Crossing Boundries - Part 1

As the sun slipped over the horizon and the gulls nested among the wrinkled cliffs across the border, icy winds swept in and littered the ground with promise of snow and dazzling lights. Casper was tense � as he had been all evening�he could tell that his master Shamus was angry and confused at the same time and reading his masters strange body language told him that he and Babel should sleep outside tonight in the shed rather then in the porch. Babel being of a large size and looking somewhat similar to a red blubbery seal offered more warmth then Casper could want so he didn�t mind sleeping under the hard black sky, she had lived with him the past two years and was as stubborn and stickler as she ever was. But he was fond of her and regarded her with respect.

Casper decided to retire to the shed early so that he could call the team for a meeting, Babel offered the base of his howl with her wolf heritage but Casper was able to carry the tone into a loud whine that was just audible above the winds.

Chip , the teams most trusted compass arrived first as expected � eager to know about the next days travel; so he could plan the appropriate routes and paths, Lou arrived next and slumped into the far side of the shed against the wall, nodding curtly at Jaci and Galaxy as they crawled in through the back entrance.

Babel fussed around with the seating arrangements whilst Casper took a detour around his master�s house to find some well aged bones the butcher threw out last Thursday.

Aussie growled gruffly at Lou and Chip as he shook the snow of his paws and tried not to scrape his ears against the doorway

�I told Casper to make this damn thing taller...� He laughed as he settled down in-between Galaxy and Babel.

�who is left to arrive ?� Questioned Chip whom was in a rush as always to get things started

Babel shot a glance across at Chip and mumbled

�Were waiting for Valentine and for Casper to return back from wherever he has vanished too�

Suddenly Casper fell into the room from the side door �closely followed by a fed up looking Valentine, breaking two panes of glass as he forced the bones through the opening. He carried them to the centre of the room and licked the pieces of meat and dusty flakes of blood that has fallen from the stash.

�well now that were all finally here, you all know about the godforsaken weather we have been having and know that our rival teams arrived yesterday to eye up the competition�should be a breeze really� we have nothing to worry about apart from the ice plains and Babel slowing us up again.

At that remark the majority of the group sniggered and puffed out their stomachs to imitate Babel, Valentine smiled but otherwise looked uninterested and Chip placed a paw on Babel�s right one as a sign of comfort, only to whip it away when she looked at him and raised a curious eyebrow.

Casper who had laughed so hard he accidentley wet himself strode to the otherside of the room and kicked the back door shut so everyone was silent again, Aussie grimaced at the wet pawprints that Casper had left behind.

"Right..erm.. yes well I think that tomorrow morning we should get a early start becuase...well er..chip?

Chip sighed at Caspers lack of orginisation and planning

"An early start would lead to a greater advantage as we would have become acustomed to the air tempreture and gives me time to plan the route from Rook Town all the way to Clement Head - which is the main route for the race - so I suggest that we should head off early tonight and have a good nights rest"

At that word everyone was so eager to get back to their cosy homes that they soon emptied the shed , carrying one of Caspers complimentry bones with them.Galaxy who had said very little during the meeting lingered behind for a moment whilst Casper talked to Babel about why humans cannot hear dog whistles.She caught his eye and half closed her eyes , making her eyelashes flutter so fast it was like looking at two butterflys.

Babel gave her a percing look and she scarpered before Casper could work out what had happened.

The next morning the team was shuffling around Rook Town in their sled harnesses, yawning at the early morning crows and fresh fallen snow. Aussie was having so trouble with the deep boughs of chilling snow as his long legs were the perfect solution.Galazy,Babel and Jaci being the shortest among the group were moaning and travelling in awkward circles at a vain attempt to get out of the deep snow.

Casper was annoying Lou and Valentine who were in deep discussion (which must have been something important ) as Lou snapped at Casper when he tryed to stuff twigs in his harness.

Chip was busy listening to the other teams to try and find a clue to their strategys.He startled when Babel reached him..

"Chip- need any help?"

"Not realy Babel - but thanks..its a bit technical ..you know ..lead dog stuff"

"but I WAS a lead dog once Chip..I just was replaced and over the years went down to a wheel dog..and there I stayed - your no better then me"

Knowing he had hit a weak spot in Babel he backtracked a bit - He respected her and he knew she respected him above anyone , even caspr and the worst thing in the world to him would be to lose Babels respect -he knew that to be her enemie is a BIG mistake

"Sorry Babel..I didnt relise...why dont you keep me company trying to find more info on the other teams?"

"Sure" Babel smiled and glanced at Chips face as they walked on, her heart missed a beat when he mentioned her name.

Two Hours later and the final preparations for racing has finished.Caspers team was ready early and were getting restless and whiney.The teams were aligned into neat row and Details checked with the judges and officials notified the final seconds ticked away.

BANG

An explosion of cheers erupted form the crowds as the gun sounded off the start of the race,Caspers team pulled forward into a steadt 3rd place , verring slightly left to take the gentle route along Geiser pass before the steep and very long climb to Clement head.

"How we doing back there?" Shouted Casper to the team as they panted up a storm behind him

"Good , apart from Jaci`s cramped leg we have gained good ground"

"oh no...god no.." Chips face drained of colour as they approached the first turning

A white boarded sign appeared in front of them

"Passage closed - Take Potters way"

"Potters way?" remarked Casper "but that leads to.."

"black falls" whimpered Chip