"Murderer!" He shrieked. "You are a godless killer." Daniel walked down the game trail until he was on the same level as the preacher. He did not lower the rifle.
His face was a terrible thing. All emotion burned away, leaving only a cold, deadly calm. "They tried to take her," he said. "She is my ward. The law is on my side."
Pike was trembling, but his righteous fury held him together. "You will hang for this, Reed, you and your heathen." Daniel's rifle came up. The muzzle aimed not at Pike's chest, but at his face. You lay hands on her again, Daniel said, his voice a low, grading whisper.
And I will plant you in this dirt. Pike flinched. He saw the truth in Daniel's eyes. This was not a threat. It was a statement of fact.
You You can't, Pike stammered. You can't kill a man of God. "I can," Daniel said. Hoof beatats pounded on the trail. "Hold your fire, Reed.
In the name of the law." Sheriff Brody appeared, his horse lighting to a stop. He had two deputies with him. They had been on patrol, heard the shots, and come running. Brody took in the scene in a single sweeping glance.
The two dead men, Pike, pale and shaking. Hackett stumbling up the trail, his face a mask of blood. And Daniel, his rifle steady, his eyes locked on the preacher. "Reed, put the rifle down now," Brody commanded. Daniel did not move.
He came for her. Brody, with these men to take her. He has papers. Son, I told you this is legal. Sheriff, Pike cried, finding his courage now that the law was here.
Thank God. This man is a killer. He murdered them. He shot them down without warning. I came to retrieve my legal ward and he he massacred us.
Brody was torn. He looked at Daniel then at the bodies. It was a bad business. He is no holy man. The voice came from above.
Tyen had climbed down from the ledge. She was barefoot. Her dress was torn at the shoulder. Her hair was wild and blood from Hackett's face was smeared on her arm. She was trembling from head to toe, but her spine was straight.
Pike's face went white. He had not expected her to speak. She walked until she stood beside Daniel facing the sheriff. She did not look at Pike. She looked at Brody, and when she spoke, the broken, halting English was gone.
In its place was a clear, precise, mission-educated voice that rang with cold authority. "Reverend Pike is a liar." "Sheriff," she said. Brody's jaw dropped. The deputy stared.