An Unfamiliar Familiar Face
"Why did you not press for the information you wanted?" Senak asked once they were seated outside the cave. "She would have broken."
Kiska's eyes bored into his. "We have discussed this before, Senak. The object is to gain her trust, not to break her. That is how we differ from the Eagle Pass clan and the reason broke from them two generations ago." She turned to the others. "Opinions?"
"She has something to hide," Quinault said. "She is far too nervous. She acts as one on the run."
A brindled female named Tandera nodded. "Yes, she must be a runaway. That would explain her hesitance to answer your questions regarding family. But why would she run away, I wonder."
"We should focus on Eyak's hasty departure, not trivial topics," Quinault interjected. "Why was he so eager to leave? He is not intimidated by numbers, and should not have departed without a fight.
Kiska nodded. "He is up to something. We must be cautious. As for the pup . . ."
"She must be lying," Timinuk, a young male, growled. "Look at her. She has the appearance of our kind. Besides, no dog's pup could wander this far from the human village in a blizzard and still survive."
"Do not underestimate our domestic brethren," Kiska warned. "Especially Balto's kin."
"But we do not know this to be the truth," a black and gray male named Naskapi stated.
"But if she's telling the truth, why would she run away?" a female named Akkide asked.
"Perhaps she wandered away from home as our own young ones do at times," Quinault replied.
"What are we to do with her?" Ahtena, another female, asked. "We have not the numbers or food to feed and care for her, even if we wanted to."
"Speculation is pointless," a wizened male named Chinga stated. "You know our laws, and Kemo's."
Kiska's frown was mirrored by several others. Yes, she knew the laws well. They could either leave, kill, or adopt the pup."Such rules are not set in stone. They're guidelines."
"Tagish would never have presumed to change a law that set for generations," he challenged.
"I presume nothing, though you presume much yourself." Kiska's frown deepened. Caught between a rock and a hard place. Hunting is too scarce to consider adopting, and the other two options mean certain death for her. And I would have to carry out the law of my pack or lose my position. "We will decide her fate when the appropriate time comes, but now is neither the time nor the place to do so. In any event, I am inclined to believe her, and if she is who she says she is, she must be returned at all costs."
"And if she is lying?" Senak pressed.
Kiska knew she couldn't voice her true opinion without losing the respect of some she led. Best to stall for time. "We will do what we must, but perhaps Kemo can shed light upon this mystery."
"What mystery?" a voice asked from behind her.
She started and spun around to see Chehalis. "Sneaking up on me is not wise at the moment."
"Sorry. Kemo is here." The white wolf materialized out of the darkness beside him.
"Thank you. Take Senak and Akkide with you and wait where we discovered her. Someone may track her there." As her scout dashed away with Senak reluctantly following him, Kiska turned and bowed to the white wolf. "Kemo. Thank you for coming so speedily. I know the journey is long and the weather unpleasant, and normally I would deliver such a message myself, but I decided it would be more useful for me to keep an eye on our find . . . and the Eagle Pass Clan."
The white wolf waved a paw dismissively. "Your thoughtfulness flatters me. Many would have done as they wished upon finding such a . . . discovery. And from your mention of Eyak's pack, I assume I am correct. As for your method of delivery, Chehalis was most courteous. Now what is this about finding a pup in a snowbank?"
Kiska shrugged. "She claims to be Aleu, daughter of Balto and Jenna."
For the first time to Kiska's personal knowledge, Kemo showed genuine surprise. "What?!"
Kiska nodded. "There is no lie in her eyes. I believe she speaks true. See for yourself." Kemo was already striding toward the den. Kiska hurried to keep up with him.
Meanwhile, Aleu impatiently paced the ground under Andan's careful scrutiny. The wolf was obviously unhappy about being demoted to babysitter. "What's taking so long?"
Andan regarded her with equal impatience. "You will know in good time."
"But I want to know now. Is it about me?"
The wolf sighed in exasperation. "How can I know what is said out there when I am here with you?"
"Are you mad at me?"
"No, but you could try anyone's patience with your constant questions."
Great. I'm awake twenty minutes and I'm already bothering someone. Aleu hung her head."Sorry."
The wolf sighed. "I suppose I should feel some honor in watching you. At least if it is decided that you are who you claim to be."
"What do you mean 'if'? Don't you . . ."
Just then, Kiska reentered the cave, and with her came a large, white wolf. The other wolves crowded inside as well. "Forgive me for testing you like this, but I cannot be too careful. I invited one here who will know if what you say is true."
The white wolf nodded solemnly. "It is true. I saw her today while I was following her father and Tricksy to the human camp." He gazed at the pup. "You may call me Kemo."
Kemo? The name hit her like a ton of ice. Uncle Kemo? "But I thought . . ."
"You thought I was a dog, I know, but Balto and I really do know each other well." He gazed intently at her, sizing her up. "Speaking of your father, where is he? I know that Balto would never allow one of his own to stray so far."
"I'm not sure," she replied softly, lowering her head in shame. "He . . . um . . . doesn't know I'm here. I don't even know if he know's I'm gone yet."
"You ran away," Kemo stated flatly. Aleu gave a tiny nod, and the large wolf sighed. "What you did was extremely foolish. I guarantee that your father knows you are missing. He likely has half the dogs of Nome risking their lives looking for you. Your very presence here almost started a battle between two clans. Then there was the danger in which you placed yourself. To die alone is a fate worse than death itself. From what Kiska has told me, you came very close to doing just that."
He spoke in a deep, calm voice, and though stern, he certainly wasn't angry. Aleu risked a glance at him. "You aren't gonna yell at me or anything?"
A flicker of annoyance crossed his face. "That is not the point." Aleu bowed her head at the reproach, and Kemo sighed. "No, I am not going to 'yell at you.' What is done is done, and words spoken in anger accomplish nothing. Nor is it my place as I am not your father." Aleu nodded, head still lowered. The wolf turned to Kiska. "I'm taking her to my den. If someone trails her here, tell them where she can be found."
"It will be done."
The white wolf nodded his thanks and turned to Aleu. "You will come with me. It's not far."
Aleu stood and followed gratefully. Here at last was someone she felt she could trust.
