.”
“…bye.” Jenna said.
Blaize walked toward the door and then turned around and ran back to the entryway of the cutting floor beyond.
“…Astarre?” Blaize called.
Astarre walked around the corner. “…heading out?” She asked.
“…yeah.” Blaize said. “I’m going to try to get to her before the butcher does… I’ll be back for lunch though ‘kay?”
Astarre nodded. “…be careful.”
“I will.” Blaize said.
He nuzzled her. “…love you.”
She smiled and nuzzled him back. “I love you too Blaize, I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“…alright.” Blaize said. “…bye.”
“…bye.” Astarre said. “…and good luck.”
“…thanks.” Blaize said.
    He turned and walked out the door.
    Astarre walked forward and stopped in front of Jenna and Alyse.
    “…and who is this?” Astarre asked.
    “…oh, I’m Alyse.” Alyse said. “I’m new here.”
    “Welcome to Nome.” Astarre said. “It’s a quiet little town, but you’ll come to love it if you stay here long enough.”
    “Oh we’re here for good as far as I know.” Alyse said.
    “…good.” Astarre said. “It’s nice to meet you. My name is Astarre. I’m Blaize’s mate, and believe it or not I actually haven’t been here long either.”
    “…really?” Alyse asked.
    “Yeah,” Astarre said. “I’ve only been here about two months.”
    “…and you like it huh?” Alyse asked.
    “…of course I do.” Astarre said. “I met Blaize here.”
    Alyse smiled. “Yeah, that’d do it I guess, wouldn’t it?”
    Astarre laughed and the others joined in.
    “Yeah,” Astarre said. “…but the town is really nice too… what does you owner do by the way?”
    “Oh she’s a Veterinarian.” Alyse said.
    “…really?” Jenna said. “That’ll help Doc out.”
    “Who’s Doc?” Alyse asked.
    Astarre smiled. “Doc is what we call the human that works in the hospital here.”
    “…oh.” Alyse said.
    “Yeah,” Jenna said. “He’s a human doctor, but we haven’t had a vet, so he just kind of learned how to help us too.”
    “Yeah, and he’s been busy lately.” Astarre said.
    “Why’s that?” Alyse asked.
    Astarre sighed. “…a lot of dogs have been getting attacked in the outskirts lately.”
    “…the outskirts?” Alyse asked. “…where’s this?”
    “The outskirts is that mass of abandoned buildings south of town.” Astarre said. “You want to stay clear of that place Alyse.”
    “Yeah,” Jenna said. “It’s pretty rough there.”
    Alyse nodded. “I’ll do that.” She said.
    Astarre sighed. “Blaize keeps wanting to go clean that place out but… I’m scared for him. I’ve been torn between talking him out of it and letting him do his job you know?”
    Alyse nodded. “Yeah, I know what that’s like.” She looked at the floor and Jenna thought she was going to cry.
    Astarre looked at Jenna who shrugged.
    Something in the conversation had shaken Alyse up, what that something was, neither of them knew.
    “So, have you been around town yet?” Jenna asked.
    Alyse looked up and smiled, the saddened expression on her face gone. “No, not yet. I was hoping to find someone to show me around.”
    Jenna smiled. “Well you found someone, care for a tour?”
    Alyse smiled. “Yeah, I’d like that Jenna.”
    “Alright.” Jenna said, she turned back to Astarre. “…nice talking with you Astarre.”
    Astarre smiled. “…you too Jenna.”
    “You guys need to stop by the house sometime.” Jenna said.
    Astarre laughed “Yeah, I’ll have to see if I can pry Blaize away from his job long enough.”
    Jenna smiled. “…take care of yourself Astarre.”
    “You too Jenna.” Astarre said. “…nice meeting you Alyse, hope you like it here.”
    “…thanks Astarre.” Alyse said. “It was nice meeting you too.”
    Astarre turned and walked back onto the cutting floor.
    Alyse turned to Jenna. “Okay, where do we start?”
    Jenna smiled. “Well first I better go home and tell my mate where I’m at, otherwise he’s liable to have the whole town up and looking for me.”
    Alyse laughed. “…he worries about you huh?”
    Jenna nodded. “Yeah, a little.”
    Alyse smiled. “Well, let’s go.”
    Jenna smiled back. “…alright Alyse, follow me.”
    The two of them walked out of the Old Mill.















Chapter 6:

    Balto was still laying down in front of the couch in Jenna’s home when Jenna walked up and nuzzled him gently.
    His eyes fluttered open and he yawned.
    Jenna chuckled. “Wake-e, Wake-e sleepyhead…”
    Balto smiled and stood up. He stretched his stiff limbs and shook himself off. He started to say something, but then he saw the dog that was with Jenna and stopped. “Who’s that with you Jen?” He asked.
    Jenna smiled. “This is Alyse. She’s new here. I met her when I went on a walk this morning.”
    Balto smiled back at her. “Oh really? Well that’s nice…”
    Balto stopped talking and his smile disappeared. “…hey Jen…” He said.
    Jenna sighed “…busted.” She thought. “What is it Balto?” She asked, trying not to let her guilt into her voice.
    “…who went with you this morning?” Balto asked.
    Jenna sighed again. “…no one did.” She said. “I went alone.”
    Balto sighed and stepped forward. “Jen, I know we’ve talked about this.” He said. “You know how I feel about you going out alone, especially early in the morning or late at night…”
Jenna cut him off. “…when there’s not many others around. I know Balto.”
Balto sighed. “If you know why don’t you listen to me?”
Jenna raised her tone a little. “Balto…”
She stopped and stepped forward, lowering her voice to a harsh whisper. “…can we not do this now?”
Balto nodded. “Alright,” He said. “…but we’re not done with this okay Jen?”
Jenna sighed and nodded. “I feel like a pup again.” She thought.
Balto smiled and stepped forward. “I’m sorry about that Alyse.” He said. “I shouldn’t have started that conversation while we had company.” He turned to Jenna. “I’m sorry Jen, we’ll talk about that later…” He turned back to Alyse and smiled. “…for now, welcome to Nome.”
Alyse smiled back at him. “Thank you Balto.”
“How long have you been here?” Balto asked.
“We just got in last night.” Alyse answered.
Jenna stepped up beside Balto. “Her owner is a vet.”
“…really?” Balto said. “That’s great. I’m sure Doc will appreciate the help. What with the humans and us dogs; he’s got his hands pretty full right now.”
“I’m sure she’ll be glad to be of service to the town.” Alyse said.
    “Alyse is from Anchorage.” Jenna said.
    “Anchorage, really?” Balto said. “I’ve managed to make it there once or twice. How’re things there?”
    Alyse sighed. “Big as ever...” She said. “…seems like everyone there is too busy to even stop and say hello these days. I’m actually looking forward to the slower pace of Nome.”
    “Well that sounds great.” Balto said. “We’re glad to have you here… any family?”
    Alyse started to answer and then hesitated. “…no.” She said finally. “…no, just me and my owner, Kristen.”
    Balto nodded. “Well I hope the two of you like it here.”
    Alyse smiled. “Thank you Balto.” She said.
    Jenna walked over to Alyse’s side. “I’m going to keep showing her around… I’ll probably be back this evening sometime.”
    Balto nodded. “Okay Jen.” He said. “I’ll see you then. I’m probly going to go see Kodi and check up on Shanaea; then I’ll probably go home and see Luke so he doesn’t get worried about me… but I’ll see you here tonight.”
    Jenna smiled. “How about I just meet you at Luke’s; since you spent last night here.”
    Balto nodded. “…fine with me.” He said. “I’ll see you this evening then.”
    “…alright.” Jenna said.
    Balto stepped forward and nuzzled her. He dropped his tone and spoke softly into her ear. “You know, I only worry because I love you.”
    Jenna smiled. “I know and I love you Balto.”
    “I’ll see you later Jen.” Balto said.
    “…bye Balto.” Jenna said. She stepped back and turned to Alyse. “…you ready?”
    “Alyse smiled. “…sure.” She looked over at Balto. “It was nice meeting you.”
    Balto nodded. “…nice meeting you Alyse.”
    With that Jenna and Alyse turned around and walked out of the house. Balto could hear them chatting back and forth as they stepped out the doggy-door. “I’m glad Jenna’s found a friend.” Balto thought. “It’ll be good for her. She needs a female friend, someone to talk to about those female things I can’t hope to ever understand.”
    Balto yawned and curled up on the rug in front of the couch. He reflected back on what he’d told Jenna he was going to do today. If she saw him right now she’d probably tell him he was lazy, sleeping when the sun’s up…” “…but I didn’t lie to her.” Balto thought. “I’m going to do those things today…”
 He yawned and laid his head on his paws, closing his eyes. “…I’m just going to take a nap first.” Balto slowly drifted back to sleep, a smile on his face.

“Now who are we going to see now?” Alyse asked as she and Jenna kept walking down the narrow alleyway.
It was mid-afternoon now and Jenna had managed to get Alyse introduced to almost all of her family and friends.
Jenna smiled and stepped over a rusted paint can in the alley. “I’m going to introduce you to my grand-daughter Shanaea.” She said. “…you remember Kodi?”
Alyse nodded. “Yeah, Kodi and Dusty right?”
Jenna nodded back at her. “That’s right, well, Shanaea is their daughter.”
“…oh?” Alyse said. “I thought you said they only had one litter.”
“They have only had one.” Jenna said.
A confused look came over Alyse’s face. “…but all of the kids were still at the dog shed.”
Jenna smiled. “…not Shanaea.”
“…hmm.” Alyse said. “…where are we going anyway?”
Jenna sighed. “…due to certain… events about a month ago; Shanaea moved out of town.”
“Why?” Alyse asked, a puzzled look on her face.
“I’ll let her tell you that if she chooses to Alyse.” Jenna said. “It’s a controversial subject around town.”
Alyse nodded. “I see…”
Jenna could tell by her tone of voice that Alyse wasn’t really satisfied with this answer. The two of them stepped out of the alley and onto the soft white snow that was all that lay between town and the old trawler west of town.
Jenna sighed. “…alright, I guess if I don’t tell you you’ll hear it from someone else… Shanaea lives with another dog now. His name is Tiembe. Shanaea rescued him after a sledding accident about a month and a half ago.”
“So are they mates?” Alyse asked.
Jenna smiled. “...not yet, but everyone sees it coming.”
“So, what’s so controversial about that?” Alyse asked.
“Well about a month ago Tiembe almost killed Shanaea.”
Alyse stopped walking and her smile disappeared. “…what?” She asked. “…wasn’t that reported to the Keeper of the Law?”
Jenna nodded. “It was, but at his trial… Shanaea defended him.  …and she did it so well that Blaize just put Tiembe on probation.”
Alyse sighed. “…the poor dear, she’s probably in denial isn’t she?”
“That’s what I thought at first.” Jenna said as the two resumed walking. “…but Shanaea seems to think that Tiembe has a mental condition. She says she’s trying to help him… and to her credit he hasn’t hurt her again… yet.”
“…yet?” Alyse asked.
Jenna sighed. “That’s why this subject is so controversial… Tiembe admitted at his trial that before he attacked Shanaea he killed at least three other females in other towns across Alaska.
“…and Blaize just let him go?” Alyse asked.
Jenna nodded. “Shanaea requested that his sentence be suspended so she could try to help him… if he tries it again the suspension will be remitted and the original sentence carried out.”
“What was the original sentence?” Alyse asked.
Jenna looked up to see that they were nearing the old trawler. “…Blaize sentenced him to death.” She said.
The two walked in silence for a moment.
“…but… but doesn’t she know that’s dangerous?” Alyse asked. “…doesn’t she realize Tiembe could kill her?”
Jenna nodded. “…she does, but… she loves him. Shanaea saved his life. If she hadn’t done what she did, Blaize would’ve killed him.”
Alyse smiled. “I guess love can make us do some pretty crazy things sometimes.”
Jenna thought back to all the crazy things she’d done in her lifetime. Every time she could think of doing something that would have made other’s question her sanity it was because Balto, her children, or her family was in trouble, because of love.
Jenna smiled and nodded. “Yes it can.” She said.
About that time Shanaea saw them from the top deck of the old trawler. “…hey Jenna.” She said.
Jenna heard the familiar voice and looked up. “…hi Shanaea.” She said.
“Well what brings you all the way out here?” Shanaea asked.
“I’ve got someone I’d like to introduce you to.” Jenna said.
“Oh great.” Shanaea said. “…come on up.” Then she turned and walked away from the rail.
Jenna turned to Alyse. “…come on, it’s this way.”
Alyse followed Jenna around the front of the ship, which angled upward out of the snow. “How’d this ship get here?” She asked.
Jenna turned and ducked through a small hole in the middle of the ship. “Balto told me that this used to be a shipyard of sorts; not very big, they only made a few of them, and this is one of them. He said when they were launching it, the boat slipped off the dry dock. The bottom of it was smashed, and they didn’t repair it. They just left it here. It used to house the workers at the shipyard.”
Alyse followed Jenna through the bowels of the ship to a set of steep wooden stairs. “Ah, so they turned their expensive mistake into a free building.”
Jenna started to climb the stairs. “Yeah, something like that. The boat housed the workers for a while and then a new ship building company bought them out. The new company tore down all the buildings except this one. A petition was raised to save the old trawler and it passed. No one really used it, so it was vacant.”
Jenna reached the top of the stairs and turned right, ducking under a fallen crossbeam, then she jumped up two crates and from there leapt to the loft above.
Alyse followed. “Well you seem to know your way around.”
Jenna smiled and walked through a doorway. “When he was a stray; Balto lived here.”
“Ah, I see.” Alyse said.
Jenna turned right and started walking up another set of stairs. “When Balto was adopted by Luke the boat was empty again. A dog named Tim and his family used to live here, but Tim’s mate was killed not too long ago, and shortly after that Tim moved in with another female out in town.”
“…he did what?” Alyse asked.
Jenna sighed. “…there’s some controversy surrounding that subject too.”
“…as well there should be.” Alyse said.
Jenna got to the top of the stairs and turned left. Then she started climbing another set of stairs. “Yeah well anyway it was vacant and when Shanaea said she wanted to keep Tiembe away  from town for awhile it only made sense that they should stay here.”   
    Jenna reached the top o the stairs and pushed open a small trap door in the ceiling. Then she climbed out onto the deck. “Shanaea is probably in the wheel house” Jenna said. “…follow me.”
    Alyse nodded and followed Jenna as she walked down the sloping deck.
    Jenna stopped in front of the doorway to the wheel house. “Are you in there Shanaea?” She asked.
    Shanaea’s answer came from inside. “Yeah, come on in.”
    Jenna stepped through the doorway and walked over to Shanaea, who was curled up on top of a blanket that covered a quarter of the floor.
    Shanaea smiled and looked up at them. “…go ahead and make yourselves comfortable.”
    Jenna and Alyse laid down on the blanket, and Jenna looked around. “Wow Shanaea,” she said. “The boat hasn’t looked this good since Boris was here.”
    Shanaea grinned and said. “Yeah I know. I did a lot of reorganizing.”
    “Two bachelors were hard on it huh?” Jenna said with a smile.
    Shanaea laughed. “Yeah, it definitely needed a female’s touch. Apparently Tycha wasn’t much of a housekeeper either.”
    At the mention of Tycha’s name both dogs fell silent.
    “…who’s Tycha?” Alyse asked.
    “She’s the dog I told you about.” Jenna said. “…the one who used to live here. She was killed not too long ago.”
    “…what happened?” Alyse asked.
    “She and her mate Tim were walking in the woods.” Shanaea said. “…she was shot… I guess someone thought she was a wolf.”
    “…at least that’s what Tim says happened…” Jenna said.
    “What do you mean by that?” Alyse asked.
    Shanaea sighed. “A few of us don’t think that’s what happened. You see… a few days before that Blaize investigated what was first reported to be a murder, but turned out to be a case of attempted murder…. The victim in this case was a dog named Trina who lives in town. Time and Tycha both went missing for a day or so, and then Tim came back with this story that a hunter shot Tycha and she died, which we all believed until about three days later Tim moved out of the boat and into Trina’s home.”
    “…sounds like a love triangle collapsing to me.” Alyse said.
    Jenna nodded. “That’s what we think too.” I mean, I don’t think that Tim killed Tycha because he was and still is pretty torn up about it, but I think that Tim might have been seeing Trina on the side, Tycha tried to kill Trina and fled, then Tim went after her and somehow Tycha was killed.”
    “…sounds like a sound theory to me.” Alyse said.
    “…but here’s the confusing part.” Shanaea said. “Blaize is involved in it too.”
    A confused look came over Alyse’s face. “…Blaize?” She asked. “…the keeper of the law? …how?”
    Jenna sighed. “Well… he investigated Trina’s assault, and went to track Tycha. He came back with Tim, interviewed Trina and a week later dropped the case.”
    “…what?” Alyse asked. “Trina should have been able to tell him who attacked her right?”
    Jenna nodded. “…you’d think so.”
    It was quiet for a moment before Jenna spoke again, changing the subject. “So Shanaea, where’s Tiembe?”
    Shanaea smiled. “He left for town about a half hour ago, said something about trying to find some supper.”
    “Do you think that’s safe?” Alyse asked. “I mean… I certainly don’t mean to sound rude or anything but…”
    “No it’s fine.” Shanaea said. “…I understand. He asked me if he could go alone, and I agreed. He’s not imprisoned here after all and I don’t want him to feel that way.” She paused. “I take it by your comment that you’ve already been told our story.”
    Alyse nodded. “Yes I have Shanaea and I have to say I hope you know what you’re doing. You seem like a sweet young girl and I’d hate to see something happen to you.”
    Shanaea smiled. “Well thank you…” She paused again. “I don’t believe I know your name.” She said.
    “Oh I’m sorry.” Jenna said.” I brought her up to introduce her to you and we got to talking and I’m afraid it slipped my mind. This is Alyse. She’s new in town.”
    “…ah.” Shanaea said with a grin. “Well thank you Alyse. I don’t think I’m in danger anymore, and Blaize obviously doesn’t either…” She stopped and sighed. “Though there are those in town who think different.”
    “…well I wasn’t meaning to imply that.” Alyse said.
    “I know,” Shanaea said. “…but none the less there are those that would like nothing more that to see Tiembe banished from Nome or even killed for what he’s done. My brother Josh is among them.”
    “That must be hard.” Alyse said.
    Shanaea nodded. “Yeah, it is, but… well, I can’t change the way he feels so…”
    Shanaea fell silent.
    “Well I wish you luck Shanaea.” Alyse said.
    Shanaea’s smiled returned. “…thank you Alyse. He really is doing much better. He hasn’t been the least bit violent toward me since the incident. The only thing that I’m really worried about is… well, he hasn’t come to terms with what he did to the other three yet. He’s extremely remorseful, which is a good thing because it shows he’s feeling again and he realizes what’s right and wrong, but… well I don’t want his regret to turn into depression.”
    “Wait a minute,” Alyse said. “You said he knows the difference between right and wrong now, but even a pup knows that murder is wrong.”
    Shanaea sighed.  “…that’s true, but Tiembe didn’t see it as murder at the time.”
    Alyse looked confused. “I’m afraid I don’t follow you Shanaea.”
    Shanaea smiled. “You see, Tiembe saw it as self defense. He appears to have had a rough childhood. Apparently his mother was extremely possessive, even going as far as to kill Tiembe’s girlfriend. When that happened Tiembe lost control and killed his mother. That act caused something to snap within Tiembe’s mind and completely wiped that event from his memory, both the murder of his mother and his girlfriend. After that occurrence, every time Tiembe would get emotionally attached to a member of the opposite sex he would hallucinate a vision of his mother. She would tell him that the girl was going to consume him, mind, body and soul, much as his mother truly had before. Tiembe wanted to keep that from happening as much as possible, fearing that had his mother not left him she would have eventually killed him. The vision of his mother would tell him that in order to save himself he had to kill the girl… so he would. That’s what happened between us… but something happened that was different, something to break the chain.”
        “…and what was that?” Alyse asked.
    Shanaea smiled. “Apparently I look a lot like his murdered girlfriend. When he attacked me he didn’t do the job completely because I turned at the last minute… his mother appeared to him again and told him to finish me off… but he couldn’t. My appearance caused him to stop. He realized then that he loved me. He attacked the vision of his mother and “killed” her. When he did that he was saved… sort of. He still didn’t remember what really happened to his mother and girlfriend, but he did carry me back to Nome. That was his salvation. I’d’ve died had he not brought me back. It wasn’t until I got to talk to him a few days later that I got him to remember his past. At that point I feel he was saved… but there are those that don’t share my beliefs.
        “That’s a sad story Shanaea.” Alyse said. “…the poor guy.”

        Shanaea sighed and nodded. “It is, but I’m hoping he’ll work through it.”
       “Well you’re doing a good job so far.” Alyse said.
         Shanaea smiled. “Thank you, I’m trying. I don’t know how it happened exactly, but I fell in love with him and I’ll not leave him alone, even if I have to be banished with him.”
         It takes a lot of courage to have that kind of commitment to someone, something you don’t see too often these days, especially in someone so young.”
        “Well that’s a credit to my parents,” Shanaea said. “They had some pretty rough times when I was a pup, but they worked through it. I guess I picked it up from them.”
         “They seem like a nice couple.” Alyse said. “I got to meet them this morning.”
             Shanaea smiled. “Yeah, they’re pretty special dogs…” She paused and yawned. “Ah, excuse me, I was awful lucky to have them to teach me.”
         “You look tired Shanaea.” Jenna said.                                
         “Yeah I am a little.” Shanaea admitted. “Tiembe has these horrible nightmares so he’s up all hours of the night, and since he’s up so am I.”
          “Well we should let you get some sleep then.” Alyse said. “Why didn’t you tell us earlier Shanaea? We’d’ve left you alone.”
         Shanaea smiled. “It’s not that bad, besides it was nice to talk to you.”
         “Yeah, but you do look tired.” Jenna said. “…so we’ll get out of your hair and let you take a nap.”
         Shanaea laughed. “All right Jenna thanks.”
“Well it was nice meeting you Shanaea.” Alyse said.
    “…nice meeting you too Alyse.” Shanaea said. “Have a good day and I hope you like it here in Nome.”
    “Thank you Shanaea.” Alyse said.
    “You take care Shanaea.” Jenna said. “…and get some sleep. You look like you could use it.”
    Shanaea smiled. “I will.” She said. “…thank you.”
    “There’s a meeting at the old mill tonight.” Jenna said. “…nothing big, just a social gathering. I’m going to take Alyse there, if you make it look us up.”
    “I don’t know if I’ll be there or not.” Shanaea said. “…depends on how Tiembe is feeling after he gets home.”
    “Alright,” Jenna said. “Well stay in touch. Just cause you live all the way out here now doesn’t mean we don’t still want to hear from you ever now and again.”
    “Okay Jenna.” Shanaea said with a smile. “I will.”
    Jenna and Alyse stood up and Shanaea smiled. “It was nice talking to you too.” She said.
    Jenna smiled back at her. “It was nice talking with you too Shanaea.” She walked over and put her paw on Shanaea’s shoulder. “I know you worry about Tiembe, and I’ve got to admit, at the beginning, I had my doubts… but if anyone can help him I’m sure you can, everything’ll be alright Shanaea.”
    Shanaea nodded and sighed. “I hope you’re right Jenna, and thank you.”
    “You’re welcome Shanaea.” Jenna said.
    “Well you two take care.” Shanaea said.
    “You too Shanaea.” Jenna responded.
    Alyse smiled. “It was nice to meet you Shanaea.”
    “…same here.” Shanaea said. “…bye.”
    “…bye Shanaea.” They both said.
    Jenna and Alyse walked out of the wheel house.
    Shanaea yawned. “Jenna is right about one thing.” She thought. “I am tired.” Shanaea curled up on the blanket and laid her head on her paws. “…Jenna’s right, everything will be alright. Tiembe will get over this and we’ll be a happy normal family.”
    …but in her heart Shanaea wasn’t so sure.
    “I do know one thing for sure though Tiembe.” She thought. “…and that’s that I’ll never give up on you.” Shanaea closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to a comforting sleep.
   
























Chapter 7:

    Two black wolves sat on a ledge overlooking the main chamber wheere the remaining wolves of the Talbourne were gathered. They were only two of over forty wolves that had been assigned to guard the captured wolves. Some of them, like these two, were visable, while others were not.
    “I don’t see him Jules.” One of the wolves said.
    Jules smiled. “You worry too much Tyre.” He said.
    :Well I am justified this time aren’t I?” Trye asked. “I mean… Shadow is a very dangerous wolf.”
    Jules smiled again. “Tyre, there are over two hundred wolves down there. Do you really expect to be able to pick out one of them?”
    Tyre paused. “Yeah… yeah, I guess you’re right Jules…” He paused again for a moment.
    “…so Jules,” he continued. “What do you think of Lytion’s plan?”
    Jules laughed. “What do you mean what do I think of Lytion’s plan? He’s our Alpha, and he never steered us wrong before.”
    “Yeah, I guess that’s true enough…” Tyre said.  “…but still I can’t believe we’re standing here. I mean, no one has ever taken over the Talbourne. Even Shade himself has been met with failure.”
    “Yeah, that’s true too.” Jules said. “…but Lytion says Shade found a way to attack Aniu directly, and if that’s true, the the Talbourne have lost their strongest supporter.”
    “Do you think that’s how Lytion was able to kill the five Alphas?” Tyre asked.
    “How should I know?” Jules asked. “His plan has been kept fairly secret from the rest of us. He doesn’t want it getting out, but… yeah, I’d say that’s a pretty sound theory.”
    “I still can’t see him.” Tyre said.
    “…still stuck on Shadow, huh?” Jules said.
    “I think you should be too.” Tyre said. “He gave up too easily…. Lytion should have executed him when we had the chance. What if he’s spying around, trying to find a weakness or something?”
    Jules laughed. “Well I’d encourage him to try.” He said. “Lytion has this Clan locked down harder than any of the others… besides Tyre, they all know what will happen to them if they’re caught outside the ground floor of the chamber. …and the wolves who went out to find the missing heir of the Onasie Clan reported seeing Aleu with her. I don’t think Shadow will risk that much when his mate is safe.”
    Tyre shifted uneasily from paw to paw. “…but those wolves haven’t reported back yet.” Tyre said.
    Jules frowned. “…true, but they will soon.” He said.
    “Do you think that’s why Shadow gave up so quickly?” Tyre asked. “….because his mate wasn’t in the cave?”
    Jules laughed. “Maybe… hell I don’t know Tyre. You sure ask a lot of questions.”
    “Well isn’t it natural?” Tyre asked.
    “I guess so.” Jules said. “…but you should be careful. Lytion might get the idea that you’re not with him on this.”
    Tyre scanned the wolves below. “Oh I’m with him. I just think we should be more concerned with Shadow is all.”
    Jules smiled. “Tyre, Shadow is a great fighter, and a natural leader, but the wolf is not a god.” He said. “…and he’s certainly no Aniu. He’s mortal, just like us. If he proves to be a problem then we will make example of him, that’s all.”
    Tyre sighed. “I wish I had your confidence Jules. I mean… weren’t we just fine up north? Why’d we have to come down here and start this war now? ..we could’ve just stayed up there and been happy couldn’t we?”
    Jules laughed. “You know Tyre you’re funny sometimes. That’s why I like you. Come on, let’s get back to our patrol.”
    The two wolves resumed walking around the ledge that surrounded the Main Chamber. Unbeknownst to them they had been watched during their short conversation.
    Shadow snuck out from behind the group of staligmites where he’d been hiding behind the two wolves and made his way, quietly but quickly, back to the floor of the Man Chamber.
    It didn’t take Shadow long to find who he was looking for. Ami hadn’t left the team since the occupation started.
    “Hey Ami…” Shadow said.
    Ami scowled at him. “What do you want?” She asked, her tone clipped and angry.
    “Well I’d like to talk to my acting Lieutenant. He said. “…if that’s not a problem I mean.” He added somewhat sarcastically.”
    Ami turned to another member of the team and then looked down at the group of injured wolves huddled nearby. “James, you’re in charge ‘till I get back. Watch over them, and guard them with your life. Call me if you need anything.”
    The brown wolf nodded and Ami turned back to Shadow. “Alright, I assume you don’t want to talk here?”
    Shadow nodded. “Let’s go over there, to that side chamber.”
    Ami nodded and followed Shadow.
    Once they were inside Ami spoke. “..now what is it Shadow?”
    Shadwo frowned. “Well first of all what is your problem Ami?” He asked.
    Ami sighed. “…you are Shadow.”
    “…what?” Shadow asked.
    “I can’t believe you surrendered to them Shadow.” Ami said.
    “Ami, I had little choice in the matter.” Shadow said. “…if we would have fought there then we would all be dead.”
    “Ah…” Ami said. “…sound wisdom from a a hypocrit and a coward.”
    “Ami, what are you talking about?” Shadow asked.
    Ami frowned at him and fire flashed in her eyes. “I joined the teams because I wanted to protect our Clan. I struggled through it training exersise through training exersise, because I wanted to protect my Clan. I was willing to give my life that night… or any other, if it means that our Clan stays any safer. …that our pups can go to sleep at night, safe and warm. …and I idolized you Shadow… you and Dash… now I see I was wrong… about you at least.”
    Shadow shook his head and started to speak, but Ami cut him off.
    “You know Shadow, you really inspired me with all your talk of courage under fire and self sacrifice and all that bull. ...all those stories you used to tell us trainees about all the wolves that had gone before us to keep us safe… who have given it all for the sake of our Clan, and our Alpha… but when it came time for you to do the same… you surrendered. You always said that wasn’t an option.”
    “Ami I did what I did for a reason. Real life and real war are different than classroom discussions about it.” Shadow said. “…sometimes you have to improvise.”
    “You know what Shadow, you’re right.” Ami said. “You can’t die in classroom discussions can you? Is that what you realized? We failed in our mission Shadow. Saba is dead, our Alpha is dead… but Aleu isn’t here so I guess it doesn’t matter to you does it?”
    “…what?” Shadow asked, caught off guard by Ami’s attack on him.
    “…tell me Shadow, what would you have done if Aleu were still Alpha and you stood there and watched Lytion kill her, would you still have…”
    “That’s enough Lieutenant!” Shadow said sharply, cutting her off, anger in his voice. “I took an oath to defend Saba just like everyone else did. I tried to get her to leave the cave, she wouldn’t listen.”
    “…she was loyal.” Ami said.
    “She was stupid.” Shadow said. “she didn’t have the experience to fight Lytion.”
    “…at least she tried.” Ami said.
    “Look Lieutenant,” Shadow said. “I came here to ask for your help. I surrendered because it gives us a chance to strike back. A chance to take a breather and come up with a decent strategy.  I had hoped that you would help me in this. I need everyone I can get… but you are completely out of line Lieutenant. Whether you agree with me or not I’m you’re superior officer, and you WILL obey my orders, and you WILL show me respect, do you understand me?”
    Ami sighed and nodded.
    “What the hell is wrong with you?” Shadow said, clipping her in the side of the head with his paw, rattling her a bit. “…is this what we taught you? Is that how you respond to a superior officer?”
    Ami shook her head a bit and then stood up straighter, staring straight ahead. “…no… no sir.” She said.
    “I think you’ve taken my kindness for weakness Lieutenant.” Shadow said. “I assure you I am not weak. I ran your tail into the ground during your training and I sure as hell can do it again, you get me?“
    “Yes sir.” Ami said her gaze never wavering from the rocks in front of her.
“Don’t freaking push it Lieutenant.” Shadow said. “I’m not in the mood.”
    Shadow fell silent for a moment. “Now, you have a chioce to make Lieutenant. You can choose to help me, and obey my orders without question… or I will have you arrested and executed for failure to do your duty as a member of my security teams and insubordiante and sessetionist activities toward the Talbourne Clan and your commander in chief, do you understand me?”
    Ami shook a little, but her tone didn’t waver. “Yes sir.”
    Shadow glared at her. “…what’s it going to be?”
    “I would like very much to serve in my present capacity sir.” She said.
    Shadow nodded. “…at ease Lieutenant.”
    Ami relaxed, but her gaze didn’t waver from the rocks in front of her.
Shadow walked in front of her. “Now I’ve been doing some spying around and I know that the Shadow Clan has a plan, and it didn’t end when Lytion occupied this cave. When they move on to the next phase of this plan it is likely that they will leave the cave relatively undefended… they’ll lessen the guard anyway, they have to. That’s our chance to strike, that’s when we make our move.”
He stopped for a moment and his gaze softened. “Ami, stand at ease.”
Ami realazed a bit further and her gaze traveled to meet Shadow’s.
“I know it’s hard.” Shadow said. “I didn’t like losing… losing Saba any more that you did. It was my responsibility and you’re right, we did fail… but that does not mean this is over. I came to you because you’ve always been someone I could trust with my life, and the lives of others. I’ve even considered giving you a unit of your own, and that’s something I’ve never said to a female in my teams. …but I won’t have insubordiante conduct among my Lieutenants, or any of my fighters for that matter, especially right now. Ami, you’re either with me or against me on this and I assure you… you don’t want to be against me right now.”
    “Aye sir.” She said.
    “Ami, I care more about the Talbourne that you know and I will gladly give my life for it… if I think there’s even a possibility we can win. Now, make your choice Ami. You’re either with me… or you resign your commission, both as acting Lieutenant and as a member of my forces right now. Ami, can you follow me?”
    “Yes sir.” She said.
    “…you’re sure?” Shadow asked.
    Ami smiled. “…to hell and back if neccesarry sir.”
    Shadow smiled. “…alright. Go see all of the Lieutenants and tell them to meet me in this chamber tonight, after everyone is asleep.”
    Ami nodded. “Aye sir.” She said. Ami turned and started to walk away.
    “…and Ami?” Shadow said.
    Ami stopped and turned. “What is it sir?” She asked.
    “…do your best to not let our enemies know who the Lieutenants are.  They already know about me, but I don’t think they know about the rest of you. …right now, anonymity is our best friend… and be careful.”
    Ami nodded. “I will be careful sir.”   
    Then she and Shadow walked out of the chamber to re-join the rest of the Talbourne.
        
















Chapter 8:

    Aleu snuck quietly through the woods that surrounded her home. Raye close by her side. Aleu didn’t like the fact that Raye was here, in the midst of the enemy, but… she couldn’t leave the young wolf in the cave they’d slept in either. For all Aleu knew the Shadow Clan had trailed them there, and might even be trailing them now. Just because they hadn’t been attacked last night didn’t mean they were safe. No where was safe right now.
    “The Talbourne should still be engaging them.” Aleu thought. She stepped over a fallin log and turned to the west.
    “Where are we going Aleu?” Raye asked quietly. “I thought you said your cave was to the south.”
    “It is.” Aleu said, continuing forward.
    “…then why are we going west?” Raye asked.
    “I’ve got a feeling someone might be following us.” Aleu whispered. “I’m doubling back on our trail to find out.”
    “…but if they know where we are then they must’ve known where we were last night.” Raye said. “…why didn’t they attack us then?”
    “It may be that there’s only one of them.” Aleu said. “If that’s true then we out number him. The other wolves of his clan would have been busy attacking the Talbourne last night, and by my best guess they should still be engaging them.”
    “What if they’re not?” Raye asked. “What if you’re wrong and the Talbourne did fall last night?”
    Aleu turned north and started walking forward again. “If that was true then we would have been attacked already.” Aleu said. “…because I’m sure there is someone out there now.”
    “…how’s that?” Raye asked.
    “Don’t you hear that?” Aleu asked her.
    Raye stopped and listened for a moment. “Yeah, barely… what is that?”
    Aleu kept walking.  “That’s the sound of a wolf’s paws in the snow …and that someone doesn’t want us to know he’s there; he’s trying to be quiet.”
    Aleu stopped. “Wait… hear that Raye?”
    Raye stopped as well and listened. “ No I don’t hear you anything Aleu.”
    Aleu turned east and started walking again. “…exactly.” She said. “He’s stopped. He noticed we weren’t in front of him anymore and he’s looking for us.” Aleu stepped lightly over a branch that was lying in the snow. “…careful of that branch.” She said. “We don’t want to make any sound that might let him know which direction we’re coming from.”
    Raye nodded and carefully stepped over the fallen branch.
    Aleu started to climb the hill in front of her. “If my guess is correct he stopped somwhere in the small holler just over this hill.” She said. “If I tell you to I wast you to run like your life depends on it Raye.” Aleu said. “…because if I tell you to run it does.”
    “…screw that.” Raye said. “I’m not leaving you to face him alone.”
    “If I tell you to run, you run.” Aleu said. “…don’t worry about me. I can hold my own. I’ve had lots of training and experience.”
    “…so have I.”  Raye said.
    Aleu sighed. “…look Raye, they’re not after me, they’re after you, now if I tell you to run, you run, got it?”
    Raye sighed and nodded. “Yeah Aleu… I got it.”
    “…okay.” Aleu said. “We’re going to start crawling here in a minute. Just do what I do and try to be as quiet as possible… with any luck he’ll still be down there trying to figure out where we are.”
    Raye nodded and Aleu crouched down, shivering slightly as her belly came into contact with the freezing snow. She climbed slowly up the last ten feet of the hill and Raye followed. Aleu reached the top of the hill and gazed down into the holler, careful to only let about half of her head peek over the crest of the hill. Raye stopped beside her.
    “I don’t see anyone.” Raye whispered.
    “…neither do I.” Aleu said. “That doesn’t make any sense…”
    “…maybe you were wrong.” Raye said. “…maybe there was no one following us…” Raye looked backward, over her shoulder. “…or maybe they did the same thing we did.”
    “I heard them stop.” Aleu said. “I know someone is down there.” She kept looking, but all that moved in the holler below was the snow that was drifting down from the heavens. “I’m going to go check it out.” Aleu whispered. “You stay here, and remember, if I tell you to run, run.”
    Raye nodded and Aleu stood up and began walking carefully down the hillside, down into the holler. She reached the bottom without incident and looked around once more. …but still nothing moved.
    Aleu stepped forward cautiously… and then she saw a blur of movement from inside a hollowed log to her right. “…Raye, run!” aleu yelled. She tried to turn and meet the attack, but she wasn’t quick enough and the wolf crashed into her shoulder, throwing them both to the ground. Aleu found herself pinned by her adversary and reacted instinctively. She kicked the wolf in the stomach and then using her back legs, she threw her opponent into a nearby tree. He got up and shook his head a bit, then froze.  “…Aleu?” The read and white wolf asked.
    Aleu climbed to her feet. “…oh thank Aniu.” She said.
    Just then Raye plowed into the wolf, catching him off guard and throwing him into the tree again.
    “…Raye stop!” Aleu said.
    Raye sat on top of her opponent and looked back at Aleu. “…but he attacked you.”
    Aleu smiled. “Raye I know him. He’s a member of my clan.”
    “Oh Raye said, climbing off of him. “I’m sorry. I thought you were attacking Aleu.”
    Aleu walked over to the wolf. “Dash, are you alright?” She said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t have time to recognise you.”
    Dash smiled and stood up, shaking his head a few times. “I think I’ll be okay if I can get this ringing in my ears to stop.”
    Aleu laughed. “Yeah, well I’m real sorry Dash, but… well you did attack me.”
    Dash grinned at her and shook his head. “Yeah, sorry about that Aleu.” Then his face turned serious. “…but you weren’t the one I was following.”
    Suddenly a black wolf leapt down from the hilltop on the other side of the holler, slamming into Raye’s side. The two of them rolled across the snow. “Ahh… Aleu help!” Raye called. She tried to fend off the wolf, but he was too fast and too strong for her.
    Dash turned and leapt at the wolf, but the black wolf turned and caught Dash in the face with a vicious kick. Dash fell to the snow and didn’t move.
    “Dash!” Aleu called. She turend and growled at the wolf. Then she jumped at him.
    The wolf tried to do the same to Aleu, but she was ready for it. When the wolf kicked at her, she had her jaws open and clamped her sharp teeth into the wolf’s leg. He yelped in pain and Aleu plowed into him, throwing him off of Raye. The wolf rolled over and snapped his own jaws into Raye’s left hip.
    Raye squealed in pain and treid to kick the wolf off of her, but he held on.
    “Let her go!” Aleu said, placing her paws on the wolf’s back and flashing her teeth at him. The wolf’s response to this ultimatum was to begin to thrash his head from side to side ripping deep into the young wolf’s flank, drawing another screech of pain from his young victim.
    Aleu growled at him and snapped her jaws around his neck. The wolf seemed surprised, but kept biting Raye. Aleu picked his head off of the ground and held him for a few seconds… gradually the wolf stopped biting and just kicked… and then he stopped kicking and was still.
    As the wolf let go of Raye’s flank she stumbled forward and fell to the ground.
    Aleu dropped the dead wolf to the ground and ran over to her. “Raye, are you alright?” She asked.
    Raye winced in pain and tried to stand up. Then she fell to the snow with a yelp. “…no… no I don’t think so.” Raye said, gritting her teeth to keep from crying.
    Aleu looked at the wound. “Yeah… he got you pretty good… see why I told you to run? You wouldn’t have been here to get hurt if you’d’ve run like I told you to.”
    Raye winced again and nodded. “I’m… I’m sorry Aleu… I was just worried about you.”
    Aleu smiled. “…well thanks kid… but next time do as I tell you… okay?”
    Raye nodded.
    Aleu walked over to Dash, who groaned and sat up. “Dash, are you okay?”
    He nodded. “Yeah… I just… I guess he knocked me back against this tree and I hit my head… again.” He said.
    “Are you sure you’re alright?” Aleu asked.
    “Yeah,” Dash said. “I’ll be fine… what about Raye?”
    Aleu sighed. “He got her pretty good… I took care of him though.”
    Dash sighed. “…sorry about that Aleu… I should have told you I had a tail…”
    “It’s fine Dash.” Aleu said. She paused and sighed. “…well… Since she’s injured I guess I’ll have to leave Raye with you while I go check out the clan.”
    Dash shook his head. “…don’t go back Aleu.” He said.
    “…what?” Aleu asked. “…why?”
    Dash sighed and sat down. “…because that’s where I just came from… and where I picked up my tail, him.” He said, tossing his head toward the now dead black wolf. “The clan was overrun by them.” He continued. “…and… and Saba is dead.”
    “What?” Aleu said. “What did you just say?”
    “…Saba is dead.” Dash said again.
    “…are you sure?” Aleu asked.
    Dash nodded. “I… I saw her myself Aleu… They killed Saba and Everest and Rife and Tram…”
    “…the pups?” Aleu asked.
    Dash nodded. “…I didn’t see Sunny…”
    “What about Kalia?” Aleu asked.
    Dash hung his head and then shook it slowly. “…she was guarding the pups though… that was her job… to safeguard the Alpha’s children… I can only assume that since two of them are dead and the other is missing… well she wouldn’t have just let them take the kids…”
    “I’m sorry Dash…” Aleu said. She paused. “…what about… what about Shadow?” Aleu asked hesitantly.
    Dash smiled. “Shadow is fine… but the teams took some serious casualties from what I saw… and there’s more… Aleu, I overheard The Alpha of the Shadow Clan talking… they plan to kill Aniu.”
    “How is that possible?” Aleu asked.
    “…I don’t know.” Dash said. “…but they were talking about Shade, so it must at least stand a chance of success… Shade isn’t stupid.”
    Aleu shook her head. “…no… no he’s not.” She fell silent for a moment.
    “…kill Aniu? How could that be?” She said softly.
    “I don’t know,” Dash said again. “…but whatever it is we have to try to stop it.”
    Aleu nodded. “Dash, take Raye and go to the waterfall about six miles from here… you know what I’m talking about?”
    “Where we had the big battle with the Uniea?” Dash asked.
    Aleu nodded. “…about a mile north of there is another cave, shrouded in bushes.”    Dash nodded. “I know the one. I’ve stayed there on hunting trips before.”
    “Alright,” Aleu said. “Take Raye there and wait for me. I’ll meet you there in two days.”
    “Where are you going?” Dash asked.
    “…to see Papa… see if he can make any sense about this.” Aleu said.
    “…let me go.” Dash said. “I look more like a dog than you… no offense sis, but it would be safer for me.”
    Aleu shook her head. “Thanks Dash, I appreciate your concern, but no, this is something I have to do. …besides I need you to watch after Raye.”
    Dash nodded. “…alright, I’ll see you in two days then.”
     Aleu nodded. “…and be careful. Don’t leave that cave unless you absolutely have to. You should be fairly safe inside.”
    Dash nodded. “…will do.”
    Aleu started walking east, towards Nome, then she broke into a run, quickly vanishing from sight among the trees.
    Dash turned and walked back to Raye, who was still lying on the ground. A fair amount of blood had matted the fur on her flank and pooled on the ground beneath her.
    He smiled. “….man that guy got you pretty good didn’t he?”
    Raye winced and nodded.
    Dash looked at her flank and then sat down beside her. “Well I think you’ll be alright. He tore a pretty good chunk outa ya kid, but it’s clotting up already, so I think you’re gonna live.”
    He smiled. “My name’s Dash.” He said. “I’m Aleu’s younger brother. We need to get out of here. Can you walk?”
    Raye shook her head.
    “Okay, then I’m going to carry you alright?” Dash said. “We don’t have far to go. Maybe a ten to fifteen minute walk, then I’ll see about getting us some food.”
    Raye smiled and nodded. “Alright Dash, thank you.”
    He smiled back at her. “You’re welcome kid.”
    He laid down on his stomach beside her. “Can you just throw your legs over my back?” Dash asked.
    Raye rolled over and wound up on top of Dash, her legs dangling off either side of his back.
    “That’s right.” Dash said. He stood up and Raye laid her head against his neck.
    “…hold on now.” Dash said with a smile. “Wouldn’t want you to fall off.”
    Raye nodded and Dash felt her wrap her legs tightly against his sides, all except her left back leg, which hung limp.
    Dash started walking, and once he got used to the load he was carrying he started running through the woods, headed northwest toward the cave Aleu had told him about.










Chapter 9:

Jason and Fairbourne stood just outside the Outskirts of Nome Alaska. Jason was thinking of all the times his mother had told him not to come here.
Almost eight years ago Nome had started to expand as more and more people filled the small mining town. This new expansion was almost a satalite town to Nome… almost fifty yards separated the small town from it’s new component, The gold rush of ‘28 had been largely responsible for Nome’s quick expansion… but in time the gold rush faded, and as it did people began to leave. Many of the people who lived in the new part of town were miners, and with no gold rush, the majority of them left to search elsewhere. Then the people who had set up shop to provide for the miners left as well, and Nome began to shrink once more into the quiet little town it had been before. Now though there was a good sized section of the town that was almost litterally abandoned. There were still a few people that lived there, but not many.
Then near the middle of 1930, a fire had started in the abandoned part of town. Local authorities suspected that some kids had been messing around and started the fire, but no one really knew for sure. The fire spread through the dry wooden buildings quickly, and soon the entire “new” part of town was in flames. The mayor decided that the abandoned buildings were an eyesore, and that they should just let them burn down. Indeed this is why there was never much investigation into how exactly the fire was started. So the people of Nome watched the north part of town burn for almost an entire day. The firemen kept close watch on the blaze and kept it away from the town, and the Outskirts was created.
    In less than a day the fire consumed many of the buildings, but others the fire left hollowed out, gutted, blackened remains. Some had fallen over, and some were structurally unsound. In some of the buildings entire walls had fallen off in the blaze and storms since then had scattered the contents from the buildings all over the area. Burned couches, lamps, desks, chairs, stoves… every type of furniture or appliance could be found strewn among the wreckage. The Outskirts was even more of an eyesore than the expansion had been.
    For a while there had been talk by the city council of moving in and destroying the remains of the expansion.. but it was deemed too expensive at the time, and the people just learned to live with the blackened shell of buildings on the north edge of town.
    Soon the outskirts began to attract the more deviant members of Nome. Many stray dogs began to call the Outskirts home.  Many of these dogs were outlaws from the law-abiding  citizens of Nome and the surrounding area… thieves and murderers. The dogs of the outskirts lived by one rule, kill or be killed, and they enforced this rule with deadly intensity. Soon even the humans wouldn’t go near the outskirts, and any dog that did so was considered foolish. It was the place of nightmares, the place that all mothers told horror stories to their pups about, and warned them to stay away from. Many of these pups decided to forego their parents’ warnings, and drawn by the allure of the forbidden, entered the outskirts anyway… some of them came back… others did not.
    Jason recalled his mother’s warnings, and recalled his own journey’s into the Outskirts… they had been few, and he’d never gone very far into it… but he’d often run by it in the mornings and wondered what kinds of hideous things went on in there. It was a land where law was non-existent and where death and murder were just a way of life.  No Keeper of the Law had been foolish enough to attempt to reign in the roving bands of bandits and cut-throats that popluated the dark heart of Nome.
    The Outskirts actually sounded appealing to Jason now. “…let those dogs try to hurt me now.” Jason thought. “I’ll tear them apart.”
    “…home sweet home. “ He said. He smiled and looked at Fairbourne. “So, what are we doing here?” He asked.
    Fairbourne smiled back at him. “We need a home, and this is it.” He said. “No dog from Nome is foolish enough to enter this place, and that can work to our advantage in many ways. Come, let’s find our new home.”
    The two dogs started walking into the Outskirts. Boldly defying the rule of it’s denizens.
“You’re not looking for a home so much as a holding cell.” Jason said.
Fairbourne nodded. “We can’t attack Balto in Nome.” He said. “He has too many friends. Even if we accomplished our mission we would be pursued… and he has many allies… many friends. We’re going to need bait, and for that we’re going to have to find someone that Balto cares about deeply enough to come after them here.” He smiled evilly and looked at Jason. “…know anyone who fits that bill.”
Jason smiled and was about to reply when he was cut off.
“Hey dog, what the hell do you think you’re doing here?” A voice said.
Jason looked in front of him to see a brown dog standing on top of a partially collapsed roof that had fallen off the building beside it, scattering the snow covered ground with bits of wood and plaster.
“You got ‘im kid?” Fairbourne asked quietly.
Jason smiled and nodded. “…sure do.”    Fairbourne smiled back. “…get ‘im kid.” Then he turned and walked about twenty yards behind Jason and sat down.
“Hey dog.” The speaker said again. “I said what are you doing here? …you deaf?”
    Jason turned and smiled. “No friend, I hear quite well.”
    “I’m not your friend.” The speaker said. “Now what are you doing here?”
    Jason sighed, quickly losing patience with the young speaker. “Well we’re looking for a home. We’re on the lam from Applegate, messy situation there and we heard that this was the place to go.”
    “Well it ain’t.” The dog said. “…jest you turn tail and run on out of here and we won’t have a problem.”
    “…can’t do that friend.” Jason said evenly.
    “Oh really?” The dog said. “Well we say you can…”
    Three other dogs stood up on rooftops just behind the speaker and Jason mentally counted the foes, imagining how the fight would go, where they would attack him from so that he could be ready. His gaze never wavered from the dog as he spoke. “…you’re making a mistake friend.” Jason said calmly. “…let us pass and I won’t kill you.”
The dog laughed. “You hear that guys…” He growled and looked at Jason. “…get him.”
A yellow dog suddnely dashed out from under the collapsed roof the speaker was standing on and charged at Jason. The dog leapt at him and Jason turned, snapping his jaws and steping sideways so that the dog sailed past him. A thin stream of blood shot through the air and the yellow dog hit the ground, rolled, got up and fell down… then he didn’t move.
Jason stared at the speaker. “…last chance.” He said calmly, barely breathing hard from his excertions.
The speaker quivered with anger. “Kill him!” He yelled. “…tear him apart!”
Two of the three dogs jumped down from the roofs and ran at him. Jason had already gauged how they would attack and he had been correct, so he was ready for them.
Jason ran at the nearest bulding to him and reached the charred yellow wall jut as the first dog, a small black female, reached him. She snapped at him and Jason leapt in the air, springing off the wall and toward the ground. This surprised the dog, and she faltered.
Jason did not.
He landed hard on the snow, but absorbed the impact on his shoulder and rolled underneath the smaller female. His jaws lashed out and tore into her back leg where it met her body and his claws raked her belly.
She screamed and fell to the snow, tangled up with the blood crazy husky. Jason had no remorse as he tore deep into the young dog and she finally managed to get away from him. She was covered in blood, and stumbled away from him to collapse in the snow a few feet away.
Jason let her go. He knew she was out of the fight.
Suddenly another of the dogs barreled into him, this one a large white male. Jason fell to the snow and Fairbourne tensed up a bit, ready to come to his young charge’s aid if he was needed. …but as Jason rolled over on top of the dog Fairbourne relaxed and smiled.
The dog was as good as dead.
Jason dodged the stronger Aleution’s strikes, but some of them fell on his shoulders and chest. Jason batted the dog in the face a few times with his paws and the dog stopped struggling so much. Jason wasted not a moment, gave the action not a second of thought, but instantly latched his jaws around his opponents throat and locked them there.
It took a moment, but the dog finally sagged under Jason’s hold and died.
Jason saw movement from up on top of the roof to his left and smiled. The other dog, a red female, had been trying to sneak up on him, moving across the roofs, but Jason had been watching her through the fight.
He dropped the dead dog and turned, running toward a small pile of wooden crates stacked up beside the building. He leapt up them and jumped to the roof.
The red female seemed surprised and growled at him. Then she leapt at him. Jason jumped up in the air and hit the female with his head, bouncing her up into the air nearly a foot. This caused the female to mis-judge her leap and she dropped over the side of the roof. Jason heard the crates he’d just climbed up smash as she fell into them and then the female yelped and he could hear her voice quivering, though no dicerenable words came out.
Jason looked over the edge and smiled. The Husky had smashed through all the crates except the last one. When this one broke a four inch wide slat of pointed wood had slid into the Husky’s back and she now hung there, impaled on the wood.
Jason jumped down from the roof and used the female’s back legs to cusion his landing, driving them to the ground. This had the side effect of sliding the Husky down the slat of wood, which was nearly a foot wide at the base.
She fell silent and without giving the mutilated female so much as a glance Jason started toward the speaker.
The brown dog recoiled in fear and as Jason approached him the dog’s legs got tangled up and he fell to the snow.
“…tell you what friend.” The dog said. His voice shook with fear. “…you… you and your friend can pass… go where ever you please… okay?”
“I don’t think you’re in the place to tell me I can or can’t do anything.” Jason said. “…and I most definitely am not your friend.’
“…please… please just leave me alone.” The dog begged.
“I can’t do that.” Jason said.
“…why… why not?” The dog asked, tears starting to stream down his face. “…please… I… I don’t want to die…”
Jason tossed his head toward the four dead or dying dogs behind him. “I’m pretty sure your friends over there didn’t want to either oh fearless leader.” Jason said. “…but they’ve paid the price for defying me… see that’s the problem… you haven’t.”
“…no… no please man… please just leave me alone.”
“…you had your chance.” Jason said. “I tried being nice, you didn’t respond well to that… if you had I would be gone and you and your pathetic friends would be doing whatever it is you all do. Instead I have to kill you, see what you made me do?”
Jason smiled and as the dog continued to plead and beg Jason clamped his jaws down on the dog’s throat. His begging turned into gurgling and soon he fell silent and Jason dropped him to the snow.
Fairbourne walked over to him then, smiling. “…well done Jason.” He said. “…you truly have taken to this like a duck to water. Look at you, four kills and not a scratch on you.”
Jason smiled and nodded. “…all because of your teaching though sir.”
“Yes well that crate thing was magnificent, and I don’t recall teaching you that one kid…” Fairbourne said.
“It was wasn’t it sir?” Jason said, a smile on his face.
“…oh, and it wasn’t four kills sir.” Jason said.
“…what?” Fairbourne asked.
    “…the first female, she’s still alive sir.” Jason said.
    “…well finish it.” Fairbourne said. “I’ll wait here for you.”  
    Jason nodded and walked over to where the black female had collapsed in the snow.
    She saw him coming and rolled over, the movement drawing a yelp of pain from her muzzle.
    Jason stopped next to her and she glared up at him. “…go ahead and get it over with.” She said.
    Jason looked confused. “…what?” He asked.
    The female sighed and gritted her teeth against the pain emanating from her shredded hip and slashed belly. “…you’re going to kill me and I’m in no shape to fight you so just get it over with.”
    She spit at Jason paws and looked back up at him, as if trying to burn a hole through him with her gaze. “…you surprised me, were it not for that unconventional tactic you used I would have torn you apart.”
    Jason smiled. “…I think you’re a keeper.” He said.
    Now it was the female’s turn to look confused. “…what?” She asked.
    “What’s your name?” Jason asked.
    “…Daema.” The female answered.
    “…means demon princess… nice.” Jason said. “…tell you what Daema, you keep up with us and I won’t kill you, in fact I may even let you join us.”
    “…um… okay.” Daema said.
    “…that is if you survive of course.” Jason added.
    Daema still looked confused as Jason turned and started to walk away. She just laid on the snow.
    Jason stopped and turned. “…well, are you coming or do you want me to kill you?” Jason asked.
    “You shredded my leg.” Daema said through gritted teeth. “…I don’t think I can stand, let alone walk.”
    Jason shrugged his shoulders. “Alright, guess I’ll just have to kill you then.”
    He started to walk back over to her but her voice stopped him. “…okay, wait a second.”
    She paused and gritted her teeth, ready for the pain that standing was going to cause, and then she stood up. She took a step forward and nearly fell on her face as she put a little weight on her wounded hip.
    Jason smiled. “I’d try to keep my weight off that if I were you.” He said.
    Daema looked at him. “…thank you for that Jason.” She said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
    Jason frowned and walked over to her quickly, and before she could say anything he hit her back leg, causing her to fall to the ground, an unbelievable amount of pain shooting through her injured limb.
    She cried out and Jason belted her in the face, knocking her head to the snow, nearly knocking her unconcious. He bit the fur at the side of her neck and raised her off the ground. “You listen to me Daema.” He said, his voice muffled by the fur he held in his jaws. “You will show me respect. You will never use that tone with me and you will address me as Master unless I tell you otherwise, do you understand?”
    Daema nodded and Jason dropped her to the snow.
    Jaosn looked down at her. “…now get back up… and never you forget I could’ve killed you… but I didn’t. For that I have earned you eternal gratitude.”
    Daema struggled to her feet and pulled her injured leg up off the ground. Blood ran down her leg and dripped from her paw to stain the snow beneath her.
    “…yes… yes Master.” She said.
    Jason nodded. “…good.” He said. “…now keep up or I will kill you.”
    She nodded and Jason turned and walked back to Fairbourne, the severely injured female limping along behind, struggling to keep pace with the two uninjured dogs.
    “Interesting development...” Fairbourne said. “…I told you to finish her.”
    Jason nodded. “I like her… she seems strong… if she lives she could be of use to us… if not then she dies anyway, it’s of little concern to us sir.”
    Fairbourne smiled. “I like the way you think kid.”
    “Thank you sir.” He said.
    Jason and Fairbourne started walking again. “…so back to my earlier question, do you know anyone who fits the bill of bait for Balto?”
    Jason thought for a moment and nodded. “Yeah, his mate, Jenna. Balto would travel to the ends of the earth for her. I doubt he will think twice about the Outskirts.” Jason paused. “..but we’re going to have to make it urgent. If we just capture her he may take the time to gather some of his allies… we need him to know that we mean bussiness…”
    He looked at Fairbourne and winked. “…I think we should have a little fun with miss Jenna and then tell someone to tell him about it sir.”
    Fairbourne smiled. “…my thoughts exactly kid.” 
   






















Chapter 10

Aleu was about half-way to Nome. It usually only took her a few hours to make the journey to the small town, but she was being extremely careful now, doubling back on her trail every half mile or so, and stopping every ten minutes to wait at least fifteen before moving on. Aleu was reasonalbly sure that she wasn’t being followed, but she remembered the first thing that Shadow had taught her during her training. “…never assume anyhting, assumptions will get you killed.” ...so Aleu assumed nothing, and acted as if she were being followed, her every move watched, her enemies plotting and scheming her demise.
This was tiring though, and aleu was exhausted, barely able to stand. The message she carreid was of extreme importance though, so she pressed onward. Aleu found it hard to believe what the Shadow Clan was planning was even possible. “How could aniu be killed?”  She thought. “...and what will happen to us if they’re sucussful?” Aleu didn’t know the answers to these questions, but she knew that they couldn’t be good.
    Aleu stopped and looked around. She didn’t see anyone, but she turned right and walked off her trail. She stepped high, trying not to brush any of the foliage, which would leave a clearer scent trail to her potential pursuers. She walked about a hundred yards off her trail and then turned right, doubling back on it. She started forward again, watching the spots she’d just walked by, watching for any sign of someone trailing her. When she’d walked for nearly fifteen minutes she stopped and watched. Five minutes later she was reasonalbly sure there was no one following her. Aleu yawned and turned to walk back toward the trail she’d broken earlier. Then she stopped.
About twenty yards to her left further off her trail, was a small cave. Aleu could barely see it thorugh the bushes that sat in front of it. Aleu knew her message was of the utmost importance, but she was exhausted. She knew she wouldn’t be able to make it to Nome without stopping and it wasn’t likely that she’d find a spot as secure as this closer to Nome either.
“…and I need some anwers…” Aleu thought
She turned left and walked to the cave. Aleu sniffed the air outside the cave, but could detect no other presence besides her own. Aleu ducked down and crawled under the bushes, then she walked into the small cave and looked around. Satisfied that she was alone; she laid down on the cool rock. Aleu was so tired that she had barely closed her eyes when she drifted into a deep sleep.

Aleu opened her eyes and leapt to her paws. The cave was on fire! She remembered deciding to travel to this half-way point between the spiritual plane and the physical own, but never had she seen it like this. A shimmering red portal hung in the air at the far end of the chamber and from it aleu could hear screams, cries of anguish and torment.
Aleu shivered.
She remembered those screams.
She heard a crackling sound and looked up to see a mass of molten rock and fire falling from what had once been the ceiling of the cave.
Aleu leapt forward and the molten rock slammed to the ground where she’d stood not moments before. Aleu landed on her side and rolled, finally stopping against the cave wall.
Suddenly she heard a screech and looked up to see a kind of bird/dragon emerge from the portal. It was consumed by flames and its  red eyes seemed to pierce through to Aleu’s very soul. The flying creature screeched again and dove toward her. Aleu tried to roll out of the way, but she was too slow. The creature’s talons scraped through Aleu’s fur and she felt them bite into her shoulder. The force of the impact threw Aleu against the flaming wall, which she recoiled from, a yelp of agony escaping her muzzle as the flames seared her side.
The flying creature rose towards the ceiling of the cave and screeched again.
Suddenly Aleu heard a familiar voice. “…come Aleu, quickly, there isn’t much time!”
    Aleu looked over her shoulder and saw a blue portal open up behind her. She stood and ran for it, and as the creature screeched again, dropping toward her, his razor sharp talons extended, she leapt…
    …and fell into a beautiful green forest. The portal quickly closed once she was through, keeping the flaming… whatever it was away from her.
    Aleu shook her head and groaned, slightly disoriented. Then she stood up. Aleu stood in a clearing surrounded by large majestic pines on all sides. A brook bubbled through the clearing and there was no snow on the ground. The grass was almost unbelievably soft and springy beneath her paws, and as a gently breeze blew, Aleu realized it was niether hot, nor cold.
    “Hello Aleu.” The familiar voice said.
    Aleu turned and smiled. “…hello Alai.” She said.
    The by now familiar emotions rustled through her as she gazed at him, but Aleu remembered what had happened just moments before and pushed them aside. There was no time for them now.
    Alai walked toward her; making barely a sound as he padded through the soft grass. “…are you alright?” He asked.
    Aleu nodded. “I’m fine… now… thanks to you.” She paused. “…Alai, what’s going on? Why was the cave on fire?”
    Alai sighed. “Aniu is under siege. She is weak… and she is losing.”
    “…but how can that be?” Aleu asked.
    Alai stopped walking and sat down in front of Aleu. “Aniu has made a grave error in judgement, and she is paying for it now.”
    Aleu sat down as well. “…what happened?” She asked.
    Alai sighed again. “Aniu chose one who was tainted to be her representitive. This allowed Shade a chance to get inside, to attack her directly, and this is what he has done.”
    “…what do you mean by… one who was tainted?” Aleu asked.
    Alai sighed. “Your sister’s lifestyle was not in keeping with the rules’ wishes. It was un-natural, and therefor prohibited. …and Aniu formed a strong bond with her. Shade has used this against her with terrible success.”
    Aleu sighed. “…then this is my fault.” She said. “I allowed her to stay in the cave, to become a member of the Talbourne.”
    Alai frowned. “None of this is your fault. Saba made her own choices.”
    Aleu nodded and fell silent for a moment. Then she looked up at him. “Alai, does the Shadow Clan’s plan stand a chance at success?” She asked.
    Alai sighed. “It not only stands a chance, it’s almost guarteed to succeed.”
    “…but how could Aniu be killed?” Aleu asked.
    Alai sighed again. “…you don’t know of the Origin of Aniu, do you?”
    Aleu shook her head. “…no, but Raeona told me I should learn more about it just before she died.”
    Alai nodded. “Aleu, the positioning of the Children of Aniu, the Talbourne, River, Snow, Onasie, and Storme clans is no accident. The origin is centered between the locations of the caves of the five clans. They form a five pointed star around the Origin of Aniu. This is the place that Aniu’s blood was spilled into the earth, specifically, a large table-like rock.
    “…what is the purpose of the Origin?” Aleu asked.
    Alai sighed. “Aniu used this Origin as a way of communicating with her followers on your plane. If the Alpha’s of the five clans stand atop their respective caves and howl at the same time, Aniu will be summoned to your plane. She used this as a way to speak to those who sought her council, especialy during the great war… when she is summoned to your plane in this way Aniu takes her physical form and will be sans any of her spiritual powers. This is how Shade plans to kill her.”
    A confused look came over Aleu’s face. “…but if she were killed on Earth while in her physical form… wouldn’t she just return here?”
    “Ordinarialy yes, she would.” Alai said. He paused and sighed. “Aleu, when Aniu was summoned in this way it was a direct breach of the agreement she made with the rules so long ago; that of not taking direct action, only influence. Before Aniu always explained herself and her reasoning, and the rules consistantly forgave her… but if she were killed before she could do this…” He fell silent.
    Aleu’s eyes widened. “My God…” She murmered. “She would be judged just like anyone else, wouldn’t she?”
    Alai nodded.”The rules would find her to be in breah of their agreement… and they would send her to hell for it.”
    Aleu sighed. “That’s it then, that’s the Shadow Clan’s plan… this is how Aniu falls.” She fell silent and looked away, absorbing the weight of the information she’d been given. Finally, she looked back up to Alai’s face. “What will happen to us?” She asked.
    Alai sighed again. “…at first her absence will hardly be noticable to your plane, but without Aniu to keep the balance… Shade will grow more and more powerful until he’s able to enter you plane… if you believe in an apocolypse, this would be it.”
    “…hell on Earth.” Aleu said.
    Alai nodded. “…quite litterally.” He said. His facial expression and tone turned to one of deep concern, bordering on desperation. “It is imperitive that you get to Nome and return to the Origin as fast as you can Aleu. Aniu’s time grows shorter by the hour.”
    Aleu nodded. “Alai… is Lytion aware that I know of their plan.”
    Alai shook his head. “…right now he does not. Dash’s infiltration of The Talbourne was successful on that point.” He said. “…but  it may not remain like this. Make haste Aleu… but tread carefully… I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”
    Aleu smiled “I’ll be careful Alai; don’t worry.”
    Alai smiled at her and the two of them stood up. “On a more personal note, it is really good to see you again.”
    Aleu smiled. “It’s good to see you too Alai.” She sighed. “I only wish it were under better circimstances.”
    Alai nodded. He raised his paw and a green protal appeared behind Aleu. “This will return you to your world.” He said.
Aleu turned and walked toward the portal.
    Alai’s voice stopped her about half-way there. “Aleu, before you go…”
    Aleu stopped and turned. “What is it Alai?” She asked.
    Alai sighed. “I know it’s selfish of me to keep you here when so much is at stake… and when time really is of the essence, but… well I just wanted you to know that… Ive been watching you and you’ve faced many trials in your life… more than most, and you’ve performed admirably. You have a lot to be proud of. I’ve also seen that you’ve found someone to watch over you and to care for you during your life… and I want you to know that it’s all right by me, but… but I’ll always love you Aleu… and I’m sorry to have dumped this all on your shoulders… again, but there really wasn’t anyone else…”
    Aleu smiled and walked back over to him. She looked into his blue eyes, soft with compasion, and nuzzled him, somewhat surprised when she felt his soft fur caress her own. “Thank-you Alai.” She said. “I’ll always love you too. Though we spent such a short time together on Earth… I’ve never felt a closer bond with someone, not even Shadow… and don’t worry. I’ll save Aniu… somehow… I’ll give it my best effort anyway.”
    Alai smiled and nuzzled her back. “I know you will Aleu.” He said. “Aniu was wise to place her trust in you. Truly, my fate, the fate of everyone, both spiritual and physical, rests in your paws. Once Shade has taken over your world he will move in here as well… without Aniu we are powerless to defeat him. We will fight… but it is futile… eventually he will destroy this place, and everyone in it.” He paused. “…but time really is of the essence, and I’ve kept you here with my selfishness for far too long. You must go now. Aniu is already losing ground. Return to Nome, gather your forces and journey to the Origin. It is there that the fate of both our worlds will be decided. Do not worry about how you’ll know the way. I will help you in that.”
    Aleu smiled. “…take care Alai.” Then she turned and walked toward the green portal.
    Alai’s voice stopped her just outside the portal. “…and good luck Aleu.” He said. “…and may Aniu guide and keep you in your journey.”
    Aleu turned. “Thank you Alai.” She said. Then she stepped into the portal and was gone, leaving Alai standing in the clearing alone. He raised his paw and the portal vanished. “…you’re going to need it.” He said. Then he turned his head toward the deep blue, cloudless sky. “Aniu, I know that you are even now fighting for your life, and ours as wel, but as your faithful and humble servant I beg of you. Watch over Aleu, guide her and keep her safe. Set her paws upon safe snows so that she may complete her quest.” He paused. “…for she truly is our only hope.”
    He looked back down as a red and white husky walked into the the clearing. She hung her head and sighed. “Alai I’m sorry to have been the cause of all of this.” She said.
    Alai smiled. “Saba, all things happen for a reason, though we might not know that reason at this time… whatever happens is in the rules’ will… it is in their hands now.” He said. “You are lucky they deemed your self-sacrifice in the defence of Aniu’s clan worthy of pardon for you other mis-guided actions.”
    Saba nodded. “Yes, but still…”
    Alai smiled. “Saba, all is forgiven you, both by Aniu and the rules. Come, we must prepare for whatever Shade might throw at us next.”
    Saba nodded and followed Alai as he walked out of the clearing.
























Chapter 11:

    Jenna was rudely awoken from her sound sleep. Her chest burned and she found it hard to breathe.  She yelped in pain and recoiled from whatever had hurt her, which jumped forward at the sound. A boot landed on her left foreleg and she felt a sharp pain stab upward through her leg to her shoulder, drawing another yelp of pain from her muzzle.
    Roger stumbled over her and put his hand forward to catch himself on a table.
    Jenna stood shakily and padded over to him, nursing a fairly prominent limp, holding her left foreleg close to her side.
    Roger knelt down and patted her on the head. “I’m sorry girl.” He said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t turn the lights on ‘cause I didn’t want to wake everyone in the house. …but you’re usually sleeping in your bed, why’re you over here by the fireplace?”
    Then he glanced over and saw Balto, still sleeping soundly. “Ah I see…” He said. He smiled and patted Jenna’s shoulder. “Now surely you guys have been behaving yourselves down here all alone haven’t you girl?”
    Jenna licked his hand and he laughed. “Okay girl, I believe you.” He said.
    Roger pulled out his pocket watch and flipped it open. In the dim light cast by the dying embers of the fire he could just barely make out the hands of the watch on the antique finish. He patted Jenna on the head and stood. “Well girl I’m already lare for work… it’s five thirty, so I guess I should get goin… I am sorry for hurting you though.”
    Jenna jumped up and placed her paws on his thighs, nearly knocking him over. He laughed and patted her on the head. “Okay girl, okay.” He said. “I guess all is forgiven eh?” He rubbed the fur behind her ears for a moment, then he turned and walked out the door.
    Jenna yawned. “…five thirty huh?” She thought. Her chest still burned and her leg hurt something awful. Jenna even thought it was starting to swell. She tried putting it on the floor and nearly yelped again as an intense heat washed over her leg. “…bad idea.” She thought, drawing the injured limb close to her side.
    She sighed. “Well I don’t really feel like going back to sleep…” She thought. Her gaze wandered over to Balto, still sound asleep in front of the cooling fireplace, his mixed brown coat illuminated softly by the dying coals. She smiled.  “…and I don’t want to wake Balto…” She turned to toward the door. “…maybe Aluse would like to talk.”  She thought.
    Then she walked over to the door and psuhed through the doggy door. Jenna shivered slightly in the cool morning, and then carefully climbed down the steps and walked over to the front gate, which she pushed open.
    “…I hope Alyse is up at this hour.” Jenna thought. Then she turned right and headed down the sidewalk.
   
    Jenna walked up to the green house on 4th Street and pushed the white painted gate open. She walked into the yard and up the steps to the door. Then she scratched on it with her paw.
    Jenna heard Alyse moving around inisde. “…just a minute.” She said.
    Jenna sat on the porch and waited.
    A few moments later Alyse stuck her head out of the flap on the doggie door. “Hey Jennn.” She said. “…what are you doing up already?”
    Jenna smiled. “I was actually wondering if you wanted to go for a walk and talk or something.”
    “…sure.” Alyse said. “I was actually thinking of coming to your house earlier, but I didn’t know if you’d be awake or not.”
    Jenna smiled. “I’m usually a pretty early riser.”
    “Really?” Alyse said. She stepped out of the house and joined Jenna on the porch. “…that’s cool, me too.” Just then Alyse noticed that Jenna had her left foreleg drawn up close to her side. “…oh my goodness, Jenna, what happened? You’re limping…”
    Jenna sighed. “…yeah, my owner’s dad kind of stepped on me in the dark this morning.”
    “Wow, that sucks.” Alyse said. “Well do you want me to get Kristen? Maybe she could take a look at it for you?”
    Jenna smiled. “Thanks Alyse, but I think it’ll be alright.”
    “Okay,” Alyse said. “…just be careful with it.”
Jenna stood up and the two females started to walk down the steps and into the yard. “…but yeah, It’s actually my mate Balto that’s the lazy one.” Jenna said, laughing softly. “He’d sleep from now till Christmas if I’d let him.”
Alyse smiled. “Yeah, my mate was the same way.”
“Oh, you have a mate?” Jenna asked.
Alyse sighed. “…had.” She said. “See he…”
She paused.
The two dogs walked through the gate and turned left toward the north side of town. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” Jenna said. “…I’m sorry I brought it up Alyse.”
Alyse sighed and smiled. “No it’s fine… I guess it’d do some good for me to talk to someone.”
Jenna smlied back at her. “…well I’ll deginitely listen Alyse,” she said.
    “Thanks,” Alyse said. “Well… I met Trevor in Anchourage when we were just pups… we got along really well and were the best of friends… and then when we got older we got to be more than friends. Eventually… I guess I was about a year and a half old, he asked me to be his mate and of course I accepted… not long after that he got elected Keeper of the Law of Anchourage. I was awful proud of him… and he did his job very well. Somehow he managed to balance the needs of a big city like that and ours pretty well. He was Keeper of the Law for two years… and then.. well about four months ago there was a murder… it was in town, and it was ghastly. He couldn’t get it out of his head… a whole family had been killed. A mother, father and their two pups… right under the owner’s noses… the poor dears didn’t even have their eyes open yet…”
    “Wow that’s terrible.” Jenna said. “I can’t believe someone could be so heartless.”
    Alyse nodded. “Yeah well they can be I guess… but anyway, this murder consumed him like none ever had before… I don’t know, maybe it was the children that were involved… but he worked night and day for a week to track this dog down… and he finally said that he knew who the murderer was and that he was going to go arrest him. I told him to be careful… he took four other dogs with him, and dissapeared for three days…” Alyse fell silent and a tear dripped out of her eye.
    “Alyse, you can stop if you want.” Jenna said.
    Alyse shook her head. “…it’s fine Jenna… but… one of my friends found them, all five of them… they were right outside of town, laying across the sidewalk, stacked like cordwood or something…”
    Alyse closed her eyes and hung her head. “…not too long after that Kristen decided to move to Nome and brought me with her…”
    “I’m so sorry Alyse.” Jenna said.
    Alyse nodded. “…thanks Jenna… I haven’t really talked about it. I guess…” some more tears ran out of her eyes and Alyse smiled. “…I guess I’m afraid to cry or something.”
    She sniffled and looked at Jenna. “…but it’s alright I guess.” She said. “…I mean… we all know we’re not going to live forever right?”
    Jenna nodded and sighed. “…yeah, I guess… but that doesn’t make it any easier.”
    Alyse shook her head. “…not really.”
    The two dogs kept walking up the sidewalk, heading north.

    Jason was sitting in one of the abandoned building that he and Fairbourne had taken up residence in. This one was on the edge of the Outskirts and faced out toward Nome.
    He scanned the streets and then did a double take.
    He smiled.
    Jason stood up and walked over, nudging Fairbourne awake. “Sir, wake up.” He said.
    Fairbourne’s yellow eyes snapped open. “What is it kid?” He asked.
    Jason smiled. “…they’re here.”

    Jenna and Alyse had continued walking and talking and Jenna really wasn’t paying attention to where they were walking. Finally she looked up and gasped.
    “What is it?” Alyse asked. She looked up and noticed that across the street were some burned up buildings, charred and blackened by flames of long ago.
    “…I can’t believe how stupid I am.” Jenna said. “…Alyse, this is the Outskirts… and we almost walked right into it.”
    “This is it?” Alyse asked. “…it’s awful dark isn’t it?”
    Jenna nodded. “It’s creepy… and the dogs in there are not nice at all.”
    “…I bet not.” Alyse said. “…someone should do something about this place.”
    Jenna sighed. “Yeah, but no Keeper of the Law has been stupid enough to go in there… you’d need an army.”
    “Yeah, but still something ought to be done.” Alyse said. “It’s dangerous having them live this close to town… what about your children?”
    Jenna sighed. “We warn them not to go in there… luckily ours listened to us… some didn’t… and some never came back.”
    “That’s awful.” Alyse said. “I had no idea it was so close.”
    Jenna nodded. “…come on, let’s…”
    A can overturning in the alley in front of them cut her off and Jenna turned quickly.
    “What was that?” Alyse asked.
    “I don’t know…” Jenna said. “…but let’s get out of here.”
    “I’m with you on that.” Alyse said.
    The two dogs turned to leave, then something fell on Jenna, knocking her to the ground. She tried to scream, but the fall had knocked the breath out of her. She rolled over and saw a black wolf… or dog, Jenna couldn’t tell which, sitting on top of Alyse. Jenna looked up just in time to see a paw grow large in her vision as it dropped toward her face… then… blackness consumed her.
   
      



























Chapter 12:

    Aleu stepped onto the streets of Nome and looked around. She hadn’t been here in a long time… “…too long.” She thought. It was a shame that the first time she’d come back in so long she was bearing such dreadful news and couldn’t stay. “I wonder how Kodi is doing?” She thought. Then she pushed that out of her mind. “…I don’t have time to think about things like that right now… I’ve got to find my father…”
    Aleu looked around, trying to remember which way her father’s owner’s home was and then took off down the sidewalk, trying to keep to the alley’s to avoid being seen.

    It didn’t take Aleu long to reach her father’s new home. Luke was standing on the porch, so Aleu darted under it to avoid being seen. She knew all too well what most humans thought of wolves.
Luke turned around and locked the door, then he walked down the steps and out the gate. He put his hands in his coat and shivered slightly from the cold, then he started walking down the sidewalk, headed for the General Store on Mainstreet a few blocks over.
Aleu waited until he was gone and crept out from under the porch and then up the steps to the door. She didn’t see a doggy door, so she placed her paws on the window cill and looked inside. The house was dark, and she couldn’t see anyone inside… but her breath quickly fogged up the glass, so that wasn’t saying much.
She got down and looked around, then noticed that the window was open on the other side of the wall from the door. Aleu walked over to it and scanned the streets. Then, satisfied that no one was watching her, she jumped inside…
…and promptly slid off of a table and crashed to the floor. Aleu climbed to her paws and shook herself off. “…who puts a table there?” Aleu thought. She checked herself over and satisfied that she wasn’t injured, started exploring the darkened house.

A few minutes later Aleu ran back into the living room. Her father was nowhere to be found, not upstairs not downstairs, not in the yard… not anywhere.”
Aleu stamped her paws on the floor in desperation. “I don’t have time for this.” She said to herself. “Where are you dad?”
Then she stopped. “…maybe he went to Mom’s.” Aleu thought. She ran across the room and leapt up on the table and through the window, landing on the porch. “Ah, that’s why he put the table there.” Aleu thought with a smile.
Again she looked up and down the street, but it was early enough she was still alone. Aleu ran down the steps and took a left through the yard, leaping over the fence and into the next yard over, going under the porch and heading to the next fence.
Her mother’s home was a few blocks away and she had to hurry.

Aleu reached her mother’s home without incident and climbed the steps carefully. She walked up to the door and stuck her muzzle through the doggy door, thankful for no more windows.
The coast looked to be clear and Aleu crept inside. Almost immiediatly Aleu saw her father in front of the fireplace, still asleep.
“…got ya!” Aleu thought. She walked over and nudged him awake.
    Balto’s eyes opened slowly and he yawned. “…Jen?”
    Aleu smiled. “…not quite Papa.”
    Balto’s eyes snapped open. “…Aleu?”
    Then the light turned on and blinded both of the dogs, who’s sensitive eyes took a moment to readjust.
    Aleu stumbled backwards in surprise and fell over a footstool behind her.
    “Ahhh!” A woman screamed. “A wolf, a in my house!” She ran over to the fireplace and Aleu struggled to her paws, still confused by the events which were happening too fast for her to keep track of now.
    She stumbled backwards and fell again over the leg of a chair, knocking it to the floor.
    The woman grabbed a rifle off the mantle and put it to her shoulder.
    Balto’s eyes had adjusted by this point and he saw everything clearly. “Aleu run!” He yelled.
    “…don’t worry boy.” The woman said when she heard Balto’s bark. “I’m going to kill it.”
    Aleu saw the gun just as the woman took up the slack on the trigger, and not knowing what else to do, she jumped straight up in the air.
    The rifle boomed in the house and a pieces of the soft carpet shot out of the hole.
    Aleu landed on the ground and ran for the doggy door, just as the woman pulled the trigger again.
    Luckily for Aleu Rosie’s mother wasn’t a very good shot and the bullet shot through the door to Aleu’s left as she leapt through the doggy door.
    She landed on her face on the porch and then rolled off the right side of the porch, the fall nearly knocking the breath out of her lungs, then she scrambled under the porch and hid there, breathing hard, her heart thumping in her throat.
    Aleu heard Rosie’s voice through the door then as her mother opened the door and stomped out on the porch. “…mom, what’s going on?”
    “There was a wolf.” Her mother said. “A wolf in my house… I shot at it but I think I missed the mangy thing… now I don’t know where it went… a wolf, here in town…” She paused. “Balto, go get it, you can find it, go get it boy.”
    Balto barked and ran out in the yard, then he stopped and looked back at Rosie’s mother.
    “…you don’t know where it went either do you?” She asked. She sighed and walked back inside, shutting the door.
    Balto waited until he was sure she was gone and then ran under the porch. “Aleu, are you alright?”
    Aleu was still breathing hard but she nodded. “Yeah… yeah I think so.”
    “What are you doing here?” Balto, trying not to yell. “Aleu are you completely out of your mind!”
    Aleu shook her head. “No… papa… I… I need your help.”
    “…what?” Balto said, concern in his voice. “…is something wrong with the Clan?”
    Aleu nodded. “Yeah… but… but it’s much more serious than that this time.”
    “What do you mean?” Balto asked.
    “Dad… Shade is… is planning to kill Aniu.” Aleu said.
    “…what?” Balto asked, a look of alarm springing to his face. “…how is that possible.”
    “It is papa.” She said. “…I don’t have time to explain right now, but I will on the way.”
    “On the way where?” Balto asked.
    “To meet Dash and Raye,” Aleu said. “Then we’re going to the Origin to try to stop him.”
    “The origin of what?” Balto asked.
    Aleu sighed. “Papa, there isn’t time for this!” She said. “…the Origin of Aniu. We’ve got to go there and stop them.”
    “…stop who?” Balto asked.
    “Papa I don’t have time to explain!” Aleu yelled.
    Balto stepped back.
    Aleu sighed. “I’m… I’m sorry Papa it’s just that… this is very important, and we have to go now!”
    “…alright Aleu… but I’ve got to tell your mother, otherwise she’ll be worried sick.”
    Aleu shook her head. “Papa, there isn’t even time for that. She’ll just have to be worried. It won’t kill her… but this might.”
    Balto stepped forward. “You sound really scared Aleu.” He said.
    “I am really scared.” Aleu said. “If Shade is successful in this he will be able to enter our world… and he will destroy us all… and not only that… but he’ll destroy Aniu’s realm as well… the fate of everyone rests on us… and I don’t know how much time we have… but it’s not much.”
    Balto nodded. “Okay Aleu okay, we’ll go. I trust you.” He looked around. “…perhaps we should go over the back fence.”
    Aleu nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”
    Balto and Aleu snuck under the porch and ran across the back yard, and then leapt over the fence, landing on the sidewalk on the other side.
    “Come on Papa,” Aleu said. “Follow me, we have no time.”
     Balto nodded and the two of them started running, headed east out of town.

    Jenna opened her eyes slowly and found that she had a stinging headache. She groaned and rolled over, seeing Alyse in the corner, unmoving.
    She looked around, but could see no sign of whoever had taken them. The walls and floors of the room they laid in were charred and musty.
    “We must be somewhere in the Outskirts…” Jenna thought. That thought filled her with fear and Jenna felt panic start to build within her.
    …but Jenna forced it down. “This is no time to panic Jenna.” She told herself. “…you’ve got to keep it together.”
    Her gaze wandered to Alyse’s unmoving form again, and again Jenna noticed the absence of any type of guard or captor.
She sighed. “I hate to leave her… but if I can get away I can go get help.” Jenna thought.
She stood up and started to walk toward the window. Jenna looked out the window and swore, something she hardly ever did.
They were four stories off the ground. Evidentally this was one of the taller buildings in the Outskirts… she’d never survive a drop from this height.
Suddenly a dog darted from the darkness and slammed into her shoulder, sending her rolling across the floor. She yelped in surprise.
The dog stepped into the light. Jenna didn’t recognize him, but he seemed too clean and taken care of to be one of the Outskirts dogs… they were all dirty and didn’t care about taking care of themselves. A lot of them were also covered in gray soot from the thousands of pounds of ashes that coated everything here… this dog was not.
“where do you think you’re going Miss Jenna?” The dog said.
“How.. how do you know my name?” Jenna asked.
The dog smiled. “Aw Jenna, I’m hurt that you don’t remember me.”
“I… I don’t know you.” Jenna said.
    “Yes you do.” The dog said.
    Jenna shook her head, a confused look on her face. “…what… what do you want?”
    The dog smiled. “That’s simple… the death of Balto is all.”
    “…what?” Jenna cried. “…why? What has he done to you?”
    The dog laughed. “…he killed my father.” The dog said.
    “What?” Jenna asked.
    “…you should remember me Jenna.” The dog said. “…last time you and I spent any time together was in a place like this...” He said.
    Jenna’s memory suddnely clicked. “…Oh Aniu no…” She said. “….Jason?”
    The dog smiled. “…see, I told you that you knew me.”
    “Jason, Balto didn’t kill your father, a theif did.” Jenna said. “You were there when they told us.”
Jason growled. “…and you’re stupid for believing them.” Jason said. “I know the truth and I know that my mother helped him hide it from me… but Balto is the one I’m concerned with right now.”
“…Jason I’m sorry for what I did to you, I was wrong.” Jenna said, her voice shaking a bit.
Jason laughed and then hit her in the face with his paw, drawing a yelp, more of surprise than pain from Jenna. “…don’t Jenna, just don’t. It’s true you were wrong, but that’s not why I took you… I took you because Balto will come for you, and when he does I will kill him for taking my father from me.”
Tears filled Jenna’s eyes. “…no… no…” She said.
Jason smiled. “…yes Jenna… yes…”

A few hours later Balto and Aleu made it to the cave where she’d told Dash and Raye to meet them. On the way Aleu had told her father of the Shadow Clan’s plan and he now agreed that the situation was urgent.
“…I’m sorry I kept you so long under there Aleu.” Balto said. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s alright.” Aleu said. “…no one does.”
Dash and Raye came out of the cave then and Aleu smiled. “Hey kid, you’re walking.”
Dash smiled. “Yeah, she’s doing much better. Fish always helps.”
Raye smiled. “Yeah, Dash is a great fish catcher.”
Aleu looked at him. “…oh really?”
Dash smiled. “…somewhat.” Then his smile faded. “Hey dad, it’s good to see you, did Aleu tell you about this?”
Balto nodded. “Yeah… it’s good to see you too Dash.”
“Look guys,” Aleu said. “I don’t mean to be rude but we can get caught up on the way… we really need to get going.”
“…do you know the way?” Dash asked. “I’ve never even heard of the Origin before.”
Aleu nodded. “Yeah, I know where to go, just follow me...” She paused. “Raye, honey, think you’re up to the journey?”
Raye nodded. “…still hurts a bit, but I’m fine Aleu.”
Aleu smiled. “Alright then, shall we?”
Balto and Dash both nodded. “Lead the way.” Dash said.
Aleu nodded back and the four started walking through the woods.



























Chapter 13:

    Aleu, Balto, Dash and Raye arrived at the clearing to find a massive gathering of the black wolves. At their head was Lytion, standing beside a large table-like rock.
    “This is it.” Aleu said. “…the Origin of Aniu.”
    Balto looked up at the sky. It was covered in menacing dark gray clouds. “…those don’t look good.” Balto said.
    Dash sighed. “…looks like we’re too late.”
    Aleu shook her head. “No Dash, we can’t be.” She said. “Aniu wants us here… she will tell us when we are to attack. We must be successful, all things ride on this…”
    The four huddled down in the trees and waited.

    Lytion stood in the clearing. “It’s almost time…” He thought. He turned to the many wolves gathered around him. “My fellow wolves, members of the Shadow Clan, friends… long have we suffered, long have we bled for this day, but it is finally upon us. Our clan has been strugling to bring our father, my father back to this Earth. Long ago, my grandfather cruelly removed him from us thinking to extinguish his power… but it was in vain. Since then Shade has grown more and more powerful, until now, no one, not even the great Aniu can stand against him.”
    Lytion paused. “Shade was killed, and for what? For the depth of vision he had? He stuck out against the dictator Aniu and spread freedom to every wolf in the world. Without him we would all still be under her misguided direction, slaves to her power hungery ways. …but Shade was successful in killing Aniu, and imprisoning those that would have her back. Since then much has happened. I was born, and my father laid it on my soul to right the wrongs that had been done to him. We are all that remain of his many original followers, but we have stood firm and true. The Talbourne wavered, the Children of Aniu all but forgot about her... but we remained, and we bided our time, waiting for the chance to strike, and that chance has finally come.”
    Lytion turned and leapt up on a large table-like rock in the center of the clearing. “It was here, on this very rock that Aniu was slain by our father, and it is here that her blood will be spilt upon the Earth again. Aniu herself has provided us with the way that we shall kill her. Her followers tout her as perfect, as one who can do no wrong, but we know otherwise. Long ago, Aniu forged a bond with this Earth against those that control things’ wishes… many have forgotten about this place, including Aniu herslef, but she shall be reminded of it this day. On this day she shall pay for it, she shall pay for all of the things that she has done, not only with her life, but with her very soul!”
    The wolves cheered, their voices blending together and creating a roar that shook the very trees in the forest.
    Balto leaned over to Aleu. “Is he insane?” He asked. “Shade won’t lead anyone, he’ll only destroy them all.”
    Aleu nodded. “…he’s deleirious.”
    Dash sighed. “…but they believe him.”
    Lytion looked skyward. “Lord Shade, send the signal which you have promised, let my followers know that now is the time, now is the fall of Aniu!”
    Suddenly, a great bolt of lightning branched out from the sky and thunder boomed across the forest. Then it started to pour rain.
    “…and her fall shall be great indeed.” Lytion said. The water running through his already saturated fur and down off his muzzle. “…all the way to the depths of Hell.”
   
    On top of the five caves of the children of Aniu members of the Shadow clan stood. The bodies of the former Alpha’s of the five clans lay on the rock beside them.
    The bolt of lightning that Lytion saw was visible to them as well. It arced across the sky until it covered nearly the entire expansive surface. Then the thunder than followed shook the very rocks they stood upon.
    The five black wolves turned their muzzles skyward and howled, the note continued, blending with the others. Even after the wolves had lowered their heads the note continued, growing louder and louder until even the wolves gathered at the Origin with Aniu could hear it. It continued to grow until Aleu clamped her paws over her head it was so loud.
    Then a blinding light shot from the five dead Alpha’s and met at a point in the sky directly over the Origin of Aniu. The light shot down, spreading the cloud covered sky like a sheet. The rain didn’t fall in this pillar of light, and it spread to cover the entire rock, bathing Lytion in it’s brightness, all at once drying his fur.
    The light grew so intense that the wolves who were watching could no longer look at it, and they looked away. The howl grew in intensity until it seemed to shake the very Earth itself.
    Then the light faded and the howl died off and another clap of thunder sounded as the rain began to fall again, quickly re-soaking the dry rock and Lytion.
    A new figure had joined Lytion on the rock and stood beside him. It was a beautiful stark white wolf, the likes of which Aleu had never seen on Earth.
    The white wolf’s eyes were closed, her head lowered. Her fur was quickly soaked by the rain and hung matted at her sides.
    She raised her head and opened her bright blue eyes. Then she looked at Lytion.
    “Behold, the great Aniu!” Lytion yelled. He knelt in front of her in mock homage. “All hail the great Aniu!”
    He stood up and looked her in the eyes and laughed.
    Aniu sighed. “You have no power over me Lytion.” She said.
    “Oh really?” Lytion said. He suddenly growled and hit her, knocking her to the wet rock, a yelp of pain escaped her muzzle, and bright red blood splashed across the rock.
The rain did not wash in away.
“How’s that for power over you?” Lytion said, laughing.
    “…no.” Aleu said.
She tried to move forward but Balto pulled her down. “Aleu, stop, are you insane, there’s too many of them.” He said.
“…this can’t happen.” Aleu said. Tears sprang to her eyes and she started sobbing. “…it can’t…”
Aniu opened her eyes and stared right at Aleu. Aleu felt a calming sensation come over her. “…be still my child… the time will come, but not yet. What is happening must happen.” The sweet voice echoed in her mind.
    Aleu crouched back down, unwilling to watch anymore… but unable to look away from the beautiful white wolf.

Aniu climbed to her paws and looked at Lytion, blood dripping from her muzzle. “You have no power over me that hasn’t been given to you by the one that created me. I have made an error, and for that I must pay the price… but it is not by your hand.”
Lytion laughed, and the rest of the black wolves started laughing as well.
“Do you all here this crap?” He said. “I have no power? I’m going to kill you Aniu, right here on this rock. How’s that for power.”
Aniu hung her head, the rain running in rivulets down her soft fur. Then she looked back up at Lytion. “…do what you must do.” She said.
Lytion smiled. “…sure thing.” He said.
Then he snapped out and wrapped his jaws around Aniu’s throat. He stepped back and twisted his head, ripping a chunk of her away as he did so. Aniu cried out in pain.
The great white wolf stood there for a moment, and Lytion spit out the piece of fur covered flesh he had in his jaws, then he looked at her.
Bright red blood jetted from the wound in her neck and covered Aniu’s shoulder, running down her sides until almost her entire left side was covered in it.
She looked at Aleu as her brilliant blue eyes started to fog over and Aleu heard the sweet voice in her head again.
“…forgive me… my child.”
Then Aniu stumbled backward and fell to the rock. She breathed for a few moments longer… then her movement ceased.
Lytion started laughing, his muzzle covered in Aniu’s bright red blood.

The thunder clapped again, this time louder than before and lightning streaked from the clouds, striking the five wolves that stood on top of the caves of the children of Aniu, killing them instantly. Then the clouds grew darker until it was as dark as the darkest most moonles night.
Lytion smiled. “…long live Aniu.” He said, then he laughed… 
   











Chapter 14:

    After a while the Shadow Clan left, but not before they got in a line all of them, all hundred and fifty of them spat on the fallen white wolf. The sky was still dark and the rain was still pounding down, but it had yet to wash the bright red blood away from the rock… finally though the Shadow Clan left and a few moments later Aleu, Balto, Dash and Raye crept from they’re hiding places, their faces streaked with tears.
    They walked forward into the clearing a ways, and then they stopped. Only Aleu crept up to the rock and gazed upon the fallen white wolf. “I’m sorry Aniu.” She thought. “I’m sorry Alai… I have failed you both… I wasn’t fast enough…”
    She climbed up on the rock and laid down on the wet surface, burying her face in the dead wolf’s soft, blood covered fur.
    “Aniu forgive me.” She said thorugh her tears. “Oh God please forgive me. I… I tried Aniu, I tried… but I failed you… you were wrong to put your trust in me. I let you down… I let you die.”
    She sobbed into the white wolf’s fur and laid there.
    Balto and Dash just milled around the clearing, while Raye wandered off. laid down and covered her face with her paws.
    After almost thirty minutes Dash sighed and walked up to the rock, Balto followed him.
    Dash stepped up on the rock and gently tried to pull his sister away from the white wolf, but she resisted, digging her paws into Aniu’s fur.
    “Come on Aleu, we need to go.” Dash said.
    “…no.” Aleu said. “I failed her Dash… I failed everyone, don’t you understand?”
    “Aleu, this isn’t good for you.” Dash said, finally pulling her away from the dead wolf.
    Aleu jumped up and turned. “No Dash!” She yelled. “This is my fault! You don’t understand!” Aleu growled and hit her brother in the side of the head, knocking him off of the rock. Dash hit the ground and stood, surprised to say the least. He started to climb back on the rock, but he felt a paw on his shoulder. He stopped and turned to see his father standing there. Dash sighed and walked away.
    Balto climbed up on the rock to find Aleu’s face buried in the wolf’s fur again. He heard her sobbing as her body shook.
    Balto walked over to his daughter and laid down beside her, putting his paw on her shoulder.
    Aleu growled through her tears. “Dash if you don’t leave me alone so help me I’ll…” She stopped as she looked beside her to see her father. She sighed and returned her head to the white wolf’s shoulder. “…leave me alone Papa. If you want to leave that’s fine, leave, and take Dash and Raye with you.”
    Balto sighed. “Aleu, you’re brother is right, grief is one thing, but this is unhealthy.”
    Aleu looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. “Papa, this is my fault.” She said. “Aniu trusted in me, me, not you, not Dash, not Raye, me!” She fell silent. “…and I failed her.” She sniffled and sighed. “…now… all is lost.”
    Balto shook his head. “Aleu, we all feel her loss, but all is not lost. There is a plan for this, whatever it is… we may not know it now, but Aniu never did anything without it being planned.”
    Aleu sighed. “Papa this is different.” She said. “Aniu didn’t have a plan. Her plan was me… and I’ve failed her… I’ve failed you… and… and Alai… I’ve failed everyone. Everything is going to be destroyed by Shade now… everyone I love is going to die… and it’s my fault.”
    Balto sighed. “Aleu… baby please come down… your clan needs you, Shadow needs you.”
    Aleu shook her head. “…even Shadow… he’s dead papa… we’re all dead now.”
    “What kind of talk is that?” Balto said. “I’ve never known you to give up on anything. Aleu, you are the most stubborn, headstrong person I’ve ever met… and I must admit it has confounded many times over the years… but you never give up. Shadow isn’t dead. He’s alive, just like we are here, and he needs you… we need you Aleu.”
    Aleu sighed and sniffled. “…I.. I guess you’re right.” She said. “…but all is lost papa, you don’t understand…”
    She stopped and then sighed. “…let’s go.” She said. She walked to the edge of the rock and jumped down. Balto looked at the fallen wolf in front of him and remembered all the times that his mother had guided him and saved him…
    He wiped a tear from his eye and followed Aleu.
    “Let’s go guys.” Aleu said. She sighed. “…let’s go home.” 

    Aleu, Balto, Dash and Raye were surprised to see Shadow standing guard outside the cave when they returned.
    Shadow sighed with relief and completely forgot about standing his post. He ran out and nuzzled her. “Aleu!” He said. “Oh I thought they’d gotten you for sure!”
    “…hey Shadow.” Aleu said, her voice downcast.
    Shadow frowned and then noticed Balto. “Balto? What are you doing here?”
    Balto sighed. “It’s… it’s a long story.” He said. “…I thought the Shadow Clan had occupied the cave, that’s what Aleu said anyway…”
    Shadow nodded. “They did… but they left about two hours ago.”
    “…what?” Balto asked. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
    Shadow smiled. “I don’t care.” He said. “I’m just glad they’re gone. They said it was finished… any idea what that means?”   
    “They killed Aniu Shadow.” Aleu said.
    “…what?” Shadow asked. “…how?”    “…they killed her.” Aleu said. “I was there… and it was my fault. I’ve let you down… Shade has finally won.”
    Shadow looked confused. “I don’t know anything about all that… but I do know the Clan needs you… there’s been talk of making you Alpha again.”
    Aleu sighed. “I’m not fit to lead anyone anymore.”
    Shadow frowned. “Aleu, are you alright?”
    Aleu shook her head and buried her face in his shoulder. “Shadow… I want to go to Nome.”
    “What?” Shadow asked. “Aleu are you crazy?”
    Aleu looked up at him, her face streaked with tears. “I… I want to see my mother one last time.”
    Shadow looked at Balto, who shrugged.
    “Aleu, it’s too dangerous…” Shadow started…
…but Aleu cut him off. “Shadow I’m not asking your permission… I’m asking if you want to come with me.”
Shadow frowned. “Well… yeah, if you’re going I’m definitely going with you.”
“Good…” Aleu said. “…then let’s go.”
Aleu turned and started to walk slowly towards the woods. Shadow’s voice stopped her. “Aleu, I can’t just leave… I’m in charge right now… my temas havet he cave locked down in case the Shadow Clan returns.”
Aleu sighed. “Shadow, none of them matter anymore. …if you’re coming, just come on. If you’re not then I’m leaving.”
Shadow looked at Balto. “What’s wrong with her?” He asked.
Balto sighed. “..however it happened… Aniu did die, and aleu thinks it’s her fault… she’s taking it really hard…”
“I guess…” Shadow said.
He turned to Dash. “Dash, you’re in charge until I get back. I put Ami in charge of your unit in your absence and she can continue in that capacity until I get back alright?”
Dash nodded. “Come on Raye, let’s see if we can’t find you somewhere to lay down.” He said. Then the two of them walked toward the cave, while Shadow and Balto ran to catch up to Aleu.

Tiembe stood beside Shanaea, tears in his eyes. He’d decided something, and that something hurt him deeply. He’d waited for Shanaea to fall asleep, pretending to be asleep himself. He’d gotten up a few minutes ago. He’d decided that his mother had been right.
He loved Shanaea, and his presence in her life put her in danger, both from himself and those that conspired against him. He loved her… and he’d realized he loved her enough that he wanted nothing to happen to her, no matter what that meant.
He knelt down and gently nuzzled her, careful not tot wake her. He wished he could’ve said goodbye in person… but Shanaea would have never understood… instead it was better like this. He stood up and looked at her, more tears springing to his eyes as he realized this would be the last time he ever saw her.
He smiled as he thought of all the times the two had spent together… and then he sighed when the memory of her lying in the hospital came back to him. …but then happy memories flourished through his mind. She’d been everything he needed when he was recovering, supportive, loving, caring… but it wasn’t fair to her to have this burden placed on her shoulders.
“I… I love you Shay...” He said quietly. “I love you so much. I hope you know that. I hope you know that it’s because I love you that I have to do this… that I have to leave you. I… I know it will hurt for a long time… it hurts me too… but it’s what is best for you. I will never stop loving you Shay… and maybe… maybe when I get over this condition I can return to you.”
He knelt down beside her again. “…good-bye Shay.” He said.
Then he kissed her gently on the forehead and walked out of the Wheel house. 

    Aniu opened her eyes to find she was laying in a bright golden chamber. Jewels of all types covered the walls and the floor was made of pure gold. It was cold against her fur and she stood up.
    In front of her a huge golden lectern rose upward toward the ceiling and at the top of it sat a lumious being.
    Aniu had only seen the being once before.
He sighed. “Aniu of the Talbourne Clan, step forward.” His voice boomed through the chamber and demanded obedience.
Aniu did so and a bright spotlight of pure light swept over her, causing her to squint at it’s brightness.
    “Aniu, you were appointed as the representitive of all that is good on Earth and beyond. You have served in this capacity for some time, and with great success I see. …yet you stand before me now… why?”
    Aniu sighed. “I have failed you Lord.”
    The being nodded. “Yes, it seems you have. I warned you about your actions regarding your so called “Origin” many times, did I not?”
    Aniu sighed and hung her head. “…yes Lord… you did Lord.”
    “…and you chose to deliberately disobey me, didn’t you?”
    Aniu nodded, keeping her head lowered. “Yes Lord… I did Lord.”
    The being sighed again. “…very well, and it is true that you agreed with our policy of influencing the beings of Earth, so that they might come to me without direct proof, without direct influence, isn’t that right?”
    Aniu sighed again. “Yes it is lord.”
    The being shook his head. “What has happened to you Aniu? You were created with the purpose of leading the wolves of the world. You were given insight into your creation, and you preformed well there. Even after you were killed on Earth I made you my representitive there, gave you an extreme responsibility that none other has ever received, and yet still you decide to defy me. Why Aniu, have you a reason?”
    Aniu sighed and shook her head. “No Lord… I… I have no excuse.”
    The being nodded. “…very well, though it pains me to so this, it is something that must be done. Insubordination among my ranks is inexcusable, and an example must be set. Pay attention Aniu.”
    The light faded to a bearble level, and Aniu looked straight ahead, focusing her gaze on a large ruby embedded into the lectern near it’s base.
    “Aniu of the Talbourne clan, you have lived your life and it has ended. You did so with great success and were appointed as my personal representative to the beings on Earth, a capacity which you excelled in until now. I have reveiwed the causes surrounding your death and heard your defense, of which there was none. You are hereby found guilty of insubordination to your Lord and Master for which there is no way for me to pardon you. I am deeply disapointed in you Aniu. Aniu of the Talbourne…” the beings voice faded and a shimering red portal appeared in front of her. “…step forward and accept your eternal punishment for the sins which you have commited.”
    Aniu sighed and hung her head in defeat. “…yes Lord.” She said.
    Then she stepped into the glaring red portal… and vanished.

    Aleu stumbled rather than walked through the streets of Nome near the eastern edge of town. Her father had tried to persuade her to keep to the alley’s, but Aleu insisted on walking in plain veiw. Thankfully no one had seen her yet.
    Aleu, Shadow and Balto had went to Jenna’s home, but she wasn’t there. Balto thought that she might be out talking with Alyse and told Aleu that as soon as he saw her he would let her know. For now it had been decided that it was too dangerous for Aleu and Shadow to stay in Nome, so they were heading toward a small wood just outside of town where Aleu and Shadow would wait for word from Balto.
    As Aleu stumbled along she thought of what Aniu had said to her when she tried to move to save her. The sweet voice echoed through her mind again. “…be still my child… the time will come, but not yet. What is happening must happen.”
    Aleu sighed. “…what other time Aniu?” She thought. “When will there be another time?”
    …but there was no answer. “…and,” Aleu thought. “…there never will be.”
    “We need to cross here Aleu.” Balto said.
    Aleu nodded and Shadow stepped out of the alley to her left.
    Aleu looked up and saw something approaching. She turned to Shadow. “I’m sorry.” She said. “…I can’t fail you.”
    Then she stepped out in the street.
    “Aleu no!” Shadow yelled. He leapt forward, but Balto dragged him down.
    Aleu was never really aware of what hit her. The car screeched on it’s brakes, but on the icy roads, now slick with rain it wasn’t enough. The bumper of the car hit Aleu in the side of the head and she went down under it, the car bumped over her and swerved to the left, running up on the sidewalk. The driver stopped and looked, then seeing that no one was around he drove on.
    Balto and Shadow stood in shock.
    Shadow looked at the still from of Aleu laying in the middle of the road and started to walk over to her. Balto just stood there, not even able to process what had just happened.
    Shadow made it over to her and fell down besdie her. A large pool of blood had spread out beneath her. He buried his face in her fur. “ALEU!” He yelled. “ALEU NO! NOooo! ” He started sobbing and clung to her. “Aleu no… why!”  he yelled. “Whyyyy….”
    Balto’s mind finally caught up to him and tears sprung to his eyes as he walked dumbstruck out to where Shadow lay.
    As he neared her he couldn’t even look at her. The pressure from the car had burst her belly, and it was not a pretty sight.
    Though grief consumed Balto he retained enough sense to know that having a wolf laying in the middle of the road, even on the edges of town wasn’t a good idea.
    He ran over to Shadow.
    Shadow picked his head up and looked at her face. “Aleu… Aleu speak to me.” He said. “…please Aleu…”
    Balto made it over to him then. He tried to pull Shadow up, but it was hard. Finally he got Shadow to stand up.
    Already Balto could hear people opening the doors to their homes, stepping out to see what the noise had been.
    “Balto, come on, we’ve got to get her to a hospital.” Shadow said, his face streaked with tears.
“Shadow, she’s dead,” Balto said. “…she’s dead Shadow, come on, we’ve got to get out of here.”  
Shadow looked down at her again. “N-n-no-o… she… she can’t be dead… she can’t be…”
“She is Shadow, now come on, we’ve got to get you out of here before someone notices you.”
“N-n-no-o I I can’t… I can’t leave her like this… Balto… I can’t…”
Tears covered Balto’s face, but he tried to push the emotions down inside himself, tried to keep himself from falling apart. “Shadow, you have to.” Balto said. “You have a family to take care of… you’re the only one they’ve got now.”
Shadow shook his head and cried. “N-no-ooo I… I can’t… I can’t… She… she’s… she’s dead…. Oh god Aleu’s dead… Nooooo….”
Balto hated to be rough with the poor guy, but people were starting to come out of their homes and walk toward the mess on the street.
“Shadow come on!” He said. Balto pushed him and Shadow fell to the road. He laid there and stared up at Balto.
“We’ve got to get out of here Shadow!” Balto said.
Shadow nodded, unable to speak and got to his feet. Balto threw up on the road, unable to hold it in any longer.
“…now… now come on Shadow…” Balto said. His emotions started to get the best of him then and Balto felt like laying down beside her himself, but he knew he couldn’t. He was crying so hard now that it was hard to talk. “…come on Shadow, let’s… let’s get out of here… follow… follow me.”
Balto took off running for the woods at the edge of town and Shadow followed running hard trying to outrun the fact that his mate, his partner in life was gone… Shadow lost himself in the run.

…to be continued.
 

Watch for Part II of this heart-rending story, Balto: Children of Aniu coming soon from RTW!