Chapter 111

Andre pulled to a halt before the porch and peered over at us. “Otter, will you go stay with Bella and the children while I take these men to Yanube City? She’s panicked at news of a war party in the vicinity.”

“Aye. I’ll stay with her until you return.”

“What happened, Smith?” James asked.

The man’s head whipped around like a snake. His jay-wonky eyes seemed to stare directly at each one of us. “We was ambushed by hostiles, that’s what happened. Bushwhacked us without no warning. Kilt two of us before we could fight them off.”

“Where are your mounts?”

Smith’s broad mouth pulled down at the corners, emphasizing his gaunt cheeks. “One of them slithered in among us like the scaly serpent he was and knifed the guard. Then he run off with the horses when the others opened up on us. Let’s get on outa here, Tiller. Need to get back to organize a search party. Pick up our dead.”

“I’ll ride along and keep Andre company on the way back. In case of another attack,” James added dryly.