Discussions
Within fifteen minutes, the situation was noticeably uncomfortable. Ramsey had sequestered himself in his room, while Russell Lupus remained in the livingroom, not at all his usually talkative self. Rosie also seemed subdued, and her parents were at a loss to comprehend what was going on with their two boarders. Balto had quickly realized the wisdom in staying out of this one as long as possible. He had quietly slipped out of sight to look for the pups. Miraculously, they were exactly where they were supposed to be. Everything really is out of balance when they actually stay put.
"What's going on, Papa?" Rush asked.
Balto flopped down and sighed. "It seems we have another guest. His name is . . ."
"Russell Lupus?" Aleu interjected. Seeing her father's raised eyebrows and the annoyed glares of her siblings, she gulped. "Lucky guess?"
Now there's there's the pups I know and love. At least one thing is still normal around here. Balto shook his head, trying not to laugh. Not that I would have stayed put at their age with something this interesting. "Indeed. Any other 'lucky guesses?'"
"Um . . . no. Just one," she replied, casually shuffling back a few steps.
Balto shook his head and laughed aloud. Seeing their father's amusement, the pups joined in and piled on top of him just as Jenna walked into the room.
"What's so funny?" she asked, causing the group to laugh harder.
Gradually the laughter subsided, and Balto looked down at the pups. "You all run on, now. I need to talk to your mother."
As soon as the puppies were gone, Jenna chuckled and shook her head. "You seem awfully chipper this evening. Have things improved that much?"
Balto sobered and his smile faded. "Actually they've gotten worse. Russell Lupus is in Nome."
"So I noticed. He's in the other room talking to my humans."
"He's staying here, too," he continued.
Jenna nodded. "I gathered that much from their conversation. What's wrong with that?"
"He and the other guest got their introductions out of the way at the camp. They get along like two male elephant seals."
Jenna winced. "I see. Things seem quiet now."
Balto shook his head. "The calm before the storm, Jen. Russ has only been here a couple hours. They still have to get through their first evening meal together."
To say the mood at the dinner table was tense understated the situation entirely. Russell Lupus sat on one side of the table while James Ramsey sat on the side farthest from him, and all was silent except for the occasional scrape of silverware on dishes. Both men pretended to focus on their meals while occasionally eying each other suspiciously. Once, each caught the other staring and both jerked their heads back toward their plates. Rosie and her parents watched the two men with some anxiety, wondering exactly what they'd gotten themselves into.
Finally, the silence grew too intense for Rosie to stand it any longer. "Mr. Lupus, sir? When am I going to get to see the wolves again?"
Russ forced a smile onto his face. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Russ, huh? I'm not a 'sir.' I work for my living." Ramsey raised his eyes slightly and looked at him, wondering if that shot was directed at him.
Rosie giggled. "So when am I going to get to see the wolves, Mr. L . . . I mean, Russ?"
Russ shook his head. "That depends on more things than I can track."
"Like what?"
"Well, the weather for one thing. All this snow is a bit out of season. Another thing is the wolves themselves. As things stand right now, they might be making themselves scarce."
Rosie's face fell. "Why?"
"Chances are they're disturbed by everything going on outside of town. Some people build whatever, wherever with no regard as to the natural balance."
James gritted his teeth. Too much is enough. "How do you know that such things aren't considered?"
Russ raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me that they are?"
"Of course. Any time a project is planned, the full impact of a project is weighed against the potential benefit to human progress."
"And of course those items are always of an equal value."
James shrugged. "Certainly compromises must be made . . ."
Russ nodded his head in feigned enlightenment. "I see. And no corporate bigwigs controlling the purse strings ever influence those compromises."
"Well, I never said . . ."
"And you're going to tell me that if it came down to clear-cutting a forest or forfeiting a major construction project that the forest would win, no questions asked?"
"As I said, when it comes to human progress . . ."
"Human progress? It's out in the middle of nowhere! Tell me how that is human progress."
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you any of the details, young man. I am under orders . . ."
Russ shook his head and laughed. "'Not to say anything'? Is that what you were going to say? Let me tell you something, Mr. Ramsey. I have traveled all across the North American continent, observing everything I could. In the United States, wolves are extinct in the eastern United States, and very nearly so in the west. Dozens of other animals are on the verge of extinction due to the expansion of 'human progress.'"
Balto shook away the dizziness caused by watching the verbal tennis match. He, Jenna, and Dash's family were observing the argument uneasily. They won't remain civil to each other much longer if this sparring continues.
"Don't you think you're being unfair Lupus? After all, many corporations are taking measures to have a low impact . . ."
"Only when there's a profit to be made. Two steps forward, three steps back, that's all that is."
"Yet it's also necessary."
"Necessary, you say? Then why are workers busy clearing land ten miles from here in near-pristine wilderness? It's pointless!"
"And where would you be today if someone hadn't cut the forests and quarried the stone to build the hallowed halls of whatever two-bit shack of a university you graduated from?"
Here it comes, Balto thought.
Russ glared at him, jaw muscles tightening. "I happen to have graduated with honors from the University of Toronto with a PhD in environmental sciences. That aside, I've known your type since before I eve r entered into my studies. Anyone who willingly turns a blind eye to the consequences of your "human progress" is nothing but a parasite."
That almost brought Ramsey to his feet. "Why you insolent young pup! Let me tell you something, Lupus. I was working construction sites while you were still in diapers. I know this business up, down, front, back, and sideways, and I've known your type from the start. Anyone who attempts to halt progress to save a half dozen trees is nothing but an overzealous ecofreak. Look around you sometime, Boy. We live in a realistic world, not some dreamland generated by your holier-than-thou ideals. Maybe when you realize that you don't know everything, you'll see things the way they are."
Before Russ could reply, Rosie's father cleared his throat. "Gentlemen?"
Both men looked over at him, realizing seemingly for the first time that they had an audience. Ramsey scowled, angry that he had lowered himself to a shouting match with that arrogant whippersnapper, while Lupus blushed, embarrassed to have partaken in the argument when he was trying to appear more civil than that apathetic conformist. He looked at Rosie who was staring in wide-eyed shock following the outburst.
Ramsey got up from the table and, offering a muttered excuse, stormed away from the table. Those gathered at and around the table heard a door slam. Dash stood abruptly and walked back to join him, followed by Aurora. Chipper hesitated until his father called, and with an apologetic look at Balto and Jenna, he went to join his family.
Russell looked around in mute chagrin. "I'm sorry for that, folks. I don't usually let myself get goaded into an argument like that."
Rosie's father shook his head. "I suppose I should've seen that coming after the reaction you two had to each other earlier."
"I'll just move in to Mrs. O'Harney's Bed and Breakfast. I really don't want to put you folks out just because I have trouble agreeing with the guest who was staying here before me."
"That won't be necessary Russ," Rosie's mother interjected.
"Though we'd appreciate it if you could maintain some decorum for Rosie's sake and ours."
Balto exited into the kitchen, and Jenna soon joined him. "It appears the storm has now broken," she said, sitting beside him.
Balto shook his head slowly. "No, Jenna. That was just the opening thunder."
The rest of the evening passed without any further confrontation. The next morning, breakfast was somber among the humans, though it too passed without incident. As soon as the dishes were cleared from the table, James Ramsey stood to make an announcement.
"As much as I appreciate all you folks have done for me, things at the construction site have reached the point where I really should be there at all times. This traveling between there and here just won't work any longer. So this morning I shall be relocating there."
Rosie's mother shook her head. "Are you sure there's no other way, Mr. Ramsey? After all, we're more than happy to . . ."
"As much as I appreciate your kind gesture, business before pleasure. If you'll excuse me, I need to go pack my belongings."
"Well, Balto. Looks like this is where we part ways," Dash said to his canine host.
Balto nodded. "I'm sorry your human won't change his mind."
Aurora shook her head. "It's for the best. Especially with the trouble he's having with the other human, I'm sure your humans don't need the extra burden."
"It's been a pleasure having you," Jenna replied.
"It was a pleasure staying here," Dash said.
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to let us know," Balto said. "We'll be more than happy to help."
The two border collies nodded and Balto and Jenna went to join their humans.
Chipper came dashing into the room. "What's going on? Why's our human packing?"
"We're moving to the construction site for now."
"But Dad, I don't want to go! I want to stay here!" Chipper protested. He'd come to rather enjoy staying in the home of a hero, even if things were more than a bit chaotic.
"You're going to find that there are a lot of things you have to do in life that you don't want to do," Dash said, walking toward their human's room. "This is just one of many."
"But Dad!"
Dash turned around to face him. "There's nothing we can do about it, Chipper. You're just going to have to get used to the idea."
Chipper frowned, but arguing was obviously pointless, even to him. Instead he walked back to bid Balto and Jenna's puppies farewell.
For the second time in a week, the clan leaders had once again gathered, this time in a remote clearing. The circumstances were the same with one exception; entire clans had gathered this time. A conclave of this nature was rare; so rare in fact that even the eldest knew of such happenings from legends only. They were meeting for the same reason, and the borders were clearly marked in this dispute. Kiska and the Anvil Creek Clan were adamantly opposed to conflict of any sort. Eyak and the Eagle Pass Clan were clamoring for action. Tutchone and the Clan of the Hills were undecided, though fully prepared to fight if necessary. Kemo frowned as he listened to the various arguments for and against war, but in spite of the gravity of the situation, he remained aloof from all three factions.
". . . We cannot sit idle while humans absorb our lands piecemeal. We must unite and drive them away like the animals they are!" Eyak finished. Many nodded their heads in agreement, even some in Kiska's pack, and a few howled their approval. The young packleader sat down with a satisfied grin.
Kiska immediately stood and moved to the center of the circle and addressed the gathered clans. "These humans are not known to be our enemies! Why do some of you continue to label them as such with no proof?"
"Proof? They are trespassers!" Senak interjected.
Kiska turned to glare at him. He should have known better than to publically raise dissent among her ranks. "They are above our laws."
"Why?" Eyak challenged. "Tell us why, Kiska. Why should we not treat them as a rival clan?"
"We do not invade their lands, they invade ours," Tutchone agreed softly. All eyes turned to her.
"They have not threatened us yet." Kiska shook her head. "Even together we have not the strength to fight them." The assemblage fell silent, unsure of any response. Kiska stared at those gathered. "I believe there are none here who will contest this statement. The humans have not harmed us yet, and I believe that they will continue to ignore us so long as we avoid them."
"Do you propose we do nothing?" Tutchone asked.
Kiska shook her head. "No, I make no such suggestion. I simply urge moderation. If we fight, we will be destroyed. I have heard much of these humans. It is said that they outnumber the very stars in the night sky and do not flinch to kill their own. Should they hesitate to kill us? It is a fight we cannot win, my friends."
Kemo was the first to break the silence. "There is one point that I have neglected to mention. There is another human. A researcher whom some of you may remember."
"The one Balto's mate spoke of?" Tutchone asked.
"The same. He is here to stop the construction if humanly possible."
"How do we know this human can be trusted?" another wolf asked.
"He observed the Akleet Clan for a week. This was before the Akleet joined the Clan of the Hills. Jederoc was the leader at the time."
Jed nodded slowly. "I remember him."
"Was that not the same human who invaded a densite and attempted to kidnap one of your clan's young?" Eyak queried scornfully.
Jed hesitated, not wanting to put his friend in a bad position. "He did stumble upon our den, yes. His motives remain unclear to us, though it is likely that he entered the cave simply to escape the weather."
Kiska spoke before Eyak could reply to this. "An understandable reason, but while he works on his end of the bone, we should attend to ours. She returned to her seat and took a deep breath. Here is the part I know they will not like. "I propose that we continue with our original plan. Let Balto find out what their plan is and decide from there."
Frenzied chattering broke out among those gathered. Eyak spoke over the din. "You propose that we wait for that half-breed to bring our destruction?"
Quinault entered the conversation. "Do we know for certain that Balto has betrayed us?"
"Of course he betrayed us!" Dalag interjected. Another outburst moved around the circle.
Quinault quietly stood and stared at each wolf individually, his cold gaze dampening the fiery spirits of most and bringing an uncomfortable silence to the rest. "Do we know for certain that Balto has betrayed us? Or is it possible that we do not yet fully know his true designs? I direct this question, not to Eagle Pass Clan, nor to any of the other clans, but to one who has not spoken yet. The one who knows for certain." He returned to his place and all turned to Kemo.
Kemo met their stares impassively, carefully considering his answer. Then his eyes met Kiska's, and, remembering her words bowed his head. "I do not know this for certain."
"But he is harboring the lead human, is he not?" Eyak demanded.
Tutchone stepped forward. "The man has entered the human camp. He seems to have brought his possessions with him."
"Very well, he was been harboring the human has he not?"
Kemo nodded. "That is true."
Eyak strutted haughtily before those gathered. "He protects our enemy? I think that our comrade has removed all doubt!" Wild clamoring again broke out among the ranks.
Kiska leapt to her feet. "You dare to spout such accusations against one who is not present to answer your charges? You, Eyak, speak truth with two tongues!"
In a split second, Eyak stood before her bristling. "You dare to question my honesty? You, who is known to associate with him? How do we know you are not party to his betrayal? Indeed, how do we know that Anvil Creek Clan is not accomplice?"
Eagle Pass Clan was on their feet, spoiling for a fight. Kiska's pack rose and formed up behind her, while the Clan of the Hills cooly observed the face-off.
"Enough!" Kemo stood suddenly. "Must blood be shed needlessly? We should hold our discussions and our tongues until tomorrow. Cool your tempers, and then we will talk more. We should continue to observe the humans, but no faction must act without the others. Is that clear?"
Kiska offered a sharp nod of assent. Eyak, seeing little he could do, reluctantly nodded as well. With that, the wolves split into packs and disappeared in separate directions.
