Artanis had by now made it halfway back to Nome. The journey was
slow going, but necessarily so if he was to avoid further injury to
and pain in his paw. He stepped down a tall hill into what almost
amounted to a forest valley, with hills on all sides of him. It was
here, that fate was to take another hand with Artanis. The trees and
undergrowth made this area very very dark. Very little light was
penetrating, and the setting sun gave everything a very eerie shadow.

While pausing to rest, the Black-spotted Alpha became aware of the
fact that he was not alone. He heard, rather than saw, the massive
silhouetted form behind him. It appeared to be another wolf, but it
was so massive in size that it could easily have been a bear cub,
for all Artanis knew. The shadowy figure let out a deep growl and
took one step towards Artanis, lowering its head. Artanis turned
swiftly to face it.

The Alpha ran through the options in his mind. If that thing was
half as strong as it was big, then he stood no chance in a head-on
fight. But what could he do? Unless he wished to never walk on his
paw again, he did not DARE try to run on all fours, and he would be
too slow to get away on three paws alone. Before he made his
decision, before he could even take a step forward, a voice came
from behind him.

"Satos. No!" the voice barked sharply. The large form backed down
from its aggressive stance and stepped forward a bit into the light.
Artanis could now see it as a Golden wolf. It-no...he...looked
somewhat timid and remorseful.

The voice now spoke to Artanis, "You will forgive Satos,
Artanis...he is still young and quite defensive of me. He tends to
feel that no one should enter my territory unannounced."

"/Your/ Territory?" Artanis said with a slight sneer, "This
territory belongs to my pack."

"Yes...that is quite so...however, in his eyes, the area around us
is my territory, wherever we move."

"What do you want with me?" questioned Artanis pointedly. Something
was not right about this wolf.

"I've come to help you, Artanis," said Sidar silkily, "And to purge
myself of my own sins."

"You speak in riddles," Artanis hissed.

"I have been exiled from my pack," the other wolf began, "I was a
member of the same wolf pack that destroyed much of yours so long
ago. I was there for the whole of the battle..." The other wolf had
closed his eyes and lowered his head slightly in a gesture of
remorse.

"Daro..." Artanis said, as if recalling a painful memory.

"That was the name you knew him by. But it was not his name. Daro
was no wolf, but a dog. The wolf who came to you, the wolf who was
my Alpha, was called Sephir."

Artanis looked confused.

"W...what are you talking about?"

"Sephir always feared drawing the full wrath of the area's
inhabitants down on himself, so he used the name of someone who
would be expected to act in that manner. Daro had no interest in the
affairs of wolves, least of all either of our packs. "

"I had my share of kills during that battle. We all acted out of
fear of Sephir. For he is no ordinary wolf. There's a dark fire
within him. Over the years he has slipped a little further towards
mental instability...We're all afraid of him, even those of us no
longer with the pack."

The grey-ticked wolf continued, "For what I helped do to your pack,
I deserve to die. I do not deny this. But I am offering you my help
in taking revenge for your dead comrades."

Artanis growled, "And you were involved just as deeply as your
master. One life taken is far too many."

"I will not resist. If you wish to end my existence now, I will bow
before you and allow you to finish me."

Satos whimpered at this, but the wolf continued to speak, "I know
you, Artanis...your reputation for justice and honor has carried far
beyond this territory. If you kill me, I trust you will also end the
life of the other member of my pack who dwells among yours."

Artanis's eyes widened. It simply wasn't possible. But Sidar was
remorseful and willing to die for his sins, so it was likely he
would be telling the truth.

"Who..."


"Tempestade was also a member of my former pack, Artanis...though
what her involvement was in that battle I could not say. I merely
focused on my Alpha and my enemies." That remorse creeped back into
his voice again, and Artanis, though infuriated and feeling a
whirlwind of emotions threatening to overcome him, could not help
but pity the grey wolf before him.

"That...is interesting..." said Artanis, "But before I worry about
taking revenge on your old Alpha...I need to get into Nome. This paw
of mine is broken, and the Veterinarian there will be able to help
me."

The other wolf's eyes widened at this. "You...would place yourself
willingly...into the hands of a human?"

"Yes...." said Artanis defensively, "The human speaks our language.
He's a friend to all wolves."

Sidar sighed, " I do not trust humans, Artanis. But I know you to be
a good judge of character...and so I will help take you there. Satos
can carry you far easier than you can walk on your own."

"Thank you," Artanis replied, glancing at Satos, "But I do not yet
know your name."

The other wolf turned. "I am called Sidar. Now come. We've only a
short way into the town."

Satos lowered himself and scooped Artanis onto his back. He did not
like Sidar's plan one bit. But Sidar was his friend, and he would
remain loyal, even if he did not always follow the wolf's logic.

Sidar smiled as he led the way ahead. Artanis had fallen for his
deception. Now Tempestade would be as good as his, and he would
finally have his revenge on Sephir and his misbegotten packmates.

Artanis, meanwhile, poured over the recent revelations in his mind.
He hoped he was doing the right thing by trusting this wolf.