Balto gazed, prudently at him. This man was going to be their Musher, but why was he entering the race in such a condition. The wolf got up and walked closer to the arm-chair. He touched man's hand with his wet. Mr Ground stirred and slowly he awoke.
When he saw Balto, he relaxed and patted him. Balto, gently nudged the man's leg. Ground looked sadly down at it. Then he spoke.
'I got this in an accident. I couldn't drive for a while, but as it grew better, our wage fell. When we nearly out I had to sell my own dogs, to keep us going. We've still a little with us, but how long for? One day, Sulski came to my cabin and told me about the Trail Run he'd just signed up to enter. He said that prize would be 10 million. It was then I knew I had enter myself, but how? But Mr Sulski then said that that would not matter. He told me...' he paused, patted Balto, 'He told me, they were wanting you for the race. So I signed up.'
Balto rested his head on the man's hand and licked it.
XII
Morning came. The both dog and human were up and having breakfast, when a knock at the door interrupted them.
Nell went to open it.
While they waited, Dingo said to Chilla. 'I hope these humans will let us explore the town before we go.'
Chilla agreed, 'The cabin's so small. It's boring being coped up in here.' she said.
Nell came back. With her was the Mayor of Koyuk... and two poodles with fine, silk collars. The youngest was a female with coal black fur and sour face. The elder whose fur was honey had a look of importance.
Their owner tapped his hat. 'Hello, Rig. Sorry to barge in now. But I've just been talking to the Doctor, and we were discussing something which concerns you.'
'I'm not disqualified, am I?' asked Rig, jumping from his chair. The Mayor shook his head, grinning.
'No, no. But he like to see you this eve, before the Trail Run.'
'Alright. I'll go.' Rig said, sighing.
'I have appointment papers, so that you'd get to him easily.' While Ground signed them, the poodles went up to Family Team.
The eldest spoke first. 'Greetings, Sir Balto and Lady Jenna. Allow me to indroduce myself. The name's Ragnel. And might I say! It is a great honer to meet such an regarded ambassador (and his family) from Nome's amiable settlements. The locals here are all indebted to you. And are at your commands.'
Listening to this strange talk, Chilla and her brothers and sisters tried to stop themselves from chuckling. Balto and Jenna meanwhile, looked bewildered. 'Err. Thank you.' they said, finally.
Ragnel bowed. 'A pleasure. OH! And...' he cried, nodding to his companion,' this here is my daughter, Missy.' he nodded to his companion.
'Dad! It's Missisippi!' corrected she, crossly.
'It's easier when its ''missy''.' her father replied, taking no notice.
'So...what can we do for you, Ragnel.' Balto asked. Just then the Mayor called out.
'Ragnel! Missy! Heel.'
'We must be going, now. If there's anything you need know.' Ragnal said. He bowed again before leaving with Missy to follow their master.
After they'd gone, Rig said to his wife. 'Well, dear. How about we all spend the afternoon together outside, before I go to the Clinic?' Nell asked him where. Ground thought for a few moments. At last he said. 'We'll go out the town. We can take the dogs with us. They need a good long run.'
Nell agreed. Chilla, who'd been listening, wagged her tail in delight! At last we're going out. She thought.
She waited, patiently, as the Grounds finished their breakfast, cleared the table and went to put on their winter clothes. When they came back, they brought with them leads. Chilla groaned aloud! Her mother gave her a hard nudge.
Moodily, she let them clip her collar. Once the dogs were ready, the Grounds opened the door and led them out.
***
The area around Koyuk was not as wide as Nome's. Nor was it barren. Trees specked the blankness of the snow ground. About half a mile away from them stood a small glade of pine trees.
Once their leads were taken off, Chilla and others bolted out over the snowy plain. Soon, they were laughing, playing and racing together. The Grounds watched them, smiling. Not one of them knew it, but further back, hiding behind one of the barrels that were placed next to a cabin, two poodles were watching.
As she ran near it, Chilla stopped to look at the glade. It looked lovely, that it was if someone had planted it that way. The trees were arched and between their roots, was a small pool. As she gazed at it, Chilla caught a movement! A large, dark shape suddenly appeared from behind a pine, padded towards the pool and started to drink. Chilla stared. It was a wolf!
She backed away. The wolf's ears pricked. It lifted its head, looked around...and saw her. For a long time moment the creature gazed at her, eyes flashing. Then, it ran towards her. Chilla gasped. She turned to run, when a shrill voice stopped her tracks.
'Wait Chilla!'
Chill's eyes widened, when she relised who is was. 'Aleu!?!' she cried in disbelief.
Her sister ran to her. Withen seconds, they stood facing each other. Chilla couldn't believe it. Her runaway sister was here. How? And why?
She waited for Aleu to catch her breath. At last Aleu, panting, raised her head and managed to say. 'I'm here...huff huff...I'm here...huff huff...to help you...huff...with the race!'
XIV
Kodi couldn't believe his eyes. Running back with Chilla was no other then his long lost sister, Aleu, whom he had long given up ever to see again. 'Aleu!!!' he rushed to greet her. The others saw her too, but didn't move.
Aleu screamed as Kodi sprang on her. They rolled like that about. Laughing and giggling. Kodiak, once he had his sister on the ground, licked her face. Aleu nipped him, playfully.
'Kodi! You know I never like you doing that.' she said.
Nothing's changed. Thought Kodi. He told her, 'Yeah, well. You wouldn't refuse it from Mom.' he nodded to their parents.
'Muma! Papa!
'Aleu!!!!!!' They all grouped together. Licking, kissing and laughing. Happy. Complete.
Amid their rejoicing, Kodi suddenly caught sight of the humans. Rig, Nell and Jonny. All three were staring at them. Wether in horror or astonishment, Kodi couldn't quite know. Aleu saw them too. Ignoring everyone else, Rig limped up to her. Aleu backed away. Then halted! She remained still as Ground drew closer. The man stopped in front of her and slowly, he held out his arm. Aleu reached over to sniff it. The was a pause. She licked it. Then gently, buffed his hurt leg with her nose.
Mr Ground smiled. He nodded to her and then others. 'You're all from the same bloodline. We could use another in our team. How about it?' Kodi and the others barked in agreement.
'Are you sure, Rig? She is wild.' Nell said, nerviously. Rig shook his head.
'Don't worry, Nell. I'll know if she changes.'
Out of sight, yet hearing everything, Ragnel and Missisippi left their barrel and rushed to spread the news to the town dogs.
***
After the afternoon exercise, both human and dog returned to the cabin. After having lunch, the Grounds put the dogs into a room with hardly any furniture. ' Stay here while we go to see the doctor.' Rig said to them. And closing the door, he left.
'It's been ages since I've been around human places,' Aleu whispered.' I don't think I like it anymore.'
Kodi mentioned. 'But it's always warm. How could you not like it?'
'I prefer a cave.' she whispered. Kodi nodded, though he didn't understand. How could he? He'd never ever known what it was like living in the wild.
'So why did you leave?' Saba asked. Everyone knew what happend and why Aleu left Nome. Balto had told them about their journey.
Aleu looked at the floor, before speaking. 'I had a dream I saw you all. Tied to a sled and pulling it. There was a storm. It swallowed you and you disappeared. That's why I came here.' She paused and stared to her father. 'I know about the race. I wanted to come and help you. But now, all I want is to give advice. Please! Don't go. Nothing is strong against a storm.'
Before Balto could say anything Tamille interrupted.'We don't know that!'
Aleu spun around to face him. 'So you don't believe in this dream?' she hissed. Tamille backed away.
'Er, maybe we should tell Ragnel. Let him know about the storm.'
'Would he believe us?'
'Errrrrr. Probably. I mean, some dogs don't takes dreams seriously. So there's...' He caught the look in Aleu eyes. They were blazing with fury. 'Hay! Don't worry. I believe in yours!' Further argument was interrupted by a loud knock, coming from the outside window. They turned to it and saw two round shapes. It was Ragnal and Mississippi.
Ragnel called to them in a forte tone. 'GREETING ALL! WE HEAR YOU HAVE A NEW MEMBER FOR THE TEAM!'
'Yes. This is Aleu. My third daughter.' Balto said, nodding to her.
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