Bronnah kicks her horse and leans slamming the mount into his, startling all the horse around hers. It rears sending her flying from the saddle. The impact knocks the wind from her and even as she struggles to get up Cleveland is on her in an instant. His slap sends her backward into the cold hard ground, and he kicks her in the ribs. Bronnah curls into a ball and protects her head as much as she can from his boot. Over and over he kicks her until two of the Chen grab his arm and snaps out something in Mandarin.
Bronnah vomits and rolls away, slipping the small blade out of her boot. Stumbling to her feet, she faces them with her blade in her trembling hand. Still handcuffed together she can barely stand up from the pain in her ribs. Her lips are split and bleeding. She wipes away the blood with the back of her hand as the five men circle her. Tears stream down her cheeks and she glares at them with all the hatred boiling in her heart.
The first man to move leaps at her only to jerk in mid-step and fall to the ground with an arrow in the back of his head. Instantly, the men twist around, and two of the men beside her drop with arrows sticking out of their foreheads. Bronnah's scream is cut short when Cleveland grabs her and uses her as a human shield.
Cleveland watches as the Indians show themselves circling the group. To her terrified eyes, nothing has ever looked so good. Bronnah uses the distraction to slice the arm holding her captive.
“You bitch!" he roars releasing her, and she spins and slams her elbow into his nose. He drops to his knees screaming and holding his broken, bloody nose. Bronnah makes it a few steps only to be blocked by the last Chen. Desperate she looked to the Indians, but they seem to be watching.
Facing the Chen, she trembles as he lifts dual swords and point’s one at her. Bronnah glares at him knowing that she doesn’t stand a chance but refusing to give up.
"So, that's the way of it then," she whispers a prayer for help and waits for the moment he pulls back to attack. Bronnah throws her blade at him with what’s left of her strength. The warrior slaps the knife out of the air with his sword, sending it skidding away and landing at the feet of an Indian brave. He leaps off his horse and picks up the blade before staring at Bronnah in surprise. He shouts a command, and everything happens at once.
Cleveland grabs her leg, tripping her even as the Chen warrior leaps at her. Bronnah squeezes her eyes shut waiting for the burning of the sword to cut her down, but it doesn't come. A grunt sounds out shocking her and her eyes fly open in time to see him crumple to the ground. Another Indian leaps on his back sliding his blade across his forehead. As the screaming starts, Bronnah faints, falling into blessed darkness.
Chapter 35
A spiral of smoke billows up into the blue sky, catching Chase’s attention and causing his stomach to drop. He knows what that means. “Yah!” He snaps the reigns and kicks his horse at the same time, urging him faster. A few minutes later he spies it, a burning pile of bloody, scalped bodies.
Leaping from his horse, he doesn't bother to pull his weapon. If they'd wanted to set a trap, he'd already be caught or dead. His three companions are already searching the scene.
“It’s not her blood, Chase,” Davis confirms his suspicion. Looking closely at the ground he speaks quickly to reassure his friend. “They were ambushed, by Indians.”
“How can you possibly know that from the blood and dirt on the ground?” Jack snaps as he looked at the mess around them.
“It’s a gift.” He turns back to Chase and grabs his upper arm. “It’s the Chinamen, look at the clothing and the shoes.”
Chase can only hear the sound of her screams, begging him to help her. “Stay with us, Chase. Davis is picking up the trail now.” Slowly he examines the bodies, looking for any signs that would signal which tribe they are dealing with.
“Cleveland and Bronnah are missing,” he murmurs as Davis joins him and circle the smoking bodies.
“What do you make of this?” A single silver spur is sticking out of the ground. The moment he sees it, Chase falls to his knees weak with relief and starts laughing.
“Thank God!” Head bowed he takes the spur and lifts it to show them.
“Seems a strange time to have a coming to Jesus moment, Chase,” Rev teased which makes Chase laugh harder. When he catches his breath, he pushes to his feet and struggles to regain his composure.
“I know where they are,” he said hoarsely and mounts his horse.
Bronnah becomes aware of voices around her, her eyes open and she stares into the eyes of the savage who scalped one of the men. The dried blood is still on him, and he grins down at her from atop his horse. She tries to move only to become aware that she's strapped to a makeshift bed of some sort. Her head pounds as her heartbeat accelerates and she struggles to move.
The brave snaps out a command and the troop halts, for a moment. "Please, I must get back to my husband, Chase Rivers. His family is in danger!" An older Indian moves to her and whispers in a language she can't understand. He pats her hand and lifts her head to give her a sip of funny tasting water. Her face is bruising, and with a swollen split lip, it's a messy process.
Bronnah pleads and fights, causing
