The Age of Steele

0. Prologue

The harness was burning him although he hadn’t it.

And maybe it was burning because of that – if Steele was tormented by some specific and definite pain, he would made it easier. He could wait through the frost by hiding under a snow. Sharp ice-shards he could take out from his paws by getting them with teethes. The hunger was the most dangerous enemy, but dog was ready to fight it too – many times when there were no other way, his master released him from sled harness and let him hunt with whole pack... The pack! Yes, that was the real life. When Steele had lost his pack, somehow he died.

[Picture by Sytana]

“And Balto has begun a new life.” Thought malamute. If thoughts were sounding like words, in that statement would be more resignation than anger. Because Steele wasn’t able to rage at rival. “This is the natural way of life – old ones go away in snow, as prey to Icy North and young ones come to cherish their triumph, at least until they are still young.” Without any satisfaction, but only with cold awareness of that fact, malamute knew that time would be come for Balto too. For few years halfwolf could remain his leadership in sledge-team, just like Steele had been leader for four years. But then... “Everyone will come here, where I’m now. Balto too. But maybe in some better style, without all this shame...”

He made himself rest. His body was yelling for some break and sleep but in the first place for shelter from snow-storm. The reason, trained by years of experience, was yelling too – the words of warning. Dog had to stop although his soul was urging him to go. Even when Steel finally nestled into a fresh snow just under shaggy branches of old fir something inside still was calling him to go ahead, as far from Nome as he could. Old habit made him to cover himself with heavy quilt of snow but his muzzle was directed to the north. If malamute wouldn’t be so extremely exhausted, he surely went again into his wandering. Luckily the sleep ceased this urge and bleeding pride. Blizzard was hitting forests of Alaska, covering all the scene in white. Even for early February it was unnatural cold – snow was striking the land and shards of ice were hitting hard every wanderer of North. Dog dug his shelter in last moment – a quarter of an hour later he would be dead from furious element.

So then he fell asleep, although he didn’t want to. He was scared that dreams would brought him the recollections of drama of last days – madness of humiliation that rid Steele away from Nome and away all the world he knew. But it hasn’t happened. Instead in his dream came his mother. Again malamute was a tiny pup, cuddling and caressing by darkfurred bitch inside the warm kennel of house dog-farm in Anchorage. With three of his siblings was nestling into mother’s fur and (although he didn’t recognize any word) listening to merry songs of love and devotion. But in that strange dream he thought he had understood his mother. She was licking his head and talking with soft, gentle but also scary voice.

“I’m so sorry, Steele. They will take you away from me. They will take all of you. They will separate you and order to run in sled-harnesses. But this is the way it should be. That why you came to this world. Don’t fail me, my son.” No, mother wouldn’t said that. Malamute probably was putting his own words of regret and longing into her lips. This was only a dream, not real caress of parent. “I want you be happy. If you can’t stay with me, go ahead. Become the best sled leader on the North. Make me proud!” Steele/tiny pup wanted to ask how she intended to check if he was the best. Because he was, at least for four years. “And she has never known that!” cried dog in dreamy mind. “No! I already know that!” whispered mother. “I’m seeing what will come. You are my son, so handsome and strong. You have fulfilled all my dreams.”

Steele wanted to ask if she knew what had happened later, two days earlier in Nome – how he ceased to be the best sled-leader on the North. But she only nodded her muzzle and licked pup on his face. So he took a look on recent disaster, but this time without all that burning pain of shame, that was paralysing him during the day.

Steele, the leader of sled of Gunnar Kaasen, the best sled in Nome, was defeated. By breaking of the laws halfwolf Balto unseated him on the mission by deceit, then he took a pack himself. That was the first disaster – great and painful but still not ultimate. The next one Steele made by his own paws – in spark of madness he intentionally misled the way of pack. In theory he didn’t make anything banned by Sled Code – he just covered Balto’s trees track. A wolfish way to mark the route, so Code says nothing about that. But this meant to harm the pack and endanger of sled – no one in sled team (apart of Balto) wasn’t able to lead the way to Nome. According to the Code, Steele should had thrown away his spotted pride and help his friends and master with all his might even aside from sled. But he left them for almost sure doom, laughing on theirs desperate tries. They had chosen bad leader and broke trust with natural chief – in some way deserved to die. But his master did not! Steele endangered his beloved owner and by this act he destroyed all his honour as a sled leader. He understood it when was already too late – when victorious Balto was entering Nome. Then Steele, left in scorn in warm kennel, run away don’t waiting for upcoming wave of reproaches and shame. And he wasn’t able to stand the view of new leader. He knew that he was ready to plunge his fangs into Balto’s neck. He would extinguished the fire of rage in his heart and he had nothing more to lose... except of this spark of sympathy from Jenna. She would saw that – him, weak and lost, and blindly avenging own failure. He would despised him even more. So he run from that despising stare. Due north.

“Yes, my son, this is already a past.” Spoke mother from his dream. “You can’t fix it, you must start it over again.”

Steele tried to ask if she knew that her son wasn’t still two-weeks pup but seven-year-old dog whose strength and agility was slowly fading due to age. He had no chance to rebuild that fame and respect he had in Nome. He had no chance to rebuild mother’s dream.

“Don’t say it, dear.” She replied. “Don’t even think like that. You can’t give it up, you have to go ahead, whatever it takes. Don’t matter on blizzard – you was marching that for long years. Go, my son!”

Saying that she muzzled lying Steele/pup in his side, making him to stand. And he slowly started to doors, away from warm chamber. Without slowing  (he knew that mother wouldn’t wished that) he exited the kennel into dark and frosty night. His tiny paws were subsiding into deep snow that after few minutes he was drowning in the white ocean, desperately moving his legs. But he was still marching ahead, according to mother’s will. And then his clumsy paws started to grow and snow surrounding him became even heavier and more packed. But in the same time – warmer.

The dream was over – former leader of first Nome sled awaked in snow-den in the middle of frozen forest. Quickly he got out from shelter to the surface to see that the day (or better to say: February’s imitation of day) was just raising. In one, strong move Steele shocked off snow from his coat. He had to move ahead. Away from Nome and life he knew before. A life from then on unable for him.

I. His preys

A new day has risen over Alaska.

At least Steele knew that it should be. In early February the difference between day and night was not so obvious. But if dog saw a milky-brightness at the east of horizon, he judged that it was morning. He starter his journey ahead to north. In spite of pain in exhausted muscles and soaring tendons former leader was running with full speed in Buckland’s direction.

Mountainous area was covered by taiga forest. In that season it was perfectly calm and quilted with snowy layer. Steele was passing between drifts and whitened pines and no sound was disturbing sacred peace of winter sleep. After such a vehement blizzard the landscape seemed to resting before another storm. Former leader was glad of this moment of tranquillity that allowed to put his mind and heart to sleep and to put in order his emotions.

Thanks to this silence he could think calm and rationally – like good sled leader on his route. He was in decent condition – quite rested and still he didn’t fell hunger. He estimated that he was able to speed next thirty miles to sunset. From his destination (that is: from Buckland) he was hundred and fifty miles away, at least in straight line. Steele knew this route and he understood that it could increase up to twice this length if the weather would be disadvantageous, forcing the wanderer to searching for easier paths. That why he tired to calm down storm of his emotions and act like sled leader should. He wasn’t leading any sled team – he was his pack himself but it didn’t dispense him from thinking logically. He had to reasonable manage his strength to get to Buckland.

Buckland. He was in that town twice with mail, when local sled was unable to overcome the blizzard. In fact he was totally indifferent towards that place but it only makes town more tempting. Malamute was looking for a new place where he could start his life over again – fulfil mother’s want from recent dream. “Become the best sled leader on the North. Make me proud!” sounded in Steele’s head and it hasn’t given him rest. He had to find right place in that inhospitable northern land and try to do his quest – one again become a champion.

Thought most of the day the weather was moderate good and about midday even winter sun lit frozen earth with sparks of warm. So in few hour after that temperature was still tolerable. But on evening Steele judged that there is no use to risk further lose of strength. Before the moon woke over horizon former leader dug another snow-shelter next to some branchy spruce and fell asleep. This time his dreams turned to be more merciful – he dreamed about nothing and didn’t long for nothing. He just turned off his senses and reason and waited in pitch-black slumber to next morning (of course that instinct - not the sun still hidden behind horizon – told him that a new day had begun). Then he woke up and continued his wandering. He still had over one hundred miles to go and up to him – not to his master – was to find some food. Also he had to worry about daily route and management of his endurance. Steele was quickly learning to think like both dog and human. And if even he considered that situation as highly unnatural, easily adapted to it.

“Today I have to eat something.” Murmured still running.

But in next second he cursed in mind. If he already had started to talking to himself, he had a problem. The old Steele was living in pack, in Nome community. He additionally used to be a chief of group of his followers and be surrounded by crowd of flatterers and admirers. But on that morning there was no one who wished to listen what malamute said. This was very hard to faded star, even maybe more that hard route.

The snow wasn’t falling anymore but thick layer of whiteness was lying on Steele’s way. Forest was covered with wet mass, turning march of dog into serious effort. Former leader almost regretted that taiga hadn’t been iced by heavy frost – maybe it would cooled him but it also would made way much easier, by freezing wet snow too. “I would have been moving faster.” Whispered, this time silently. Fugitive was walking and running in the same time – he was moving his paws like to run but his movement was much slower.

Leader’s reason made him to stop about he midday. Then it made him to seek for prey. Steele felt gentle but growing sore in his stomach and knew that he had to hunt something, before he lost all his strength. Although his situation looked him at the first sight, malamute expected no difficulties with finding some meat. Long-gained experience of sled leader was telling him that somewhere under a snow there are tasty creatures. Additionally in that days he had no competition from others predators – in February, during winter hunger, all wolves gathered in large packs and chase cabiru’s herds to south. If dog ever met such a pack he would be quickly beaten to death by hungry and starvation-driven carnivores. But the wolves were not there, at least so far. That why some smaller creatures were easier to spot and catch.

Clap!

This was the last sound that white hare heard in his life. He had a bad luck to hid in snow too shallow, so Steele easily caught him. Even without scent the animal was almost seen due to clear drift on the snow. Hare was inexperienced and that had cost him life. He weighed just few pounds but that few pounds pleasantly satisfied fugitive’s first hunger.

“I haven’t hunted since...” thought Steele, finishing his meal. “I don’t know... Since a year? Yes, then we were going with aspirin from Galena. Master Kaasen had to release us on hunt because he had no more provisions.” Then he suppressed that recollection of old owner. But in last motion of defiant mind he realized that trapper probably was considering him as dead. “Good. It’s better for me that he think I’ve died on the route. I hope he’ll never find out what I’ve done to him.”

Steele moved ahead, still looking for snowdrifts – a omens of next delicacies. Instead of that he found something else – a rival.

[Picture by Dorcia © 2006]

Young wolf  - maybe two-year-old, was sitting under a pine and devouring fast caught weasel. A weasel was a hard prey – creature could retaliate even to much bigger enemy and it was actually smaller than hare. Wolf gained some scratch on muzzle but he got rather minimal meat ration. Steele ruffled his fur, listening out if that single predator wasn’t just a omen of whole pack. Former leader was ready to retreat but after tens seconds he estimated that encountered carnivore is alone. Beside of that, he didn’t spot malamute.

“And what now?” thought fugitive. “I won’t fight with him for remnants of some weasel! But if he leave me alone?” He growled quietly to show his presence.

Adolescent wolf with dark coat jumped in place with fear and anger. He turned his muzzle to the newcomer. Steele noticed that youngster is extremely exhausted and panting from hunger. When he was barring his teethes (still bloodred after devouring weasel), he faltered. His pose was expressing full scale of desperation, to which he was driven by his long fast. In his eyes was glimmering madness, tempting him to attack malamute.

“Easy, I’m just passing thought.” Murmured former leader. “Bon appetite!”

But just after he said that, he realized he made wrong. It sounded like some kind of mockery. Wolf swallowed the last piece of meat and started with hobbling march towards the dog. Then growled in response.

“This is my territory. You steal my preys.”

“Sorry, pal. I didn’t mean to...” said Steele carefully, trying to discreetly pass his living barrier. “You haven’t marked this area or this frost iced totally my nose.” He tried a jest but it was useless. “What’s the matter?” malamute was both amazed and amused. He judged that he could easily took down that wolf with single hit of paw. He was never a professional fighter and probably he would be prevailed by healthy and well-fed male, but in that moment he was standing against a quarter of a wolf. “Do you want to fight?” asked, thinking if darkfurred was so desperate to intending act of cannibalism on tamed relative.

“You steal my preys!” growled wolf once again, slowly closing to former leader.

Steele had enough of that farce – he turned away from predator and started to run on west. He wanted to move away from pathetic desperate, leaving in place with all his hunger and madness. But wolf was passionately hobbling after, of course much slower. “Pity of him.” Thought Steele. “So young and so stupid. But what I have to do with him?” And then he heard that steps ceased. He stopped, turned his head to see that wolf fell helplessly on the snow with lolled tongue and closed eyes. “He wanted to fight with me?!” thought amused dog, looking on fallen <enemy>.

But when he made a first step in resumed way, suddenly some unexpected bolt enflamed his mind. “Save your pack!” ordered voice in his head. Malamute had no idea why the wolf should be member of his pack but anyway he clenched his teethes and went to lying predator. Darkfurred was panting heavily, being just on the edge of consciousness. Hunger was burning his body and recent effort had ultimately broken endurance of creature. He was dying.

Acting instinctively, just like some other Steele came into fur of former sled leader, he started to cover wolf with snow. After short while he burred him under the coat of whiteness, making shelter from wind and frost. He knew that every joule of energy for the unconscious was worth of it's weight in gold. In last move he cover muzzle of male with snowy quilt and started ahead – on hunting.

Unfairness of life showed in whole its power to Steele – when he was hunting for his own there seemed to be a lot of food. But when he tried to share his prey with exhausted wolf, all creatures disappeared. Hares seemed to burrow into the Earth’s core, rodents dens below trees turned to be empty and bigger animals seemed to move on south, probably proffering to became wolfs packs meal. At the dusk he finally found and killed some lost roe. He got in that way over twenty pounds of meat. He instantly ate half of that. He knew that wolf needed much more food to regain health, but in first place he required an efficient caretaker, namely: Steele. “It won’t waste in my stomach. Stronger I am, faster I get new preys. And event this ten pounds should save him for some time.” He didn’t know why he was already considering stranger as member of his pack, but he felt responsible for him. So dog grabbed rest of prey and started to walk in wounded direction. “Faster, faster! I must get on time!” was repeating malamute, dragging roe’s carcass thought snow.

He got there about the midnight, but there was still someone to return at. Dog dug out wolf’s muzzle and with relief noticed that wounded was still berating. He put small fragment of meat to stranger’s jaws. Predator, in spite of exhaustion, instinctively swallowed precious piece. Then Steele started to feed him, like mother feed her cub. Carefully and slowly he was diving roe into small parts and giving them to wolf. After first pound of meal, malamute ceased the feeding, in spite of squeaking protests of predator. Dog feared that wolf’s stomach, damaged by long fast, wasn’t able to receive so much food. That why he was watching stranger all night long, time to time giving him a small portion of meat. Just before the morning predator fell asleep and exhausted dog covered him with snow. Then he dug his own shelter next to. The worst phase of crisis past.

Steele awoke at next evening or at least much after winter sun’s set. Instantly he gave his charge another portion of roe’s carcass. Stranger awoke for good and ate meat, suspiciously looking on his saviour. In the same time malamute was examining the wolf, looking for wounds or breaks. But apart of exhaustion, predator seemed to be perfectly healthy.

“Wow, you’ve finished it already.” Amazed dog, seeing almost cleaned bones of roe. Theirs food-reserve shortened to maybe three or four pounds of meat. “Too fast. You will have an indigestion.” And seeing amaze on stranger’s face, he added joyfully. “Sorry, it’s from your preys. Just add to my account.”

“Why did you do it?”

“I was hungry.” Replied former leader. “And when I’m hungry I don’t care about anyone’s districts.”

“Why did you fed me?”

“I don’t know.” Said Steele honestly. “Is this so important?” asked, eating remnants of roe. He judged that he should to strengthen himself before next hunting. It was better for both dog and wolf.

“No, it doesn’t matter.” Answered darkfurred. “My name is Niju.” Dog nodded his head with shadow of polite gesture, but name of saved creature wasn’t in his concern. “And who are you? You look as some pedigree sled dog. Why are wandering in forest?”

“Is this so important?” repeated malamute, tired of telling his pitiful story to himself or someone else. “My name is Steele.” Said trying to sound as friendly as he could. “He let me save him.” Thought dog with amusement. “I’m owe that to him.”

When former leader finished his meal, he laid on the snow and was resting for a while. Niju hasn’t dared to interrupt that break. As we have already noticed, wolf was adolescent male, just before maturity. He was well grown and looked as strong and agile but his muscles still weren’t as fit as in elders predators are. Steele wasn’t able to precisely estimate Niju’s condition, but he could bet that if wolf was healthy he would be mowing with youthful clumsiness. And malamute was living symbol of ideal northern dog – mature, seven-year-old male was at the peak of his fitness, still gifted with young’s strength and yet experienced with long life of sled champion. At least that should was a week earlier, because that evening former leader was just a shadow of old Steele. However, he still was clearly dominant over wolf. The hunger sculpted dog’s profile but greater changes weren’t caused by lack of food. That once burning with energy and will of life dog was balancing on the edge of total indifference and despondency. In fact he wasn’t interested in Niju and his fate as something real. This adventure appealed to him as some strange amusement in his mournful way. He was looking on agony and recovering of wolf from emotional distance, being somewhere in other place, at lest spiritually. Predator seemed to get it so he didn’t want to interrupt his saviour his daydream.

Finally, just before the midnight, Steele awoke from passivity, stood and said with lazy murmur.

“Wait here. I’ll try to hung something.” He didn’t wait for any answer – just went away into dark forest.

Although gloomy December’s night, there wasn’t too cold. Dog estimated the temperature as only minus fourteen degrees and he thought that it wouldn’t be much colder in next few hours. From the sea was blowing warm wind, that already had thrown down from air most of the snow and in that moment was only warming frostbitten forests and tundra plains. Steele considered it as serious gift from fortune, because if frost and blizzard were still storming, he wouldn’t saved Niju. Maybe he had some problems on his own.

For the very first time obvious luck shone on malamute on his hunt, but it could be just the beginner’s luck. He found four hares and two of them ate in spot. Remaining two he brought to sleeping Niju and left them in snow nearby. He laid to rest in own snow-den just before the dawn and fell asleep right after. He awoke about the midday.

He felt some movement over surface of snow, so he instantly raised his head. He saw Niju, trying to walk into forest. Wolf was still very weak and his tries looked rather pathetic. Finally he lost his balance and hobbled just few yards away from shelter. Steele in last moment prevent him from falling.

“Well, don’t you even say me <goodbye>?” asked with irony and wolf looked on him with hear.

“Ow, that’s you...” sighed with relief. “I thought...” he started uncertainly, like he was ashamed by his idea. “That you already have gone away.” Malamute’s laughter interrupted him.

“Come on! You are barely walking! Get back to your den and I’ll get some food. For next few days you won’t get from here. So I won’t too. For the rabies sake I would feed you and then left for certain death?”

“I have no idea. I don’t know dog’s customs.” Said with slight irony.

“I’m not a dog!” growled Steele. But from under that anger sounded pain. Former leader added quieter. “Not anymore. Now I’m just a wolf like you. Or even in greater degree.” Stares of wolf and malamute crossed. “It doesn’t matter. You won’t understand.” Then he went to the forest.

Why should he explain Niju what had happened? That by endangering life of his owner he put away all the Code of sledge dog? That he became an savage, that was despising all his life? Steele hated wolves not because their blood – that wasn’t theirs fault. But he hated theirs wild way of life, that made them live for own not for theirs masters – humans. When countless times he harassed Balto and reminding him his origins, he didn’t do it from just sadism or for fun. He just had been smelling wolf in Balto’s fur and considered that this mixed blood makes hybrid uncertain and treacherous. But he just had proven that it was wrong idea – he had shown himself a wolf or something worse. Those wild savages at least could serve theirs packs. And him? He made one-creature pack, which matter put over his original pack, even over master’s life. This was not the way that mother wanted from him.

“I’m a traitor. I’m a wolf.” Whispered Steele and pounced on polar fox.

For the next time ancestors spirits were benevolent for him. He got actrofox on open space, just on Bear’s Mountain foot. As a fast and agile sled dog he catch smaller carnivore with ease and killed him in one blow of his jaws. Then he returned to ill comrade. He found his sleeping, so he fell asleep himself in den next to.

For whole next day (just as warm as previous one) Steele was hunting, but that time he failed. He returned to Niju for a night. Wolf was already making first steps in vicinity.

“Bad luck?” asked.

“Bad luck.” Agreed Steele. By that exchange of words they exhausted daily standard of courtesy. But young wolf didn’t stand that silence.

“But what will be then? When I will able to walk?”

“I suppose you will be walking then.” Replied malamute with indifferent tone. He wasn’t in mood to chat, because he felt a incoming wave of bitter memories and expecting hard dreams that night.

“But where you will go, when you won’t have to baby-sit me?”

“I have never had to.” Growled Steele but after few seconds he gathered whole stock of fondness toward comrade and added. “I will go ahead. I was going to Buckland. When I’ll make sure, you could hunt, I’ll march there.”

“You are returning there? You’ve lost your sled?” interrogated younger.

“Just going.” Replied Steele. „Maybe to start all over again. Being the dog again.”

“You know...” murmured Niju. “I have my pack next to ocean shore. I’ve lost them during that blasted storm. They went away, probably thinking I’m dead. But now I can back to the isthmus and... Do you want to go with me? To join our clan?

“What? I?” laughed former leader, wasn’t aware what kind of honour made him Niju – proposing a stray dog to join wolf’s clan. That was not common in the wild. But Steele, still remaining pedigree dog in heart, took it as an outrage. “You lost your mind? Maybe I’m wolf now but It doesn’t mean that I’m it according to my will. If I would ever come to you, that would mean that I get wild to the core. For now I’m far from it. Thanks for good intentions... But I’ll try to deserve for better fate.”

“If you change your mind... I will wait for you.” Replied Niju with tensed voice. He didn’t want to show shame to his saviour but he felt how much malamute despise of wild ones. If he consider himself as savage in some degree, it meant only that he also is disgust by his own person.

“Good night.” Said former leader, covering himself in snow. „If I won’t wake up on time, dig me out about midday.”

Next few days passed in normal, boring routine – Steele was hunting and Niju was practicing walking nearby their shelter. With every day he became healthier but also quieter – he didn’t speak with saviour if that wasn’t necessary. Steele didn’t regretted that – he was still feeding his charge but didn’t try to start any talk. Dog and wolf really liked themselves in the same rate that they despise themselves.

And at some evening, when Steele was returning from hunting, he discovered that Niju had left, leaving just a scent-message.

“Thank you.” It said. But in wolf’s aroma smelt some portion of anger. At twelfth February Steele started his march on Bear’s Mountain foot to Buckland.

II. The encounter

How strange! Since he had stared off into farther way and had to hung only for himself, game seemed to disappeared. In addition two days later some another snow-storm came, forcing malamute to stop and rest in improvised shelter. In third day he felt hunger and since that time he was running like in a trance, racing with his own weakness. To Buckland’s Valley (By locals called sometimes “The Bears Valley”) he got on seventeenth February, but death almost took him just before his destination.

On journey last day’s morning he smelt caribu’s scent. His mind was too dimmed with hunger to think rationally. He didn’t ask himself, how it could be that so big game could be found next to human’s seat. Actually former leader came across tracks of half-tamed herd of caribu, owned by one of the Bucklanders. Ignoring proximity of the town, Steele sneaked to improvised (with logs and branches) corral, where half-wild animals were regular feed by humans. The herd was counting eight creatures but dog was already reasoning with stomach so he attacked.

He climbed on trunk of fallen tree then jumped into enclosure and landed on small clearing. Instantly he caused panic among animals, who thought they were stuck by whole wolfpack. Herd scattered and sought cover on whole area, ramming gates and barriers. And probably that saved reckless hunter – only three from herd decided to resist, those were: giant buck with his mate and few-month-old calf.

They chased dog into the corner of enclosure (fence was easy to jump over... but only in one way: inside. Corral’s area was in small pan, so malamute had to jump much higher than before. Unfortunately he failed.) and all family started merciless ramming of trespasser. For few minutes Steele was shunning horns and hoofs, then – in ultimate desperation – he struck on young calf. In strike hit of his jaws he hit in armpit’s artery. After next minute of evading, he noticed that young caribu fell down and his shocked parents in rage ramming the fence. They crushed the barrier and run to the forest, leaving hunter with his lucky prey.

When Steele satisfied his very first hunger, he realised what he had done. With burning shame he pulled the carcass away from the corral and finished his meal outside. “Great!” thought desperated. “How I started my service to local humans? By stealing!” But he couldn’t turned it back. If he didn’t feast on fallen calf he would has died from hunger – just at the gates of new home he sought. And that would be extremely pathetic end. So he ate as many as he could and hid remaining meat under the snow (a bit farther from the corral), hoping that this crime would be never discovered. “They probably blame the wolves. Yes – wolves like I!” But at the evening, hobbling because both exhaustion and overeating, he entered Buckland.

He was greeted by absolute silence. Town, much smaller from Nome, three hours before the midnight was already asleep. If even in some windows some light was seen, from any sound the wanderer couldn’t recognise a living soul. So Steele was marching in silence and darkness on the main street of Buckland. However, he felt some strange feeling – like someone was watching him from cover. If arrival of the stranger could pass unnoticed by humans, fore sure it couldn’t by dogs. When he moved farther into town’s centre, he felt serious anxiety. In air he smelled a scent of hostility. Shadows were slowly emerging from between houses and following newcomer. Malamute got to main town’s square and sat on the snow, waiting for greeting. But when shadows came closer he stood up and gathered whole remaining stock of humility that he had.

“Welcome, friends. I wonder if you are interested with new...”

Fighter? No, not this word wanted to say Steele, but fighter’s experience saved malamute from instant defeat. He sensed the charge of stalwart spitz and rapidly fell to the ground. Heavy body of his adversary flew just over lashing his paws with sharp claws. Former leader was acting faster that thought – instead of thinking about this surprise, he rolled aside, evading jaws of two, twin-looking huskies. Then instantly stood up and jumped back, because after robust leaders whole crowd of smaller dogs was attacking.

Spitz stoop up too and blocked backing malamute’s way. Steele risked an acrobatic move, jumping on enemy’s back and pouncing over him. He luckily made it, broke loose from circle of persecutors and started to wall of houses. But that was a strategic mistake. Former leader was used to loose and sloppy development of Nome (which expanded rapidly during the Golden Rush). There the houses were scattered and valleys between buildings were too wide to block them with junks and ubiquitous stuff. But Buckland turn out to be completely different – houses were standing tight, like they were supporting themselves from bursts of frozen winds. Steele understood (too late!) that he run from one trap to another – he was surrounded by wall of building from one and semicircle of enemies from the other side. Only three of dogs could match up to him but next dozen could in it’s mass take him down and beat to death or hold for trio of main adversaries. So malamute stood, leaned against nearest wall and turned his stare to persecutors.

“How I’ve transgressed your laws?” howled aloud, drowning out the clamour of minor dogs.

Meanwhile with his rear paws he was examining building behind him. He discovered the glazed door, unfortunately it was closed. He supposed (and hoped) he found the post. “And now I’m playing for time... Damn it! What a wonderful start in the new home!” whispered in mind, looking on menacing muzzles of locals.

“You are not from here!” was yapping small terrier, carefully hiding behind husky-brothers.

“How did you get it?” murmured malamute. Then he added louder. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“And we will do you no harm if you leave Buckland immediately.” said huge spitz, whose breed was unknown at the first sight. “A hybrid.” Judged Steele but with no scorn in his voice, just with respectful recollection of dog’s agility and his instant charge. “Go away and don’t back.” Added local.

Former leader was thinking intensively, examining group before him. Those couldn’t be all dogs from Buckland. Trio of sleddogs probably was members of local sled but surely not whole team. Every city had to have at least one five-doged sled and three of reservists. “This is only some smaller gang, lead by local chief... just like my buddies from Nome.” He thought harshly. He knew that hybrid – leading that night assembly – couldn’t give it up. He had to drive off or subdue the intruder, that was necessary to amplify his authority. Malamute considered that there was no use to get without fight. “I just have to make some noise and wait for others dogs to come.” Thought.

“I’m afraid that is impossible.” Replied, trying to sound nice and polite. “I’m wandering since many days, I must rest in warm place. The Sled Code forbids turning the guest out, on the frost and blizzard...”

“I will decide who is our guest and who is... trespasser!” growled spitz and pounced on newcomer.

Steele got another gift from fortune, or maybe ancestors spirits were with him – dog waited to the last moment and deftly jumped aside. Enemy hit the post’s door, breaking the glass in narrow clearance. Former leader heard moan of pain from wounded adversary, but not waiting for other attacks he pounced on twin-huskies, hitting with all his mass the darker one. Surprised dog fell down, letting newcomer out. But his lighter brother instantly caught the fur on enemy’s neck and dragged him down. Steele sensed that menace and randomly hit with his rear paws. Both fighters lost theirs balance and fell on the floor and after just a second they were wrestling on the post’s porch in chaotic fight. But after next few second crowd of minor dog joined that unequal struggle. And the struggle became the slaughter.

Former leader just were rolling on the floor, trying to avoid at least part of hits and not being pinned down in place. Vast headcount of enemies was somehow supporting him – they disturbed themselves – minor dogs were tossing between paws of lightfured husky and made him miss few times. But even that cowardly terrier was biting him hard and painfully. After one minute Steele fell already whole bunch of injuries. He didn’t howl nor yell – because of pride but also because he knew that it was no need. Gang was so loud that malamute was sure it would quickly wake all town. Unfortunately, not fast enough.

Former leader saw the lighter husky, jumping just on him and instinctively covered his muzzle with paws. He was hearing yelling and growling of adversaries, but long awaited, fatal hit hasn’t come. After some time he opened his eyes to see twins and some grayfured bitch before them. She was clearly stopping them.

“That’s enough!” she whispered with freezing voice. “Call off that brutes off. At once! And look for Blade. He is bleeding hard!”

Then she came to Steele, dispersing dogs crowd. No one from recent persecutors of malamute didn’t dare to oppose to her. She sat down next to stranger and without a word she started to lick his deepest cut. When surrounding gang became silent, she stopped that action and ordered, both to all and no one.

“Go for mister Tazaku! Blade is going to bleed out to death! And our guest is wounded too.”

For short time Steele regained focus of sight and saw his saviour. It was young, three maybe four-year-old greyfured and well-shaped female. Eyes of former leader was hit by strange contrast of wolfish fur and aristocratic muzzle features. Bitch was half wolf and half... malamute? If not that coat, she seemed to be perfectly similar to refugee. She was also glaring with warmth, not only physical but also spiritual. Steele sensed unusual charge of disinterested kindness, that was almost sparking on her fur. With relief and pleasure he surrender to caress that was soothing his soaring cuts. After some time he gathered his strength and whispered.

“Thank you!”

“Stay calm.” She instructed. „Soon Ice will be here and then we will take you to some warmer place.”

Former leader just closed his eyes and followed next events by his hearing. After a while he heard human’s steps and chaotic retreat of dog-gang. Man who arrived murmured some words in incomprehensible to malamute language (but tune of voice suggested those were nasty curses) then came to moaning Blade. After a while spitz squeaked painfully and became silent for good.

“You got into nice mess, Blade.” Judged human in correct english, although his accent was sounding odd. “I guest someone outwit you at last!” Man had to went to Steele and bitch because dog sensed their presence just next to. After a while on his lips felt drop of warm liquid and malamute understood that was dropped spitz’s blood. Human had to carry wounded in his arms. “And whom you got here, Sky? I don’t know that dog.” He said and bended down to Steele but he didn’t touch him. He added airy. “You will take care for him. He is in quite good condition... opposite to Blade.”

And then human disappeared and Steele sensed only caring tongue of his saviour. Silent was lasting for few minutes more. Then he heard incoming and panting quite big dog. Newcomer quickly went to malamute and bitch and asked with anxiety.

“Sky, is all right?”

“Yes... for now.” Replied greyfured. “You know... Blade made it again. He gathered his gang and <greeted> our guest. God, what a shame! You must help me. Will take him to my place.” Steele felt as she bended to him and whispered. “Hey... Do you hear me? We must take you to some warmer place. It could hurt, but we can’t help it. Give me a sign you are ready.”

Malamute thought logically that Sky gave him rather limited choice – he could agree or pretend he was still unconscious. Barely he opened his jaws and moaned something agree-like. After few seconds he became propped from both sides then he found himself on the back of greyfured bitch. Cut were soaring him, but a promise of forthcoming rest inside of warm building was keeping him sane.

“Maybe I should carry him?” asked dog called Ice.

“Too late, I got him already.” Replied Sky. “Beside in that case my wolfish blood is useful. I’m stronger than you...” then she added, probably don’t want to hurt male’s pride. “...in carrying stuff of course. You are much better sled leader.”

Steele managed to open his eyes again. He noticed that his side was supporting by ashenfured greenland dog with short but thick fur. He was smaller and lighter than Sky and malamute, but he was marching wilfully, looking aside, like he was searching for any danger or challenge, ready to stand and fight. Former leader noticed that he was carrying to small but solid detached house, about fifty yards aside of main street. Through illuminated window he saw strange scene – his recent enemy – hybrid spitz was lying on the table and being dressed by short man, who looked as an Asian. He was carefully operate on bleeding body of wounded dog, holding a lancet and a towel. But them: malamute and his two new caretakers, came to small shed, build by the house’s wall. It was a storage for fuel and tools, fortunately heated by tile stove, common with main building. Steele smiled when he sensed blissful warmth, that slowly were embracing his body.

“There.” Showed Sky with her muzzle, then she went to bedding made of straw.

Ice was accompanying and support her all the time, holding Steele’s side. He help her to put her <cargo> on bed the he examined guest himself.

“He’ll be all right.” Judged. “Just a few scratches. If not that exhaustion he wouldn’t even notice it. Do you want me to stay with you?” asked Sky.

“No, go back to your master – he could be worried. I will take care of him. Beside, mister Tazaku is here.”

“Ow... and what about Blade?” inquired Ice.

“He will make it.” Replied wolfbitch, but in that statement there were no relief nor joy. “What a shame... he attacked a guest of our town! He got what he deserved. This guy didn’t let himself be led by the nose!”

“So... good night.” Said Ice, came to Sky and licked her cheek. “Come tomorrow to the kennel. We will all think about that case. Both our guest and Blade.” He went out from shed thought sophisticated dog-hatch.

Bitch went out too for few minutes. During that time Steele was slowly gathering strength and overcoming sleepiness – he wanted to ask his saviour few questions. When he got beck, she was carrying in her jaws few pounds of real sausage. It was a feat that former leader used to taste only after some extraordinary achievement or spectacular victory. “Master Kaasen wasn’t so generous to his own champion that bitch is generous to the anonymous guest.” He thought with amaze and reflexively curled his lips from burning recollection of old owner.

“Does it hurt?” asked Sky. She thrown the meat down, run to wounded and bended over him. She examined that longest cut on his side and said. “If there is so bad I’ll call my master.”

“No, don’t...” panted malamute with serious effort. „I’ll be all right, if I rest for a while. I...” he stopped talking, uncertain what to say. “I just don’t know how to thank you.”

“Thank as you wish. What matters most is you to get healed.” She replied and looked in eyes of guest.

For one second Steele’s world stopped. Dog was staring on eyes of wolfdog but he was seeing two lakes of memories and long lost warmth. He saw exactly his mother’s stare. Sky was halfwolf – greyfured and of heavy constitution of wild predator. But her muzzle seemed so well know to former leader that he closed his eyes to dispel that illusion. It didn’t work – when he looked again on his host, he was still looking on shadow of his mother.

“Who... who are you?!” he whispered, amazed.

And she, scared at first that dog was just panting from pain, wanted to turn away and call for her master. But unseen force stopped her and made her to look on her guest once again. She saw it too – former leader noticed that on her face erupted the same expression of amaze and canfusion.

“You have her eyes.” She said quietly. “Eyes of my mother.”

“Lempi...” whispered dog, recalling parent’s name. “I’m the son of Lempi of Anchorage.”

“I’m daughter of Lempi of Anchorage.” Replied shocked wolfdog. “Brother?”

“But how it could be?” sighed Steele. “You are...”

He noticed sudden shadow on host’s face. Just after that he clenched his teethes, wishing he didn’t say that – word sounding so ambiguously. Since day of parting with mother, he already forgot the meaning of word <family>. But in that moment he was thinking with cold logic, almost washed out of emotions. He understood that his sister was a hybrid. This consciousness didn’t shocked him but just in one moment opened some new path in his dimmed mind. He didn’t ask why was that way – he just accepted something new, however he wasn’t sure what was following that fact.

“A wolf?” asked Sky with tensed voice. “Yes, my father was a wolf. If that mean you – pedigree malamute, don’t want to have anything to do with...”

Former leader sensed in those words torrent of anxiety and scare. His amazed sister feared of rejection, that her new-found brother would scorn the kinship with hybrid. He recalled his own life in Nome and shivered in mind. Whole dog community was esteemed pure-breeds and treat hybrids with distrust and scorn. He himself, as pedigree one, thought once as completely natural to show cross-breeds (like Balto) that such way of things is proper. And was proper for former leader... until he saw eyes of his half-sister. In that moment he feared if rejection by his kin as well as she feared of his contempt.

“Sister...” he whispered so gentle and tenderly as he was able to. For a dog who that was living for almost seven years without loving anyone except his own fame he did it extremely well.

“Are we... a family?” asked bitch shyly. “I don’t even know you. I don’t know if we have anything to do with each other...”

“I’m Steele.” Replied malamute. „And... do you want to have a brother, Sky?” asked in rather awkward way. But her face loosen and she smiled in puppyish smile.

“Yes, I would like to.” She whispered with excitement. “Ow, Steele... I haven’t known you exist... but somehow I missed you whole life.”

“This is quite strange hobby.” Thought malamute but in next moment he was licked on forehead by her tongue.

And in room next to, behind the wall, doctor Arashi Tazaku was finish operation of stitching Blade’s wounds. He helped to dog in last moment – creature in mysterious (for medic) way hit the post door’s glass and stuck in it, wounding his side and chest with shards. Japanese took all glass-pieces away and stitched cuts. Despite his age, he was still a masterful surgeon and craft of his fingers many times saved humans and dogs in Buckland. That time was similar – Blade shunned his death by inches, when glass-shard almost reached his armpit artery.

“I wonder who made you like that.” Murmured doctor. “Maybe that wanderer?” he turned to unconscious animal. “I hope he will replace you in sled, because you won’t be able to run in upcoming months, my friend.”

Grey-haired Japanese put the dog on prepared bedding and washed the blood from the table. Then he went to a stove, took a pot of hot water and filled bowl with it. He washed his hands from redness and then he sighed with relief. That day he had done what he had to fulfil his duties.

III. The new home

Steele slept up to the midday and when he finally awoke he noticed Sky, lying on the floor of room. Uncertain what he should to do, for a while he remained in lazy half-sleep, that he stood up and carefully went to pile of fur-coats in corner of storage. He grabbed one fur with his teethes and dragged to centre of room to cover his sister.

At least he tried to. When coat touched wolfbitch she instantly stood on her paws, baring her fangs and taking an defensive position – she spread her front paws wide, bowed her muzzle and lowered her body, ready to pounce at enemy. But after a second she noticed who had awoken her and she closed her jaws with shame.

“That’s you...” she murmured. “I’m sorry... it was a bad dream.”

“If you don’t sleep already...” murmured Steele uncertainly. “...maybe you back to your bed. I fell much better, you don’t have to treat me as an invalid.

“I have never had to.” Replied Sky. “You dealt with Blade yourself and probably those few cuts are not so hard for you. But now you’d better sleep. Here.” She pointed with her muzzle on straw bedding. “Rest and eat something.” She gave him sausages. Malamute wanted to refuse, but saliva deluged his mouth. “Ice and I will take care about everything. At midday there will be a meeting of whole dogs community. Elders will get know what has happened, what Blade, David and Daniel did. What I should tell them? Do you want to stay in Buckland?”

“If you let me stay...” replied former leader. “And if you want to.” His sister came to him and licked his forehead. “Sky, but it isn’t so simple.” Added with uncertain voice. “I must tell you something about me...”

So he told her everything what was important. His short history, since puphood was brief and concrete. Although it neglected some chapters from malamute’s life, Steele was honest – he said everything about his deeds – both glorious and shameful. He described his airy life in Nome, then he told about argument with Balto and tragedy on sled-route then his escape from town. He said honestly what he did, having tears in his eyes – he was crying for the first time since his parting with mother. And Sky was listening silently, just nodding her muzzle.

“You know...” she said finally. “Maybe you’d better not share those details with the council.” Judged. Former leader took it as a condemnation and sign of scorn, so he bowed his muzzle in shame. But bitch didn’t mean it at all. She was just wondering about it, heavily touched by brother’s tale. “So you want to start all over here?” asked.

“I did.” Replied dog. „But if you judge that I’m haven’t deserved for that I’ll seek some other town.”

“Steele! Don’t talk a rots!” interrupted him Sky. She laid down and nestled to brother’s coat. “Fortune gave both of us precious gifts.” She added seriously. “It gave a second chance to you... and gave you to me. We will mage it... All gonna be all right.”

“So you still consider me as a brother?” asked Steele, not fully believing in that. She nodded her head. “Sky... I’ve betrayed my owner! I’m not a real dog anymore...”

“Don’t talk about it.” She interrupt. “Eat something and I’ll go to the council. We will speak at evening, when I’ll finish with Ice looking for runaway caribu of mister Tazaku.” And she went off the shed.

Behind the wall Arashi Tazaku was examining his patient. Blade was still unconscious due to strong dose of tranquillisers that doctor gave him before operation, but in general his condition was quite good. That meat: good as grave condition he had been. Spitz was to be cured for long weeks, maybe even months, so he was definitely unable to run with sled. Japanese sighed heavily thinking about that problem. His son-in-law needed every dog strong enough to pull the sled, so loss of Blade (even temporally) was a serious problem.

“Sky, Ice, David, Daniel...” thought doctor. “And then only reservists: Moon, Arrow and Ringo. But them won’t stand the longer routes. I must find some other way. Just to last to the thaws and arrival of ships.” Then he recalled about stranger and with smile on his face went to the shed. He knew that caring Sky took her guest home. “Well, Sky... maybe he is you <other way?>” thought Japanese.

He entered the storage to be greeted by Steele’s uncertain stare. Dog stood at once and went to the wall, carefully observing human. He didn’t take any combat pose, however he was ready for everything. He estimated the distance between him and dog-hatch and little relaxed bowed his muzzle in gesture of humility. However, he bowed in that way, he still was able to see human’s hands.

“Well, well, well...” murmured Japanese in english but once again with that funny accent. “You are actually keen-nosed, aren’t you? But I wouldn’t say: wild.” He went to former leader and without any fear he touched his muzzle. He stroked the refugee. “How did you get here, in Buckland?” asked unknown dog. “You looked to me as pedigree alaskan malamute, a well-groomed dandy from some breeding.” He was examining guest for some time, then added. “Or no... Well-groomed, yes. But surely not a dandy. I see that you have pulled many sleds in your life. But how you came here? You belong to someone? I see no collar...”

Steele unwillingly tensed his neck. The collar! He lost his collar, a sign that he belonged to Gunnar Kaasen. He had to lost it in forest during his wander or on some hunt. Loss of that keepsake hurt him hard – but not because he wanted to recall years in Nome but because he lost the last mark of civilisation. He had been running many days as a savage even didn’t know that! And then he belonged to no one – that was extreme unnatural for him.

“But if you belong to no one...” was talking human. “Maybe you want to be my dog? I saw that Sky accepted you and she knows her kind well. So what do you say, my guest? Will you stay with us?”

Steele relaxed, loosened his muscles and surrender to caress of Japanese. They both considered it as an conditional agreement and remained in that state for few minutes. Later doctor with gentle but willingly move put Steele on the floor and looked on his cuts. Then he went out to house and returned after a while with medkit. The biggest scratch of dog he sprayed with some mysterious liquid and took out from his bag scary-looking thing, called <syringe> by humans.

“Now we will see, if you are really tough and obedient.” Murmured Tazaku and putted a needle in malamute’s side, next to the main wound.

Steele remained motionless (although he barely represses his impulse to run), trusting in peaceful human’s face. After a while he felt a wave of sweet paralyse, deluging all his body, starting from wounded side. He didn’t notice when Japanese bended over him and stitched his cuts from husky’s hit to minor injuries. The pain was coming from beyond the veil and was only soaring dog a little. Then he probably fell asleep, because hadn’t noticed when human putted him on bedding and left alone.

Arashi Tazaku was older, short man of solid and strong constitution. He come from small village near Kobe, where he born sixty years earlier. He was the most gifted from five of his siblings, so he was sent to city for education. After many adventures and troubles he made a university degree of medicine. During his studies he needed money, so few times he stopped education and joined the whale-hunters ships, where he was serving as deck-medic and cook. Not long after he finally graduated Russian War broke out. Arashi instantly join the Japanese Navy  and became a surgeon on battleship “Yashima”. Ill-fated warship on it’s very first combat cruise at Port Arthur Battle, run into a mine and sunk next to the russian outpost. New-graduated doctor was helping the wounded ones to the last moment, even after command to abandon the ship. His mates sailed out in life boats, thinking he died in the first explosion. But he survived – jumped to cold water and swam with life belt to the nearest shore. There he hid himself from tsars army and waited few days. Then he started to north (even didn’t know that his fleet won the battle and was already descending on Port Arthur). He didn’t try to return to own army – he was so ashamed by failure of his ship. Spotted honour made him to move away from his personal lost, hiding in forests from Russians. He got to Vladywostock, where he (in dramatic circumstances) joined the american whale-hunters and sailed east. It was just coincidence that he went to the Bears River mouth, to Buckland. His ship had to be repaired and that town turn out to be nearest proper place to land. But citizens of Buckland were in those days on the edge of doom – shigellosis epidemic. Doctor agree to help ill and stayed in town after departure of his ship. He stayed and helped to contain the plague and additionally he fell in love with one of his patients – miss Isabel Smith. Although he was an alien, grateful citizens were treating him as a hero – he was accepted in community and when Isabel agreed to marry him, he decided to stay for good and to support people in Buckland with his wisdom and scalpel. His wife died two years later, but first he gave birth to their only child – Sara. Daughter inherited beauty of the white mother and diligence and intelligence of asian father. Tazaku was raising her alone, then for few years sent her to school in Anchorage. After her return Sara again lived with her father, helping him in medical practise. It had changed just one year before Steele’s arrival, when Sara Tazaku married local trapper and owner of dogs sled team – John Ash. So old medic again lived alone, however not all alone – house of his daughter and son-in-law was near and they were considering Tazaku’s house as their second home. Also Japanese was helping John in care of sled team, healing and examining dogs. Year earlier in gift from his daughter he received a young bitch, that was Sky.

“Ow, Sky...” murmured doctor, seeing through the window returning wolfdog. Just after her was running Ice, pure breed greenland dog, pride of Ash’s sled. Because Sky and Ice seemed to be couple for some time, Japanese always let the dog into house, knowing that male used not to outstay this welcome. That why with gentle smile he ignored well known guest. House of Tazaku and Sky was also a home of greenland.

But just in case he went to the shed to check if old resident wouldn’t argued with newcomer. In his surprise, he noticed that both dogs greeted themselves very politely and smart Ice was treating wounded one with necessary caution. So he left all trio and started his daily patients-round.

“Hallo Steele.” Said greenland. Although they weren’t officially featured, Sky told him about her lucky-found brother and on elders gathering dog was voting for citizenship for newcomer. “How are you today?”

“Much better.” Replied patient. “That yellow man and Sky took a real care of me. Is that you who took me yester day from post?” Ice nodded his head. “Thank you.”

Meanwhile Sky brought them remnants of sausages and (found somehow) fresh meat from Tazku’s store. He honestly divided it in three parts, but she gave a little more to Steele, as he was a patient. Dogs started a meal.

“All is coming in good way.” Bitch was telling with full mouth. “Elders condemned Blade’s and his comrades acting. They judged that he takes all responsibility on what has happened, including his own condition. Until he recover, you can replace him in mister Ash’s sled team. Of course, when you will be in better condition.”

“I hope it will be soon.” Replied Steele. “I wish to be useful here and to deserve on meat I’m eating.”

“For next few days you shouldn’t tire yourself.” Judged Ice. “But then... Whatever – council want to speak with you. When you will be able to walk, we will take you to the kennels. There you will officially ask for citizenship in our community.”

“Citizenship...” thought malamute quite embarrassed. In Nome all was different – instead of traditional hierarchy and long-tried customs the real authority of dogs community was the leader of best sled. Namely: Steele, at least for four previous years. Dogs life and hierarchy was based on annual race, so town was ruled by not wisest but strongest one. For former leader the customs of Buckland were new but seemed to be honest and clear, so he didn’t fear of the council.

“I could go even now...” he said, but then he noticed Sky’s stare full of discontent. “But maybe I’ll wait to tomorrow.”

“Right, I’ll tell the elders. You will stay here?” asked Ice.

“I think... yes.” Said malamute, seeing nodding sister.

“So good night. We will see tomorrow. Thank you for those delicacies.”

Greenland nudged Steele’s side (this unwounded side!) in friendly way then he licked Sky’s cheek and went out from storage. Outside was dark already and malamute was almost sleeping. After  Tazaku’s anaesthesia still he was feeling dizziness and unnatural rhythm of his body. But before he let himself to take a nap he prepared the second bedding from fur-coats in room’s corner. With that work he was surprised by Japanese, who laughing gave to dog some fresh straw. Then human examined animal one more time and laughingly waved his finger.

“Don’t scratch.” Said. Then he wondered and asked. „Do you have some name, guest? Well, probably not yet. For own name you have to deserve. No one should chose it, it comes in time.” He stroked malamute and wolfbitch and return home.

“Yes” thought former leader. “I’ve lost my old life and I don’t deserve even for own name.” He yawned and laid down on fresh straw.

“You have to sleep as much as you can.” Agreed Sky. “If you wake at night, just wake me too. Ok?”

„Don’t you exaggerate a little?” asked quite ashamed Steele. “I am the big brother and I should be overprotective...” she just nodded with her muzzle and put him on bedding, additional covering him with some fur-coat. Maybe for the first time in his life former leader judged that being ill have some advantages too. “Sky...” he asked shyly. “Do you know, what has happened with our mother?”

“I’m sorry Steele. She is dead.” Replied bitch with sad voice. “She died two years ago, in good people from Anchorage. After that breeding sold me to miss Sara, so I’ve got here... But mom to last days was so proud of us all... She seemed to wait for something and listening to every news from north. She was telling that I have siblings there and I should be proud that they serve humans. She loved us very much.”

“In my case probably more than I’ve deserved.” Whispered Steele. “But this is our dog’s life... we can’t fight it.” Sky went to him and licked his cheek.

“I’m not alone.” She said. “I have you.”

“And Ice.” Added malamute.

“Yes... and Ice.” She agreed with a little shy voice. “What do you think about him?”

“I think... well... If you are glad of him I’ll be glad too.” Then some troubling thought came to his mind. “Don’t I disturb you... eee... your family life?” And she turned her stare into the ground, hearing that.

“No... Actually we aren’t mates... for now. He lives with Ashes. But...”

“All right, good he is at paw.” Replied Steele with sleepy voice. “Tomorrow you will tell me more about Buckland. Now I even can’t hear my own yawning...” he murmured and put his head on straw.

Next day turned to be full of work and emotions for Steele. After morning examination of doctor Tazaku, dog carefully stood up and guided by Sky went on streets of Buckland. It was quite warm and gentle wind from ocean still was sweeping Bears Valley, giving it constant but limited snowfall. Sun went out from horizon for few hours and flooded the whitened earth with it’s warm rays. Malamute was hobbling on main Buckland street, carefully watching his new home. Much smaller than Nome, town has much more charm – solid and nice architecture (not improvised cabins from times of golden rush) and regular development were soothing guest’s eyes. Few pedestrians walking on boulevard seemed to be airy and happy. Maybe that was only subjective feeling of malamute (who left citizens of Nome celebrating they salvation after long bereavement) but people on Buckland were looking on peaceful and calm ones. Town’s kennels where were living all sled dogs (apart of Sky) and big group of minor breeds was a solid building next to town hall (that was in the same time residence of sheriff and local jail). Town hall and kennel was on the one of four corners on main square. On the others were: church with small hospital and school’s rooms, post and shop. Centre of town occupied from that crossing to the river. On the other band were just: the old orthodox church and colony of russian dwellers – White Refugees from times of revolution.

Steele impulsive was memorising all details of his new home, just like good sled leader should examine every new terrain he saw. But his sister didn’t allow him for farther trips, but guided right to kennels where dogs community was waiting. Malamute entered the building, uncertainly following wolfbitch. She placed him in centre of kennel’s chamber and herself she went to old saint Bernard dog, clearly the chief of whole society. Sky was long whispering something to leader. For this time her brother was carefully watching the rest of gathering. There were various dogs – small, big ones, hybrids and pure breeds. He noticed twin-huskies, whom were looking on him with barely repressing hatred, desperately trying to stay calm. Somewhere there was also that cowardly terrier, that time hidden between stronger comrades. Steele ignored view of “old fellows” and focused on dignified bernardine. When Sky finished her long quiet speak, old male raised his paw, hushing all the voices in kennel.

“Are you the Steele of Nome?” asked chief with unexpectedly loud voice.

“Yes. I was called that... some time ago.” Replied former leader. “But if humans accepted me in the service I will bear any name they would call me.” He was speaking with strong and decisive voice, trying to sound polite but not quieter than host. He didn’t want to show any weakness.

“Why did you come to Buckland?”

“I’ve lost my sled.” Replied honestly malamute. “But I don’t want to talk about it.” In kennels sounded a murmur of interest.

“And who you were in Nome?” asked older husky-bitch. She looked similar to hostile twins, so Steele judged that was their mother.

“Once I was... leader of mail-sled team.” Murmur of interest grew. It seemed that many dogs wanted to ask some question but no one dare to interrupt elders. And two old leaders looked on satisfied with answers that Steele gave them.

“So... What do you ask the dogs of Buckland?” asked bernardine.

“I humble ask you to accept me in your pack.” Replied malamute with serious voice. In kennel silent fell at once.

“Sky, Ice... Do you vouch for that stranger?

“Yes, Bernard.” Replied couple with respect.

“Steele...” said old husky. “We know about the... incident, that happened to you two days ago. I ask you to forgive ours youngsters. Bucklanders respect laws of hospitality and I guaranty that this won’t happened again.” She looked on twins with dread stare. “My sons will make sure of that. So... if human give you a harness, you may consider yourself as the dog of Buckland.” She looked on Bernard, who whispered something. “And one thing more... We have vacant in mister Ash’s team due to Blade’s condition. Until Blade is healthy, you will take his place. I suggest that Sky will lead the sled.” Gathered dogs sighed with mixture of relief and surprise and wolfbitch turned her stare on elders with amaze.

“I, Julia?”

“You.” Confirmed husky. “I hope our new friend quickly adapt to the team.”

Steele felt sudden relief and pride of his sister. “Not bad!” he thought and smiled to new neighbours. Some of them took it as expression of kindness, some others as pride of pure breed who intruded himself to theirs town. The wall around guest become lower but was still quite high.