VII. Sharpening the fangs

Since the moment when Sky made her final breath, Steele had been seeing world in completely different perspective. Some of senses experience ceased, some others born – in his mind opened deep abyss of responses and emotions. Evil responses and evil emotions, and if even not only <evil> but surely extraneous ones.

For example: on morning he heard the sound of flying aeroplane and with rationally part of his mind he concluded that chances of surviving of castaways, John Ash and his friend of sled team grew significantly. But this didn’t touch malamute’s heart. He KNEW: it was good that his brother-in-law is almost fore sure safe, but he didn’t FELL it. His heart wasn’t working with logic of love and sympathy but already with lust for revenge. World of Steele shrank to thin, pitch-black thread, fulfilled only with hatred against Nava’s pack. That line malamute had to scratch away and erase from existence.

[Picture by Sytana]

Sky had bounded him so strong to the new life that when she was gone, the bound was gone too. And then, under a October dark sky of early morning to half-insane mind of dog came vision of mother. That time she came herself, Steele didn’t call her. He saw her in front of him, lying on the snow, darkfurred bitch with gentle and sad stare. One again former leader was a tiny cub who run to parent’s side with tears in his eyes.

“Mommy! I’ve failed you again! Sky is dead and it’s my fault. I’m definitely not your son anymore. I just can’t to be. Again... I’m alone here... Mom, if she is with you now?”

“Steele...” replied she with soothing voice. “You don’t understand it. A tragedy has happened and I’m crying with you. But now you must...”

And suddenly vision of malamute bitch turned into Nava’s spectre. Old wolf was lying on the ground where a while earlier was Lempi and he was laughing insolently. Steel/pup jumped back from persecutor’s body and instinctively shielded his tiny muzzle with front paws, awaiting for incoming strike. But it hasn’t came and malicious laughter hasn’t stopped so rage prevailed fear and pup pounced on enemy’s head with his small and weak paws. He started to tear fur of old wolf’s muzzle with fury so odd to little child. But Nava still was laughing ignoring cuts on face and after few minutes Steele understood that his short claws were unable to even to pierce adversary’s coat. Yet...

“I will kill you!” yelled with puppyish voice. “I will grow and hunt you down. Mother, help me!”

And Steele’s/pup’s body was growing and paws started to become longer and stronger inflicting more and more serious hits to the wolf. But predator was only laughing but even that laughter turned out to be just howl of the wind. Then malamute noticed that he was scratching only trunk of pine and his aching paw pads were bleeding, cut with wood-shards. So he fell on snow and stayed there for long minutes. Then he stood up, looked on lying Dymitr but he made no comment to amazed stare of prisoner. He just went on hunting – he had to prove himself and his new teacher.

During day temperature raised a little. Steele returned to pan on evening, bringing meal for Dymitr. When wolf was eating, malamute carefully examined his wound on thigh but sight of leader expressed neither sympathy nor will to sooth his pain. Dog was just curious if prisoner would survive. When he finished that examination covered predator with fresh layer of snow and made his own shelter nearby. He still hoped that pack would return and he would attack them from the cover.

However nothing like that has happened. Next morning, the same as two and three days later, Dymitr was lying where Steele left him. Those were strange days – few times some sleds passed him on road nearby, probably heading to Buckland. Wolf of course didn’t announce his presence, but hunting malamute seemed not to even wait for humans and other dogs. Only once, few hour after passing of sled from town, Steele went on the road and with curiosity smelt the tracks. Ice, Daniel and David, master john – all survived. Shadow of old leader felt something like relief, but new spirit in malamute’s body completely ignored that clue. Nothing was bounding him to his lost life and he was glad of it.

For four days after Sky’s death he said to Dymitr maybe up to ten sentences. Actually he was feeding him, covering him with snow-coat and check if his wound is not festering. In fifth morning he looked on his thigh then ordered.

“Stand and come with me.”

Not waiting for wolf’s reaction, he caught his neck with jaws and help him to stand. Dymitr uncertainly based on three paws then he went after his saviour. That day was warm (as for early December) but light snow was falling. Former leader and his prisoner were moving slowly – malamute often had to support his companion. But before dusk they reached Bears Mountain’s slope. Steele knew this area well because he had been there many times on trips with doctor Tazaku. For his new keep he choose one of numerous caves on west side, shielded from wind and almost invisible from forest. Torrent nearby provided fresh water and proximity to preys routes promised no hunger.

“A bear lives here.” Said Dymitr uncertainly, still afraid to speak with saviour.

“Not any more.” Replied Steele.

He didn’t explain prisoner that grizzly was killed by doctor Tazaku, when they had hid in that cave two moths earlier. There was no need – malamute didn’t consider wolf as someone who had to be informed about anything or even who could to be curious. He was just an useful tool, who had to eat and drink but no more than that. Anyway – predator watching on calm pose of former leader guessed that no one endangered them. He laid on the ground, next to cave’s wall on brushwood that malamute brought and fell asleep. When he woke up, the meal was waiting for him. And his life was passing that way for long month.

At the end of November malamute judged that prisoner was in fair condition. On some morning, before breakfast, he ordered wolf to stand up and exit the cave. Then he guided him to close pan in mountain slope and asked with impassive voice.

“Show me how fight wolves.”

“Haven’t you see?” asked predator.

“I have.” Agreed malamute. „They strike in hosts on weaker enemy. But I want to know how they fight for life!”

Dymitr didn’t asks more. Through previous month he had used to fact that he was a property of former leader. In that relationship was no likeness nor thankfulness nor fear. Wolf just accepted that way of life and fulfilled all Steele’s instructions like tamed dog fulfils instructions of human. He didn’t think about escape, even he wasn’t planning it in future (however once Steele noticed as predator was staring at western horizon and whispered to him with cold voice: “You run – I hunt you down and kill you”) so be obediently attacked his saviour with all wolfish knowledge he had. Since that morning started regular training.

Between the dogs and wolves are hundreds of differences. That one concerned the way of fighting. And was quite obvious to most of smart creature – forest required other talents than city. And if wolves in combat are using almost only their jaws and mass of theirs bodies, tamed animals more often fight with claws and hits of paws. Killing the prey or others predators in forest was usually life-or-death struggle – whole philosophy was to quickly bite enemy’s throat or pawpit to get for artery. If that was fight for domination in the pack, wolves try rather not to kill their opponents but made them surrender and subordinate without wounding. But in humans world that black and white alternative disappears – dogs rarely beat themselves to death but tries of crippling enemy (especially if he was bigger and stronger) was often the only way to win. As a young adolescent after coming to Nome, Steele for long months was learning riles of fighting. Although he was giant malamute and after short time he dominated rivals thanks to his constitution, memory of painful lesions remained in his head. Additionally he knew that the best way to prevail the forest relative was to join both schools of combat into one deadly technique, using all advantages of his body.

That why for first month he was carefully watching Dymitr’s pose – forest one during all sparring fights stood on wide wide-spread paws to gain maximal stability. Initially Steele was unable to overturn him without risking a full-scale charge. And that was often used by wolf to grab his student’s throat. But soon after dog’s experience started to give its profits – former leader learned to use his paws to break the balance of teacher. He attacked spread limbs, often overturning him. Then when Dymirt was pinned down, malamute easily reached to throat of the tutor and stopped just inches from it.

When wolf’s wound recovered, both fighters started to fight in more manoeuvring way – pouncing on each other and shunning that charges. Steele slowly becoming a wolfdog – he learned every new movement that was originated in forest’s wisdom and added talents from city and sled. He turned to be as strong as Dymitr and with well-trained balance he almost equal predator. He predominate over him with speed of agile paws, overall reflex and endurance, trained by miles of snow-route. In January he judged that he is able to win with almost any wolf in fair duel. But avenger wasn’t interested with fair duels, so his study continued.

January’s frosts drove them from cave on farther hunts. Dymitr was hunting with his saviour, being some kind of Steele’s micro-pack. Malamute was alfa and giving instructions to subordinate, who never questioned them. Former leader was fairly feeding his prisoner and didn’t bother with works others than hunting and combat training. Since they started to wandering in forest together Steele watched carefully Dymitr’s behaviour. If earlier malamute’s hunt were successful due to speed and agility of dog, that winter he discovered whole world of sneaking and tracking preys. Predator showed him how to sneak to animals and how to predict theirs escape routes. And what was even more matter – when to give up on unsuccessful chase. Steele was nodding his muzzle and keeping that advices not only for hunting the caribu.

Once, at the end of February, Dymitr smelt his own pack. Because he was on hunt and driving prey on Steele, he decided to discreetly leave his saviour and run to his companions. There was heavy snow that day, covering track, reducing visibility and muffling all smells. Predator didn’t expected that malamute could so persistently chase his prey. He taught his much but not in that discipline, and he doubted that dog could had gained that knowledge from elsewhere. He was wrong – former leader found his prisoner just two days later when he was resting on seashore, under a snow. Steele didn’t punish runaway – he just bit his tendons of forelegs. Not hard enough for permanent crippling but much too well to turn eventual escape into real torment. Then he ordered (with perfectly calm tone) Dymirt to follow him home. Predator hobbled after saviour back to cave and gave up plans of escape. In next few day his paws recovered but he attempted no other try to run away.

With beginning of the spring their training gained some new character – Dymitr sneaked to, attacked and chased Steele. Malamute was learning how to be watchful and how to run, because he was sure that those skills would be necessary for him. He knew that to avenge maximal number of enemies he had to survive as long as he could. That why he didn’t plan his vengeance at one, suicidal strike on Nava’s pack. It was to be a series of guerrilla attacks, one to one hitting in single murderers of his sister. The logic of revenge ruled in dogs mind and within its paradigms he became a perfectionist – he demanded from Dymitr advices and exercises completely unclear to wolf, not explaining anything. Forest predator since long time hadn’t dared to ask any question, but orderliness and determination of malamute were slowly arousing a real admire in heart of wolf. Some April evening, when they were resting in cave, he event started a talk with student.

“When you will be ready?” asked prisoner.

“Never.” Replied dog. „But I will attack them soon.”

“You want to have it finally done?” guessed Dymitr.

“No, I’m just getting old.” Explained malamute with indifferent voice and turned on the other side. In cave cold silence fell. But after a while forest predator asked once more.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m getting old as every creature has to.” Repeated dog. “I’m nine and my strength slowly is fading. I must get them, when I’m still able to fight. And one thing more... I wish to kill Nava, before he dies.”

“And what about me?”

“What <And what about me?>” surprised Steele.

“What will happened with me when I no longer necessary to you?” Former leader was silent for a while, that he replied with hollow voice.

“I guess, when you are no longer necessary to me... you are no longer necessary to me.” Explained and fell asleep, just like he already had explained everything.

Short summer left Alaska and autumn came – even shorter than the previous season. October was closing fast with the first anniversary of Sky’s death. Maybe in Buckland that day was about to be celebrated in some specific way but for Steele it didn’t matters. Time stopped for him on that October night year earlier – later all events were stretching into long and terrible <now>. He didn’t measure time but only own progress in preparation to revenge. It was just an coincidence that in first anniversary of Sky death he woke up Dymitr with rude way, hitting this thigh, aching after old shot.

“Get up!” growled malamute and forest predator obediently raised up from bedding. “This is the end.” Announced dog. “I have learnt from you all I need.”

For one second the sleepy wolf was sure that his saviour would pounce on him and crush this throat. But Steele just pointed cave’s exit with his muzzle and remained silent. Outside a grey dawn was coming and there weren’t to cold. Gentle wind was throwing snowflakes from whitened ground but weather wasn’t overall bad. Surely not reminding what had happened year earlier.

“Go!” hastened him malamute. “You are no longer necessary to me.” Seeing surprise on wolf’s muzzle he added. “You will manage. You already recovered, there still is no frosts. You will surely get on south before actual winter.”

“And you?”

„I will be searching them.” He didn’t has to explain, whom he had on mind.

“Alone?”

“Alone.”

“But maybe...” In wolf’s heart arouse something strange. Until that moment he hadn’t bestowed Steele with any emotion – nether likeness not hatred. Malamute just <was> and lived with predator for previous year. But perspective of parting with angry saviour suddenly scared Dymitr. “Where I should go?” though.  “Where I should go?” asked aloud.

“I have no idea.” Replied Steele. “Or... do what you want. I’m going west anyway.” He pointed cave’s wall with paw. “It’s your. I doubt I would ever return here.” Then he started to exit.

“Steele!” called wolf and dog stopped on entrance. “I could help you...”

“To kill ones of your?” asked malamute with ironical voice but didn’t move his muzzle even an inch.

“For last year you was <mine>.” Replied predator with uncertain voice.

That strange sentence for one second pierced tight armour of dog’s rage. From below thick shield of frozen lust of revenge called old Steel from Buckland, from Sky and Ice. “What the heel has happened with me?” asked inner voice of former leader. “Why haven’t I returned to town, to sled... to Sky’s children?” But a moment later that gap in ice of hatred was fulfilled and revenge was once again only aim fir Steele – like vast, frozen ocean than its shore he was running. So he replied with hollow voice, even he wasn’t sure that was a joke or true.

“If you want wolves, go to wolves. If you want to people, go to people. I suggest you Buckland – they once accepted a wolf like me. If you don’t know what to do, stay here. Yesterday’s caribu I dug in next to torrent.” Then he started to run from Bears Mountain sole. Dymitr was still standing on entrance for few minutes then he also left the cave. He ate remnants of prey of previous day and moved south. In people’s direction.

Malamute was wandering on shore forests for few days, not thinking about anything apart of hunting and waiting for something he can’t describe. But when on some morning he smelt a well known scent, he knew what he was up to. Without any doubt he had a track of two wolves – Nava and Niju were on the shore. What more: they were alone without rest of the pack. Former leader burst in mad laughter when he found out that his enemies were divided and theirs first division was at paw. Without hesitation he started with fresh track and caught then after two days. Of course he  didn’t show his presence. That fight was about to decided quickly and without any wound, because the rest of pack was waiting for its turn too. Before attack on elder and beta he ate a solid meal, waited for night and started to sneak to sleeping wolves. He didn’t care if that battle could be considered as fair – the effect mattered. He had to fulfil gap in his heart with enemies blood and additionally survive that struggle. He had much more blood to spill.

He hadn’t made any error – that Niju was superb sentry. Since his pack moved on icefloat after herd of caribu thought Bering Strait, elder and beta were wandering on seashore, sharing the preys and protecting each other. That was: Niju was hunting for Nava and protecting old chief. When pack was gone reason of their hostility was gone too. Former claimant got humble and started to treat elder with genuine respect, so different from envy from old times. Wise but weaken due to age Nava was teaching old rival about mysteries of nature, showing a new world to him. What was unusual, elder even made his student to practice swimming and that lesson Niju accepted with anger but also with humility. So they turned out to be almost perfect team and for few months were living peacefully on western part of peninsula, where Steele found them.

So lets back to that night – malamute was sneaking silently and carefully but Niju had chosen place for rest perfectly. It was moderate hillock - dog slid on its slope and fell on the snow. Sound of falling body alarmed senses of sleeping predator. He sprung out from den and growled instantly.

“Nava, watch out!” and before elder scrambled out from the snow, darkfurred spotted potential enemy and froze. “Steele...” whispered.

“How did you guess?” Gasped former leader. “I can assure you that whole pleasure is yours.” And without any more prefaces he pounced on predator.

Fight was matched only on first glimpse – there were two defenders, both sleepy and one weaken due to age. It was – in theory – balancing malamute’s superiority of surprise, his warmed up muscles and full stomach. But Nava who quickly joined the battle, estimated that he and his companion were in serious trouble. Malamute was fighting like a devil, jumping, shunning and hitting with paws. That way he was completely distracting amazed Niju, who was equally strong but surely less agile than adversary. Elder few times tried to hit the enemy but was instantly pushing away but accurate charges of Steele. Additionally he knew that such a duel wasn’t fatiguing the dog, opposite to Niju and him. Both wolves were forced to step down from hill and draw back to nearby grove. There, between the trees, speed and agility of dog couldn’t be fully utilized.

“Nava! Run!” panted younger wolf. “You can’t help me here!”

“Nava, do you remember me?” asked malamute, hitting Nava’s knee with paw. Darkfurred yelled with pain. “Year ago... The sled on the route to sea.”

“What do you want?” growled exhausted elder. “This is just a past.”

“Until you live, is not!”

“Boss, get out!” called Niju, shunning before attacking dog. Malamute’s jaws clenched just inches from enemy’s neck.

“You remember, I know it!” gasped Steele and unexpectedly he jumped high, above adversaries.

He rebounded from tree’s trunk and with his full mass, increased by energy of bounce, he fell on Niju. Wolf collapsed under that living projectile and Steele grabbed his throat with jaws. At the same time he tensed his muscles to inflict final and fatal blow. Predator awkwardly shocked his neck to avoid dog’s teethes and started to wrestle his enemy off. But Steele fell on side, pushed wolf’s body with stronger move and Niju hit with his forehead in hard trunk of pine. Before Nava went with assistance, younger predator was unconscious.

“I was waiting whole year on that, murderer!” whispered dog with almost gentle and joyful voice. He run to elder and pinned his weak body to the ground. “You had no mercy for your own blood. I hope you don’t expect that I have some mercy for you. Do you remember what did you tell me that night? < It’s North. Here is no mercy.> I was thinking long about it...” he bended over enemy’s ear. “...and I discovered...” moved his muzzle to Nava’s throat. “...that YOU HAD RIGHT!” White fangs of malamute crushed wolf’s trachea and caused fountains of blood on grey fur.

[Picture by Dorcia]

Steele left dying Nava, lying on the snow and went to unconscious Niju. He kneeled next to his neck and opened blooded jaws. <Save your pack!> screamed unknown voice in his head. Suddenly a picture from three years earlier came to his mind. He froze, looking on would-be victim. Also he recalled a scene when hungry Niju was pouncing on John Ash. But not on sky. He hadn’t her blood on fur. Maybe he even hadn’t wanted to...

Drove by sudden impulse, Steele stood up and backed few steps. He looked on wolf’s motionless body but he saw no breaks nor open wounds. Predator was ready to hunt just after he woke up. He had huge chances to survive. Malamute clenched his jaws and run into the forest to move away from unconscious wolf. On frozen ocean of dog’s hatred appeared very first crack.

VIII. The return

They had nothing to do in that cursed land.

Continent behind the Bering Strait was as cold as Alaska but it was burning wolves paws with fire of hostility and fear. Aleu made only decision she could – they were returning home by solid ice float. If road to Russia was hazardous run on crackling and melting floats, way back in freezing February of 1928 was much easier and secure at least from  the ground. Death was waiting not from below but from above and behind.

Mark, Yuni and Sumac died in spot after first encounter of unknown enemy but rest of the pack fled from an ambush. They were wandering for one week on shore looking for safe asylum but humans finally found them and opened fire. That time wolves avoided casualties – they already knew what meat sound of plane, rumble of trucks and hateful shouts of humans in donkey jackets.

Decision of return was obvious but hard anyway. Owi knew it perfectly and when they reached the beach, whispered to alpha.

“Aleu... I know you had to. But we had to go here anyway. If we stayed home, more of us would die from starvation.”

“How you know we won’t now?” replied wolfbitch with frozen voice.

Greyfurred was feeling the death of pack-mates as open wound on her side. All her thoughts were marked with culpability and shame of defeat. Unintentionally she had guided her pack in front of guns of that mad humans that were fighting all life in sight. Logical voice in her head was whispering that there was a little or none of her fault, but logic wasn’t helpful in regret and bereavement. She KNEW she was innocent but she FELT she killed three wolves. She was scared of returning home because she could met father there. How she could to stand before Balto and say what she had done? “I’ve failed you, daddy!” whispered over and over, finally drawing attention of anxious Owi.

“Aleu, what happened?” asked male.

“Nothing. I just... get down!” she screamed.

But it was too late. Pilot already spotted the pack, standing on seashore. Rear gunner fired few times (fortunately missing badly) to scare predators. Then plane flew back deeper into the land. But it meant only one – death was close. Suddenly all the ghost of recent past disappeared and touch Aleu-pack leader were back. She shouted first order.

“On ice! We’re repatriating home!” and she run on frozen surface.

But they were chasing them. Red humans, red not on faces but in hearts, sent after pack a place and two truck filled with soldiers and servicemen started to shot at feeing animals. Vehicles went on ice and speeded up. Surface of ice covered with dozens of scratches made by rounds of mosins and nagans. Wolves started to run, following their leaderess and just behind them were exploding small craters of numerous shots. Red humans didn’t begrudge bullets because they were avid to bringing death as quick as they could. It had been running that was for eleven years.

Eleven years earlier in Russia broke out some strange Wave, red as blood and growing fast. The New Authority, drunken with own cruelty and thoughtlessness, declared war against all what wasn’t obedient to it. It didn’t recognise God, so it enacted that God didn’t exist. Then It took a God’s place itself – started to murdering priests and monks, plunder and destroy churches and monasteries just to throw out every single sign of divine presence of Creator. The New Authority hated the Old Authority, because it claimed it was a plenipotentiary of forbidden God, not as plenipotentiary of Authority itself, like the New One. The New People started to kill old officials to wipe out every singe sign of Old Authority’s presence. Finally Red Wave killed tsar – leader and symbol of Old Ones – soft and undecided man, whose greatest fault was that he was too weak to stop the Red Wave and let his people suffer under new reign of madness and terror.

The New Authority set off a raging strike on other states, still governed in Old Ways, because it couldn’t stand that someone was ruling peoples without bayonets and pistols. It wanted to bring own nightmare of thoughtless violence as far as it could, to not see free peoples, who were reminding it, that once states were govern without Red Wave. But when The New Authority failed, because people of Old Regimes stopped it, it turned her rage against own subjects. It was murdering everyone who didn’t praise it loud enough, bored it or even stood in wrong place on wrong time. The New Authority was robbing all the property, couldn’t stands it still wasn’t the only owner on world. Defiant ones were killed in spot or send camps of cold and long death. Those camps were expanding fast in times of Aleu’s expedition overgrowing with thousands of miles of barbed wire. The New Authority was looking on it with pride, but something more was still disturbing it.

Nature. Nature was so Old-times-like. Older than Red Wave, created by forbidden God and wasn’t obedient to new laws. That why Red People hated it and were trying to destroy it – it was reminding them that something existed before they came on this world and will be when they would be gone. So thousand of soldiers of The New Authority with rifles, planes and trucks were sent in deepest parts of country and ordered to seek and destroy Mother Nature and her children. Years later Red Wave would kill them all with industry chimneys and intoxicated water, but then Wave was still to weak to challenge all world. It started to eradicate at first the most defiant signs of wildness. That why wolves had no changes – they were treated merciless, destroying theirs lives, independent so counter-revolutionary to the core.

Aleu didn’t know anything about Red Wave but that cruel logic of death she understood quickly, when Mark, Yuni and Sumac died from humans shots. Since that time fear and uncertainly was accompanying her pack and even when they were wandering on russian shore, preparing to return, distant rumble of Red Wave was piercing their ears.

Finally they were attacked on beach when they started way home. Although Aleu was respected guide and leaderess, she couldn’t repress the panic that broke out after plane’s arrival. So they all went into the scattered retreat. Leaderess was outdistanced by faster and more scared wolves but she had no strength to order them to manage their endurance for long trek. They were still chasing by bullets – incoming death was much too quick to even saw it. It was unbelievable. Wolfbitch hadn’t been ever scared in her life than in that moment. “I will die here!” she thought but she was running ahead. Just above her sounded the plane’s engine.

[Sniper's faces, blood-drunken; looking on with clear hate

Rain of shells tearing trees down to pieces

This is no more a hunting, this is no more a chase

This is eradication of species]

But even Red Wave wasn’t almighty. In some moment it had to acknowledge it’s defeat and agreed that Nature was stronger than it’s earlier victims. Ice broke below Wolga-truck and vehicle fell into the freezing water. Second truck stopped about hundred yards before ice-gap, in last moment to save from sharing fate of previous vehicle. It stopped the chase and plane returned to the base.

Aleu stopped, exhausted and shaking on all body. She turned her stare on running pack. She was counting companions with terror in her heart but then she saw than no one left behind. She moaned with relief and from her eyes floated tears of nervous joy. The defeat hadn’t turned into total disaster and she was praising ancestors spirits for that.

They were sleeping on ice but she ordered to keep sentries. Through whole night at least two wolves were awake and listening if dreadful rumble of plane wasn’t heard. But flying monster was definitely gone. Aleu awoke few times, with cold sweat on her neck. She was dreaming that lighting from human’s rifle hit her or someone from pack. Once she even dreamed about father (how he got there), who was rammed by metal monster of Red People. She opened sleepy eyes and took a look on pack. She noticed that no one was sleeping peacefully. Even Owi, who proved his courage during the retreat, was lying with paws holding his muzzle. He looked as terrified pup.

“That was happened to us... it couldn’t be real.” Through wolfbitch. “World is much too beauty place for that horror.”

Two days later, exhausted and hungry, they saw distant shore of Alaska. In the same time pack was hasted by recent threat – they heard a distant sound of plane’s engine and noticed a profile of vehicle over horizon. There was nowhere to run so Aleu in moment of genuine clarity howled only one rational order: “To the ground!” and wolves fell on ice, trying to cover themselves with snow and firn. They waited for about half an hour, long after winged devil flew away.

“Nice view, isn’t it? How do think Balto?” asked Duke, reclining the plane to get better sight. “This is the Bering Strait. Farther is only Soviet Union. We’d better not to fly there – they rather don’t like guests. Take a look on ocean and lets go back.”

Nether human nor dog didn’t notice hidden pack, quietly shivering on ice. Aleu had no idea that hellish machine could not only kills the wolves but also can transport the mail or – such in that case – convey her father. Greyfurred bitch looked on the sky and when she saw no sign of plane, called to her pack.

“Get up! Follow me, quickly. We must reach the land before it would be back.” She started to run on east to showed beach of Alaska.

As we already know, Balto didn’t notice her daughter, hidden in snow, nor saw another four-legged silhouette, standing on shore. And even if he did, it’s rather doubtful that he would recognised old rival from sled – Steele.

Former leader was waiting for wolves return. How he knew it? Partially he was led by instinct but also by cold analysis. Few days earlier he spotted herd of caribu returning through straight and was expecting that predators would follow shortly after. He knew nothing about Red Wave and thought that trek was caused by common hunger. He was wrong – Red People were killing also caribu, whose from definition were almost so counter-revolutionary as wolves.

Running pack didn’t surprise him. He was just worried that encountered whole group at once. This meant that he wasn’t able to survive nor even fully apply the act of revenge. He decided that he was most concerned abut getting Owi – second direct murdered of Sky – and his companions he would kill if it possible. Then he would be torn to pieces by rest of those brutal savages and reunite with sister in Land of Eternal Hunting. This perspective was warming him up, giving strength and joy. In icy ocean of dog’s heart more and more cracks appeared. He was so close to fulfil his quest. He failed his owner, failed mother and beloved sister. But that time he was about to regain his honour, avenging Sky’s blood. “I will make everything that my defeat won’t turn into catastrophe.” Whispered to himself.

Hidden under the snow, he started to examine enemies. He was sure he was seeing former Nava’s pack. But on lead of the group was running some strange silhouette he didn’t recognise. Female, fair and strong-looking was reminding him someone. “I didn’t see her when Sky died.” Thought malamute. “I won’t attack her... at least at once.” But anxiety in Steele’s mind was growing. “I know that... wolf... But no.... I have seen someone so similar before... And she is so beauty!” Then some voice in his mind screamed with both fear and some kind of hope. “She is running from them! I must save her! I won’t let anybody to share Sky’s fate...”

He stood up and run to the shore. There an ice-layer was scattered and had numerous gaps due to earlier storm. Only narrow bridge of whiteness was leading to beach. And exactly there stopped former leader, wanting to let refugee through and block the way for chase. “Ow, Owi!” smiled gentle. “I will throw him under ice and win without a fight. Thanks to that I will survive longer...” For one second he was considering idea of running after Owi’s death, but he was tired of running. “I will join you today, sister!” decided with desperate bolt of joy.

Female was closing fast on lead of pack, smiling with clear relief. Maybe that was caused by view of saviour-to-be but malamute wasn’t sure. In fact he wasn’t sure of anything, because with every step that muzzle was becoming more and more familiar to him. Fur slowly was erecting on dog’s neck and ear dropping with amaze and uncertainness. Female looked straight in his eyes.

“No... that cannot be!” whispered Steele. She was just at paw, looking with her beautiful blue eyes. Looking with eyes of... “Jenna!” sighed shocked avenger.

“What?” wolf... halfwolf stopped in place. “And who are you?”

Then former leader’s body split in two Steeles – one, looking in charming eyes of stranger and second, watchfully observing the closing pack. That first one lowered his muzzle to the ground but the second made sure to still have in sight incoming group and was looking for Owi. First one murmured something incomprehensible, second tensed his muscles for incoming fight. First dropped his ears even lower in front of old love’s living shadow, but second bared his teethes, seeing running enemy.

“Jenna is my mother.” Said stranger. “But who are you?” And the last piece of puzzles came to right place in malamute’s mind. Wolfbitch had grey fur of Balto of Nome. So she had to be...

“Balto...” gasped shocked avenger.

“Who the hell are you?” repeated she almost amazed in the same degree. Steele was so shocked that Owi’s charge avoided in last moment.

“Aleu, this is an enemy!” shouted wolf, wrestling with malamute. Dog prevailed first surprise and shunned adversary’s attack. Then they exchanged quick series of hits of paws and jaws and stopped, looking in each other’s eyes. “Get them!” called wolf to incoming pack.

“Owi, wait!” ordered wolfbitch but it was already too late – predator was charging on enemy. Unfortunately he underestimated him. Steele instantly tripped his paw and struck with body’s mass. Adversary faltered and was pushed to the ice’s edge. Malamute jumped on him with spread paws and opened jaws. He pinned muzzle of murderer and was reaching his throat when Nuk fell on him. Former leader agile shocked off the new enemy but missed with another strike on Owi. Meanwhile several other wolves run to them, surrounding malamute and growing dreadfully. Acting instinctively, Steele pushed Owi to cold water and jumped up, above circle of persecutors. He rebounded on Nuk’s and Yak’s back and landed farther. In few another jumps he was on beach, stopped by cliff. Cursing own stupidity, that allowed him to waste a change of vengeance he turned to the pack. Wolves could get him in spot, without even casualties.

“Sky, I’m coming to you!” whispered, growling at the same time on advancing wolves. But female’s view still was burning in his mind. “Jenna...” he sighed one more time.

Owi swam to shore and with rage in his eyes went out on beach. He run to the pack, who was slowly pressing the aggressor to cliff. He stood in second rank, so he wasn’t endangered by sudden pounce of Steele. With wagging his tail encouraging companions to attack.

“Owi, wait! Everyone, wait!” called Aleu and she stepped few steps before wolves line. “I’m Aleu, daughter of Balto and Jenna. I ask you for the last time: who are you?”

“Step aside.” Panted dog. „Not you killed my sister.”

“Why did you attack Owi?” inquired she with decisive voice.

“Because it’s North.” Replied former leader with malicious smile. “I said it to Nava, before I ripped his throat.”

He had limited chance but succeeded. Owi pounced in fury on enemy, jumping beside shock and paralysing cold. Steele greeted him with opened jaws and with one bite he squashed his shin. Bone crackled and predator fell motionless on rock. Malamute run to him and almost reached his neck... but stood in place. In his side someone’s claws tucked. He turned his head ready to kill new enemy, but then he froze. That Aleu was holding him. Her neck was so beautiful and so uncovered that dog saw even shivering muscles of nape and pulsing aortas. But he just couldn’t his Jenna’s daughter. He wasn’t able to.

Wolfbitch stopped him for almost minute when wounded Owi crawled to circle of wolves. Rest of the pack was silently looking on each other uncertainly what to do. So they waited for leaderess instructions. She released malamute and stepped back. With eyes full of amaze she was staring on dog.

“I will be damned!” whispered Steele. “I’m too weak even to die with honour. Forgive my, Sky!” said and pointed his muzzle somewhere above head of wolfbitch then he looked on Aleu. “You are as beauty as your mother.” Said with serious voice.

Growl of wolves muffled the response of greyfurred. Pack, seeing Owi’s condition and understanding what had happened with Nava, just in that moment went into rage. Aleu had to howl aloud to repress swirling mass of predators from tearing enemy apart.

“I said: WAIT! And you...” pointed on Steele with paw. “If you don’t tell your name, I will kill you myself.”

“Go on.” Replied former leader indifferently. „I won’t defend myself from Jenna’s daughter.”

“Do you know my mother?” she asked a bit confused. He nodded his muzzle. “Why did you pounce on Owi?”

“He murdered my sister.” Replied dog.

“Is that true?” asked disoriented Aleu, but Owi was still lying on rock and moaning from pain. Swelling on broken paw was growing fast.

“Yes, he did.” Sounded new voice on shore.

Niju and Dymitr were standing on cliff, looking down on pack. Steele favoured them with just half-second-long stare because he instantly turned his muzzle to other wolves. Rest of pack stared on newcomers with amaze. Niju smiled.

“Surprise: we are alive. I bet you missed us.” He saw two of his old underlings. “Nuk, Yak... where the hell is Sumac?

“He’s dead.” Replied Nuk. With friend he went to cliff and Niju with Dymitr with few jumps went down and stood next to Steele and Aleu.

“I said: let stay home!” murmured, passing the leaderess. But in those words, louder than malice, was actual grief for dead Sumac. “Right wolves, stay clam. I have some great matter to do with that dog.”

“He attacked Owi.” Called someone from rank. “And killed Nava.”

“Yes. And he could killed me, but he didn’t.” said Niju. “As well as Dymitr, but he showed more mercy than our pack... Nava and Owi killed his sister. I don’t know what we will do with him, probably we will tear him to pieces. But before that we will listen to him.” He growled to pack. “And if anyone step too close I will rip his throat off! Nuk, Yak... watch them.” He returned to Aleu and whispered her to ear. “And what now, sweetie? Are we in one team?”

“Yes, move!” added wolfbitch aloud. “We will get him to our valley and start a Wolfs Court.” He didn’t precise on whom that trial was about to be. “But now... go. We aren’t safe here. The flying monster could be back.” She started in grove’s direction, where once Nava’s pack was living. Uncertain wolves followed her.

Confused Steele felt like he was slowly awakening from deep slumber. Lust for vengeance shrunk to straight but thin line on his mind and rest of former leader’s consciousness took Jenna’s daughter and return of Dymitr and Niju. He was walking next to Aleu, driven by hostile stares of pack. Passing next to well known wolves whispered.

“Why did you return? To avenge Nava?”

“Maybe.” Murmured Niju. „But maybe before I do that I let you deal with Owi. By the way: nice hit!”

“I’ll show you some day.” Promised amused dog. “And you, Dymitr?”

“I don’t know... something inside tells me...” his muzzle silently finished that sentence. “...that you are my pack.” But he added. “Ow, it doesn’t matter. I’m curious in what swindle you will step.”

“I’m glad too, that I see you, guys.” Said Steele, trying to sound reliably. He run after leading Aleu, intensively thinking how it came to this and how he found himself in such unexpected company.

IX. The Call of the Wild

Traditional pack’s residence was a valley nearby cliffs. Wolves, although tired with hard escape from out the strait, seeing the old home seemed to regain vigour. Every of pack member took own seat from old times, only Nava’s ledge was vacant. On pan’s bottom main actors of that drama were waiting – Aleu, Steele, Dymitr, Niju and crippled Owi. When everyone was placing on right spot, wolfbitch came to malamute and asked silently.

“Did my pack really kill your sister?” he nodded his head. “I’m sorry... I ‘m really sorry. But I believe they had no other way.”

“I haven’t too.” Replied former leader looking on wounded Owi.

“Well... start it, Aleu.” Hastened Niju. “Or you prefer that I would lead the gathering.”

“You are not an alpha of this pack.” She said with quiet but decisive voice.

“No, not yet. But remember: I have lost just Nava. You – Mark, Yuni and Sumac.”

In behaviour of Niju wasn’t any malice – wolf just had smelt an opportunity to conquer the pack as a new leader. That why he was carefully observing poses and countenances looking for any sign of discouragement or of distrust towards the leaderess. Pack was tired of running and still terrified by recent events. If it was about to follow new chief it had to did it in that moment. Niju was sure of Nuk’s and Yak’s loyalty and them could gave him more supporters. So he was pressing hard on greyfurred although deeper in soul he was sympathizing with leaderess. From quiet talk among wolves he heard enough to imagine horror they had been thought.

“No, this is my pack!” she replied with anger. She went on big erratic stone that was traditional rostrum for predators. She started with decisive voice. “Sisters, brothers... We are here to judge on case of...” she looked on malamute and gasped. “And who, the rabbies, are you?”

“My name is Steele, son Sharp and Lempi.” Called dog aloud. By this he interrupted leaderess speech, but he was too hurry to play in protoloce games. “I’m here to avenge death of my sister, Sky of Buckland. She was murdered by wolf called Nava and Owi, present here. If he is punished I will cease further vengeance.” Lied easily former leader. “Or... if you want to do it officially, according to tradition, so let it be: I challenge Owi on duel.”

“To the first blood?” asked with ironic smile Niju.

“From the throat!” gasped malamute.

“To challenge him, he had to became pack leader first.” Reasonably noticed Aleu. “Beside, you have crippled him. He wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“He has better odds than Sky, when she was bounded with harness.” Growled Steele. “Hey you, you noble wolves! Just tell me if that was fair: attack on bounded enemy who was defending her pack? And with what handicap? Owi wasn’t hunting to satisfy his hunger – to do that he hadn’t to kill her. He did it in cold blood.”

“You don’t know our laws!” interrupted him Aleu.

“I know. Nava has taught me.” Gasped avenger. „But all right, tell me wolf, if that was fair?”

“I wasn’t there so I can’t...”

“It was!” called someone from pack.

“Thank you!” replied Steele. “I was waiting for it.”

Owi was about three meters from malamute, so in distance for one jump. That jump was perfectly aimed and long prepared. Dog pounced from the ground and flew to murdered with spread paws. Wounded wolf had no chances to avoid that attack. He fell down pinned by former leader’s mass and before he even moaned, malamute’s teethes clenched on this throat, squashing his trachea in one move. He took a sudden breath but that time instead of air he inhaled a wave of own blood. Dog instantly jumped off out victim and backed to stone wall. In freezing silence that fall after then, everyone heard last Owi’s words.

“So cold...” After a desperate cramp of his muscles he was dead.

That sound tore off some kind of veil in Steele’s mind. Or it’s better to say – ice layer of his rage broke into thousands of pieces, leaving just warn sea of old dog’s heart. Former leader was standing, shocked, just couldn’t believe in what he had done just before. He didn’t react when enraged crowd of paws and muzzles overturned him and brutally pinned to the ground. He was thinking about many things at the same time. He was recalling Sky, but only that happiest moment of their life – encounter, pride after adventure on Yukon, playing with pups of wolfbitch. He tried to understand why he had left that happy world, that after his sister’s death maybe lost many of it’s charm but was still HER world and maybe it was still waiting for malamute. And meanwhile he was looking Aleu that was barely repressing wolves fury and preventing them from tearing Steele into pieces. “She is beautiful... As her mother...” he though. When in next minute no one ripped his throat nor even hit him with paw, he slowly stood up and looked around.

Situation looked quite grim – he and wolfbitch were standing inside hostile circle of wolves. Even Niju, who was genuine hating Owi, was also growling dreadfully, probably mixing thankfulness towards Steele with authentic rage. Owi was as he was, but he was wolf from their pack. If forest predators would had killed Blade, Steele wasn’t able to rejoice it. Completely confused Aleu was looking on dog then on her pack, too scared even to think rationally.

“Kill him!” called some wolf.

“No!” screamed wolfbitch. “He was just avenging his sister.”

“Well done.” Replied that wolf. „And now let us avenge Nava and Owi.”

“Are you defending him?” amazed Nuk, looking on leaderess. “Because it is dog? One your kind?”

„Damn!” thought Steele. “That is what they called: irony of fate. I used to be a bad breedist here!” Meanwhile he was looking for optimal way of retreat thought the wall of enraged wolves.

“Aleu is in league with dog!” yelled Yak. “And she led us to the land of death! I don’t want her as chief!”

“No, that is not as you think...” whispered shocked wolfbitch but no one listened to her. More and more wolves was howling with anger and some were discreetly looking on Niju. Darkfurred barely was restraining himself from radiant smile. His time had come.

“Niju will lead us!” called Nuk. “He was always right!”

Claimant went before the circle and came to surrounded two. For several seconds was measuring Aleu with curious stare then he looked on Steele. For a while his discrete smile faded, like wolf was asking dog: and now what we will do? Malamute felt bolt of a new hope.

“Aleu! Will you take my challenge?” asked darkfurred. He was older, stronger and more self-confident. Wolfbitch was silent, balancing between passivity and cry.

“I can win with him.” Judged Steele. “But I won’t stay in pack. Should I accept the challenge?”

“If you step down, I will let you go.” Gasped Niju. “And even I let this dog live, but only because I have some debt to him.” Murmur of surprise sounded in pack but no one dared to oppose. Darkfurred was talking in the name of whole group. “Decide... you step down or we fight? Do you want to lead us to another doom?”

“I estimate my chances as about eighteen percent.” Whispered Steele. “But you must decide. And I don’t know if they let us go then. You know... two dead wolves daily could upset them... Aleu?”

But wolfbitch just turned her stare to the ground and was crying quietly. Malamute understood that he had to take an initiative. For once again he had a pack to take care of, again just one-dog and again he hadn’t chosen it but it had chosen him. So he had to act and save Jenna’s daughter. And then... well, then he would have time to think about future.

“Niju, we will go away.” Said Steele. “You are the leader.”

And he nudged greyfurred’s side, so she started with him thought group of wolves. Malamute was taking discrete looks around, feared that pack attack against new chief’s will, but it didn’t happened. Only Niju went to the dog and whispered.

“All right... I had to. But... the hell, now were are equal!”

“We’re equal.” Agreed former leader. „Good luck Niju.”

They went into forest, due east to quick leave the shore. For oven an hour Aleu didn’t say a word, she just obediently followed dog and crying quietly. Steele even didn’t try to comfort her. Too many questions and unknowns were burning former leader’s head, to additionally guess what needed resigned female. Finally he asked gentle.

“When did you eat for the last time?” The only answer was a single sob, what could mean both: <four days ago> or <I even don’t know>. Steele cursed in mind. “Wait here, I will hunt something.”

But he even didn’t have to order her anything, because she already fell on the snow after first word about a meal. Steele sighed and covered wolfbitch with layer of snow and then he went on hunt. He was hurry and trying with all his might to caught some solid prey. He even risked a lone chase after young caribu that recently returned from away of strait. To Aleu he got back three hours later with heavy meat. He woke up Jenna’s daughter and fed her like a helpless pup. Absurd of that scene, so similar to the scene from three years earlier almost made him laugh. But view of crying wolfbitch cooled his amusement. He understood what she felt. She lost her pack and additionally she was blamed for catastrophe over the strait. Steele didn’t know too much about that expedition but suspected that charges are completely nonsensical. But also he perfectly knew how it was blaming himself for event he had no influence on. He knew that such incident could distort whole life, like distorted his. “Whole year I was felling guilty for Sky’s death. I went mad due to regret and lust for vengeance. Some said once that I was a bastard and I deserved for it. But why it happened to daughter of sweet Jenna?” “For Balto?” Whispered some malicious voice in his mind but he cast it away.

“And now just rest.” Instructed dog although sun was still over horizon.

He wanted to cover her den with snow but suddenly she – maybe in unconscious impulse – grabbed his paw and nestled to it. Surprised dog stopped, that carefully laid next to Aleu, hugging her like a pup. They made this way to the morning – she was sleeping and crying by turns and he guarding in unrest half-sleep. When the very first grey decorated east side of horizon, greyfurred suddenly woke up and impulsively move out from Steele. She looked on her new caretaker with confusion.

“I... I’m sorry.” She said uncertainly but malamute judged that wilfully leaderess of the pack that Aleu had been day earlier, was slowly waking from slumber. “I thank you for...”

“You are welcome.” Murmured former leader, understanding that he was loosing hug on Jenna’s daughter with pity. “It is I who should beg for your forgiveness, for what I started yesterday. Probably if I knew about it all earlier it wouldn’t came to this. If I knew who you are I would restrain my madness.”

“You was avenging your sister.” She said with serious voice and stoop up from the snow. Steele judged that she was actually looking like other wolves but her eyes were totally different: deep, wise, so gentle... Just like Jenna’s. “It guess you suffered much.”

„Indeed.” Agreed dog. „But now it’s gone. I had to do that to wake up from long and bad dream. I hope you understand it.” She nodded her head. “Maybe you rest a little more. We have still a lot of meat.”

“And then what we will do?” asked Aleu. Steele greeted that plural form with amaze. “The pack?” asked two voices in his mind. One with joy, and second with irony.

“I don’t know.” Replied dog. “If you want I will help you until... you decide to go your way.” Carefully proposed former leader, trying not to suggest that he considered wolfbitch as weak or unable to independent life.

“Yes...” she agreed. “I would like to... I mean: please.”

And in that way passed next few days. They both were wandering in forest of peninsula, going east. Together they were hunting and almost without any word rejoicing that company. In next night, when they already had dig out dens and hid in them, Steele heard moans and sighs his companion.  Quickly he went out, dig her out and saw that she was shivering in some nightmare. He gentle nudged her in side and she screamed, suddenly took back to reality.

“I’m sorry!” she was moaning moment later. “But I was dreaming about terrible things... Metal dragons and humans with lighting-sticks.”

“I’m here.” Ensured her Steele. „I’m watching you...” But she didn’t let him go – she fell asleep nestled in malamute’s coat. She slept to morning, although not without feat and fur erected on the nape.

So they became a tiny pack and after week of wandering were treating each other as natural part of life. It was strange and silent pack. Aleu talked little, for most time drowned in her own thoughts and not so pleasant memories. When that recollections became too dark and dreadful to stand, without word she hugged to malamute waiting till in her ears ceased the sounds of metal monsters and moans of dying pack-mates. And Steele was still learning to live again, for second time in his life. When lust for vengeance ceased in his heart, he felt burning emptiness that could be filled only with silent presence of Aleu and calm march through forest. For year he lived with Dymitr (with?! Maybe near to but definitely not in his company...) he spoke maybe hundred of words that weren’t connected with training or hunting. And then he started to open himself for wolfbitch and initiate first chats. They synchronised well, because she was ready to talk and he could talk again.

“Do you know who I am?” asked on some evening, when on slope of Bears Mountain they were lying to sleep, side to side as usual.

“Steele, son of Sharp and Lempi.” Replied Aleu, repeating all the knowledge she had on her caretaker.

“Well... yes, in short. But haven’t your parents told you something about me?” she shocked her muzzle and he felt silent.

“So...” hastened wolfbitch.

“What <so>?” asked Steele.

“Tell me about yourself.”

“No, better not.” Judged Steele. “You would left me too fast. I wish to enjoy your company at least for little more, before you start to ask me hard questions.”

“Why should I leave you?” amazed Aleu. “For now you are my only pack I have... In fact... everything I have.”

“You could always get back to the humans.” Remarked malamute. “And to mother... father...” that last word he pronounced in unnatural way, but wolfbitch probably didn’t notice it.

“You to... I guess.” Said Aleu. „But we don’t return. I will tell you if you do the same.”

So he told her. About everything that was important and painfully, just like he once had told it to the Sky. He didn’t hid most shameful events from Nome, even he told – although with burning shame – about his conflict with Aleu’s father. Finally he confessed that he had left the sled. Wolfbitch were listening, didn’t interrupted even once.”

“Now you know why we shouldn’t travel together.” Finished malamute.

“No. Now I know why we should to.” Replied wolfbitch and recounted about her expedition to Russia.

Steele didn’t understand Aleu’s remorse, at least in logical categories. But he well knew how irrational emotions could be so he tried to comfort wolfbicth with soothing and careful words. Soothing – to show her he understood her and careful - to don’t make an impression that he was pity of her and considered her as weak nor nondependent. But just irrational reaction after that speech amazed him to the core.

“So wonderful that I have met on someone that understands me, Steele.” She announced. “I can’t return to humans and I cant live with pack. I can just stay here, on that border... with you.”

“Deer’s dropping!” interrupted her malamute, almost screaming. “You aren’t right. I will take you to Buckland. And I will return to Buckland. You will the best sled leader on the North, loved and respected by humans! And you will...”

He froze when he felt Aleu’s tongue on his lips. Wolfbitch gentle licked malamute’s muzzle and sensing the mixture of confusion and hungry consent, she pressed her lips into a kiss. And for once again Steele slip into two creatures, living in one body. First one was enjoying the moment of pleasure given by beautiful bitch, second was ordering in mind with mathematical precision all possibilities of that event. Confused and drunken with unexpected happiness whispered finally.

“But it can’t be. I wanted to kill your father.”

“I’m glad you haven’t done it.” Replied smiling Aleu.

“I was scorned by your mother.” Added former leader.

“Due to quite obvious reasons, I don’t mourn for that too.”

“But, but...” malamute’s mind was searching for others difficulties in that relation. “I’m too old for you.”

“Yep. And additionally you hate wolves.” Reminded wolfbitch. „Did I miss something?”

“No... in fact not.” Agreed Steele and nestled in warm fur of greyfurred. But after a short while he sensed that her muscles got tensed and muzzle started to shiver in sudden fear. “What happened?”

“You have right: there is one problem.” She said uncertainly, like she tried to stop that sentence for as long as she could. “I can’t return to humans.”

Silence fell in evening grey and Steele was just staring on charming wolfbitch with careful stare. Well – to get back or to stay... That was a decision settling many things. Malamute recalled Sky’s tale. From five of siblings only she had made it... Hunger of wild forests, frost of mighty North... And living away from humans they just cannot avoid it.

“But to live forever in wild? Just look: our pups...”

“Pups? You’re fast!” interrupted amazed Alue, but in that surprise was more of contrary joy than opposition.

“In good, old times the fastest on whole Alaska.” Reminded Steele and wofbitch burst in merry laughter. But when she noticed that dog was still lying still, with serious stare looking on her, she added.

“Sweet, understand it... This is something greater than me or you... that all of us. I must live here in forest. And I sense in my heart that you have too. You just haven’t tasted a happiness among humans, as it happened to my father or mother. That because She calls us.” She pointed with paw on snowy forest and sharp rock of slope. “Don’t you feel it? In every single breath and heart-beat. I haven’t felt it for long years... You maybe even longer. But now... we are where we are and I don’t think that is coincidence. This is in our blood.”

“Are we... the wild-ones?”

“Is this so scary?” asked Aleu.

“Well... when I’m looking on you I think: not so much. But do you know what it means?”

“I’m still learning it.” Replied wolfbitch. “Help me”

[Song „Call of the wild”

You have to imagine some nice tune, lyrics as follows:]

Aleu:

Stands up and playfully hitting with tail Steele’s nose. He stands up too and runs after wolfbitch in light, full-moon night. Snow reaches them to chests but they ignore it, so wrapped up with each other. They smile like pups.]

Before first whisper of life

Called me to this endless strife

I just knew how it take me far away

[They run to the clearing, that comes down the slope. On word <away> Steele playfully pushes Aleu and she starts to slides down the slope. Malamute starts off, following her.]

Before eyes were lit by sun

And that life’s dawn had begun

I just felt that I would go in my own way

[They land in snowdrift below, stand up and shock they furs. Wolfbitch invites with waging her tail to farther run.]

Then when growing up, ahead

I felt hunger with each step

Cause this run sang charming song into my ears

[Passing next to fallen tree-trunk, Aleu nudges with her nose pendulous icicles. Those are playing a tune, synchronised with song-tune. Finally wolfbitch stops, turns to Steele and touch with nose to his nose.]

And you soon will sense that call

And it’ll have to hear it whole

You will have to follow it till end of days

Ref:

[Camera’s zoom-off: dark forest seems to be full of life. From under the snow standing up a hare, carefully retreating from dogs; own opens its eyes and majestatically starts to fly; on the snow flashes barely visible white actrofox.]

...call of the wild

In ours heart, in ours mind

...call of the wild

in every tree and rock we find

...call of the wild

in whisper of the river fall

...call of the wild

[Camera flies up – we see forest from above and snowy streams of wind. Winds sound is synchronised with song-tune.]

...call of the wild

on every path we take

...call of the wild

on the best route we ever make

...call of the wild

Until you live you want it more

...call of the wild

Steele:

[Nodding his head, nudging Aleu. They go to edge of grove, where a torrent flows, now covered with ice-layer. They come on ice, that is enlighten with moonlight.]

[Steele waits until Aleu outrun him, then he follows her down the frozen torrent.]

[He looks on the frozen layer and sees there a pictures from the past: escape from Nome, encounter with Sky, first mail-expedition, birth of Sky’s children, encounter with Aleu.]

Aleu:

Sing with me as well you can

Because you live – and so know then

Reply at one to that call and my voice

[Suddenly real Aleu stays behind him and we see her reflection on ice. She nudges gentle in dog’s side and sings on.]

And go ahead, don’t hesitate

To taste the sweetest hunt we make

In wolves heart that is the nature’s choice

Ref:

[They start to run and go down the torrent. Own that just before flew out from grove suddenly notices tiny mouse, standing on ice and with delight looking on running Aleu. Owl strikes on rodent but then it discovers that caught only portion of snow. Mouse/Aleu’s totem spirit disappears.]

...call of the wild

In ours heart, in ours mind

...call of the wild

in every tree and rock we find

...call of the wild

in whisper of the river fall

...call of the wild

[Aleu and Steele stops next to half-frozen waterfall on cluster of fir branches. They lay on it, laughing and singing. Camera zooms off.]

...call of the wild

on every path we take

...call of the wild

on the best route we ever make

...call of the wild

Until we live we want it more

...call of the wild

[Music fading out. We still hear characters voices.]

Alue:

„How did you like that first night of freedom?”

Steele”

“Ow, wait... That night isn’t over yet!”

Fade out.]

X. Epilogue – The Age of Steele

Kodi was an excellent sled-dog.

Although he wasn’t as strong as his father, mixture of wolfish and doggish blood made him endure wanderer. Additionally he perfectly knew the requires of route and running, always ready to instruct or call to order his sled mates or to suggest human driver when to stop of a rest. The wolf’s heritage gave him unusual, sixth sense of the wild. He could predict almost every single blizzard or incoming frost much earlier than human. That why all Gunnar Kaasen’s dogs were glad that son of famous Balto was leading them.

And he was leading that night. He run with Kirby, Ralph, Dusty and Bart, in five-harness. It was hard but they were going quite well. They were transporting the mail and portion of dried meat from Galena. That load was kind of extravagancy as additional meat in long journey. Nome was well provided, just one ware – mail, required regular sled riding. However Duke got a permanent job in Anchorage post and was providing (by his plane) mail to almost every bigger town on Alaska, from unknown reasons council of Nome hadn’t signed a contract with landing in country’s capital so US Mail had to make its duties in old-fashion way. If steps of Gunnar Kaasen influenced that? Who knows...

It was late March mail-trek in 1928, but frost was still holding the land in steel grip, just like it was a January. Sled team was going well, but cold was burdening everybody. They preferred to be already at home and they probably would be if not a strange decision of master Kaasen to go in five-dog harness. Maybe it was a consequence of bet with driver from Buckland who said that he could transport every load with just five of his team, if the leader was his favourite dog – Ice. Kodi wondered what for humans are betting like that if they could save many time (and many nervous sweat!), don’t risking that weak team. Especially that he one day met in Galena that Ice from Buckland – greenland told him that he prefer to run with seven-dog team, especially if his team was six of his children. But thoughtful Kodi in that moment suddenly some strange shivers on his nape.

“What happened, Kodi?” asked Dusty, looking on his erected fur.

“Lets speed up.” Whispered leader. “Someone is coming.”

“Hey, you, on lead!” asked Bart, a novice in harness. “How could I say our master to refuel lamp? I think that it’s running out of paraffin.”

“Use your tail and Morse code.” Advised Ralph with irony. “But why should we run faster? I’m hungry!”

“If Kodi says that we should, we...” began Dusty but in the same moment sled jumped in place and stuck in snow.

On road was lying a heavy branch of spruce. Because none of such trees wasn’t in sight, leader was deluged by dreadful feeling. “Someone dragged it here! This is an ambush!” thought and looked around. He saw a white sloped of pan, that they entered just before. The place for trap had been chosen perfectly. Could say: by real professional.

“Watch out!” barked dog. “Someone tracks us! I’m coming to master...”

Then he pulled the belts aside, dragging bounded companions back. He stepped away from road and went to human, wanting be closer and ready to assist. But the sled was over two meter long and with shaft even three meter long. So although husky quickly encircled the sled and reached Gunnar Kaasen, remaining four of dogs were just pressed to wagon’s side and immobilised that way. They, still surprised by situation, sat on the snow, waiting with anxiety.

“Hey, you! Get back on your place!” called Norwegian but then he froze.

He noticed on the slope of pan a single silhouette of giant, darkfurred predator, carefully sneaking to the sled. Trapper grabbed with quick move his revolver and aimed on intruder. In the same time he reached the load, searching for more paraffin. Darkfurred creature growled dreadfully.

“Well, it looks quite grim.” Murmured human and added some norwegian curse, unknown on Alaska. He quickly took a look on lamp and estimated he had not more time. He raised his colt and fired five rounds to shady figure. Wolf had to be prepared for that because he agile jumped aside, shunning shots. Norwegian frozen, uncertain to risk to lose his last bullet.

“Wolf! A damn smart wolf!” yelled Dusty. “Kodi, we can’t help you if master don’t release us!”

“Wag in Morse code?” asked Bart who clearly hadn’t understood earlier joke.

“Werk!” cursed leader. “I can’t move in those belts!”

Predator seemed to wait for that, because he was slowly stepping down from the slope and started to encircle the sled. He wanted to reach it from behind, knowing that only Kodi could defend trapper from his pounce. Husky was well aware of that situation and sweating with cold sweat.

“Any advices?” asked with shivering voice.

Lamp was fading out, what Steele knew well. He estimated perfectly the distance and predicted every move required to that attack. He had to kill only Kodi to get to the load. He was cursing the fate that put on his way his brother-in-law, but he didn’t hesitate. On the other hand were lives of starving Aleu and five of theirs pups. He had to bring them meat that night – another day of hunger would surely take a life of pup, maybe even of all pups. And Aleu wouldn’t stand it. “In life with humans it wouldn’t happened. But we had to stay in forest. The call was too strong.” Thought former leader and made another step ahead.

“Wait! Who are you?” called desperate Kodi, sensing with sixth sense that bounded in belts he had no chances against the enemy.

“I won’t tell you, brother-in-law.” Thought malamute. “And I won’t tell Aleu that I killed you. Forgive me, Owi. I still hate you but now I understand you. You were hungry...”

“Wait, wolf! Please, let us go!” cried Dursty. But Steele didn’t even notice it.

“God, forgive me. Jenna, forgive me! I will kill your son to save your daughter. Remember that is not her fault. Again I failed... again someone I love. But I must save Aleu and pups. This is my pack from now on! I have my duties.”

Norwegian again raised a colt to face to shot for the last time. But aiming in fading circle of light suddenly he froze. His stare met with enemy’s stare. They recognised themselves in that moment.

“Master Gunnar...” yelled shocked malamute, but he didn’t slow his steps.

“Steele?” whispered Norwegian. “My Steele? You are alive!”

“Master, I beg you: don’t resist!” barked former leader having no hope to be understood.

But he was understood. Somehow, in way so strange and miraculous like the Nature herself, in crossed stares of dog and human souls crossed too. In one second whole history of Steele’s life, from escape from Nome do night encounter three years later became clear to Norwegian. He didn’t KNOW but he did FELL it all perfectly. And he heard in his heart that desperate <Forgive me!> that called from eyes of the best sled-leader on North.

Human lowered his gun and with shaking hands grabbed the bag of dried meat. He threw it away the light-circle just before malamute’s paws.

“Good luck, Steele!” he whispered, when dog caught the precious load with his jaws. After a while malamute disappeared in dark forest. He was running in hurry to share the pray with mate and children.

What I know for sure: the Age of Steele had been just begun.

[This is Cris – Dorica’s project of one of Steele’s and Aleu sons. So there will be a sequel? Who knows? We have a hero already;)]