by Sue Bentley
The male assistant threw the girl an apologetic look and then hurried back to his counter.
Robyn’s eyes widened. “What nerve! That woman didn’t even say sorry!”
“It does not matter,” the girl replied, shrugging. “I knew I had done nothing, but thank you for speaking up for me. I am Kristiana Magga. Everyone calls me Krista. What is your name?”
“Robyn. Robyn Parsons. I’m here on vacation with my mom and dad,” Robyn said, surprised that the girl was so calm after the unpleasant scene. She saw that Krista had high cheekbones and unusual dark eyes, which were slightly tilted at the corners.
“I am very glad to meet you,” Krista said with a wide smile.
“Me too,” Robyn said. “Do you live here?”
Krista shook her head. “I am visiting friends. My Uncle Nikolai and Aunt Jorun are with me. Oh, here they are now.”
A man and woman came toward them. Robyn saw that they had high cheekbones and dark hair, like Krista. Krista’s aunt also wore a blue felt skirt and strong leather boots. There was a fringed gold shawl around her shoulders, pinned with a circular brooch.
“This is my new friend Robyn,” Krista said.
Robyn glowed at Krista’s description of her as a friend. Since they’d only just met, it was a nice thing to do.
Krista then told her aunt and uncle about the sales assistant who had accused her of stealing. “…and Robyn proved that I didn’t steal it after she found the lusekofte on the floor,” she finished.
It wasn’t me, actually, it was Storm, Robyn thought, wishing that she could tell them all how fantastic her magic friend was. She smiled proudly at the little puppy who was sitting nearby watching, visible only to her.
“Thank you, Robyn,” Krista’s aunt said. “It’s very nice to meet you. I wish we had more time to talk, but now we must go.”
“Yes. We have many things to buy before we return to our home in the north,” said her uncle.
“Good-bye, Robyn,” Krista said with a warm smile. “Enjoy your vacation.”
“Thanks, I will. Bye, Krista,” Robyn said.
She and Storm watched as the girl and her aunt and uncle left the shop. As they walked past the glass storefront, Krista paused to wave.
Robyn waved back, feeling a little sad that she had to leave so soon. “Krista seemed really nice, didn’t she?” she said to Storm. “What a shame that we’ll never see her again.”
“I liked her, too,” Storm woofed.
“Come on, Storm. Let’s go and find Dad.” She no longer wanted to buy any presents from this shop.
The next day passed quickly. Sea Princess sailed along through ever more majestic fjords, and Robyn and Storm stood on deck to watch the spectacular scenery passing by. When the ship docked at another coastal town, they went ashore with her parents to explore.
Before boarding again, she found time to dash into a shop and buy her mom some traditional hand-knitted gloves. She also bought her dad a wallet and got felt slippers for her gran and gramps. “Great. I’m finished with my present-buying.” Except for Storm, she thought, wondering how she was going to buy him a present without him seeing.
Later on Robyn, Storm, and her mom and dad sat in a cafe near the harbor.
Robyn stirred a blob of whipped cream into her mug of hot chocolate and then took a big sip. “Mmm. Delicious,” she murmured, licking her lips.
Her dad grinned around a mouthful of muffin. “I’m not sure a chocolate mustache is a good look on you!”
“Ha-ha! Very funny.” Robyn made a face at him and wiped her mouth.
She scooped up a big fingerful of whipped cream and slipped it inside her shoulder bag for Storm to lick. His warm little tongue flicked over her fingers, and she hid a fond smile. She loved having Storm as her friend and sharing this wonderful vacation with him.
Robyn gazed out of the window as she nibbled a spice cookie and found herself thinking about Krista.
Robyn had told her mom and dad about the sweater incident in the shop and described Krista and Jorun’s beautiful clothes. “Your young friend is probably from a Sami background,” her mom guessed. “I read in our travel guide that the Sami people used to be known as Lapps and once moved around with their herds of reindeer. A lot of them live a more settled life now.”
Robyn remembered that Krista’s Aunt Jorun had said they were returning to their home in the north. She thought it must be amazing to live in a land of ice and snow, where it got so cold that even the sea froze.
Sea Princess docked at a small port the next morning and Robyn, Storm, and her parents made their way to a smaller boat, which was waiting to take them to see a large glacier.
Passengers piled into the boat and lined the rails. Robyn looked down into the dark, freezing water, which was so much closer to them on this small boat, and shivered. It looked very cold and very scary—she held on to the boat rail as it set off. On the way to the ice cap, the vast, frozen expanse that stretched its arms down into a number of deep valleys, they sailed between islets and skerries.
Robyn was waiting excitedly for her first-ever glimpse of a glacier.
“We should see it in a minute,” she whispered to Storm, who was in her shoulder bag.
Storm nodded.
Robyn was unprepared for the amazing sight that met her eyes. The frozen river, cutting through the huge snowcapped mountains, ended in a breathtaking wall of towering ice, which was reflected in the sea.
“Oh my gosh!” Robyn’s jaw dropped. “That’s awesome!”
Sounds of cracking, like pistol shots, rang out in the still air and some of the passengers looked worried. Storm whimpered, and Robyn glanced down to where he sat with his front paws looped over the bag. He was twitching his ears nervously.
“That noise is just the sound of boulders getting crunched under the ice,” the guide explained to the worried passengers.
“Did you hear what that man said? It’s nothing to be scared about,” Robyn whispered reassuringly to Storm. But when he continued to stare at the glacier intently, she frowned. “Storm? Did you hear me?”
There was an extra loud bang! and an ominous grinding sound—Storm’s entire fluffy white body tensed, and his hackles rose along his back. “There is great danger!” he barked urgently, leaping down on to the deck.
Robyn felt a familiar warm prickling flow down her spine as big golden sparks bloomed in Storm’s fluffy white fur and his ears sparked with electricity. Suddenly, the little boat shot forward in a dazzling burst of speed.
Robyn grabbed hold of the rail again and clung on for dear life.
Storm whimpered as his claws skittered across the deck, and he slid toward the rail, about to fall overboard into the freezing, bottomless sea.
Robyn acted without thinking. Still hanging on with one hand, she swooped down and reached out. For one heart-stopping moment, she thought she had lost Storm. But then her fingers closed on the scruff of his neck. Yes! Robyn hauled the terrified puppy to safety and tucked his trembling little form safely back inside her bag.
“Thank you for saving me, Robyn!” Storm barked, looking up at her gratefully with his big blue eyes.
“I’m just glad you’re okay,” she replied, trying to stay on her feet and steady her shoulder bag at the same time.
The other passengers were bracing themselves as best they could as the small boat suddenly zoomed back out to sea in a shower of golden sparkles before stopping abruptly near one of the small islets.
“Storm! What’s going on?” Robyn asked in a shaky voice.
Suddenly, there was a thunderous cracking sound, and massive slabs of ice parted from the glacier and dropped into the sea with a resounding splash! To everyone’s horror, a huge tidal wave began rushing toward the boat.
Robyn felt the color drain from her face as the wall of water bore down on them with the speed of an express train.
Storm calmly lifted both front paws and sent another fountain of sparks whooshing across the sea at the tidal wave, w
hich immediately sank without a trace. The small boat rocked gently as normal-sized waves brushed harmlessly against its sides.
No one else could have seen Storm’s magic, and the stunned passengers all began speaking at once.
Robyn looked down fondly at her little friend. “You were amazing, Storm! We could all have been really badly hurt, and you nearly were. Thank you.”
Storm gave a little shake as every last spark faded from his thick fur. “I am glad I was able to help.”
“Are you all right, honey?” asked Robyn’s dad, putting his arm around her shoulders. “I’m a bit shaken up myself!”
“I’m fine now,” Robyn said.
Beside them, Robyn’s mom shuddered. “I dread to think what would have happened if we’d been right under the glacier when that sheet of ice fell off! Thank goodness the captain had the presence of mind to put on a burst of speed.”
“Whoever was responsible for saving us was very brave, wasn’t he?” Robyn said meaningfully, reaching one hand into her bag to stroke Storm’s warm fur.
She felt so proud of her friend. It was just a shame that no one else would ever know how wonderful he was.
Robyn stood on deck, bathed in the night’s moonlight, with Storm cuddled in her arms inside her coat. She was still a little nervous after saving Storm the other day and was determined to keep her little friend safe.
It had grown colder as Sea Princess steamed further north, and this was the coldest weather Robyn had ever experienced. The icy air prickled inside her nose as she breathed in. It was a strange sensation.
Storm’s ears were pricked up, and his breath fogged in the air as he gazed up at the millions of silver stars that seemed so close you could reach out and touch them.
“Brrr!” Robyn said, trying to hide a shiver. She was thinking of going inside to get warm, but the tiny puppy was obviously having such a good time that she didn’t want to spoil his enjoyment.
“You are cold, Robyn,” Storm noticed. “I will make you warm.”
A familiar warm tickling sensation ran down Robyn’s backbone as tiny gold sparks bloomed deep within his fluffy white coat. Instantly, she felt a thick layer of fur lining her jeans, her jacket, and even her gloves, and she was as warm as toast.
“Thanks, Storm, that’s much better. Oh, look!” Robyn breathed in wonder as a shifting curtain of glowing greenish lights appeared and began rippling across the clear winter sky. “Those must be the Northern Lights. Aren’t they amazing?”
“They are like the lights of my homeland. We often see them in the sky,” Storm woofed softly, sounding a little sad.
Robyn wondered what Storm’s home world was like. Perhaps it was a land of ice and snow, too. It must be a strange and wild place, where the great magical wolves that lived there fought over their lands. She felt a pang as she thought that Storm might be homesick and thinking of his wounded mother and the scattered Moon-claw pack.
Bowing her head, Robyn kissed the top of Storm’s silky little head and held him close.
“Robyn? Is it really you?” called a voice.
Robyn almost jumped out of her skin. She spun round to see the slim, dark-haired girl from the knitwear shop standing there with a broad smile on her face.
“Krista!” she said delightedly. “What are you doing here?”
Krista smiled. She wore a red parka with a fur-trimmed hood. “I am on my way back home, with my uncle and aunt. I did not realize that you were on a cruise around the coast. We use the coastal steamers, like Sea Princess, as local ferries to get around.”
Robyn remembered seeing that Sea Princess had a ferry and car deck. “Where do you live? Is it very far away?” she asked, hoping that there might be time for her and Storm to get to know Krista better.
Krista told her. “We will reach the port in two days, on Christmas Eve. My village is a short distance inland. I live there with my mother and father, my brothers and sisters, my aunts, uncles and cousins, and all the rest of my family. I will be very glad to see them again.”
“You live with all of your family?” Robyn asked curiously. She did get a bit lonely with her dad away a lot of the time, but Robyn wasn’t sure she’d want to live with a whole lot of other people. “Do you travel around a lot after your reindeer herds? Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound nosy. I’m just interested,” she said, blushing as she realized that she seemed to be asking lots of questions.
Krista laughed. “That is all right. At this time of the year, we live in houses, but others, like my grandmother and grandfather prefer to live in a lavvo—that’s a traditional tent,” she explained. “Lots of other Sami families live in the village, too. We make things to sell, until the season for calves to be born, and then everyone helps out with the hard work.”
“Cool,” Robyn said, fascinated. Krista’s life was completely different to her own. It sounded so busy and exciting.
Krista smiled at her enthusiasm and her slanted dark eyes twinkled. “Would you and your parents like to visit my village and meet my family?”
“Would I? I’d love it!” Robyn said at once. “But I’ll have to ask my mom and dad if it’s okay. They’re in the main lounge. Why don’t you come with me, and then you can meet them?”
Krista nodded. “I would like that. I will go and get Uncle Nikolai and Aunt Jorun. They would like to meet your parents, too.”
As Robyn went belowdecks with Krista, she whispered to Storm, “Isn’t it great that we’ve bumped into Krista again?”
Storm’s little face lit up, and he woofed in agreement.
Robyn woke the following morning, feeling full of excitement. Storm was curled in the crook of her arm. As she stirred, he opened one eye and then tucked his nose back between his paws.
“Come on, sleepyhead!” Robyn teased, gently tickling his furry little sides. “We’re meeting Krista for breakfast.”
Storm stuck out all four fluffy white legs and had a big stretch before jumping to the floor.
Robyn threw back the quilt and got dressed quickly. Her parents were showered and ready, and they all went to the restaurant together. Robyn spotted Krista at a table the moment she and Storm walked in. She waved to her as she helped herself from the usual display of delicious food.
“Hi,” Robyn said as she went and sat next to Krista.
“Hello, Robyn. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thanks. Oops,” Robyn said, as she felt Storm scrabbling up on to her lap. She pretended to drop her fork and just managed to stop him from slipping off again.
The adults joined them with their plates of food. Mr. Parsons and Uncle Nikolai began chatting about soccer. Robyn’s mom and Aunt Jorun talked about knitting, having discovered that they shared a passion for crafts the previous night.
“They all seem to be getting along very well, don’t they?” Robyn commented to Krista.
“Yes, they do,” Krista said. “I am very pleased that your parents have accepted my invitation to visit our village.”
“Me too. I can’t wait,” Robyn said eagerly.
“I’m glad you said that,” Krista replied, her eyes glinting mysteriously. “I have told my cousin Morten that you are coming to visit. He is arranging a surprise for you.”
Robyn smiled, wondering what it could be.
Later that day, Robyn and Storm were walking past some fishing boats frozen into the ice on a village wharf, on their way to meet up with her mom and dad who were in the supermarket. Robyn couldn’t stop thinking about what Krista’s surprise might be. She smiled down at Storm happily—this was turning out to be one of her best Christmases ever.
Suddenly, Robyn heard some furious snapping and growling. It was coming from a car parked outside a supermarket. In the back were two large dogs, who were scrabbling at the window.
Storm whimpered in terror and cowered against Robyn’s legs. She could feel him trembling from head to foot through her warm boots.
“Shadow knows where I am. He has sent those dogs to attack me,” Storm whined.
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Robyn tensed as she saw the streetlights gleaming on the dogs’ pale eyes and extra large teeth. How was she going to save her little friend? She was just about to pick Storm up and run away as fast as her legs would carry her when a man came out of the supermarket and got into the car. The fierce growling and barking eventually faded as the car pulled away.
“Those horrible dogs have gone now. You’re safe with me,” Robyn said. She picked Storm up and hurried onto a narrow side street.
The tiny puppy pressed himself against her and looked up at her with fearful eyes. “For now, perhaps, but Shadow will use his magic on other dogs we meet. If any of them find me, I may have to leave quickly, without saying good-bye.”
Robyn couldn’t bear to think of losing Storm so suddenly. “Maybe if we hide you really well, Shadow will give up looking for you and then you can stay with me forever. I’ll take you home with me when the cruise ends. You’ll love it there.”
Storm reached up and touched her face with one fluffy, white front paw.
“That is not possible. One day, I must return to my homeland to lead the Moon-claw pack. Do you understand that, Robyn?” he barked, his little face serious.
Robyn swallowed hard, but she forced herself to nod as she went back toward the supermarket. She didn’t want to think about anything, except enjoying every single moment of her Christmas vacation with Storm.
Christmas Eve finally arrived, and Robyn and Storm stood beside Krista as Sea Princess steamed into the harbor with her horn blaring. The grayish winter light hung over the small town, which banked steeply up the hillside behind the harbor.
The ship was only staying for a few hours, as the Christmas festivities would soon begin on board.