Plans Unfold

"So this is how it ends?" Andan paced furiously before Kiska. They had fled deep into Kemo's territory, finally halting near his den. "We should have forced the point. Now the humans will divide and conquer us!"

"There was nothing we could do. Remember our origins, Andan." She stared wistfully into the sky. "We have always been refugees from Eagle Pass Clan. It has always been every individual's choice to return if they wished. Now those who have forgotten our past will relearn the truth."

Chehalis shook his head. "That is no excuse for their betrayal in such a grave matter."

"Do not confuse their choice with betrayal. Yes, their choice is difficult to accept, but the majority of the clans have now spoken. Now we must try to distance ourselves from the damage that will be done."

Andan sputtered. "Tagish would never have permitted this…"

The young wolf suddenly found himself pinned against a tree with Kiska glaring an inch from his face. "Do not presume, young one, to tell me what your father would or would not have accepted. I knew his mind far better than most, including you." She stepped back, allowing him to retreat a few steps from her. "Tag would have accepted the decision, but he would not have remained idle."

A slow smile played across Quinault's face. "You have a plan."

She nodded. "I do."

"But what can we do?" Akkide asked. "They are many and we are few."

"Kemo is both the strongest and weakest link in their strategy," Kiska explained. "He is a brilliant leader, but I believe him mindful enough not to be ensnared by Eyak's words. Kemo believes in honor above all else, but he includes another priority. One which we observed a few nights ago."

Andan's eyes lit up. "Family?"

Kiska nodded. "Correct."

Chehalis skeptically arched an eyebrow. "You mean to involve Balto. How do you propose to do this when the two refuse to speak to each other?"

"That I do not know yet, but this is our only hope if we are to stem the coming flood."


By the time Balto and Tricksy reached the human camp that evening, They knew they were too late. Every man was armed in some fashion and the air itself seemed electrified with tension. Balto hurriedly sought Dash and Aurora for an explanation. The news was unwelcome.

"Are they sure it was a wolf?" Tricksy asked.

Dash nodded. "At least one caused a lot of damage last night. It even killed one of the sled dogs. Four others were discovered a mile from here, and they were torn to pieces by those creatures. One of the humans got a shot off. They found the body this morning."

Tricksy grimaced. "This is not good. Not good at all."

Dash glared angrily at the two half-breeds. "Well after everything I've seen, wolves really do deserve the reputation they've got!"

Aurora shot her mate an angry look. "Dash!" The border collie fell silent. "Before you say something you'll regret later, listen to them."

"The clans are frightened. They'll never admit it, but they are. They feel they're acting in self defense, and they're doing it like they have for generations. They have no idea what's going on here, and frankly, nobody else seems to either."

"So what are we supposed to do until then?"

"Stay near humans as much as possible. We're going to track down the clans."

"What are you going to do then?" Chipper asked. In spite of the gravity of the situation, he couldn't help but feel a bit of youthful excitement at the danger.

Balto closed his eyes in despair. "I don't know yet, but I'll do whatever I must. Trouble is likely heading this way." He and Tricksy sprinted from the camp. I'd better warn Kiska, and fast!


It was Kiska who found him first. Rather, she waylaid him and Tricksy before they entered Anvil Creek territory. "Balto! I must speak with you."

He slowed to a fast walk. "I need to talk to you as well. Do you know what the clans are up to?"

She hesitated before shaking her head. "I'm afraid I cannot help you."

Balto's pace faltered. "You're sworn to secrecy, then?"

"No. I am no longer a privileged member of the council." She quickly told her story.

Tricksy bowed her head. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Kiska."

Balto nodded sympathetically. "Well, now two of us have been betrayed by Eyak. How long before the rest fall?"

"Eyak is planning to lead a war against the humans. More than this, I do not know."

"That's insane! How can three clans take on so many humans and win?" Tricksy paced furiously. "There has to be a way to end this madness!"

Kiska nodded. "There is."

"What? How?"

"Kemo."

Balto growled and began to walk on. "Kemo no longer respects my judgment."

Kiska quickened her pace to keep up. "You are not angry with him?"

"No. Disappointed maybe. If nothing else, I'm certainly worried. Kemo almost died the last time he tangled with humans. I don't want to lose him."

"Why don't you go to him? Tell him how you feel."

Balto stopped again. "Trying to change Kemo's opinion is like trying to run a sled with frozen runners...solo. Kemo won't listen. If he did, we wouldn't be in this mess right now."

"Then perhaps if he came to you?"

Balto slowly nodded. "I bear him no hard feelings. In spite of his faults, he is my brother. It isn't right for us to be separated over something as trivial as an argument."


Kemo silently crept far closer than he'd ever dared come to the human encampment. He glanced to his sides, and was comforted by the presence of his mate Jan and his trusted friend and advisor Chee. The rest of his pack had fanned out behind him. But how can this be? They're all dead. All looked ahead with iron resolve. As they continued their silent stalk, he saw Balto standing before him.

"Don't do this, Kemo. It will be your death!"

The white wolf growled. "If that is my destiny, so be it. You no longer need concern yourself with my welfare. We are finished."

His brother stood firm. "Kemo, I'm begging you. Please go back."

Kemo would have walked past him if he hadn't felt a tug on his tail. Looking back, he saw his four pups, all looking up at him. How did they get here? We never take them hunting with us.

"Don't go, father!" his youngest daughter pleaded.

"Please don't go!" another repeated.

Then Eyak stood next to him. "We cannot delay. If we are to succeed, we must attack now!"

Kemo looked at the young pack leader and then at his pups. Then he crouched down before the youngsters. "Don't worry," he consoled them. "We will return shortly."

Then he turned to brush past Balto, but his brother was no longer there. He must have retreated. They crept closer and closer...Kemo stopped in mid stride to the yelping cries of several wolves. Then he was reliving a nightmare that had haunted him for two years.

He turned and saw two of his packmates writhing on the ground. He approached them and saw that they each had strange black things around their paws, holding them securely. Kemo tried to bite them off, but they were as solid as rocks. Jan circled around to try to figure out how they might be removed, but she, too, yelped in pain. Kemo ran to her and saw that she also has one of the strange things around her paw. He tried desperately to free his mate from the trap, but it was no use. His head shot up as a thunderous crack rang through the air. He would never forget that sound. One of the wolves who wasn't trapped cried out and fell, convulsing in agony on the snow. It was soon stained red and the wolf no longer moved or breathed. Kemo looked around for the source of the danger, but could only watch helplessly as one of his pups was thrown, landing in a bloody heap.His pack was soon reduced to five. Then Chee, carrying one of Kemo's pups, fell to the ground, never to rise again.

"Go!" shouted Jan," Save yourself!"

"No! I won't leave you here!"

"If you don't then you'll be killed to. We've lost."

Kemo growled and again attacked the trap with his teeth. One of his canines broke and fell into the snow. Blood oozed out of his mouth, but he didn't care. He didn't want to see his mate killed. I won't let it happen this time! I won't let it! Jan snarled fiercely and slashed at his shoulder. He yelped and jumped away.

"Go!" she shouted once more. Kemo turned but still hesitated. "Go! Now!"

"I love you," said Kemo.

He turned to run, but a burning sensation creased his head and he fell to the ground. Paralyzed with pain and fear, he could only lay there as Jan cried out for the last time. Trembling with rage, he looked at his massacred pack and the bloodstained snow. This can't be happening again. It has to be a dream.

Then Jan's spectral form appeared before him. "You've failed us."

"No, Jan. Please don't say that."

She began to fade. "We died that you might live. You turned your back on your friends and family."

Kemo covered his ears with his paws. It didn't happen this way! She loved me! She said to save myself! I didn't want to leave them!

His gaze stopped at a pair of black forepaws in front of him. He looked up into Eyak's unmerciful gaze and tried unsuccessfully to stand. "Help me my brother," he pleaded.

"I have no brother here," Eyak replied with a mocking smile.

Horrified, Kemo was speechless. Strange. Those are the same words I spoke to Balto. "Eyak..." The black wolf casually ambled away. "EYAK!"

"We died that you might live. You've forgotten," the ghostly voices of his pack echoed.

"No!"

"You've betrayed us."

"NOOOOOOOO!"


"NOOOOOOOO!"

Kemo jerked his head up, panting hard, eyes flashing around his den. He gulped and tried to force his breathing to slow. "It was a dream. Just a horrible dream."

He stood up and walked outside into the cold night air to steady his nerves. It's been a long time since I've dreamed about that. But why Balto? And why Eyak? Why did Jan accuse me of betraying them? He breathed a steadying sigh and tried to shake the questions and residual images of his dream from his mind. It doesn't matter. She's dead, along with the rest of my pack. Ghosts of a dead past. He shook his head violently. No, they're more than that! They were my friends. My family. My life.

He looked the fading moon and realized that little time had passed since he'd returned from the council. He closed his eyes. I hope I know what I'm doing.

"Kemo? Are you all right?"

The unexpected voice startled him. "Kiska. You're a bit out of your territory, aren't you?"

"I have no longer have any territory?"

The white wolf winced. "My apologies. I forgot..."

Kiska shook her head. "Do not worry. We shall manage."

Kemo sat down and stared up at the starry sky. "It will begin soon. If you join now, perhaps you can regain some of your losses." Receiving no reply, he turned his eyes to her. "You still do not approve?"

She fell silent for several minutes. "I do not."

"Even after seeing Mandan shot?" He shook his head in disbelief. "I do not understand."

"Seeing a fellow wolf die reminded me that it is one year to the day since Tag departed from me. He made me promise with his last breath to avenge his death." She quickly stayed Kemo's interjection. "Through peace, not violence. To this day, I do not understand his reasoning."

Kemo frowned, remembering his lust for vengeance after Jan's death. "Perhaps he did not foresee how dangerous things would become for us."

"Or perhaps he foresaw more than we could ever hope to glimpse." She fought to retain her composure. "You, too, have suffered great loss. Do you ever see spirits?"

"You know I do not believe in Spirit-Guides."

"I know, but do you believe that death is the end?"

We died that you might live. You turned your back on your friends and family. We died that you might live. You've forgotten. You've betrayed us.

"No," he whispered. "Some things linger."

A ghost of a smile crossed Kiska's face. "Then you know of what I speak. I can't explain it, my friend, but there are times that I can see and hear Tag so clearly that I feel his presence. Unless I miss my guess, you still feel the presence of your pack. Do you wish to speak of it?"

Kemo hesitated and began to tell of his dream. When he finished, he opened his eyes. "It makes no sense to me. I fought to save my pack, but I keep hearing Jan's voice, telling me I've betrayed them."

"You told me once that you left your father's clan to search for Balto, did you not?"

The white wolf turned away. "Please do not speak of him."

"Why? He's your brother, Kemo."

"No longer. Can you please let it rest?"

"Yes, but can you?"

"What?"

"Your friends and family died while you led them on a quest to find your brother. For you to forsake him seems an ungrateful affront to their sacrifice."

"That's not true!"

"Do you fear the truth?"

"I fear nothing!"

"Then why are you so defensive?"

"I am not defensive!"

"You are! Face it, my friend, it is wrong to allow such a rift between you and your brother. Whether it's spirits or your own heart speaking to you, you know you are wrong."

"No!" he suddenly lashed out, knocking her to the ground. She lay still for a moment before rising slowly to her feet. Realizing what he had done, Kemo stumbled back a few steps. "I…I am sorry Kiska. I…should not have done that." He sank down and a shudder coursed through his body. "I no longer know what I am doing."

"If the wind no longer calls to you, you should look to see when you forgot your name."

"But how can I go back?"

"You can start by returning to your brother."

"I can't…we can't. After everything I said…" He looked up at her. "And the more I think about it, it seems like I did the right thing. I know I probably shouldn't feel that way, but I do." Kemo shook his head in confusion.

"He will forgive you. You should go to him." Kiska looked at the moon. "The night wanes. I must return to what remains of my clan." As she walked away, she stopped and looked earnestly at him. "Take care of yourself."

He sat for a long time outside his den, braving the cold and the turmoil of his own mind. "Maybe Kiska is right." He snorted. "Kiska. She seems to see right through me. The only other who could ever do that was J..." He stopped himself from mentioning the name of his dead mate. Why should I hesitate? Kiska is no more than a friend and confidant. An equal. Still... He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Right or not, it would be dishonorable for me to abandon the others after giving them my word to aid them. I'll sort all this out after I deal with the human threat."


It was just before dawn when Ramsey awoke when he heard growling. He sat up on his cot looked around the tent, wondering what was wrong. This became obvious to him when he saw a human silhouette with feet propped on his table. Dash was staring menacingly at the intruder. Ramsey quickly lit a lamp.

"Glad to see you're awake."

"Lupus! What are you doing here?"

Russ slid his feet off the table and turned his body to face the other man. "I would think my reasons would be obvious to a learned man such as yourself."

"If you've come here to cause trouble or speak in riddles, you can just get the h..."

Russ waved his hand dismissively. "Temper, temper. I've come to tell you that my concerns finally registered with your big-business overlords. They've decided to put off this corporate hunting lodge you're building for a complete investigation." The researcher produced a telegram from his pocket.

Ramsey quickly snatched the document and read it. He raised his eyes to meet Lupus'. "You expect me to stop everything on account of one document that could have been easily forged?"

Russ snorted sarcastically. "Now that would be downright dishonest of Western Union, now wouldn't it? Lucky for them, me and three wolf packs, this is the Real McCoy. I realize, however, that you are going to thoroughly check the validity of the message, so I will be more than willing to lead you into Nome to begin your sleuthing."

"Thank you, Mr. Lupus, but I will provide my own transportation."

"First of all, I can see you don't know much about traveling in the North, therefore in need of guidance," Russ laughed. "It's just before dawn, and it will take at least an hour to gather and harness a team, so that leaves the few motor vehicles you have at your disposal. Second, the snow has been melting since yesterday, so whether you decided to travel by sled or motorcar, you would become mired in trail slush before you were halfway there. Third, as you read in the letter, you are to cease labors immediately, and I would hate to report a lack of compliance. I know you'll want to resolve this as soon as possible, and that means a trip to Nome. Which of course leads back to problem number one, to which I am the easiest, if not the most agreeable solution for you. I'd inform your foremen that they have the day off."

Ramsey gritted his teeth. "I'll get you for this, Lupus."

"I knew you would be agreeable. By the way, I'd wear a parka and mukluks if I was you. It's a bit nippy outside."