VI. Tale of two sisters

Aleu was always concerning me. In the same degree as I was too selfish, she was too selfless. Well, maybe being noble sound good and nice, but isn’t good and isn’t nice when life is pressing you and making you to do things you despise. Simply - selfless person like my sister would despise herself for that. For years it wasn’t a problem, because Aleu was struggling with all the world of fear and intolerance around her. So she became tough in fight. But in time she would probably find her own haven where she would practise all her virtues. Sadly to say: I’m sure that she and her beloved ones will pay for that.

Jack awoke before they made a mile. Ice had to tell him that Cher is fine and she is running in first rank. In fact David was leading and he was doing his best... no, twice his best, to reach any civilised region. He was speeding like hell to get his team in safe place. He just lost brother so with every heartbeat he tried to think about his duties to human and friends. Family he had already failed. They heard two shots in the valley and then no other voice sounded. All of them understood what it meant.

The second rank in harness was damaged by sharp rocks and teethes of Daniel. In third were going Eva and Betty and in forth Marry and Ice. The size difference between mackenzie and greenland was making they efforts desperately, but there we no other way – Ice was completely snowblind and giving him the lead in harness meant suicide. Wounded and barely awake Jack had to ride on sled.

John Ash was giving a quick looks around, searching for incoming danger. Criminals clearly wished to leave no witnesses alive. Without winchester they were helpless and their only weapon was a speed. Sled was going slowly, but trapper put his trust in fact that they were probably anyway  faster than three men on foot. But if they had skis...

And then another gunshot sounded. And one more and... a burst of automatic fire. Ash froze imagining criminals shooting to some other wandered. But he had nothing to do about that.

“Easy. Don’t be afraid.” Said David with so grave voice that he soothed no one. “This is not a burst from that submachine gun.” Team sighed with amaze and husky continued with his unnatural tone. “I recognise sound of O point three Springfield rounds. This is definitely not of them.” Silence felt for several seconds.

“So whom?” asked Ice. The answer was just before them.

Sled entered a moderate clearing were they saw a strange scene. Another sled was in the centre of glade and two people were standing next to it, holding big weapons in theirs hands. Two other persons were lying in the snow – one in pool of blood.

“Talk, scum, or I’ll blast your head off!” shouted Gunnar Kaasen, aiming with heavy gun of Browning Automatic Rifle on survived gangster. Arashi Tazaku was a bit too old for carrying so weighty weapon, so he was just pointing with his scoped rifle.

“Whom you were shooting at? Have you killed somebody? Tell us, or we bury you here and now.”

In far North the State is just a distant abstraction. There is no real police in forest of Alaska because there is jurisdiction of Nature herself. Sometime Nature is using help of brave and fair people and that case took place then. Doctor from Buckland and trapper from Nome incidentally met in Nenana and there heard about dangerous gangsters threat. So Kaasen got his sled and dogs and Arashi fixed (however – he never said how) some real portable artillery like B.A.R. was. Prepared and well-armed they set off in eventually direction of criminal’s hiding.

“Look!” called Gunnar. “A sled...”

“John?” sighed Japanese. “Thank God you alive! What happened?”

Without long deliberation, living gangster was tied, put on Kaasen sled and trapper <lent> one dog to team of Ash. They formed a convoy and started in Nenana’s direction.

“Thanks, man!” whispered  Ice to his new harness neighbour. This time greenland was in first pair with Kaasen’s dog, because they were riding after Norwegian sled. Also, a black-white husky was leading. “We would be all up without you. What is your name?”

“I’m Kodi of Nome.” Introduced dog. Of course, no one discover that he was Cher’s brother, because only creature that knew it – Jack, was unconscious. “What happened?”

“Those thugs wanted to stop us. We had an accident during escape. We lost two dogs...” he lowered his voice and added. “Please, be gentle with that husky on tail. He lost his brother today.”

“I’m so sorry...” replied Kodi. “But for now on those criminals won’t hurt anyone...”

They reached Nenana in two days. Jack haven’t regained his consciousness enough to recognize Kodi.

*

Daniel emerged from deep sea of slumber. He wanted to stay in depths of unconsciousness, because being awake meant terrible pain. Whole muzzle was a lake of fire and he knew why. Dog understood that he lost his sight permanently, what was a death-sentence in the wild. He called for Cher only twice but quickly came to conclusion that she had left him. Both love and cold reason didn’t let him be angry on her. “She did what she did... only to increase her chances. I hope my death wasn’t useless.” He thought. But if he had eyes, he would burst with cry. He hold no grudge against her, that she recognized him as dead, but he wished he didn’t left him. He would be happy to die in her paws or from her paws. “It would be sweet end. But she just left me...”

He tired to wake up but exhausted and hypothermed body disobeyed. “So...” he thought. “I wonder how long it will take before some creature finish me. God, I hope that would be some real predator not just a scavenger.” He imagined his still living body being tearing apart by crows and he shivered. Of course – shivered in mind. His muscles were too tired to make any move.

He sensed the coming night and understood that he was losing his consciousness due to coldness. “It would be worse. I will froze to death – no so bad end. Painless. But so lonely... Cher...” he whispered and fell into dark crack of silence.

*

For his great amaze, he awoke. It was another day, however his mutilated eyes show him just endless night. But he was still living. Dog smelt a strange scent surrounding him. A meat! A portion of fresh meat was lying before him. He made a few steps, or better to say: crawls, ahead and reached precious meal. It was a fragment of deer’s body, carefully cut from animal’s side.

“Who is here?” called Daniel with weary voice. Than he sniffed another scent – a scent of canine. Some how it seemed well-known to him. “Hallo?” But no one replied. “I know there is someone!” he added. “Hey, you... this is your prey... and you probably warmed me during last night. I would be dead right now without you...” But no one answered.

And the same pattern repeated. On afternoon husky heard steps and smelled a scent of another meal. He found a piece of meat nearby and when he started to eat, the strange saviour went away. On evening, when frost was freezing the forest, Daniel felt he was freezing too. But just before he lost consciousness, he sensed that warm body cuddled to him and make him a little warmer. But of course, when woke up, the stranger was gone.

In midday of next day, silent guest unexpectedly came to Daniel and pinned him to the ground. Then he put a branch in husky’s mouth and dog understood that pain was coming. And he was right. Stranger immobilised his patient and then licked his wound on muzzle. If Daniel hadn’t a stick in jaws he would filled whole Alaska with piercing scream. But he knew that was required.

Saviour cleaned his wound and even removed all, or almost all, shot from cuts. Husky lost consciousness in progress but when he woke up again he felt stronger. Also a next meat was waiting for him.

“Thanks, Steele.” Said Daniel. Quiet wheezing nearby stopped. “Come on, I know that is you.” Added husky. “I recognised your scent and additionally: I recognised your grip. Do you remember? That fight near to the post in Buckland?” Wheezing started again, but stranger said nothing. “It’s great that you are alive, Steele. We were sure you died that night. But why don’t you say a word? I’m dying anyway, so I won’t tell anyone.”

Stranger didn’t replied but made some mark on the snow. Husky recognised a sign from Sled Code: NO!

“Don’t fight it, my friend. I’m finished anyway.” Said Daniel honestly. “I’m a cripple and I don’t want to live that way... Don’t you have own problems to carrying about me?” Stranger disappeared but in few hours returned with fresh hare.

*

On next morning Daniel found that his saviour had drawn a line in the snow. Uncertain what to do, he carefully stood up and followed it. Then he understood that he was watched – an approving murmur sounded. So husky started to go in that strange path. From time to time his carer ordered a break, but nudging dog’s side. Then Daniel was resting and stranger was hunting. Probably. Anyway, after almost every that pause, unknown brought a something to it with him.

They were moving that for two days. Daniel had no idea where they were going (because of his blindness he even wasn’t sure in what direction they went) nor how long way they made. But on evening on fourth day after accident in the valley, he smelled something that froze his heart.

“Cher!” he yelled. “She is still here, I sense her. She didn’t find the way home... Steele... there is a bitch that needs help and...” He was nudged and fell silent. In fact after a second thought he came to conclusion that wasn’t scent of Cher. It was very similar but not the same. It has something... wolfish.

When aroma got stronger, Daniel understood that he was taken to wolf’s hiding. It was a dense grove, where scents of saviour and that Cher-like female were mixed. Stranger guided him to quite roomy den, where dog sensed another presence.

“You haven’t told him, aren’t you?” asked... a she-canine with voice so similar to Cher’s. “Darling, cease that.”

“Ow, you are right.” Said Steele. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I just... well, being dead has its advantages.”

Female burst in laughter, but soon after she stopped, probably seeing wound of dog.

“O, my God!” she yelled. “You haven’t told me that he is in that condition...”

“I agree, ma’am” said Daniel with tired voice. “There is no use in feeding me...”

“No, Daniel!” she replied quickly. “You are our guest and we will take care of you...”

“How do you...”

“That is my mate, Aleu.” Said Steele. “In fact, she has saved you...”

“No...” disagreed female. “That was our common decision. Daniel...” she turned to husky. “You have very constant friend.”

“Friends.” Said dog. “I don’t know how to thank you, ma’am...”

“Aleu.” Corrected Aleu.

“Right, Aleu...” said dog. “Steele, how it could be?”

“He will tell you everything.” Said Aleu. “But now, come here.” She came to him and helped him to raise up. “On that bedding. I must see your wounds...”

And she put him on own bad, and started to licking his blinded eyes. When Steele had done it with male’s harshness, only in order to prevent the inflammation, she did it in so gentle, feminine way. Every her touch brought a relief and calmness.

“I’ll go hunt.” Said Steele. “Darling, give him that buck I’ve dug nest to oak...”

“Don’t worry, I will take care of him.” Replied Aleu, hugging Daniel like new-born pup.

*

Steele was absent almost all the time, due to constant hunting. Both Daniel and Aleu required many energy, so former leader had to get twice preys he used to.

“We will have puppies.” Said brownish-furred, cleaning husky’s wounds day after.

“What?” gasped shocked Daniel. “You are pregnant and you let Steele to share your food with me? No... this is... Aleu... I’m too heavy burned for you...”

“Easy, Daniel.” She replied. “I know what we could afford. Until we can feed you, we will. Probably, when February-frosts will come, we will have problems. But until that you will be ready to walk and Steele will guide you to Buckland...”

“Why?” asked husky.

“You are my love’s friend.” Said Aleu.

“No, why you are doing it?” inquired Daniel.

“I... I don’t know. I just... have to.” Answered bitch honestly.

“God... you smell almost like Cher.” Said dog with dreamy voice.

“CHER?” gasped Aleu.

*

Steele found them about midnight in den, still talking with emotional voices. Malamute left roe’s carcass in side-chamber of den and looked on mate and friend.

“Steele...” said Aleu. “I know that is hard to believe, but some mysteries had been solved...”

And they said him about everything. Former leader was only nodding without asking any question. When they finished, he said with uncertain voice.

“I don’t know if it is still concerning you, but I made sure Cher reached civilisation.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” yelled Aleu.

“Dear, I didn’t know that was your sister!”

“Ow, yes...” agreed she-canine. “But Daniel... that means she left you in the forest...” dog nodded his head. “I’m so sorry... please... forgive her. I can’t...”

“It’s all right, Aleu.” Said husky. “I can’t be angry on her... I still love her.” He turned his blind stare on her. “But I slowly coming to conclusion that I fell in love with wrong sister.”

“I can understand you.” She said. “Cher is so beautiful... More than me.”

“Objection, You Honour. I think you are!” Whispered Steele to Aleu’s ear. They both smiled, but then again looked on Daniel.

“Daniel, I believe that when she knows the true, she will understand her mistakes. You will back to Buckland and be with my sister. But remember that she would be honoured by that, not you!” then she moaned and tensed her muzzle.

“It’s now?” asked Steele with excitation.

“Now, but it’s coming...” replied Aleu. “I expect the labour any day... Daniel, do you have any objection that we’ll name a son after you? Of course, if there will be the son, but I expect that will...”

“That’s an honour for me.” Replied husky. “Thanks.”

“Right, so there will be second Daniel in few days.” Smiled Steele.

“That means I should go.” Said Daniel.

“Well...” murmured malamute.

“No, it’s all right.” Replied husky. “I understand this. Soon you will have a numerous tiny mouth to feed. I can walk now... just show me the way...”

“Not so fast!” said Aleu. “Steele will guide you to the outskirts of Buckland.”

“Ow, yes, I forgot it.” Smiled Daniel. “You are too noble to think about yourselves... Steele, your mate changed you in unbelievable way...”

“If you knew me from Nome times, you would... know the three different persons.” Smiled malamute. “But you have right, she is amazing. Just like Sky was. I bet the were good friends...”

*

So next day Steele and Daniel started in Buckland’s direction. After warm farewell with Aleu, dog set off after his friend. They made that way in two days and on evening were on edge of forest, where doctor Tazaku had his caribu-enclousure.

“You will get there?” asked Steele. “I would take you farther, but... you know... I wish to be dead to the world.”

“I will.” Said Daniel. “Scent will guide me...” Even from that distance he smelled an aroma of Cher. “Steele, you are the best dead-friend I have... Tell Aleu, that... I don’t know. Just kiss her once from me, right?”

“Right, pal.” Said Steele. “So go home, and show that... Cher who is the dog here!” smiled malamute and turned back to the forest.

VII. The return of the claimant

Strong ones are fighting with their strength. Weak ones are fighting with  stronger ones. To recompense our weakness we must use the others. That is natural way of life and only a perfect hypocrite would object that. So when I saw a problem that laid before me I was thinking not only how to solve it but also who would solve it for me. Humans have a game called <chess>. I saw once a technique of playing when player sacrifice one of his pawns to get the enemy’s king. They call it <gambit>. A nice word to describe what don’t have to be nice in details. Because what I had to do wasn’t too elegant in moral perspective. But how elegant it was as a chess move! A perfect gambit in perfect game. To remove two pawns to get the king. Don’t you thing that what some call <cruelty> is always so mathematical-beautiful?

No soothing words had calmed down terrified Jack. But morphine did.

In Galena, doctor Tazaku noticed that wounded husky went mad. Without deliberation he injected him a dose of sedative and put him on sled like another load. In way back Ash set off with his father-in-law and his rifle. It was still danger, at least they thought so. In Nenana no one knew that last thug blasted his head off during fight with Daniel.

“Better we carry that dog on the sled.” Said Arashi. “One of dogs you’ve lost was probably his mate... O, Daniel is missing. He was a great creature!”

Men took a load and started a way back. It was very sad return, still in five dogs in harness. In fact, it was also very hard, because of only five dog in harness and additional load of doctor Tazaku and Jack. During route to Buckland, mushers stopped next to fatal valley and gave a quick look for lost dogs. They found nothing, even no Danny Torbello’s body, already fully devoured by scavengers.

“I’m so sorry.” Said Ice, looking on David. He had gone with humans to examine the place of accident. “We haven’t found him... But he might survive and...”

“If your eyes are still weary, I will lead.” Replied husky with voice totally washed out from emotions. Ice haven’t dared to said a word to him until they reached Buckland. But there they found someone unexpected.

“Cher!” yelled Jack and jump out the sled-card. “You are alive!”

Cherry-furred returned to town faster than they got back from Nenana. What she didn’t know - it was a Steele’s merit, who had cleared her path from dangers and few times planted some meat on her way.

Husky run to cherry-furred and nestled to her. But she greeted him with coldness and tensed neck. She looked on Ice and cried, faking regret and sorrow.

“Ice, forgive me... I got lost... I wanted to stay with you, but...”

“Leave it.” Replied greenland. “Thank God you are alive. But where is...”

“Daniel...” whispered David, searching his brother with sight.
”I... I...” yelled Cher. “Forgive me... Daniel is dead.”

Husky should to be prepared for that but he wasn’t. Hearing this news he froze and motionlessly fell on the snow. In one second whole energy, that we was sparkling with during the march, disappeared. He said nothing, only plunged his muzzle into the snow-drift. After few seconds Eva went to him and laid next to, gentle hugging husky.

“He saved me...” added Cher, still looking on Ice. Disappointed Jack made few steps back. “He fought the evil human, but they both are dead.”

“Well...” said confused Ice. “Let go to the kennel. We all are going cold...” So he started in building direction and dogs followed him. Only David and Eva remained outside.

*

<Dead> Daniel returned Buckland a week after, just after Christmas. It was a middle of night when blinded dog was walking on main town’s street, trying to find Tazaku’s house. Not the kennel but doctor’s residence. He wished to show himself at first to Cher, even before brother. That why he had to march through almost whole town. Armand, who was incidentally walking in that region, spotted him next to bridge.

“Who are you and what...” he asked with serious voice but then he understood on whom he was looking. “Uncle... You are alive! But... your eyes...”

“Shhh!” said husky. “Don’t tell anybody. Just come here!” youngster obediently went to friend. “Guide me to doctor Tazaku!”

*

Cher was sleeping in main doctor’s room, next to the door. Quickly she heard a quiet scratching in wood so she opened her eyes and stood up.

“Who’s there?” she asked with curiosity. When no answer came, some unusual interest forced her to exit via dog-hatch into the winter night. Without word she stood before door and then she screamed. She saw a ghost.

“Hush!” said Daniel, seeing as unexpected bark of cherry-furred dragged some attention. Few lights were switched on and from Tazaku’s house came some Japanese curse. “Cher, listen to me!” added with exited voice. “I will tell them nothing, you got it? Nothing! Because I love you! I will never blame you, because I wish you to understand what I feel. This will be ours secret, my love...”

And then master Arashi opened his door and notice Cher and other dog before him. He bended down to stranger then cried with amaze.

“Daniel!” Ice and few dogs came, alarmed by Armand. “God, Daniel is alive... Come here, my boy...” he grabbed husky’s back. “What a mess!” murmured seeing scars on his face. “I must take you in...” He took a dog inside and wanted to close the door when he noticed David, standing nearby with confused stare. “You may go in.” decided doctor. “The rest: go to sleep!” he ordered to both humans and dogs.”

“Dad! Uncle is alive!” barked Ari with joy.

“He is!” agreed greenland. “But we won’t help him. We must trust in master Tazaku’s hands.”

*

Of course, Japanese couldn’t return husky eyes, but he cleared wounds, removed few last shots from under scabs and set a professional bandage. Soon the muzzle of dog was looking like the head of mummy. Then Tazaku put his patient next to Cher on bedding.

“It’s almost impossible that you have avoided an inflammation.” Said old doctor. “I guest some angel was looking after you.” And she left both his dogs alone.

“Cher... are you awake?” asked blind dog. She wanted to pretend she was sleeping but sudden burst of cry betrayed her. “Don’t worry... We will manage it.” Added husky, sure he finally got her as a mate. If not thanks to love, thank to remorse and their little secret. Anyway – the effect mattered.

*

Cher was living like in haze. For next few days, when all dogs community heard Daniel’s tale, cherry-furred was thinking only about two things – how make sure that husky would never say the truth and prove Ice she had no obligations towards Daniel.

Blind dog changed his story a bit, but that difference... was huge a difference, showing acting of Cher in much more favourable light.

“I fell with human to some blasted crack.” Explained Daniel. “Leaving Cher upthere. In fact I have no chances to survive... a miracle happened – I hit the snow-drift in that cave. Thank God that before I fell I managed to order Cher to run. She tried to find me, the snow-den would be probably collapse and we would be both dead now.”

“Anyway, he saved you.” Said Ice, looking on cherry-furred. “For the second time. I think that means something...”

“Yes...” said  Cher with weary voice. She wished that he never reminded that.

Ice seemed to be completely indifferent on her beauty. She so many times suggested him by gesture, allusions and even touches that she was interested in him. But he hadn’t noticed it or pretended the hadn’t.

She left the kennel into the January night. She had to invent something to catch Ice’s attention, but she had no idea how. “He thinks I owe my life Daniel. Well, I do, but Ice want me to return it to my twice-time-saviour. Ice... he is so noble and honourable... He wouldn’t even look on me if I left such a debt behind me. And there is also Jack... JACK!” he thought and smiled. Like summoned in mysterious way, Jack exited the kennel and stood before her.

“Cher?”

“Yes, Jack, we must talk.” She said. They started into Tazaku’s house direction, but husky, uncertain and scarred by whet he would hear, was silent. “Jack... I don’t know how to start.”

“Say it straight.” Advised dog. “The sooner we get through this, the better.”

“Right... Jack... we won’t search for Aleu anymore.” Said with quiet voice.”

“I understand.” Replied husky. “But I must know: why?”

“Because... I have to stay in Buckland.”

Jack gasped although he had knew it earlier. “Ice.” He thought. “I have to kill Ice. It is so simple...” He barely repressed his cry of anger. Cherry-furred felt what was happening in dog’s soul, thanks to sixth sense of her emotions and long-taught practice.

“Jack, please, don’t be angry on me.” Whispered Cher with sweet and innocent voice. It sounded so spontaneously because it was so well trained. “Unintentionally, I’ve made some debts. Life debts, honourable debts... Those I must pay.”

“I think you owed me something a bit earlier than you owed Ice... So why you have to deal with him? The facts don’t matter. You love him!”

“Ice?!” she yelled. “No, of course not!” added with emotional voice, praying that Jack believed in that lie.

“So what did you mean by...”

“Daniel.” Whispered cherry-furred with well played tone of remorse and despair. “He saved me twice... And he is blind because of me...”

“He presses you because of that?” gasped husky with growing hatred.

“No, forgive me, Jack...” yelled Cher. “Once I thought that I’m just grateful to him. But when he got lost... and we were thinking he was dead... I realised that...” she turned her stare into Jack eyes. “I love him. Forgive me.”

Husky was standing for over minute, to shocked to even think. Then he turned his stare to the ground and whispered.

“You did nothing wrong. I’m sorry if you thought that I could blame you for my own failures... Just...” he took a deep breath and added with tensed voice. “Ow, never mind.” Then he turned into forest direction and started to run.

So Cher remained alone on Buckland’s main street. She was both shocked and exited – she predicted almost every reaction, word, even thought of Jack. She was still queen of that dog and she had a final quest for her subject. A gambit. To get the king. Cher turned back to the kennel...

*

Daniel was telling his story again to rest of dog-community. With every word he said a pleasant thought grew in his mind. He had Cher. She was in his might or almost in his might. That why his eyes hurt no more and even the perspective of endless night wasn’t too scary. He had what he wanted to.

“And then I got a scent of sled and I set off home.” He finished his factious tale. Dogs thanked him with grateful murmur, full of admire and sympathy. But after few minutes almost all of them got to rest. Only David came to his twin.

“If you want to say, what really happened, just say it.” Whispered husky, like he was reading the deepest thought of twin. In some way he was.

“Huh?” surprised darker dog. “I don’t understand.”

“Never mind.” Replied David. He took a look around and made sure no one was listening. “Don’t worry, bro. Everything will be all right and as was in old times... I’m with you...”

“From now on, not only you.” Said Daniel and smiled. “I hope you will use to your new sister-in-law...”

“Dan!” gasped lighter husky. “I hate to say it but... open your eyes!” suddenly he understood what a faux-pas he had made and added. “Ow, I’m sorry...” But his twin just burst in quiet laughter.

“Open my eyes! That was good!” yelled with airy voice, still laughing. “Technically, I’ve already done it. My eyes are permanently open and...” he stopped, took a deeper breath and continued. “But anyway... You don’t trust Cher, but she loves me. You will see...”

“Just don’t let her fool you. She is just an actress, who play before you, Ice and that guy, Jack... She isn’t...”

But in that moment door to the kennel opened and cherry-furred entered. Ice stood to see who it was but stopped, seeing known silhouette.

“I’m sorry to wake you.” Whispered Cher with innocent voice. “But I came for Daniel... if he want to go to doctor Tazaku...”

“You will take him?” asked Ice with both confusion and joy. His friend was about to be rewarded for torment he had been through.

“If you don’t mind...” said cherry-furred and greenland just smiled.

“Not at all.”

“Do you see?” asked Daniel. “Bro, she came for me...”

“Yes...” agreed David. “I’ll just make sure she will give you back.”

Cher came to twins and bowed before David.

“Hello, Dave.” She whispered with hypnotizing voice. “Don’t you mind if I take your brother to me... that is: to doctor Tazaku’s residence?”

“Well...” replied husky uncertainly. “Go ahead...”

Cher came to Daniel and helped him to raise. Husky went out of the building, guided by cherry-furred. When they were on the street, she asked.

“Does it still hurts?”

“Not at all.” Replied dog. His spirit was dancing with the stars. “Not when you are close.”

“So I have to be close all the time.” Said Cher, nestled to Daniel’s side and licked his cheek. She hoped that Jack was seeing it and she was right.

*

Jack was standing on a slope of town’s valley. His sharp sensed showed him whole scene, as Cher was guiding blind dog to Tazaku’s house. Desperate husky didn’t heard a word, but he didn’t have to. In fact, he also wasn’t able. His world inflamed with clear hatred towards dark-furred rival. Inside he was boiling and wanted to run in random direction – to escape the dreadful whispers in his ears.

Something told him to bare his teethes and tensed his muscles. He knew that he hadn’t to kill Daniel but also he had to. He was accustoming to that idea for long minutes. Then to hot emotions joined a cold reason. He had to have a plan.

“With cripple!” he thought. “She left me for that blind invalid!” whispered silently, but in the same time he was choosing the right place and time to change that condition. He knew that killing of Cher’s beloved was kind of delayed suicide. “She would never even look on murdered like I would be.” he thought. But there was no alternative – vision of smiling Daniel and Cher caressing him was worse than anything he experienced in his life. After all, he was just a pawn and he had to fulfil Player’s wished.

*

Cher opened a dog-hatch and held it until Daniel entered. Dog went to the centre of room and stopped, uncertain what to do then. So cherry-furred nudged his side and guided him to won bedding.

“That’s here.” She whispered and gentle pushed him down. Then she laid down next to him. Daniel was barely repressing his excitation. He surrender to intoxicating caress of Cher’s touch. “But now, sleep, my dear.” Said she-husky. “Tomorrow we will start it all over.” “At least I will” added in mind.

Daniel remained sleepless for long time. He was trying to order and understand events of previous days. He felt happy, as he hadn’t been in his life. Loss of sight seemed to be just a minor discomfort comparing to wonderful presence of Cher at his side. Although words of brother sowed some anxiety in his mind, slowly that unpleasant impression faded out and husky was just delighting with taste of victory. “It was worthy to do all that.” He whispered in dark room and then nestled to sleeping Cher.

VIII. The Dame of North

We are dogs, aren’t we? As the humans would say - genus: canis, family: canidae, order: carnivora. So all we eat meat, right? Killing to live or let our owner to kill or to buy meat of killed animals. And no one calls it murder, right? It’s just a feeding. Life of everyone of us costs a thousands of lives of minor creatures. There is no cruelty in that, just a way of life. If we don’t eat the meat, we die. I want to remind you that before you say a word too much. You are looking on my life and surely trying to judge it according to own morality and views. But you are wrong!
Don’t you ever judge me! Let my way be, as well as you leave the way of life itself. Don’t search for etiquettes and pompous epithets. Just accept that this is the natural order of things. Eat to live, rule to live. Care of own business to live. Think about it what you like, but spare me those preaches. I’m the Dame of North and as a monarchess of my own land I make my will the law. I, the weakest of my litter but the strongest of all. Something I inherited after Great Balto – an incline to be victorious.
So as I said: don’t judge me! There must be the apples-trees on this world.

Two days later morning seemed to be fair and pleasant. Although it was cold, sun was shining from clear sky and making the snow-layer to shine with reflections. Ice was going in kennel’s direction, surrounded by six of his children. Youngsters were barely repressing emotions because that day they was about to start formal sled training with rest of team.

“So would be go in March mail-route?” asked Armand, as always avid to sled-duty.

“Some March for sure.” Replied his father. But not this year unless you stop to ask me for that.

They came to kennel and noticed that almost every dogs were outside, on yard. Sled-team was only about one forth of whole community of over forty dogs but reception of new members (that were: Ice’s children) was always a whole town event. So dogs were waiting before the building. Even old Blade, former (and retired due to health problems) leader of team, came to watch fresh recruits.

“Right” called Ice. “Sled-team: fall in rank!”

Arrow, Ringo, Moon, and mackenzie sisters formed a rank before greenland, but David, standing nearby remained in place. He looked on leader and said.

“Where is Daniel?”

“I don’t know.” Replied Ice. “He was sleeping in doc’s house... with Cher.” Added uncertainly. “I haven’t woken them. Your brother is probably tired and...”

“So, where is Cher?”

“With him I guess...”

“Ice, come on side.” Said David with serious voice. Greenland looked on his team and ordered.

“Right, arrow leads the training. I’ll be right back.” And he went after light-furred husky. They came between kennel and Ash’s house, to talk in private.

“Sorry for that, but recently I have some weird premonitions.” Said David. “Look, I know it’s sound quite strange, but may I ask you to have an eye on Daniel when he is with Cher or... what is more important... with Jack?”

“What do you mean?” asked confused greenland. “Look, I know it could be quite confusing for you, but your brother is a mature dog. He met his love and mate and you have to use to that he is living with her.”

“He is blind.” Said husky. “He needs our help.

“Or maybe he needs her help?” asked Ice. “I know that you are worried about Daniel but just believe that Cher loves him and would never...” she stopped, looking somewhere over David’s shoulder. “...leave him.”

“Ow, hallo Ice. Hallo, David?” greeted them Cher with her most innocent and charming voice.

“Hi, Cher.” Replied quite confused greenland.

“Where is Daniel?” asked husky straight.

‘Well...” said cherry-furred with expression of slight surprise in her eyes. “I thought he is already here. I sent Jack to guide him and...”

David didn’t hear whole sentence, just started to run to Tazaku’s residence. In one second a flame of fear burst in his mind. He caught the scent of twin and followed it with heavy beating heart.

*

Daniel was going after Jack. According to what Nome husky said, that morning training was to take place by the river, outside of town. Daniel wanted to ask why Ice had hit on such stupid idea, but he just forgot. Just like that – since few days moments of dissociation happened to him over and over. But why not? A change wasn’t bad. In fact, dark-furred husky was anyway unable to pull the sled, so his participation in training was useless. He was going just to talk with Daniel and Ice.

“I have to apologize Ice.” He thought. “I was acting like a pup and got huff on him for just stupid premonitions. Jealous because of him? No, Ice is my friend, he wouldn’t backstab me in any way. And hell... that doesn’t matter, because Cher loves me! Me! Me!” he was reveling in that idea.

“Watch the patch.” Voice of Jack interrupted his merry thoughts. “Now we will be going up hill.”

“Yes, of course.” Replied Daniel, however in edge of reason he questioned himself where the hell they were going. He heard a sound of river current, but behind his back. But he obediently followed his guide. “That is Cher’s friend.” He thought. “I must be nice to him!”

But when they made about a mile thought dense forest, Daniel felt strange. This definitely wasn’t a right place for a training.

“Jack, where we are going?”

“Ahead.” Replied dog honestly. “I want to find some remote place, where no one would interrupt us.”

“Ow, yes...” murmured Daniel. “Don’t you mind if I ask: interrupt in what?” asked husky.

“We must explain some matters with about Cher.” Said Jack, very proud that he wasn’t forced to lie.

“Right, Cher.” Smiled Daniel and that only enraged Jack even more.

“This is the right place.” He said, barely repressing emotions. “Sit if you are tired.”

“Yes, I felt a little tired.” Admitted dark-furred and sat on the moss. “What exactly you want from me?”

“Not so much.” Said Jack. “Just your pathetic life.”

“Pardon?” asked Daniel, still taking it as some kind of joke.

“I like you, Daniel.” Said enraged husky, coming to rival from behind. “Just hold on still and I’ll make it quick.”

“WHAT?” yelled blind dog.

And then all happened instantly. Daniel sensed a presence of Jack behind him. He pounced ahead, in last moment shunning enemy’s jaws. Blind dog hit a pine before him, but at once jumped aside, avoiding another blow. Although he saw nothing, he had some advantage that Jack didn’t know. Buckland’s resident knew it place. He recognised that clearing where he had been playing countless times with David, so he once saw every tree and rock in range. He was desperately trying to recall relief of area and to find some shelter from raging enemy. But that was just a delaying something unavoidable.

“Jack!”  panted Daniel. “Just think a minute! You can’t kill me!”

“Do you wanna bet?” asked husky with mad voice.

“No, that is useless.” Called dark-furred. “Everyone will know what you have done. And she will to!”

“I will bury you deep.” Comforted him Jack.

“No!” Daniel yelled. “She would hate you for that!”

“She hates me already.” Replied Jack, again jumping on rival. But again me missed, because dark-furred rolled aside and hide behind dwarf-pine cluster. “And despises me. She chose you, a pathetic cripple...” sudden his muzzle gained a new expression, however Daniel was unable to notice that. “Ow, sorry, pal. I shouldn’t said that. You have saved her and I’m grateful for that. But I can’t let you live...”

“I won’t tell anybody!” called Daniel. “No one will knows about today. Just go home and...”

“Sorry, Daniel. It’s not me. It’s her.” Said husky and pinned down enemy down.

Daniel tried to shook the rival off but he was exhausted and confused after hitting the tree. So they just were wrestling for few minutes, without word, only with grave awareness of that was unavoidable. Finally Jack found Daniel’s throat and plunged his teethes in it. Blind dog made no cry of pain, just whispered with fading consciousness.

“You have right... That’s not you... That’s just her...” Then from his mouth burst a wave of blood.

David and Ice found him when he was digging a grave.

*

Jack remembered a little from following hours. What he saved that when they run to him, he burst with mad laughter and fell on Daniel’s body. He made no dodges from David’s hits and soon was lying on moss, blooded and bitten, but still laughing as maddog he actually was. Greenland and husky had to took him down to Buckland but he wasn’t sure if he went with them willingly or he was forced to do it. Anyway – just before evening a court of town gathered.

Ice wasn’t main judge, as well as Blade. Both dogs resigned from that task, arguing that they were close friends of victim. David was like paralysed, just the same as he was bereaving brother at first time, three weeks earlier. Husky was lying next to Daniel’s body, completely indifferent to world around. Only when Cher entered kennel, he raised his stare and looked on her with clear hatred.

“Are all in place?” asked Bart a small terrier who had been chosen to lead a trial. Dogs made a common murmur of confirmation. Only Jack added a pitiful yell to that. He just noticed Cher who was standing next to Ice and completely ignoring him.

“So we are here to decide about a murder case...”

Jack wasn’t listening to words of judge and witnesses. In fact, there wasn’t too much to listen. Ice and David described scene they saw on clearing, Cher said that she asked Jack to take Daniel to kennel. After his testimony David got back to brother’s body and pointed his stare on dead twin. He said no word until end of a trial.

A case was simple. That was a murder with cold blood – carefully planned and prepared. Ringo, who was advocate of Jack, tried to get just a exile sentence by suggest that Daniel could had been killed in affection and every doubt should be count for innocence of suspect. But that idea ruined Jack himself, who noticed a hateful stare of Cher and called with despair.

“Cease it! I wanted to kill him!”

“Ow...” murmured Ringo. He was mad with fury on Husky, because he was Daniel’s friend. But as a advocate, he did his best. “I have nothing more to add.”

“Stop!” called David, who just had raised his stare from Daniel’s body. “Don’t kill him.” A Whisper of amaze came among dogs but husky continued. “As brother of Daniel I ask for mercy on Jack from Nome.”

Dogs were amazed but no one dared to say a word. Bart looked on six of his arrays and all them nodded. There was no need to make an official deliberation.

“As a town court of Buckland we wish to give our sentence.” Started Bart. “Although we find accused guilty and for third-degree canicide we could have only one sentence: death... We want to fulfil wish of brother of victim. Jack of Nome, we are sentencing you on exile.” A murmur of excitation burst among dogs. “You have one day to leave our town and you will be killed if you will be found in distant of dog-howl from Buckland’s square. The trail is over.”

Shocked Jack was took away the kennel. When he was passing next to Cher, she whispered quietly, but loud enough for Ice to hear. “Murderer! I want nothing more to do with you!” She burst in tears and nestled to Ice. Exactly as she planed.

Eva came to David and licked his forehead with sympathy. But he only thanked her with a nod and went to Cher. In din of kennel no one, even the closest – Ice, didn’t hear their dialogue.

“So, are they both... removed?” he asked with poisonous voice.

“Ha?” asked Cher with clear fear on her face.

“Jack hasn’t killed my brother.” Said David.

“But... but... who has?” stammered out Cher.

“You.” Answered husky and bended his muzzle down to her ear. “You killed them both. I will watch your steps. Don’t be so self-confident. The higher you are, the harder you fall.” And he left kennel, leaving Cher nestled to Ice’s side. Eva again greeted him with tender hug. Of course it was tender in mackenzies standards – if she would hug some smaller and more fragile dog than strong husky, she would have probably choke him fast. But David just sighed with gratitude.

*

Jack was just left on main Buckland’s street. A semicircle of silent but hostile dogs were pushing him away from kennel. So husky took a final stare on Cher, still standing at Ice’s side and turned south. She started to speed, trying to outrun every think that was in his mind.

“It’s over.” Said greenland with gentle voice. “I’m so sorry, Cher.”

“I... I.” she sobbed. “I’ve lost Daniel. Ice, you are the last friend I have. Please, help me.”

“I will.” Replied simple-hearted greenland. “So let go home.”

*

Jack until morning made over fifty miles to Beaver Clearing. In so deep snow it was a real achievement, even for well trained musher-dog. But then he just fell on ground, and panted helplessly for long time. There found him Aleu.

“Hey...” she called carefully.

Steele had forbidden her to speak with anyone, especially with wolves and stay dogs. She was still exhausted after a labour and for most time was staying with pups in den. But hunger was overwhelming – Steele just cannot afford for descent rations of food. He was doing his best, but he was just one. So Aleu decide to hunt herself when Steele was resting in den and guarding pups. Malamute was scared by that perspective, but in fact they had no other way. Few days earlier Steele got some dog’s food from hands of former master, who met incidentally on hunt. But that was a miracle, that maybe saved lives of Aleu and pups, but just a miracle. They had to secure they existence on their own. So Aleu was hunting too. Not too far from den, but far enough to make it dangerous. Steele could heard her distress call, but had limited chances to came with help. That why he ordered her to be careful. She loved her mate and she was very sorry when she had to break his orders.

“Hey...” she repeated, closing to lying dog. She was ready to run if stranger stood, but she was almost sure that husky was too exhausted to be dangerous. “Sir, don’t sleep or you will froze to death!”

“Leave me alone!” panted dog with so pitiful voice that Aleu stood in place.

“Sir, let me help you!”

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” growled Jack and stood on paws.

He was looking like a skeleton and his mad eyes were sparkling with fury. Aleu didn’t recognise old friend from Nome – she just noticed starving mad dog with dirty fur and multiple scratches on paws. She made few steps back, ready to run. Steele had right – it was dangerous. “My God... he has a rabies!” though terrified bitch. But no, then she noticed that stranger had no froth on his lips nor typical shivers of paws.

“You must eat something...” she said with gentle and calm voice. “You will be dead, if you won’t.”

“Good... that’s good!” replied dog and burst in maniacal laughter.

Suddenly he set off in random direction with full speed. Aleu was looking on running silhouette with heavy feeling in her hear. She was unable to help him. She had no time nor energy to chase him and even if she caught him  she had no meat to share. “And there is possibility he is infected.” She thought. “I can’t endanger Steele and pups.”

So she just went into forest direction, hoping to find some hares in the snow.

*

Ravens of Seward Peninsula told me that Jack froze to death about ten miles south from Steele’s and Aleu’s den. His death was quick and turned out to be real relief in that life-haze. He was running in one moment and in next he fell down on the snow. Heart attack was caused by general exhaustion and lack of will to live. His meat saved many raven’s families, who are recalling <the mad dog> even today with gratitude.

IX. Epilogue

And that is it – the end of my journey and prize I’ve been seeking. This is no throne I once dreamed about but my own, small haven, where I’m the ruler and monarchess. Small town on North, no fame, no glory. Just plain happiness, that turned out to be hard to get anyway.
I’m lying now in mister Tazaku’s house... my home from now on. Here is warm and peacefully, opposite to that storm outside. I’m not sleeping yet, just wondering about few things. One of them is a recollection of that apple-tree from my mother’s garden. I’m sure that now it is fine and strong tree, that will be bearing fruits soon. It has reached the light and touched the sky, whatever it took!

Early April.

Spring was almost there, but winter decided to show her last effort. Frost came unexpectedly, so Arashi Tazaku allowed his dogs to sleep in main room. His canine family had grown recently, but old Japanese had nothing against it. He had a fine house and worm inside, that he could share. It was required especially for mother and her pups.

Ice was lying next to his new mate and litter of theirs new-born children. Cher wasn’t sleeping, just she was looking on beloved greenland and six of her stepchildren. Now they all were family: she, Ice, Agnes, Lucy, Ari, Steele (junior), Kiva, Armand and new pups: Mark, Robert, Diana and Julia. Cher hoped that younger children wipe out the memory of Sky and she remain the only queen of Ice. But could wait. Cherry-furred was able to wait long in order to get whatever she wanted to.