Chapter 5

Death's Doorstep

Juno trudged through the tall drifts of snow, pangs of regret coursing through her mind all the while. This cold really is going to be the death of me, she cursed, How could I let my anger get the better of me like this. The sun had long since fallen behind the trees, allowing only the smallest amount of light to reflect off the snow-covered ground. The wind had become more fierce than ever before, easily cutting through the air like a sharp blade. The wolf was shivering violently, not even her thick, fur coat could halt the freezing conditions. I really am an idiot, I might as well make my way back and make amends with that horse, turning back the way she came.

Well… she would have turned back the way she came, if she could remember which way that was.

The snowfall had gotten worse and worse all evening until it was nearly impossible for Juno to see the end of her nose. Being light in her step was normally an advantage, but her tracks in the snow were rather shallow, easily being covered by the torrent of flakes. She was lost. Again.

She whipped around in all directions, looking for any trace of her path as the snow stung her eyes. I've got to find the trail, She thought frantically, I won't survive out here another hour, let alone the night. The most important thing would be to keep a cool head. Panic, and she'd overlook and tracks or expend too much energy. She began to take long, deep breaths as she picked up the pace, icy air burning her lungs.

She hadn't been in the weather long, but her aging body had already started to succumb to the cold. Her nose had been completely dried out, she'd lost all feeling in her legs from the knee down and her mind became foggier by the minute. It was hard to focus, everything was beginning to look blurred and she couldn't shake the feeling she'd already been in this clearing a few moments before.

Well, I can't rely on my sight here, might as well see if I can get a familiar scent. Keeping her nose close to the ground, she began to comb for anything she recognized in the air near the ground. There, she thought, cocking her head up as she found one of the smells she'd been looking for. Following the newfound path, Juno became acutely aware of the toll this weather was taking upon her body. The wolf had become rather tired, feeling the urge to lie down and sleep in one of the snow banks by her feet; still shaking from the cold. My real problems will be when I stop feeling how cold it is, She thought worriedly, I can do this, now that I've got a direction.

Though the wind hurt her ears and the freezing weather clouded her mind, she focused upon what she could to stay awake. Anything that wasn't snow could be a life-saving landmark soon enough. The unusually curvy oak tree to her left, snaking it's spindly branches into the dark sky above. The jagged boulder, reaching out toward the wolf as she meandered past. The tiny stream, winding its way through the wintry landscape before it. All were important to take note of, keeping her mind preoccupied and off of the current mess she found herself in.

Oh man, She thought groggily, I really am… feeling pretty tired. The mind games she played wouldn't work forever. There wasn't much time left, the wolf could feel it in her bones. Lungs burning from strain and muscles nearing exhaustion, she pushed on. So close, I can feel it… Getting low to the ground, using every ounce of strength to push through the drifts, but it was to no avail. Juno collapsed in a heap in the mounds beneath her paws, unable to stay on her own two feet.

She lay there, watching the mist from her breath fogged the air in front of her face. So this is it, she sighed in defeat, killed by my own stupid decisions, how fitting. Her mind began to wander as her eyes began to sag. I'll miss them, why couldn't I have passed in my prime, when I would have been missed in return. her breaths became more shallow, At least I'll be able to rest… The wolf closed her eyes one last time, preparing to embrace eternity…

But then… the sound of footsteps crunching through the thick snow could be heard…

She slowly opened her eyes again, watching as a silhouette began to take form from the darkness. It drew nearer, but remained unknown, Juno lacking the strength to lift her head and look upon the shadow. It stopped very close to her, she held her breath, unsure what was about to happen.

Mustering what strength she had left, she raised her black head, asking weakly," W-what are y-you?" She waited to see how this being would reply, moving it's long neck down to her level.

" Don't you remember? It's me, Al," A familiar voice said," We met not very long ago." Juno's eyes had adjusted slightly, revealing the same roan horse that had been in the cave.

Her eyes shot open in disbelief," What? W-why are you h-here? We had t-that fight in the c-cave." The stallion moved a little closer to her, laying down beside the distressed wolf before him.

"Well," He began," I saw how rude I'd been to you back in the cave and came to apologize." He began to push against her with his muscular neck, coaxing her tired body up onto his back. She did what she could to help, but Juno hadn't any energy left, barely able to keep her eyes open." Besides, I couldn't just let you get yourself killed without learning your name could I?"

A-am I hearing correctly? I'm not delirious am I? She wondered as the horse began to jostle forward through the snow. She'd heard of those on the brink of death having vivid hallucinations, could this all be fake?

" Stay with me back there," Albany called," Whats your name dog?"

" I-it's Juno." She replied, settling into his warm shoulder.

" Well Juno, next fight we have, let's try not to run out to certain death in a blizzard." He said with a sarcastic tone.

" Agreed." The snow continuing to whip at her face as she began to drift off to the rhythmic pace of hooves and the deep breaths of Albany below her weary frame...