Chapter 98

With us behind them and Cut’s larger force in front, the raiders took real losses before fleeing to the north. Declining to chase the scum, we rushed down into the village, despairing of the loss of friends. Fortunately, however, the tiospaye’sscouts had discovered the gang before the attack, so the Yanube’s losses were held to two, virtually a miracle given an attack by a score of gunmen. Even so, that was a tremendous loss for a small band. I hoped Stone Knife was in the vicinity to finish off the filthy pimps!

A breed and two whites, including the one lying unconscious at the Mead, were among the living when we checked the fallen men. A general clamor went up from the Yanube, demanding their own justice since a senior member of the council died in the assault.

“Cut,” I said beneath my breath. “This could get ugly. You have to do something.”

“What would you have me do?” His face was flushed with emotion.

“Take them to Fort Yanube. Turn them over to the army.”