It was the end of the fifteen century. In a cave in the Northern Lands sat a gathering of animals, one representing each type of animal that lived in the land that would one day be called Alaska. But these were not normal animals, for they were spirits, immortal creatures who took care of the animals and humans of Alaska. Each one had their own powers and gifts. There were hundreds of spirits but those that sat in the cave were the ruling spirits. For this was a time before the coming of the white man to the frozen shores.
Tonight the spirits had gathered for a special reason, they had to choose the wolf who would become the leading wolf spirit.
“My brothers and sisters, I know all of you have heard of the events of recent weeks” said Eagle Spirit. “That the wolf spirit Aga (Inuit for mother) has forsaken her spirit role to become the wife of an Inuit king, we must now choose the wolf who will take her place.”
“Who, which wolf spirit is worthy of that honour?” asked Deer spirit.
“No current wolf spirit is worthy but a mortal wolf is. A white wolf named Larka, she lives in the Carpathian Mountains but her ancestors came from this land” answered Raven spirit. “She alone is worthy, for magic has already marked her.”
“Marked her, how?” squeaked Mouse spirit.
“She possesses the Sigh; the power to see the future, to look through the eyes of the birds, soon she will claim the third power, to see into the minds of all creatures” replied Eagle Spirit.
“So the legend will come true once more” said Beaver spirit sadly.
“It will.”
Slowly Eagle Spirit explained Larka’s situation. Larka had been born with the Sight but so too had her mother’s sister, Morga. Morga used the Sigh for dark purposes and wished to bring about the third power and use it to enslave all living creatures. Larka, her family and a large group of rebel wolves were poised to attack Morga and prevent her achieving her goal.
Part one: Legacy of the past
Larka’s Destiny
The white wolf Larka stood on a rock bridge over a deep chasm, high in the Carpathian Mountains. To her right on safe ground stood her family, her parents Huttser and Palla, her brother Fell, who also possessed the Sight and Kar, her adopted brother. To her left on the other side of the chasm stood Morga who was eyeing her evilly. By looking into the mind of a human child Larka had claimed the third power of the Sigh, a power which her brother Fell also possessed.
“I never had a choice, Morga has to die, and so too will I. I am so sorry Kar, but I have no choice, I never had a choice” Larka thought looking at her family.
Then she sprang off the bridge over the chasm, followed by Morga, who was blinded by jealously and hatred and eager to rid the world of the white wolf. For a second it looked like both wolves would make it to the other side but Larka’s paws never reached safety. Larka’s parent screamed as she and Morga fell down into the chasm.
“LARKA!” Kar cried letting out a howl of pure pain.
Down Larka fell with Morga behind her, the latter falling fastest and soon vanishing into the darkness. As Morga vanished from Larka’s sight large white wings appeared on her back, and to her utter shock Larka found herself flying downwards towards a hole in the rock. Flying through the hole Larka entered a cave with walls shimmering in all the colours of the rainbow and landed in the middle of a circle of animals.
“Welcome Larka” Bald Eagle spirit said.
“Where am I?” Larka asked looking around at her wings.
“Deep within the Carpathians, you are here to claim your true destiny. You are to become a wolf spirit, guardian and protector of the animals and humans of the Northern Lands” Bald Eagle spirit answered.
“Spirit… guardian…me? Why me, how, could you please explain?” asked Larka.
“We are spirits that represent all northern animals. The one who was the ruler of the wolf spirits has recently given it up to become human. We have chosen you to take her place. You alone are worthy of this position Larka” Bald Eagle spirit said.
“Why then did you put me through everything with the Sight?” snarled Larka angrily.
“We did not Larka. For you see it was not our doing, but your fate was changed. When our wolf spirit fell in love and saved the life of her human mate your fate was changed from what it was. These events only took place within the past year, the events that charted your path had begun years before. We had no say over what happened to you” said Raven spirit. “However we can affect it now, you are the one Larka.”
“I am only a young adult, I am not…”
“Do not doubt your own abilities Larka, we would not have chosen you if we did not think you could handle the responsibility” said a stunning Polar Bear spirit.
“What about my family, Fell and Kar? They have been through so much… could I see them?”
“But of course, by changing your fate their fates have also changed. You are their sister, you can help them” replied Bald Eagle smiling kindly.
“What must I do to become one of you?”
“Nothing Larka, you must sleep for a while so your powers can come to you. You must also leave the name of Larka behind you and take one a new one when you are reborn.”
“May I choose my own?”
“Certainly that is your right.”
“There are so many things I would ask, the power you are offering is beyond anything I could ever imagine.”
“It is the power to make the world a better place Larka. Think about all that you have done, and think of what you will become. No other wolf has experienced what you have, no wolf spirit could understand mortal wolves as you can. You can become so much more then you are” said the Butterfly spirit landing on her nose.
“More than I am?”
“So much more cub, you have no idea how happy you could be, free at last. You have suffered so much for something you did not begin. Now you have the chance to live a new life” said Polar Bear.
“Alright I accept” Larka replied smiling.
“Excellent Larka, now sleep little one and rest” said the Bald Eagle spirit as the others left.
Rebirth of the white wolf
Slowly the months passed as Larka slept, her family returned the human child to his mother and Larka’s mother gave birth to new cubs. Her brother Fell sunk into depression, ashamed of his actions and his powers haunted him. Fell had suffered much, as he had been tricked by Morga to fight on her side after an accident. Kar appeared to heal at first but the hole left by Larka was large, he was growing into an adult, one who slowly realised his true feelings. The rebel wolves and those who had followed Morga went their separate ways, many new packs rising out of the ashes of the two groups. The wolf’s world began to heal as the tale of what had happened that fateful day on the mountain spread and Larka passed into legend.
Exactly three years after Larka first entered the cave the spirits returned just as the sleeping white wolf awoke. Standing up the wolf felt the power within her, power she had never felt before, power that could change the world. With her mind she summoned it, gasping as a ball of ice blue energy rose from her front left paw.
“Welcome back cub, three years have passed, the power has transferred. My fellow Spirits, friends, here is the one who is the wolf spirit” Bald Eagle spirit said. “Once she was Larka, now she has been reborn come, tell us your new name.”
“Once I was known as Larka, she is gone, I am Aniou” the wolf replied
“Aniou spirit of the wolves” hailed the spirits.
“Where do I go now, what has happened to my family?” asked Aniou turning around the face each spirit.
“Your parents are fine, Fell and Kar need your help as they have faced much hardship. Your brother carries deep scars from the past, he has not healed, he blames himself for what happened. Kar is little better, he understands his true feelings for you, feelings which have only strengthen” said Polar Bear spirit.
“They have a special part to play, their lives lead away from this land, their path leads to our lands” said an Owl spirit.
“You can help them Aniou, guide them on this path” said Bald Eagle spirit smiling.
“Thank you all for this” Aniou replied as one by one the spirits left the cave.
Summoning white wings onto her back, Aniou flew up onto the air. Landing on a cliff edge she looked out over the landscape. As she stood there Aniou though about what had gone before in her past, and the second chance she had been given. Then came a fluttering of wings, and young raven spirit landed on her shoulder, and Aniou at once understood. Although she was now a spirit, the powers of the Sight had not diminished but remained within her, a lasting legacy of Larka.
“We must find Fell and Kar, they have a path waiting for them, I will need your eyes Taika (magic)” Aniou said turning to the raven “It is time we left this place, the past is gone, my future awaits.”
With that both raven and wolf vanished, for Aniou was right, her past was gone, the Carpathians were no longer her home.
Family reunited
“Larka” cried Kar waking up with a sharp jolt. “A dream oh just a dream” the grey wolf said shaking.
“Kar are you alright?” asked the black wolf Fell, looking over from the spot where he had slept.
“Just as nightmare Fell, sorry for waking you up” Kar said looking over to his adopted brother.
“It doesn’t matter, I don’t sleep well anyway” Fell replied stretching. “Besides its dawn we might as well get up, don’t want to be caught by those humans we saw last night.”
“Point taken” Kar replied walking out of the cave and down to a small stream to take a drink.
In the three years that had passed since Larka’s supposed death much had changed about Kar and Fell. The scars of those events were deep, both suffering from regular nightmares as the past refused to let them go. In the months following Larka’s death both had stayed with Larka and Fell’s parents, staying to see the birth of new cubs. Four months after the cubs birth Fell had left the small family, unable to settle or belong. Less than a month later Kar too had left, wishing for his own life and haunted by memories of Larka. Kar had found Fell two weeks later and since then the pair had travelled together.
Over time they had stayed in many packs, often finding the packs contained old friends. Many had asked the pair to join their pack and in some cases the pair had stayed with a pack a few months before leaving. Now after three years since leaving their parents, the pair were ten miles south of the land which would one day become Siberia. It had been Kar himself who had had the idea to leave the land of their birth in an attempt to leave their pasts behind. This had not worked as both were still plagued by nightmares of past events. With no clue where they were going they wandered endlessly in an effort to escape their pasts.
As Kar walked back to up Fell, high above and hidden in the tress stood Aniou her eyes trained on the pair. In had been a month since she awoken and it had taken her that long to find the pair. Looking down her heart went out to them both, feelings of guilt at the pain her actions had caused them stirring in her heart.
“I have to help them my actions have caused them so much suffering. I was told they need my help but I never expected this. I thought they would be happy, living in packs, free as normal wolves. They have been marked by the events just as I have, the past has let me go but it still haunts them. The past is gone both of them deserve to be free. I can do that now, I can help them both to be free. The land they will soon enter is harsh in winter, a land they do not know. They will have to cross the sea, but it is so dangerous. Now, now is the time I act” Aniou thought as Fell walked out of the cave.
Throwing back to her head Aniou walked out of the tress and howled. Down below both Fell and Kar looked up in amazement, as standing on a rock above them was their Larka. .
“Don’t be afraid I here to guide you, I am Aniou spirit of the wolves.” Aniou said smiling at them both.
Neither Fell nor Kar were fooled, both could see the wolf that had said she was Aniou was their Larka.
“Larka is that you?” Fell asked.
“I should have known I could not fool you brother or you Kar. Yes am your Larka or rather I was your Larka” Aniou replied walking down towards them. “The wolf you knew as Larka died that day at the cliff. I am more then she was.”
Slowly Aniou explained to them what had happened, both listening to her tale in utter amazement. Neither could believe what they were hearing, yet it was undeniable that the wolf in front of them was Larka. .
"I am so sorry for what you have both suffered because of me I am now to guide you along your path.”
“Larka, Aniou, you don’t need to apologise to us, none this was your fault, it was Morga’s” Fell replied nuzzling his sister.
“Exactly, I am glad to see you again Larka” Kar said also nuzzling Aniou.
“Kar I may have Larka’s body and I am Larka in some ways, but I am not who I used to be. I have changed just as you have, please do not call me by that name. I am Aniou now.”
“Aniou it is, so what now?” Fell asked smiling for the first time in years. “We’ve been running for years with no real purpose.”
“That is not true, you have had a purpose, you just was not aware of it. Both of your destinies lay in the Frozen Northern Lands, across the frozen sea, a new land where you can at last be free. This journey will be very difficult as you do not know what the land is like. I am here to help you, if that is the path you wish to take” Aniou replied.
“A new land, freedom from all of this, what do you think Fell?” asked Kar turning to the black wolf.
“We cannot go back to where we lived, you and I both know that” Fell replied, looking up at the sky. “This could be what we need, our one chance to put everything behind us.”
“Freedom is our birthright, neither us have been living that freedom for a long time. We’ve come this far to turn back now” Kar replied.
“The past is the past Kar, neither of us can change that, perhaps it is time to leave it.”
“We’ve been running from it for so long, I’m tired of this life now, tired of not having a real home.”
“We have no reason to be sad anymore Kar, the wolf we were missing is standing in front of us” Fell replied smiling at Aniou. “I for one am more than happy go north.”
“North it is, together as a pack” Kar replied.
On impulse the grey wolf threw back his head and let out a howl, a howl of pure joy, with Fell and Aniou both joining in. Together the three wolves sang of their happiness their song ringing through the woods, all who heard it stopped and listened, their own hearts lifting with the joy’s song. So at last the past was laid to rest as the wolves sang, a new future was in sight, one of freedom and happiness.
Crossing the Frozen Sea
It was two months since Aniou had found Fell and Kar, now the small pack stood on a cliff looking out over the frozen sea. Winter had come, the nights were long with only a few hours of daylight, an advantage to the wolves. The trio crossed Siberia with few problems, the hunting was good and they were well treated by the wolves they met. Standing next to Fell was a small white Arctic fox spirit called Sakari (sweet). Sakari was a minor spirit who had become good friends with Aniou in the months after her awakening. With her superb knowledge of the Frozen Sea she was a natural guide for Fell and Kar, someone who would help them when Aniou was elsewhere. Even though she lived with them most of the time Aniou did leave on her other spirit duties, so Sakari’s presence was much appreciated by all. Sitting on Aniou’s shoulder was Taika, her presence had caused upset at first, both Fell and Kar remembering the raven who had been Morga’s friend. This feeling changed after she had alerted them to a band on hunters and now all got on well.
Standing on the shore Fell stared at the ice, nervous about place his paw on, his past flashing through his mind. For ice was one of the few things that he feared, he had fallen through ice in the accident that had separate him from his family. For days he travelled half conscious beneath the ice before being found by members of Morga’s pack.
“Fell come on” Kar said looking at his brother.
“The ice miles is thick Fell IceWolf, you will not fall through it” Sakari said. “It is not the ice you went through.”
“I’ve had nightmares about that time, I fear the ice” Fell replied stepping back.
“Then is time to face that fear Fell, to let go of the past” Aniou said nuzzling her brother.
“Come Fell IceWolf face your fear, come onto my home, it is a wondrous place. The ice is thick, even the mighty Ice Bear can walk on it with ease” Sakari said flicking her fluffy tail.
“Ice Bear?” Kar and Fell asked.
“Yes white as snow, a mighty hunter, the ice supports their weight with ease. Come enter my home, and you will see a world beyond your wildest dreams” Sakari replied daintily running onto the ice.
“Come on” Kar replied grinning before racing after Sakari, who dodged him, the pair engaging in a game of tag.
Smiling Aniou set off after them, and on instinct Fell ran after her, all four chasing each other over the ice. Sakari darted this way and that, sending the wolves onto the snow. The wolves and fox laughed with delight as they ran, their adult lives forgotten, happy to simply play. Sakari led them far out onto the ice, not once did Fell notice, too caught up in his attempts to catch his sly friend, utterly unaware he had fallen for one of her tricks. That fact was something that was not lost on Kar or Aniou, as Kar had realised the plan the moment the fox had raced onto the ice. Above them Taika watched the game with a smile, riding on the arctic air. Suddenly the snow that Kar and Aniou were on gave way, both tumbling down into an ice cave.
“LARKA KAR!!!” Fell cried running over to the hole with Sakari and looking down.
Down in the hole Aniou and Kar were a little dazed but still in one piece, with Aniou having landed on top of Kar. For a moment both looked at each other in surprise before an embarrassed Aniou climbed off Kar. Exchanging a glace the pair smiled shyly at each other, neither able to speak.
“Are you both alright?” called Fell
“Fine Fell, it was just our dignity that was hurt” Kar replied. “It might take us a bit of time to get out of here.”
“You need to head north I know these caves there should be a main entrance a couple of miles away” Sakari called. “I did not realise we had come this far so soon, I would have warned you had I known. Be careful though, Ice Bears often make these caves their home.”
“We will be” Aniou replied as the two groups set off.
Walking together through the cave Kar and Aniou marvelled at the sight as they had never seen anything so beautiful. For the ice was blue creating magical feeling in the cave, almost as if they were underwater. Ice crystals shimmered above them as they were illuminated by the faint hint of sunlight. Then the wolves walked to a sheet of see through ice which split the path in two for a few meter before it became one again. Looking at each other Kar an Aniou smiled, with Aniou took the right path and Kar the left. Through the ice the pair smiled shyly, both seeing the other in a different light.
“She gives me shakes and shivers
I can't ignore
And I see that there's more now
Than just running free” Kar said as he and Aniou ran a little way
“I never felt my heart beat so fast
I'm thinking of him first and of myself last
And how happy I want him to be” sang Aniou looking at Kar
Kar “It's amazing someone in my life
Just might be loving me
I didn't know that I could feel this way”
Aniou “It's so crazy
Something in my life
Is better than a dream
I didn't know that I could feel this way”
Kar “She make me warm and happy inside”
Aniou “He smiled and I get dizzy and starry eyed”
Aniou and Kar “All these feelings I have
Have me asking”
“Can this be love?”Aniou and Kar sang together as they faced one another through the ice, both putting one paw onto the ice, their paws fitting together perfectly.
“I never dreamed that I could feel” both sang as they ran to the end of the ice wall.
“I didn't know that I could feel this way” Aniou and Kar sang, staring into each other’s eyes before kissing each other.
At last Aniou and Kar had realised their true feelings for one another, a true love that defies all. No longer two confused adolescences but grown adults with a bright future in front of them. Together they bounded through the ice cave, howling out their joy at being together. Looking at Kar Aniou called on her power, directing it a section of the ice. The ice broke away, hardening and spitting into two ice blue crystals, which hung from a blue cord. The necklaces then slipped themselves over Aniou and Kar’s necks, standing out against their fur. Gazing at his Kar smiled widely before kissing Aniou.
“Now the world will know we belong to each other” Aniou whispered.
“A sign of our love, a love that nothing can break, everlasting love” Kar replied.
Together they walked through the caves, leaving the caves a mile later, both blinded at first by the sunlight.
“About time” said Sakari as she and Fell walked up to them both.
“We were worried Sakari said you should have been….” Fell replied, his voice trailing off as he saw the necklaces and the looks on the pair’s faces. “No no, tell me those looks don’t mean….”
“They do Fell” Kar replied.
“You cannot she’s your sister…”
“By adoption only Fell….why else do you think I was hit so hard? This began a long time ago.”
“You cannot change it Fell…we will not deny our hearts any longer, we love each other” said Aniou nuzzling Kar.
“True love never dies, I love Aniou more than anyone else, you have to accept this.”
“She’s my sister you are my brother in all but blood…..” Fell stammered looking at them.
“Feelings change Fell, they love each other, a love that is everlasting, you cannot change that” said Sakari.
“No I suppose I cannot” Fell replied shaking his head.
Slowly the weeks passed as the group journeyed across the ice, hunting and feeding when they could. The revelation of Aniou and Kar’s love for one another had changed the group’s dynamics. For the first couple of weeks Fell had struggled to accept their love, but over time he had changed, seeing how happy the pair were together. Winter was tough and the ice was dangerous despite its thickness, as hunger and other animals were constant threats as was the near constant darkness. One day the group were sitting near a kill they had made on an island, when out of the snow appeared six muzzles followed by two magnificent arctic wolves.
“Who are you, why do you hunt on our land?” asked the leader.
“You speak to Aniou, spirit of the wolves” at this all the wolves stepped back, well aware of the spirit world.
“Our apologies, we were not aware” the leader replied.
“That is understandable as we are on your land. The two wolves with me are my charges I am helping them both to the land.”
“You seek that place?” another wolf asked. “It is far from here, it would be better for you to stay here.”
“Yes we give you welcome to our home” said the leader.
“I am Fell.”
“Kar, the fox is our friend Sakari.”
“Greeting’s I am Snow, this is my mate Ice.”
“Please come with us to our home, we live in a wide cave network, a blizzard will hit soon, we need shelter” Ice said smiling at the group.
“We gladly accept that offer” Aniou replied.
Snow and Ice soon led the group were to the caves where they were introduced to the rest of the pack. Snow and Ice led a pack of eight other wolves, including three cubs, all of who were happy to meet new faces. Settling down into the cave the wolves talked as the blizzard raged outside. Fell, Kar, Aniou and Sakari told their new friends of their adventure, but leaving out the events surrounding the Sight. Their new friends were amazed at their journey. In return the pack told the group of life in the arctic, with Fell and Kar amazed at their descriptions of narwhals, unicorns, mermaids and belugas. It did not take the pups long to lose their shyness around the guests with a couple of males sitting next to Fell and Kar, and a female snuggling up next to Aniou. Looking at the cub Aniou exchanged a tender look with Kar, a spark of hope in her eyes. Looking at the male cub sat next to him Kar smiled back, both thinking exactly the same thing, something which was not lost on Sakari. The blizzard raged for the next week. This time came as a blessing for Fell and Kar, for the first time in three years they were part of family, a pack. Talking to the adults helped to heal Fell, allowing him to be a normal wolf, and how the Sight within a packs everyday life.
After a week in the cave the blizzard finally ended the wolves stepped out onto a snow covered land, the pups racing out to play.
“Thank you for allowing us to spend the week with you” Fell said as the group walked together.
“You could join us” Snow replied watching the pups play.
“Thank you but no, we must go on, this place is not the home we seek.”
“Fell is right, we cannot stay here” said Kar.
“I am sorry to hear that, but in that case good luck, you will always be welcome here” said Ice.
“Thank you and goodbye” Fell replied letting out a howl as the group left the island.
A Fallen Star
It had been two months since the group had left the island of the arctic wolves and it was now early January. Since leaving the island they had travelled far, meeting four polar bears, a herd of walrus and arctic hare on the way. Now the group were only four miles from the Alaskan coast. Night had come and the group were laying in a snow cave the stars and the full moon shining outside. Inside the cave the group talked quietly about their plan on reaching Alaska, for even Aniou was not fully sure of what would happen. Then suddenly out of the night came a howl, a howl full of pain, a howl that was close by.
“What should we do?” Kar asked.
“Investigate, they sound hurt…no they are hurt…she’s badly hurt” whispered Fell “Others are close by… the ones who hurt her…..she was lucky….they want something….her. We have to help her”
“Then we shall” Aniou replied as Fell bounded out of the cave.
Running as the fast as his paws could carry him Fell bounded over the ice, his wolf instincts leading him towards the injured wolf. Something in Fell told him to hurry, the Sight open, telling him of the she wolf’s condition. Rounding a small hill Fell saw her, a silver wolf with deep bleeding wounds all over her body. Hearing his tread she opened her eyes briefly.
“Relax I will not hurt you, I heard your howl and I am here to help.”
“Please… coming….attackers…they will” she gasped.
“They cannot hurt me, I have gifts few other wolves posses” Fell replied as voices drifted towards them.
“It is them….please go… they will.”
“Hurt you…they mean to kill you…you are a threat to them….the last living heir of…The one who commanded they kill you…he murdered your father to become pack leader…a title which rightfully belongs to you.”
“How do you know that?” the female gasped looking up at Fell in awe.
“I have a gift called the Sight I can see into the minds of others if I need to, it helped me find you. Relax I will protect you, I swear” Fell replied as a quartet of grey/black/brown wolves rounded the hill.
“Well well what have we here? A little wolf, our prey in fact” said a leader. “Now my friend if you would step aside we can finish with her.”
“No.”
“Come now we only wish to talk, we are her pack, we can take care of her” said another.
“You mean kill her, you mean to kill her, that is what you were ordered to do” Fell replied causing the four to step back.
“I do not know where you got that idea from she is hurt we came to help her.”
“As soon as I leave you will kill her, just like you killed her older brother” Fell snarled.
“How do you?” stammered the leader.
“I know everything about you. Your pack leader ordered her death. Yes I know about that, for I am the wolf of the shadows, the master of the night and magic” Fell howled, using the Sight to send them flying into the snow. “Oh and one more thing, say goodbye to your memories.”
For the first time since gaining the power Fell called on the deepest powers of the Sight, using it to erase the wolves memories, planting new ones, ones in which they had killed the female. Just as he was finishing Kar, Aniou, Taika and Sakari arrived, all surprised at the sight and Fells actions. Seeing them Fell gazed at them, a cold fury in his eyes. Using her magic Aniou lifted the wolf onto her brother’s back, all staying silent as they walked back to the cave. Once inside Aniou summoned her power and began to heal the she-wolf, the magic working quickly on the cuts. Gradually the she wolf opened her eyes, amazed at the sight of the group laid around her.
“Where I am? Who are you, why did you help me?” she stammered looking at Fell.
“I am Fell. I helped you because….you did nothing to deserve this.”
“I am Aniou” at this the wolf gasped, as all wolves knew who she was.
“My name is Kar.”
“Sakari, relax you are safe.”
“Thank you, you saved my life” she replied turning to Aniou.
“I healed your wounds, it is Fell to whom you truly owe you life, he saved you form those who meant you harm.”
“Fell I am in your debt, thank you for saving my life…what you did…. Not many wolves would do that….what you did your powers… I have never.”
“A curse and a gift” Fell replied bitterly. “I did not mean to scare you I did not look to deep into your mind, only what I needed to help you. For one thing I did not look for your name I would like you to tell me.”
“I am called Starlight. Everything I said was true Fell, now I am alone” Starlight replied collapsing into tears.
Seeing her pain Fell nuzzled her moving so that he lay next to her understanding all too well the pain she was feeling.
“We need some sleep, our questions can wait until morning” Kar said looking at Starlight.
“I suppose that would be a good idea, I’ve seen her past, the most recent parts of it…This is deep….tomorrow though” Fell replied settling down to sleep.
The following day Fell awoke to find that Starlight was no longer lying beside him, with her paw prints leading outside. Following them Fell walked up to the top of the hill, finding Starlight gazing out across the ice. Walking over to her the pair stood with the wind blowing through their fur, watching as a pair of arctic foxes played in the snow.
“Who are you Fell of the Shadows? You are no normal wolf I can see the resemblance between you and Aniou, a wolf who has recently taken up her position.”
“You know of those matters?”
“Yes, all wolves know of her predecessor’s actions and Aniou’s appointment.”
“I am Aniou’s brother, she and I…..well we have been through a lot together, our life has been hard” Fell replied handing his head.
“I can see that. The Sight, wolves of this land also have that legend. An arctic wolf will be born on the same day as a human child. That child will be marked by a star and will bring about the wolf human, and the wolf will see into the human’s mind.”
“You know too much. Aniou and I the legend came true in our homeland….we both saw into the human’s mind” Fell replied telling her all that had happened to him.
“You have been through so much Fell Shadow Wolf, more then I have, a gift” Starlight whispered as tears fell from her eyes.
“A curse as well. It drove me from my family and home, drove me here to the north. Kar….my adopted brother….he went through….but now……he has Aniou….he is healing with her….he never had the power… I am still cursed.”
“Cursed?” Starlight asked looking at Fell. “I remember what you did last night, the Sight allowed you to save me. Not so much a curse as a blessing in that case Fell Shadow Wolf.”
“It was the first time I have called on the full extent of my powers. Now those who attacked you think you dead…..You have lost your family because of me…..I saw your past…. I had no choice….I am sorry” Fell whispered in reply.
“Do not be, you did it to save my life, those memories are painful…..it all happened a mere three nights ago. Fell it hurts so much” Starlight replied falling into the snow and letting out a long pain filled howl.
Watching her howl Fells heart out went to her as the grief and true nature of the events hit Starlight for the first time. Lying down next to her Fell put one paw over her, licking away her cheek in sympathy.
“Fell, is everything alright?” asked Aniou walking up to them.
“No” Fell replied as Aniou laid down next to Starlight.
Together the pair stayed with Starlight as she cried, soon being joined by Kar and Sakari. After a while Starlight’s tears subsided and she slowly told the group of the events that had brought her to them. Starlight was a wolf of three years old her father Shooting Star had been the leader of a pack who lived on the coast ruling a rich territory. Days before a brown male wolf called Thunder had attacked with a pack, murdering her father and older brother. Thunder had been exiled by Shooting Star three years before, for what reason Starlight did not know, only that he had broken the wolves law. On finding Starlight, Thunder had tried to woe her, but she has fled out of terror, prompting Thunder to order her death. Now an outcast Starlight was unsure of where to go or what to do.
“I am sorry for what has happened, I know why your father exiled Thunder, he was right in what he did” Aniou said nuzzling Starlight.
“Why?”
“I…I cannot tell you, not after what you have been through, he committed a terrible crime. You were not born at the time….the consequences of his crime were long lasting…your Father ordered that you cubs had to be shielded from them. After Thunder had been exiled he forbade the entire pack from ever speaking of those events.”
“He enforced that rule. Until Thunder attacked I did not know who he was, it was if my Father was trying to erase those events.”
“He was he wanted the events to be forgotten.”
“Now I am all alone, my pack is at the mercy of Thunder, my Mother…..my friends….they will be so hurt…..he will rule our land…destroying everything we defended.”
“He does not have a true claim, that land belongs to you Starlight, you are Shooting Star’s rightful heir” Fell replied. “He rules but it will be one fraught with difficulty…even now there are those who would oppose him….who are willing to fight against him. Others are making plans…..to disappear in the time between sunset and sunrise, the life of an outcast more appealing than that under Thunder” whispered Fell, calling on the Sight.
“My home is destroyed, all I cared for is gone and my family believe me to be dead” Starlight sobbed.
“Not all….your mother, aunt, your closest friends….they doubt Thunder’s words….they have seen you fight. They saw the way in which the quartet who claimed to kill you acted when they arrived back. Your pack as legends of the ice, of spirits, they hope you that you have been saved. Hope still exists for now, but it will not last for long. Thunder has cruel plans for your friends and family….something within him is not as a wolf should be” Aniou said as she looked out across the ice.
“If only….I knew what” Starlight replied getting up and waking off across the ice as the others watched.
Hours passed, when Starlight had not returned by nightfall Fell began to get worried and angry, as Aniou refused to use her powers to find the missing she wolf. Out of concern for her Fell set out across the ice, oblivious to the secret smile on his sister’s face as he left. Fell searched throughout the night for Starlight, using only the moon and the Sight to guide him. In his heart Fell feared for Starlight, knowing all too well what she was going through, and dreading what she could do to herself. The time also gave him chance to think about how much his own life had changed. Finally after hours of searching, he found Starlight standing at the edge of an icy cliff. Walking up to her he saw the dried tears on her cheeks.
“I understand more than most what you have been through, I know nothing can ever replace them, but time does heal.”
“I am nothing, I used to be a star among the pack now all I am is a fallen star without a home.”
“Stars never fall. They may vanish for a time but they always reappear shining brighter than ever” Fell replied smiling at her.
“And when did you become so charming Fell of the Wise?”
“I have been through a lot, and it helps having a sister who is the wolf spirit. I am right though. In my homeland there is tale of a bird, it lives and then in consumed by fire, rising again out of the ashes of the fire. If a bird could do that….”
“Then why not a wolf pack” Starlight whispered turning her head to look at Fell. “I live, I am the rightful heir, the pack still lives it is only the leader who is the problem.”
“Yes you could, the pack could shine once again” Fell replied as the dawn hit.
Out of sight on a hill behind them Aniou stood watching the pair talk, a smile on her face.
“You have both been in darkness, but after darkness must come the dawn, the dawn of a new life and the rising of a star.”
Redemption
Three weeks had passed since Starlight had joined Aniou, Kar, Fell, Sakari and Taika, now the group stood on a cliff overlooking the den site of Starlight’s pack. The den was really several caves that were cut into a cliff next to the sea, with several rocks going out into the sea itself. Along with the group were six other wolves from Starlight’s pack, each having been guided to the group by Aniou after they had fled Thunder’s reign. Each wolf had brought with them tales of his cruelty, with one wolf, an older male called Forest telling that Thunder would soon implement a method of control. What the method was Forest did not know, but he did know the natures of Thunders past crime and in doing so feared his actions. Now at the last the time had arrived for the group to act. Using the elements of surprise they would attack, each aware they had one opportunity to overthrow Thunder. Snow swirled around them as they stood talking, a helping to further shield them from the wolves below.
“Remember Thunder is powerful, you must not fight him Starlight he will kill you” Forest said looking at her.
“I will not unless I am forced, whoever kills him…I just want this to be over.”
“We will win. You are the rightful heir, no one can challenge your claim” Fell said smiling at her.
“I wish I had your confidence Fell, but there is just so much at stake here.”
“Starlight I have fought in battles before, battles I have won, the odds are in our favour.”
“Fell is right. Thunder does not have the support of your pack, once they see what is going on they will join us” Aniou replied. “They know who I am, when they see me denounce Thunder……they will fight and you will take your rightful place.”
With that the group advanced down the cliff like shadows, attacking the guard wolves before they even knew the group were there. From there the group split up, with Forest and Starlight heading off to find her mother and friends, with the other pack wolves slipping off the rally their friends. The rest continued to attack guard wolves, with Fell and Aniou using the Sight to distinguish between those who truly supported Thunder and those who were only doing his bidding out of fear. Of the latter category they found several, each wolf joining the attack immediately, all glad that Thunder’s reign was ending. For the former category there were less, but one managed to howl out an alert his friends. At the same time as Starlight and the majority of the pack arrived outside, Thunder and his henchmen faced out of a cave, all snarling ferociously.
“STARLIGHT! How can it? You are supposed to be dead….” Thunder snarled staring at her.
“As you can see I am alive. I will allow you to live Thunder if you step down now.”
“NEVER! Oh no I will not step down, but we could rule together, become my mate and I promise to change my ways. Together you and I we could rule this pack together.”
“STAR DON’T LISTEN TO HIM” screamed a dark grey she wolf.
“BE QUIET! Let her choose herself, or else I will tell your friend what kind of wolf you are” Thunder snapped glaring at the wolf who immediately fell silent.
“We have the upper paw Thunder, leave now and you can keep your life” snarled Fell walking over to Starlight’s side.
“Oh now this is sweet, little Starlight has a mate. No stranger, I am the rightful ruler.”
“No you are NOT. I ANIOU SPIRIT OF THE WOLVES SAY YOU ARE NOT” Aniou cried, causing everyone to turn and stare at her. “Thunder is not the rightful leader of this pack, that honour belongs to Starlight alone.”
“Then I will fight. Attack!” Thunder replied as his henchman sprang into action.
Within seconds a full scale battle had broken out, wolves fighting everywhere, each trying to protect themselves and their loved ones. Side by side Fell, Kar and Aniou fought Thunder’s cronies, their experience meaning they easily overpowered the other wolves. Soon it became apparent that Thunder’s cronies were outmatched and outnumbered, feeling the full force of the anger Starlight’s pack felt for them. In the mist of the battle came a frantic howl and Fell turned around to see Thunder chasing Starlight along a thin cliff path above them. Seeing her Fell’s eyes widened, darting to the wound on her right shoulder, and the hate in Thunder’s eyes. In an instant Fell bounded after them, racing towards them as fast as his paws could carry him. Suddenly Starlight slipped on a loose piece of rock, falling onto to her side.
“Now you will die and I will rule” Thunder snarled.
Starlight looked up with fear as his stood over her, then, just as he was about to bite, he went flying to one side. Seconds later Fell stood in front of her, his eyes glowing bright yellow as he stared at Thunder.
“Well you seem to have some power, just who are you?” asked Thunder slowly climbing to his paws.
“I am Fell, wolf of the shadows, a wolf who carries with him a curse.”
“So then Fell Cursed Wolf you will be glad when I kill you” Thunder replied lunging at Fell.
In that instant Fell saw Thunder’s past, the crime for which he was exiled his actions since becoming pack leader, and what he planned to do to Starlight. Seconds later Fell hit the ground with a thud as Thunder’s teeth sank into his fur.
“Why do you fight with them? Why with a she wolf you barely know for a pack not your own.”
“Because it is the right thing to do” Fell replied attacking Thunder.
“Hah that is no good reason there is no right and wrong, only freedom.”
“There is always right and wrong” Fell replied dodging an attack. “It all depends on whether or not we choose to see it.”
“You fight for no reason Fell you are a demon just as I am, a wolf who walks in the night” Thunder snarled as he send Fell sprawling onto the ground next to Starlight. Thunders words ran through Fells head as he laid there the old feelings of guilt and isolation surfacing. Hanging his head Fell felt his courage desert him, despair entering his heart. “You would have been better to join me then fight for a lost cause, for all your cursed power you are weak.”
“Fell do not listen to him” Starlight howled looking at Fell. “You are not cursed. The Sight is a gift. You are not alone you fight for a reason other than because it is right. Use it now to see into my mind and you will understand.”
Hearing her words Fell turned his head to face her, the Sight flooding his mind, revealing Starlight’s secret. Looking into her eyes Fell gasped in utter shock, his mind whirling with what he had seen and what it mean. As Thunder closed in on the pair a new realisation overwhelmed Fell, for the first time in years a sense of belonging entered his heart. His life flashed through his eyes, the Sight showing him the past, and for a second a glimpse of a possible future. As a howl ripped through his body Fell called on the Sight, using his power to send Thunder over the cliff edge and down to the bottom fifteen feet below. The howl ripped through the air, all who heard it stopped in their tracks, held captive in its power, all seeing Thunder’s death.
On the exact same moment as dawn’s first rays touched the land Starlight and Fell appeared on a rock outcrop, their fur shining in the sunlight. As the dawn for a new day arrived both let out a howl, their song uniting, signalling a new dawn for the pack. The battle had been won, Thunder was dead, his followers with him, in doing so light had returned to the pack. Gazing up at Fell, Aniou and Far gasped as in the middle of his forehead, was a patch of silver fur, fur which was shaped like a star. Aniou smiled at her brother, throwing her own head back, her howl joining her brother’s. One by one the other wolves joined in, their song full of joy. As they stood together howling Starlight and Fell looked at each other, their eyes showing their true feeling for one another. After years alone Fell had found what he had been missing, for by following a star he had achieved redemption from the past. As the Fell and Starlight howled their song, for a second, a bird swathed in fire flew above them, a symbol of the future.
Part Two: Arctic Home
Two souls unite
It had been two months since Fell and Starlight had overthrown Thunder, now March had arrived bringing with it the first hints of spring. In the wake of the battle all of Thunder’s cronies who remained alive had been exiled and shown swiftly to the borders. However the pack were still living with Thunder’s legacy, as much had been destroyed, and relations with other predators had been upset. More importantly Thunder had mated with one of the wolves, a dark grey wolf called Cloud, a wolf who was a close friend of Starlight. This had come as a shock to all, as the wolves breeding season was March not January, but there was little anyone could do about it. However it had been decided to allow Cloud to remain in the pack, with both Starlight and Fell forbidding the wolves to ever mention the cub’s father to them once they were born.
Sitting together on a rock, Cloud, Aniou and Starlight chatted about the coming cubs, Clouds cubs, that is. Despite their deep feelings for one another Fell and Starlight were only in the early stages of a relationship, and Thunder’s actions had disrupted the packs normal life.
“This so strange, I am so young yet I will be a mother” Cloud said shaking her head.
“It is a little crazy” Starlight replied looking at her friend. “But the pack will help you, no matter what.”
“They should not even exist. I still saw Thunder as the wolf he used to be, the wolf who was my best friend.”
“Cloud you are not to blame for Thunder’s actions, he was a master manipulator, the fact you and he were once friends only made it easier for him.” Aniou replied watching as Kar and Fell gave fighting lessons to a group of seven wolves.
“I suppose not” Cloud replied catching the direction of Aniou’s gaze. “Say Kar is looking rather handsome.”
“You are lucky to have him as your mate…you know, given that you are the wolf spirit, normal pack rules do not apply” Starlight said grinning. “That and the fact they are already broken.”
“Starlight is that all you think about?” Aniou asked blushing.
“No, but everyone can see how much you and Kar love each other. Like I said you are the wolf spirit, above normal pack rules and you both helped to save this pack, no one would object.”
“Oh be serious…..Kar and I…..well…for one thing I am not around all the time, I do have spirit duties….Then there is Fell, he would likely kill Kar if that ever happened.”
“Maybe, but he is only your brother, he cannot control what you do” Cloud replied, wincing as her unborn cubs kicked.
“And you do deserve to be happy, not even Fell could object to that” Starlight replied as the two wolves in question walked over.
“Oh my aching paws, I’ll be stiff for days” Fell said flopping down next to Starlight.
“To right you will be. Your younger brother can sure fight Cloud” Kar said as he lay down next to Aniou.
“He always did have a talent for trouble, usually big trouble. I’ve never seen him take anything seriously till he joined the guards” Cloud replied with pride.
“Well he’s making a good one. He’s shown me more short cuts, hidden passages and hidden trials than any other wolf here, most of which the others didn’t even know existed!” Fell replied.
“Oh he would know all them, explains how he caused so much trouble yet still managed to avoid taking the blame!!”
Together the group watched their fellow pack members, now and then Kar and Aniou would look at each other, smiles playing across their faces. Flicking her tail Aniou licked her paw daintily, grinning sly at him. In reply Kar playfully nipping her ear, at this Aniou glared at him, nipping his ear in reply before running off. In a flash Kar was up on his paws and running after her, the pair dodging this way and that, soon leaving the den site and running out onto the ice.
Under the twilight the pair ran, matching each other’s speed, running side by side. Their paws kicked up snow as they ran, their delighted howls echoing through sky, a howl full of love. Suddenly Aniou’s paws went from under her, causing her to fall onto the ice. Moments later Kar’s nose was touching hers, with Aniou licking him before getting up. The chase resumed as the pair bounded across the ice and snow, their paws leaving deep tracks. Night fell and still the pair ran, the stars shining brightly above them. Reaching the top of a snowy hill Kar pounced on Aniou catching her off guard. They rolled down the snowy cliff, with Kar landing on top of Aniou at the bottom, their blue crystals touching. Looking up him Aniou smiled, licking him lovingly and receiving a lick in return. Then both were bathed in light as the Northern Lights appeared out of the darkness.
“The Northern Lights! They are so beautiful” Aniou whispered.
“Just like you, as magical as you are” Kar replied kissing her.
As the Northern Lights danced above them Aniou and Kar proclaimed their love for each other, their souls joining to from one. In the midst of their love new life was created, a magical bond passing between the pair. The first light of morning found the pair asleep next to each other. As the warmth touched their fur the pair awoke, smiling at each other.
“I love you Kar” Aniou whispered.
“I love you more than anything else Aniou” Kar replied kissing her.
“Last night was amazing, with the Northern Lights shining above us.”
For the next few days Aniou and Kar stayed away from the pack, revelling in their privacy, something they had little off. When they finally returned to the pack a week later they were met by a fuming Fell who promptly laid onto Kar heavily.
A couple of weeks passed and Kar began to notice slight changes in Aniou’s behaviour, something which deeply concerned the grey wolf. Exactly three weeks since that under the Northern Lights, Aniou and Kar stood on the rocky outcrop in the sea.
“Aniou what is going? I am not blind, your behaviour has been changed, and you are slightly plump around the middle” Kar asked, waiting anxiously for her reply.
“I carry our cubs” Aniou whispered, grinning widely as Kar licked her.
“I knew it, I knew it, oh this is fantastic.”
“Kar careful” Aniou laughed as Kar jumped all over her.
“Sorry I am just so happy.”
“So am I.”
“We are in trouble. Fell is going to….”
“Oh dear, he is going to be fuming, how on earth do we break it to him?”
“In private, and the sooner the better, he has also noticed the changes in you it won’t be long before he catches on.”
Later that day Aniou, Kar and Fell stood together in the forest near the packs den site, the latter very confused.
“Alright you two, what is going on?” Fell asked looking at the grinning wolves.
“Promise you will not overreact” Aniou said.
“Fine I promise, now will you please explain.”
“I carry Kar’s cubs” Aniou replied, looking at her brother’s stunned face.
“YOU’RE WHAT!!! KAR YOU PROMISED TO TAKE CARE OF HER. THIS IS NOT WHAT I MEANT!!!” Fell shouted, jumping onto to Kar.
“Fell no!” Aniou screamed as the two wolves fought, Kar receiving the full force of Fells anger. The fight only lasted for a couple of minutes with Kar gasping for breath, two large cuts on his left shoulder, one across his muzzle, and the beginnings of a black eye.
“Fell there was no need for that” Aniou snarled licking Kar’s wounds and glaring at her brother.
“He deserved it for what he has done to you” Fell replied, glaring at Kar. “I allowed this because I trusted him not to hurt you.”
“I have done nothing wrong” Kar gasped sitting up. “I have not hurt Aniou.”
“She is carrying your cubs. That is not what I call taking good care of her.”
“I have not broken my promise to you Fell, I am happy about becoming a father.”
“You little….” Fell snarled.
“Do you honestly think that this was all Kar?” Aniou said walking up to brother. “I am happy Fell these cubs are a sign of our love. If you think Kar…..I had expected better from you brother.”
“This is……..I trusted him with your heart…” Fell replied stalking off.
“Well that went well” Kar replied as the pair walked back.
On arriving back the pair were met by Starlight who was utterly shocked at Kar’s appearance and what Fell had done. Shaking her head she stormed off to the search for the black wolf, eventually finding him sat on the cliff tops. On finding him Starlight gave him through talking to, telling him exactly what she thought of his actions. Hearing this condemnation Fell began to feel guilty but a part of him still hated Kar for what he had done with Aniou. Walking back down Fell stopped as he saw Aniou and Kar together both nuzzling each other.
“Er….I’m sorry” Fell said hanging his head.
“Apology accepted” both replied.
“But you will be cub sitting as punishment” Aniou replied.
“WOW hold on! Cub sitting me! Has pregnancy turned your head sis?” asked Fell in shock. ”Listen I do not have a clue about taking care of cubs!”
“Well then you had better ask around” Kar replied. “Cause you will be their uncle and you will be cub sitting, call it revenge for what you’ve done to me.”
Slowly days turned into weeks and time passed, Aniou grew bigger everyday and Kar grew increasingly protective. Clouds cubs were born and the pack grew to accept the strange situation, seeing it all as a positive, a sign of their new beginning. As the day of the pup’s birth grew closer Aniou became increasingly concerned about what powers they would inherit. For many nights she had dreamt of a white wolf with black markings on its ears, a wolf which was always stood on a hill in the midst of a blizzard. This concerned Aniou as the wolf looked very similar to her and Kar and she felt connected to her.
Finally the day arrived, with Kar by her side Aniou gave birth to three cubs, one male and two female. One female was grey with white marking in her legs, chest, eyes and tail, a perfect mix of both her parents, the male was grey all over and the second female was pure white with a sliver of black on her ears.
“They are beautiful Aniou, what shall be call them?”
“I am not sure.”
“How about Kuno (brave) for our son?”
“Perfect our little Kuno, for the first female how about Valeria (meaning strong)?”
“Now for their white sister….”
“She is beautiful those little black markings are strange though.”
“Very, but a name for her” Kar wondered, and then it hit him. “Of course, Aurora, we can call her Aurora.”
“Oh Kar you are amazing, that night under the Northern Lights, another name for them is….”
“The Aurora Borealis….Aurora, in memory of our magical night” Kar whispered nuzzling his children.
That was how Fell found them some time later, all fast asleep together, the perfect family.
Ice Playground
Days passed and slowly the pups grew bigger. A fortnight after their birth Aniou was nursing them when into the cave walked the Eagle, Polar Bear, Deer and Wolverine spirits.
“Greetings and congratulations Aniou, you have found happiness” Bald Eagle spirit said smiling at her.
“They are beautiful Aniou” said the Deer.
“If you are willing I would like to bring my cubs to play with yours when they are older” said the Polar Bear.
“That would be wonderful, what are you all doing here?” asked Aniou.
“A visit that is all. Each of your cubs will have a choice on what life they wish to lead, that of a mortal wolf or that of a spirit. This choice will have to be made on their first birthday, after that time they will grow to adulthood but as one kind or the other” Eagle spirit said.
“A choice, I am glad, thank you for being so accepting of them.”
“It is natural for spirits to have young, they are to be treasured” replied Deer spirit.
“For now farewell” Eagle spirit said, all four spirit vanishing.
The cubs grew, their eyes opened one day when both Kar and Aniou were in the cave. They took their first tottering steps under the eyes of Aniou, Kar, Fell and Starlight, with Kuno walking over to Fell and collapsing onto his back. Looking at his nephew Fell smiled as the cub playfully bit his ear. Looking at her brother Aniou smiled as she caught a glint of mischief in his eyes. On the day that the cubs made their début to the pack Aniou smiled with pride as they were greeted by friendly muzzles.
“Mama what is that?” Valeria asked, looking a snowy owl.
“An owl” Aniou replied smiling at her seven week old daughter. “An owl spirit as well.”
“She looks beautiful” Valeria replied.
“Very beautiful, she has her own cubs to, look” Aniou said point to three chicks that could just be seen through the grass.
“It must be nice to fly; do you think I will have the Sight?”
“Perhaps” Aniou replied as Kuno and Aurora raced up to their sister, all three cubs engaging in a game of tag.
Aniou watched them as they raced around the den site laughing at their antics. Then the cub’s eyes fell onto a snoozing Fell, all exchanging identical mischievous grins, as they jumped onto his back.
“Owe, you little….” Fell yelled glaring at the three.
Instantly the three cubs ran off followed by Fell who quickly captured Kuno, gently picking the cub up in his jaws. Hanging from his uncle’s jaws Kuno glared at him as Fell walked over to Aniou.
“I believe this little rascal belongs to you” Fell said dropping on the floor. “He just had the bright idea to jump on me.”
“It was a joke Uncle Fell” Kuno said looking up at his uncle.
“Well two can play at that game” Fell replied grinning at his nephew.
“Fell you were just like Kuno as a cub” Aniou replied shaking her head.
A couple of week later Kuno, Valeria and Aurora were playing out on the ice under their parent’s watchful eyes. Though the ice was melting it was still strong enough to support them. Channels in the ice had opened up so marine mammals had flooded onto the area. Valeria and Kuno chased Kar across the ice, laughing with delight. Nearby Aurora stood looking watching the narwhals, utterly fascinated by them. Then out of the water rose a face, followed by the torso of a human girl, with blue eyes and white hair. Watching her Aurora gasped as she pulled herself onto the ice, and long silver tail and fins following her.
“Oh hello little one I am Kesuk (means water/sky), please you have no need to fear me, I will not harm you.”
“I am not scared, I have not seen a creature like you before, I am Aurora.”
“You are Aniou’s cub, yes Narwhal spirit told my kind of your birth.”
“What are you?” asked Aurora walking up to her.
“I am a mermaid I live with my family in the sea.”
“Wow, it must be beautiful under the ice, do you swim with narwhals?”
“It is a different world Aurora. I do swim with narwhals, just as you walk with their lands forms” Kesuk replied stroking her fur.
“Land form?”
“Yes, when it is a little warmer you will see that form” Kesuk replied as Aniou walked over to the pair.
“Good morning, I hope my daughter has not been troubling you.”
“Oh no, she is so cute, it’s nice to talk to land animals, I am not yet an adult myself.”
“I am happy Aurora has made a new friend” Aniou replied. “Come on now, we are walking home.”
“Do we have to?”
“Yes we do, you will see your friend another day.”
With that the family walked home, with Aurora thinking about her new friend and wondering when they would meet again. A couple of days later the family was once again out on the ice when Polar Bear spirit appeared out of the snow followed by two young cubs.
“Good day to you Aniou, Kar. Kuno, Valeria, Aurora these are my cubs my daughter Nanu and son Iluq (means frost).”
“Greetings Anana (means beautiful) I am pleased to see you” Aniou replied as the cubs walked up to each other.
“Hello my name is Nanu.”
“Valeria”
“Kuno”
“Iluq”
“Aurora”
“Do you like to play tag?” Kuno asked.
“We love to” Iluq replied grinning from ear to ear.
Within seconds the cubs were happily chasing each other across the ice, laughing as they ran and batting each other playfully with their paws. Running this way and that the cubs jumped across small gaps in the ice. From the distance their parents watched, grinning at their cubs antics. Racing up a hill the cubs slid down it, laughing when they hit each other at the bottom before running back up the hill to do it again. Their parents watched happily as their children became friends with each other.
As the days passed the friendship between the wolf and polar bear cubs grew, with Valeria and Nanu developing a close bond, a bond which was shared strangely enough by a female snow owl chick. All parents had been shocked at first, but all agreed the trio were firm friends. Kuno formed a friendship with Iluq and two of Clouds pups, the group constantly causing mischief and worry for their parents. Aurora was a little different from her brother and sister, a little dreamy, she began to show signs of magic early, the first indicator being when she accidently turned Fell’s fur light blue! Naturally all had been shocked but she had still managed to reverse it, with Aniou beginning to teach her daughter. A couple of days after the incident the Bald Eagle spirit had arrived and informed all that Aurora had all of Aniou’s spirit powers. When she was not playing with her siblings and friends she was often found talking to the mermaid Kesuk. From Kesuk Aurora heard tales of distant lands, arctic whales, and wondrous adventures. What fascinated Aurora most were the narwhals and their mysterious land form.
Summer arrived to the arctic bringing with it warm days and contuse daylight, life bloomed, there was plenty of pray for the pack, the living was good.
Kuno, Valeria and Aurora two months old, it was mid August. Aurora walked along the beach a little way from the den site but still within the bounds her parents had set. The little she wolf was curious, as something was drawing her to that section of the beach. Then she stopped sniffing the air and pricking her ears, turning her head to face the sea. Then she saw them narwhals emerging from the waves, yet they were glowing white. Aurora watched in awe as bright white unicorns emerged from the sea, they were nothing like she had seen before. Spotting her a few of the heard looked her way, most ignoring her, others curios and welcoming.
“Hello little one, you are a spirit cub, I am Moondance” said a female walking over.
“My name is Aurora my mother is Aniou.”
“She is kind, our spirit spoke of her welcome Aurora.”
“Wow I did not know narwhals could become….what are you?”
“We are narwhals, yet in this form we are called unicorns by humans, we are creatures of the sea and land” Moondance replied nuzzling Aurora. “We are children of the moon, just as you are.”
“Oh you are so beautiful” Aurora replied as Moonlight led her into the grazing herd.
Walking among them Aurora marvelled at their beauty, their long slim legs, their horns, glittering silver hooves and their brilliant blue eyes. The gentle creatures looked at her with curiosity, foals ran up to her, nuzzling her, with one female with unusual purple eyes stopping to talk to her. Because of her eyes the foal had been named Amethyst. Walking foal and cub talked about their families and their power, something which marked both of them out from their families. As the afternoon wore on one of the unicorns, a large male who was Amethysts older brother, walked over to the pair.
“Am I trust you and Aurora have had fun.”
“We have.”
“Good would you like a ride on my back?”
“Could I really?”
“Jump on” the male replied nuzzling down so Aurora could climb onto his back.
Laying down Aurora spread herself over his back and clasped his mane in her teeth. Suddenly they were off running like lightening over the land, the unicorn’s hooves barley left any prints, the ride gentle and smooth. They raced for miles a magnificent bald eagle flying above them all the way, racing them. Reaching the cliffs the pair heard a howl looking up to see Fell looking at them with Cloud’s brother. Then they were at the den site with the wolves doing a double take when they saw the pair. Walking up to Aniou and Kar the unicorn knelt down so that Aurora could get down.
“Thank you that was amazing.”
“It was a pleasure for now farewell you are welcome to visit my herd again” the male replied before racing off.
“I see you have been making friends” Aniou said as she led the cubs to the den.
“It was amazing, there was as foal with purple eyes, she is my friend.”
“Purple eyes that is rare among their kind” Aniou replied as the cubs fell to sleep.
“What was that creature?” Kar asked. “It looked like a caribou yet it had a narwhal’s horn.”
“It was a narwhal in land form, a unicorn what form is called” Aniou replied as they fell to sleep.
The power within
As the summer passed the cubs grew, but winter comes early to the arctic by the time the end of August arrived it was starting to get colder. Slowly the ice thickened and winter arrived the north. Still for the wolves hunting was good so the pups grew health, as did their powers, for Aurora and Valeria each had power within them. In the latter the spirit powers of Aniou were weak, something with confused her and her mother.
One could day in November Valeria as playing in the snow with her snowy owl friend Qilaq (meaning sky or heaven), both racing each other trying to see whether fly or running was faster. As she ran Valeria jumped in an attempt to fly howling in her joy. Suddenly there was a flash of blue light, moments later Valeria found herself looking down at her own body.
“Valeria” came Qilaq’s voice.
“Qilaq how can I….” Valeria stammered.
The both gasped as they realized what was happening, with Qilaq landing next to Valeria’s body.
“I have the Sight” Valeria stammered “The first power…to see through the eyes of birds.”
“Oh Spirits you do….I must be your….it would be me this happens with…we are friends” Qilaq replied.
“That is why my spirit powers are weak, I have this, oh Spirits I could have all three……”
“Valeria calm down, this is a good thing. I’ve an idea go back to your body the lets go to lake and test this.”
“Good idea.”
Seconds later the she wolf was back in her body and the pair headed to a small lake not for from the den site. Laying down Valeria imagined herself in Qilaq’s body, seconds later she was.
“Ready?” asked Qilaq.
“Ready! Valeria replied in a shaky voice.
Then Qiaq took off stretching her wings and soaring into the crystal blue sky, climbing until she reached a height she was happy at. Valeria’s fear turned to elation, revelling in the freedom flight brought her and the view from the air.
“Qilaq this is wonderful I feel so free up here.”
“You like it! I knew you would” Qilaq replied as they soared.
As evening fell Qilaq returned to the lake and soon the pair were heading home. Reaching home both headed to their parents eager to tell them of their day. On hearing of her daughter’s flight Aniou was shocked, as Valeria was younger then she had been when the Sight had first touched her. Yet as she listened to her daughter, the excitement in voice clearly evident, she calmed down.
“We will teach you how to use your powers, you will be fine” Aniou said as the cubs talked.
“Flying was amazing Qilaq and I had such fun” Valeria said wagging her tail.
“How can that be fun?” Kuno asked. “You are miles above ground no I would rather be a wolf.”
“It sounds nice but I would rather be a wolf or swim in the sea” Aurora muttered as they fell to sleep.
A couple of week later the cubs along with Nanu and Iluq walked across the sea ice, though not yet an impenetrable covering it was thick enough for the youngsters to walk on. As they walked they watched as summer visitors left for warmer climates, pods of belugas and killer whales swimming past them. The group waved their paws and called out goodbyes, receiving splashed tails and goodbyes in return. Jumping over a gap in the ice the cubs laughed at a small beluga jumping out of the water. Then all gasped as Kesuk and a group of narwhals jumped out of the water, their tales glistening in the sunlight. Moments later Kesuk surfaced again swimming over to a small ice island.
“Good day Aurora.”
“Good morning Kesuk that was a fantastic jump.”
“I love to swim with their kind it was my last chance” Kesuk replied flicking her tail.
“It must be so much fun to swim with me.”
“My home is a wondrous place, as a spirit you could swim in this water, all of you could.”
“Well we Ice Bears can swim, I will go in if you will” Nanu said looking at her friends.
“I will” Aurora replied wagging her tail.
With that both cubs jumped into the water their white fur turning blue in the water, Aurora quickly getting the hang of swimming. In the water Aurora gazed around in shock as she came nose to nose with a narwhal. Next to her Nanu gasped as a killer whale surfaced beneath her, lifting her up out of the water, her four paws stood on the whales back. Seconds later another whale did the same to Aurora as Kesuk slipped into the water. With Valeria, Kuno and Iluq running alongside them on the ice, Nanu and Aurora were taken for a ride by the whales. In the ocean Kesuk swam beside the whales, listening as the whales told the cubs stories of their travels.
“That was amazing I wish the whales could have stayed longer” Nanu said some time as the cubs watched the whales leave.
“Me to, it was nice of them to give us a ride” Aurora replied.
“It was there time to leave” Kesuk said. “They will be back next spring.”
“We will be too big to ride them then” Nanu replied as the cubs made their way home.
As winter past Nanu, Iluq and their mother left for the frozen sea and Kuno, Valeria and Aurora made their first hunt. As the cubs grew so did their powers, with Valeria becoming ever more confident with using the Sigh, all powers that is, as the third power, to see into the minds of others, had been born within her. Most of all Valeria relished her time spent flying with Qilaq the pair sharing a bond that few could understand. Aurora’s powers were also growing, each day bringing more changes to her. For Kuno the power his sisters possessed was confusing, something he did not fully understand or want any part of.
“Kar they have to be told, we only have two months” Aniou said as the pair sat talking on the cliffs above the den.
“I know but they are still too young. Why does it have to be so soon?”
“Because becoming one kind or the other is harder once they are adults, the change is best done during adolescence.”
“That is logical but…..they could be angry that we kept this from them.”
“We had to Kar…..Neither of us had the best cubhoods, what we did allowed them a happy one. We can both see how much our daughters care for their powers, Fell and I saw ours as a curse.”
“You have a point Aniou” Kar replied looking down to where his cubs played. “It has to be tonight.”
“Tonight” Aniou replied.
That night Kar and Aniou stood in high cave looking at the stunned faces of their cubs. Then the gabbling of chatter broke out as their cubs fired questions after curios question at their parents. The cubs had taken the news of their choice better than expected, understanding their parent’s reasons for not telling them sooner. Sitting together a while later the cubs discussed their choice.
“It is crazy we have to choose” Kuno muttered shaking his head.
“Better than being forced into being one kind though,” Aurora replied.
“That would have been terrible” said Valeria.
“At least we have some time to decide.”
“It might not be as hard a choice as we think. I have Mum’s spirit powers and Valeria has the Sigh” Aurora said looking out over the tundra.
“You think what we will be has already been set out for us?” Valeria asked.
“Perhaps, we have those powers for a reason.”
“That’s stupid. We are wolves wild and free, you two spent too much time with Mum’s spirit friends” Kuno scoffed.
“Aurora could be right” Valeria replied glaring at her brother.
“Or she could be wrong” Kuno replied turning to the white cub. “Those powers of yours, they mark you out from the rest of the pack. You need to start acting like a real wolf, you are not Mum, you are not a spirit.”
“MAYBE I AM! Maybe I am a spirit, my powers will be a strong as Mothers” Aurora replied running off across the ice.
“KUNO THAT WAS NOT FAIR” Valeria howled snarling at her brother. “Just because you do not have powers does not give you the right to judge Aurora or me.”
“I said what I had to, she if different, you both are. Listen we are wolves, live free, hunt what we need, defend the pack, defend the land, always free. That is the wolf’s right, you are both different. I want Aurora to start acting more like a wolf” Kuno replied walking away and leaving Valeria with her thoughts.
Out on the ice Aurora ran for a long as she could, her mind whirling with Kuno’s comments. As she ran Kuno’s comments that she was different began to make sense, that she was the outcast in the pack. Aurora knew of her parents past, the story had been told to all of the cubs. Aurora knew of the isolation that power could bring, an isolation that the young white wolf felt now. For the first time in her young life Aurora felt separated from her family and pack. Under the star filled sky she stopped on a snowy cliff, panting with exhaustion. Her head hung low, tears of confusion fell from her eyes.
“Where to do I belong?”Aurora thought. “I have wonderful powers yet they do not seem to work in a pack. Kuno is right, I am an outsider.”
Suddenly the Northern Lights appeared in the sky, wrapping around Aurora as she stood in the cliff. Standing in their midst Aurora looked around her with awe, never before had she seen the lights whose name she bore. The lights turned her fur the colours of the rainbow. As she stood there Aurora felt her powers swirling around her, a feeling of belonging and of her potential entering her heart. In the midst the lights Aurora saw her gifts for what they were, the Northern Lights welcoming their spirit made flesh.
“I am a cub of the Northern Light, I am more than other wolves, the life of a normal wolf is not mine. I may only be a cub but I am my Mother’s cub, a spirit cub. I am different. I was given these powers for a reason, the Northern Lights I am aligned with them in some way. I could be so much more than what I am, I am my mother’s daughter, between us, with the others spirits…..I could be happy in that world.”As she stood there a vision of the future appeared.
A young girl with red hair ran through the tundra with a red and cream dog running next to her. The girl laughed as the dog barked. The girl turned around, green eyes looked at Aurora. Then suddenly for a moment the eyes turned bright yellow, wolf eyes, moments later the girl herself was a red wolf.
“That girl is important, she is….whoever she is…those wolf eyes…my powers can help her and those like her. The wolf eyes mean she cannot be human…she does not look like the native humans of this land. The future she is part of my future…she is important…a human yet a wolf…she and I are tied…of course….I will be more to her in the future.”
Standing on the cliff Aurora threw back her head and let out an enormous howl, a howl that resonated across the tundra and ice. Aniou understood her daughters choice, Kuno and Kar stopped in their tracks, out with Qilaq on her on shoulder Valeria saw a vision of her sister. The Sight encompassed Valeria allowing her to see her sister on the ice. The power within Aniou, Valeria and Aurora rose within each of them, allowing them all to see each other.
Life of a pack
Winter was a long season in Alaska but at last it ended bringing with it spring and new life. A week before the cub’s first birthday the pack welcomed new life as Starlight and Fells cubs were born. Four cubs two of each gender, a black male, a silver female and two cubs which were a perfect mixture of both their parents. The pack rejoiced glad that their leader’s line would continue, with each wolf taking an interest. Fell had never been so happy, he had a family of his own, the past was gone he had a place in the world. A week after the pups birth Aurora, Kuno, and Valeria celebrated their first birthday with the pack celebrating together. That night Sakari appeared before them.
“I have come as messenger, I will escort each of you to a cave there you will state your choice in front of the High Council. Aniou as their mother you do not have to attend….they understand…. ”
“I will trust my cubs to your paws, I need to stay here” Aniou replied.
“Valeria you are to go first, come” Sakari replied.
“Valeria you choose what is best for you” whispered Kar. “I will always be proud of you.”
“I know Daddy” Valeria replied walking away.
Sakari led Valeria to a cave high in the mountains, a cave that was covered with pictures of animals and had a crystal rock formation at its centre. Walking in each spirit greeted her warmly the room was bathed in an orangey pink light.
“Greetings Valeria daughter of Aniou” said Bald Eagle spirit. “It is time for you to choose which kind you wish to became.”
“I know.”
“You do, now please tell us of your choice.”
“I wish to become a spirit, to use the Sight to guise others along their paths.”
“In that case welcome Valeria” Bald Eagle spirit replied as the she wolf glowed bright silver.
“You are now immortal and will grow as a spirit.”
Walking out of the cave Valeria was met by Qilaq who had also just made her choice, a choice which was the same as Valeria’s. Together the pair made their way down to their parents, passing Kuno and Sakari on their way. Reaching their families the pair told them of their choice.
“Well I saw this coming, I knew you would make the same choice” Qilaq’s mother said.
“You will be an incredible team” Aniou replied.
“I am happy for you both” Kar said nuzzling his daughter.
“You both will change so many lives” Aurora said as Kuno walked down. “Kuno you are back already.”
“Yeh well I didn’t need to stay long, I’m a normal mortal wolf.”
“Good for you.”
“Aurora come” Sakari said.
“Coming.”
“Do what will make you happy” Aniou whispered as Aurora left.
Walking up to the cave Aurora walked inside greeting each of the spirits as they spoke to her.
“Come Aurora tell us of your choice” said the Bald Eagle flapping his wings.
“I have chosen to become a spirit my path is not that of a mortal wolf.”
“Then welcome to our world Aurora” said the Polar Bear spirit as Aurora glowed bright blue.
Walking down out of the cave Aurora saw her world differently than before, she saw the world as her mother saw it. Reaching her parents she saw the looks of uncertainty in their eyes.
“I am a spirit now” Aurora said walking up to them.
“I am happy for you daughter” Kar said nuzzling her.
“This is fantastic we can work together” Valeria said bounding up to her.
“You are happy I am glad” said Aniou smiling.
“You were always going to go down this path” Kuno said looking at his sister. “I knew right from the beginning.”
Sitting together that night Aniou, Fell and Kar discussed the cub’s choices, and how their lives differed. Looking over to where the three cubs sat the adults smiled as they saw themselves in the three.
“They are happy, Kuno will be a pack wolf, Valeria and Aurora will change the world with you sister” Fell said.
“With the other spirits we will and we will always protect this pack” Aniou replied. “That I promise you, as long as your heirs lead.”
Years later Aniou would remember her brother’s words and her promise, a promise which she would keep. As the years passed Aniou, Valeria and Aurora watched the pack, with the story of Fell, Starlight, Kar and Aniou slowly turning into myth. But the power of Sight was a lasting legacy of Fell, a power which would surface every generation or so, sometimes skipping but always returning. Aniou’s legend grew her story being passed down from parents to cub, a story which also told among humans. Aurora was less visible but still stories existed, stories of a white wolf who appeared out of the Northern Lights, who appeared at a time of a greatest need. For Valeria her home was in the Arctic Circle and rarely did she leave it. In the arctic she became as well known, a wolf that was always seen with an arctic owl on her shoulder. A common story of Valeria was that she was a seer who lived in an ice cave and was seen more do out on the sea ice another was that she was mated with a polar bear. As centuries passed the legends of the white wolves passed through the forests of Alaska, stories which were often interlinked and confused with each other, the white wolves of the North.