Adele's Stories

Miyoni’s paws thundered across the field ahead of her master. The wind blew her fur back and she shook out her mane. She stopped in the middle of the valley where the most moonlight poured onto the ground. Miyoni’s heart soared and she tilted her head back and let out a howl. Jean came up behind her and placed his old hand upon her head. 

“You get it all out girl?” he asked, scratching her behind the ears. She thumped her tail against the ground and let her tongue loll. Miyoni could just make out his curly white hair and grey beard in the moonlight. But she didn’t need to rely on sight. His scent was unmistakable.

“The guide said the first rest stop should be at the edge of this valley. If we’re going to make it up this mountain in three days, we should really pick up the pace.” He hobbled forward on his cane and Miyoni walked diligently by his side. Soon they were at a small cottage at the base of a hill. A man came rushing out. 

“Oh thank goodness! They told me you’d get here at eight and when you didn’t show up I got worried. I’m Salion by the way.” he said sticking out his hand. 

“Jean. Didn’t mean to worry you. I’m not as young as I used to be.” Jean shook his hand and smiled. Salion led them inside also smiling. 

“Yes, I can see that. May I ask how old are you? I don’t mean to be rude.” 

Jean waved a hand. “It’s no problem. I’m seventy-six.” Jean sat on a bed and Salion took a chair at the table. Miyoni settled in front of the fire and listened to the men’s chatter. 

“Well then, Jean. Why are you headed up the mountain?” Salion asked. Jean looked at his gray husky who had a tan muzzle, ears, chest and paws. 

“I’ve had many adventures in my life, but I’ve never been to the top of the world.” was all he said. Salion nodded. He too looked at Miyoni. 

“She a good dog?” he asked. Jean smiled. 

“The best.” 

“How old is she?” 

“Eleven.” 

Salion looked  taken aback. “Oh. Well you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. I’ll let you eat and get some rest.” he brought out a bowl of cold roast beef for Miyoni and potato soup for Jean. Miyoni finished eating first and went to stand by her master’s side at the table. When he finished he settled into the bed and called Miyoni to him. She jumped on the bed and cuddled up next to him. 

They slept peacefully until dawn. Jean got up when the birds began to chirp and they ate a quick breakfast then headed on their way. The climb up the hill was a struggle but going down the other side was easier. They entered a small forest and Jean made sure to stay on the path. The walk was peaceful and they saw many deer and rabbits cross their path. 

Miyoni held back with all her might, trying not to chase them. She knew she needed to stay close to Jean. They walked until the sun was low in the sky and Jean needed a rest. He sat on a big rock at the edge of the trail and leaned his cane against it. Miyoni came up to him and nudged his knee. He scratched her head affectionately. A rabbit darted out onto the path and Miyoni tensed. 

She watched it carefully and when it darted back into the trees Miyoni looked up at Jean, her eyes pleading. He laughed. “Go on, old girl. You’re not too old to have some fun. I’ll be right here when you come back.” he waved his hand and she took off. The rabbit’s scent trail was still fresh and easy to track. It hadn’t gotten far. Miyoni tore through the brush and jumped over logs. 

During her chase she passed a scent marker. She didn’t linger at it for long, too engaged in her chase to pay much attention to it, but it smelled familiar. Like a dog, but not. Miyoni shook it out of her head and focused on the rabbit. Finally she leapt into a burrow and her paws landed on a startled rabbit. She barked in triumph. Suddenly she heard a call. It came from far away, in the direction she had come. Her ears perked and she tensed staring in it’s direction, her paws still trapping the rabbit. It came again and there was no mistaking the call of Jean. He was in trouble. 

Miyoni tore away from the rabbit and bolted through the trees. The call came again and she put on another burst of speed. Finally she made it to the path. Three wolves surrounded Jean, their teeth barred. He was warding them off by waving his cane at them, but that would only work for so long. 

Miynoi bared her teeth and growled low in her chest and it gradually got louder. The wolves turned around to face her. They slowly stalked forward. She was now their target. The wolves were skinny and obviously starving. They were probably weak and Miyoni knew she could take them. The first one lunged and Miyoni met him head on. Miyoni tried to go for the throat, but the wolf was quick. She feigned for his neck again, but when he pulled away she lunged at his leg and bit down hard. 

The wolf yelped and grabbed onto the scruff of her neck. Another wolf came at her flank and she had to pull away out of their reach. They circled each other for a minute, then Miyoni leaned her head back and howled, calling for help from anyone who could hear. Another wolf jumped at her and she leapt out of the way. If she could dodge them long enough they would grow tired and eventually give up and leave, not thinking she was worth it. 

Suddenly, coming up the path was a group of men who were waving around big sticks and yelling. Some were carrying small instruments and using them to make loud noises. The wolves retreated into the forest. Noticing they were gone the men stopped and came up walking instead of running. Miyoni stood in the middle of the path panting and watching them approach Jean.

A man approached and spoke to Jean for a moment, but Miyoni was too tired to pay attention. The man then helped Jean stand up and they followed him down the path and into a large clearing with tents. “Come eat and get some rest. Tomorrow will be your hardest day.” the man said. He led Jean and Miyoni into a small tent where a woman with long black hair was stirring soup on a pot over a fire in the middle of the tent. 

She handed Jean a bowl and helped him sit on a low bed. She placed another bowl on the floor for Miyoni. “Thank you for your hospitality.” Jean said. The lady bowed and left. The man helped him get settled after he finished eating then left him to sleep. Miyoni came over to him and examined him for injuries from the wolves. Jean laughed and pulled her close to his chest. 

“I’m alright old girl. It’s you I’m worried about.” 

Miyoni did feel sore from the fight and her age was starting to get to her. She laid down still close to his chest and tried to get some sleep. It didn’t go over too well. In the morning they finished off the soup and left the tent. The man from earlier approached them carrying a thick coat. 

“You’ll need this. The rest of the trip up the mountain is all snow.” he handed Jean the coat who thanked him and put it on. They headed down the trail and it wasn’t long after the camp was no longer in view that the first of the snow showed up. Normally Miyoni would long to frolic in it, but today she didn’t feel that urge. Soon they were no longer in the forest and climbing up a steep hill covered in deep snow. 

Jean put his free hand on Miyoni’s head and kept it there. The higher they went the deeper the snow got. Soon it was up to her chest and almost up to Jean’s waist. Then the sky grew dark. Miyoni looked up. She knew what those clouds were. A storm was coming. They needed to hurry. Miyoni whined and pushed forward harder. 

“Slow down, Miyoni. I can’t go that fast in this snow.” he chuckled. Miyoni whined again and grabbed the sleeve of his coat. She began to pull and trudged up through the snow. Jean shook his head. Eventually they had to stop and rest so Jean dug out a small clearing in the snow to sit down and Miyoni paced around it anxiously. She looked to the sky. It was getting worse. They needed to hurry. 

“Don’t worry girl. They’re just clouds. Nothing to worry about.” Jean also looked to the sky. Miyoni whined and laid down next to him with her head in his lap. Soon they were on their way again. Miyoni stood as close to his side as she possibly could. Jean put his hand on her head again. Suddenly he tripped and fell face forward into the snow. Miyoni yellped. It began to snow 

He slowly lifted his head and put his hand on her head. “Don’t worry old girl. You keep going. At least one of us will get to the top of the world.” but Miyoni refused to give up. She licked his face trying to keep him warm. She howled, calling for help, but no one would come this time. 

She came up to his side and pushed her head under his arm and inched forward on her belly until his arm was on her back. She stood, but he didn’t rise with her. She got back on her belly and began to push herself under his stomach. Finally he was forced to stand. He fell onto his knees and put an arm around her neck. 

“Help me old girl.” he whispered. Miyoni let out a determined bark and pushed forward with Jean crawling beside her and she supported his weight. They made slow progress, but at least they were making progress. The wind blew harder and the snow swirled around them. 

Miyoni’s body ached and she longed to lay down and rest. But she knew she couldn’t. And then they were there. The ground flattened out and the only way to go was down. Miyoni whined in relief. They both collapsed to the ground and Jean laughed. He crawled to the edge and looked down. Miyoni sat by his side. 

They could see all of the forest and even the smoke coming from the camp. They could see the valley and the smoke rising from Salion’s chimney. Jean put his arm around Miyoni and pulled her close.

“We did it, old girl. We made it to the top of the world.” And there sat two best friends who would never go back down that mountain.