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PRODIGAL SON CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

The Muad'dib entered orbit over Tokala right on schedule, with Blade putting them into position over what they thought would be roughly Jayne's old family holdings.

"Now all we have to do is figure out a way to get on the ground," she announced as she turned to look at her boss.

"Leave that to me," Inara smiled brightly. She entered a cortex address and waited until the screen lit up, a smiling young man with sun darkened skin looking back at her.

"Hello, Miss Serra," he spoke before she could.

"Hello Manilito," she replied. "I wanted to let you know we were in orbit and ask if there were any local customs we should be aware of when requesting permission to land."

"Nothing you would have to be concerned with, ma'am," the young man shook his head. "I've already made arrangements for your ship to land and we will meet you at the dock. I'm looking forward to the demonstration."

"I assume you've shared the video we sent you with the others?" Inara asked.

"I did."

"Well, then we have a treat for you," she smiled again. "We have the young couple who made the video with us, and they will give a live demonstration for you. Also, the design engineer is along on this trip, though she will not be able to exert herself greatly as she is extremely pregnant. She is able to answer questions about the design, however, and to provide details for the heavier models."

"That is wonderful news!" Manilito was enthusiastic. "We'll be waiting!"

"See you soon," Inara promised. Even as she cut the feed the printer began to chatter with landing instructions. Blade shook her head as she tore the sheet from the machine.

"I see now why you had us load the prototype," Wart chuckled. "Good thinking."

"And there's every possibility that we'll make a sale, too," Inara nodded. "This planet is an ideal market for the new ATV."

"Long as it gets us planetside, that's the important thing," Mal agreed. "Anything else is just a bonus."

A few minutes later they were on their way down.

FIREFLY

George Flint scowled at the sight of Joseph Many-Horses standing on the tarmac waiting for him.

"Why are you here, Joseph?" he all but demanded.

"My chieftain is landing soon," Many-Horses replied dead pan. "I wanted to meet him, as he has been gone for some time."

"Please forgive him, Joseph," Annassa interjected smoothly. "It has been a long trip and he is fatigued."

"He is capable of speaking for himself," Flint turned his scowl on his daughter. "Have you made the arrangements?" he looked back at his chief subordinate.

"Yes," the other man nodded firmly. "The Council convenes tonight after evening meal in the Lodge. They expect you."

"Excellent," Flint's scowl abated slightly. "With proper handling, this will still work out to our advantage."

The others in Flint's party left the passenger shuttle, bags in hand. Many-Horses remembered to act surprised that three of the Five Fingers were missing.

"It is part of the trouble," Flint replied to the unspoken question. "I will explain it all to the Council this evening."

"Very well," Joseph nodded. "I have transportation waiting."

FIREFLY

"How do we go about finding Jayne, boss?" Goldie asked as the crew assembled in the cargo bay.

"I'm workin' on that," Mal admitted. "If he don't wanna be found, he won't be, usually. But 'Tross might be able to scope him out."

"Yes," River nodded absently. "I will be able to find him."

"Well, I suggest we get started, then," Wart mentioned. "The sooner we find him, sooner we can get gone."

"That will not be possible," River sighed, her gaze on the landscape visible outside the open bay door. "Having started this, we will have to see it through. And I have certain obligations I must fulfill, as well," she added darkly.

"River, we don't need to go around killin' folks, we can help it," Mal's voice was much calmer than he was.

"There is no alternative at this point," River shrugged. "War to the knife, as Jayne would say. It's them, or us. It's not just about Jayne and I, or Chelsa either, now. It will be all of us. We must end this."

"She's right," Goldie backed her up. "This has gone too far to end any other way. Kid's people have certain ways that you better be willin' to play by, Mal. Once something like this gets going, you got to see it through. You can bet they will."

"And I doubt there's a chance in Hell that Shade leaves here with any of them that started this still drawing breath," Blade chimed in, checking her pistols. "That's just a cold, hard fact."

"We'll deal with whatever we have to," Mal conceded. "Liam and Chelsa, Simon and Kaylee, you go with Inara. She's got things set up to give a demo of the new Mule. Liam, you keep a close eye on things, right?"

"You got it," the boy nodded grimly. He had a duffle bag slung casually over his shoulder.

"Rest of us will head over to what used to be Jayne's stompin' grounds and see is he there," Mal ordered, indicating the other two vehicles in the bay. While not RIT mules, they would do the trick.

"I will go with Inara," River said flatly, her voice almost as dull as her eyes. "That way we are all represented in the deal making. Less suspicious that way. And I will be there in case something happens. Better for Liam not be alone in protecting the others," she added.

"Okay," Mal nodded. "You four are with me, then," Mal ordered, looking to the other two couples. All nodded in agreement.

"Stay in com," Mal ordered Inara and River. "Anything happens, no matter how insignificant it is, you call us. We're all alone here, so we need to be careful."

"You be careful," Inara reminded him, hugging him close. "Let the others do the heavy lifting."

"We'll watch him," Blade promised and Zoe snorted in amusement but nodded her agreement.

"All right, then," Mal sighed. "Lets us see if we can find our Prodigal Son."

FIREFLY

Jayne stood in the ruins of what had once been his family home, looking around him at the place that had once been his whole world.

Why had he come back here after his meeting with Many-Horses? Even now, standing literally on the ashes of his boyhood home, he didn't know. He was sure there was a reason, somewhere in the depths of his psyche. River would probably be able to tell him why he had come. If she were here.

Stepping carefully he wandered around the remains of his small town, doing now what time had not allowed him earlier. Reliving the day he had come home to see his home in flames and his family dead.

It hadn't been one sided. His people, at least his clan, were peace loving people, but that did not mean they lacked the skills necessary to defend themselves. But they had been caught unaware. Divided, working in far flung fields or laboring at their normal pursuits. Unprepared.

Over the years he had wondered how it was that no one saw the Scorpions coming. His world wasn't a backward place. There were sensors. There was a customs patrol, of sorts. There were lawmen. Yet his people had no warning of any kind of the impending attack.

He would never know exactly what had happened. Everyone who had been there was dead. There would be no recounting of the events of that day by anyone, at least no one he could trust to tell him the truth.

As he had collected the bodies of his people, he had left the bodies of the enemy. There were no remains, anymore, but that wasn't surprising. Predators, scavengers, even onlookers from other tribes would have taken care of that long ago. He had given them no thought then, and spared them none now. They were undeserving.

Soon he would put his last bit of business on this world to rest, one way or another. Assuming that he survived, that all went as he planned for it to, then he would leave once more, truly never to return.

He had harbored a half-formed idea on his way here that he might stay. Make his home here once more. Standing now in the midst of the destroyed homes of his clan, he knew this would not be possible, even assuming that all went well. He could never be at home here again.

There was no place for him here. He was a stranger to his own ways, to his own people. His own heritage. Whatever had been here for him before was gone forever, and there would be no getting it back.

He turned his head at a sound and realized it was an approaching vehicle. Looking at the sun he realized that he'd been wool gathering for a long time. As the truck came into view, Jayne looked back to his old home. Words of a prayer that was all but forgotten whispered across his lips, lost in the slight breeze that carried them away. He bent down and gathered a handful of dirt, rich soil that would grow almost anything, and tossed a bit of it to each point of the compass, repeating the prayer again as he did so.

When he was done he wiped his hand and retrieved his bags.

He had work to do.

FIREFLY

Mal had allowed Zoe and Blade to approach the old man, knowing the two of them would come nearer getting the answers they needed than he would. The man looked at them with a slight suspicion, but listened as the requested directions to the homeland of the Blood Knives.

"Why would you want to know that?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

"We come to pay respects to a friend and his loved ones," Zoe said simply. "We don't wish to offend, but. . .simply to honor."

The old man took the two women's appearance in while they stood still, letting his eyes roam over them. They knew that he wasn't looking at them as women, but as warriors. Neither was sure how they knew it, but were sure of it nonetheless.

"You knew one of them?" he asked finally.

"Fought with him," Blade nodded firmly. "Long ago on distant worlds. I owe him my life on more than one occasion."

"Did this warrior have a name?" the old man asked.

"We knew him only as Shade," Blade replied evenly. "He had other names I'm sure, but I do not know them. I did not need them."

Her simple answer pleased the old man though for the life of her she didn't know why.

"Travel one hour to the west on your vehicle," he told them finally. "You will cross a small river. Once on the other side you will be on their land. Do not offend the spirits that still call it home," he ordered sternly. "Remain on the road, and be respectful. No one should bother you so long as you observe those precautions. Do not be there after the sun sets," he added suddenly. "It is not. . .safe."

He would not elaborate, returning to working the piece of animal skin in his hands.

"Thank you," Zoe bowed her head slightly and the two turned back to the others.

"Well?" Mal asked when they got there.

"That way," Zoe pointed west. "Across the river."

FIREFLY

"That is odd," Many-Horses said.

"What?" Jayne asked. He followed the older man's pointing hand to see two hover mules meeting them.

"You can't be serious," he said under his breath.

"You know them?" the older man looked at him in surprise.

"Almost certainly," Jayne sighed. "Don't stop," he ordered, slinking into the seat. "I don't want to talk to them, or see them. They aren't supposed to be here. Maybe if they see I'm not there they'll leave."

"Who are they?"

"Family," Jayne smiled in spite of himself. "Not to replace what was taken from me, but. . .they grew on me, so to speak."

"One cannot choose his family, so his friends define him," Joseph said quietly.

"That says a lot about me," Jayne's voice carried a dark humor. "If you knew them, you'd understand."

"Perhaps I will meet them," was all Joseph said.

"Might do."

FIREFLY

"Well that was rude!" Mal exclaimed as the truck they met kept going even as he tried to wave them down.

"Maybe he had somewhere to be," Goldie shrugged. He was in the front with Zoe, her driving and he annoying. Mal was in back, with Blade and Wart following.

"Man could stop and talk to folks for a minute, anyway," Mal groused.

"Mal, these people ain't over friendly in the best of times, I'm thinking," Zoe told him. "We're obviously off-worlders. Doubt they're too keen on bothering with us."

"Still."

FIREFLY

"That guy look familiar?" Wart asked as the truck passed them by.

"Wasn't looking," Blade admitted. "Why?"

"Just. . .nothin'," Wart shook his head. "Just wishful thinkin' probably."

FIREFLY

"That is a truly well made vehicle," Manilito enthused as he watched Liam put the RIT 2000 through the ringer in a demonstration.

"Thanks!" Kaylee beamed.

"I think this will be extremely popular here," Mailito told Inara. "And I'm sure that the heavier model will also be popular with the clans that primarily raise livestock or log heavily forested areas. I will need to speak to the others, of course, but I believe that I can safely say that we will be interested in a dealership."

"Dealership?" Kaylee's eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, dear," Inara smiled. "I hadn't bothered any of you with those details. We are offering dealerships to interested parties on most worlds, but they are extremely limited. While we will sell to others, the dealerships will be the only authorized warranty mechanics and source for parts."

"I see," Kaylee nodded, hiding her surprise at Inara's thinking. Normally thinking ahead herself, Kaylee's distraction with her pregnancy might have kept her from thinking about the need for replacement parts and service. Thankfully Inara hadn't overlooked it. There was a lot of money to be made in those areas.

"We'll bring techs to Argo if necessary for them to learn how to service and maintain the vehicles," Inara told her first prospective dealer.

"That would be fine," Manilito nodded. "Well, it had been a true pleasure to meet you, Miss Serra. And thank you for calling us first!" he added.

"I'm equally happy with that arrangement," Inara promised him.

"How'd it go?" Liam asked as he and Chelsa pulled up.

"I think we've got a buyer," Inara smiled. "Well done you two!"

"Just having some fun!" Liam laughed.

"Ain't nothin' wrong with gettin' paid for it, either," Chelsa piped up. Inara looked at her in surprise before bursting out laughing.

"What?" Chelsa looked mildly offended.

"You sounded just like Mal for a minute," Inara told her as he took a seat behind them. River wedged into the front with her wards as Simon helped Kaylee into the back. It was a tight fit with all of them but the ship wasn't far and Liam took it slow.

"He has definitely had an influence on her," Simon agreed.

"Ain't nothin' wrong with that, neither," Chelsa sniffed, drawing more laughter. It was a well needed relief to the tension.

FIREFLY

"Wow," Zoe whistled lowly as they looked at what they assumed were the remains of Jayne's hometown.

"Yeah," Mal nodded grimly.

"It was a long time ago," Goldie reminded them. "And no one to keep anything up, either."

"True," Mal agreed. "Still, I expected. . .well, I don't know what I expected, but this wasn't it."

"If he was here, he's gone now," Blade offered, looking at the sun in the sky. "I hate to be harping, but. . .we need to be gone before long."

"Why?" Goldie asked.

"Old man said not to be here once the sun set," Zoe replied. "It wasn't safe."

"Seriously?"

"He sounded serious," Blade nodded. "And I'm fair certain he meant it, too."

"No point in staying, no way," Mal sighed, limping slightly as he returned to the mule. "We only came here to see if Jayne was here, and he ain't. We can go anytime."

The group loaded up and departed in silence. They hadn't really expected it to be easy.

FIREFLY

Annassa Flint adjusted the small bolo tie of her father's business suit and then brushed a small bit of lint from the shoulder.

"Thank you, daughter," George Flint was distracted but his voice was kind.

"You look very distinguished, Father," Annassa told him.

"I feel old, my dear," George admitted to her suddenly. "Nothing seems to go the right way these days. So much work for. . .for nothing," he sighed.

"It will be as it will be," Annassa said philosophically. She turned and picked up a valise which she handed to him. "Here."

"Thank you again," he told her. "This will be difficult, but I expect to be successful."

"I'm sure you will be," she smiled. "I will await you here."

"Very well," he nodded. He took a deep breath and then left the small room, stepping into a large open hallway.

The Council Hall was a large building, really an office building constructed to look like a giant log house or hunting lodge. Each tribe maintained an office there with a suite of rooms to conduct tribal and clan business, while Council Chamber was used for meetings such as this one.

As the one who had called for the convocation, Flint would address the Council directly. He waited outside as the Council Chief called the meeting to order, then entered at the beckon of the Sergeant at Arms.

Flint took the podium, looking around him at the assembled chiefs and elders.

"Brethren, I have come before you to ask that which is needed to right a wrong," he said, jumping right into the matter. "The Clan of Dos Osos has been attacked and blood shed. Blood of our brethren shed by that of another of our People. A man that is known to us all, and feared by many of his own people." His words had the desired effect as a ripple of movement and wave of murmuring passed through the room. Flint waited for it to wane before continuing.

"The man I speak of, of course, is-" he broke off in irritation as the door opened again to allow a late comer. He glanced toward the door, then did a double take.

"I apologize for my lateness," the newcomer said calmly. "I am new to these ways."

"What is the meaning of this!" George Flint demanded. "Why have you allowed this criminal into these proceedings!"

"He carries the badge," the Sergeant at Arms said tonelessly. "He has the right."

"This is outrageous!" Fling roared. "This man is the very criminal that attacked out people!"

"You're a liar," Jayne said easily, coming to a stop at the seat that had sat empty for many years. "But you go ahead and ask for whatever you aim to," he smiled. "Because when you're finished, it will be my turn." Jayne looked at the assembled chiefs who were looking at him as if he were a specter.

"For your attack upon my wife, my child, and myself, I will settle for nothing less than your blood."

Flint paled at the flat declaration. He had not expected this. None of it. He had intended to paint the events on Astra in a better light in order to garner support from the Council.

"I have made no such attack," he said stiffly. "It is you who has shed the blood of our people!"

"In defense of my family, yes," Jayne nodded calmly. He tossed a folder on the council table. As is slid across the highly polished wood, pictures and reports spilled out.

"Details of an attack upon me and my daughter," he told the assembled chiefs sitting at the table. "Pictures of the dead assailants. The other two were caught and imprisoned."

Murmurs of surprise passed through the chamber at that declaration. Several of the chiefs looked to Flint.

"It seems strange that so many of our people would be engaged in an attack upon a man and his child at all, let alone so far from our lands," the Council Chief said gravely. "Explain yourself, Flint, if you can."

"Those men were protecting me," Flint said evenly.

"From a man and a teenage girl?" Jayne's voice dripped derision. "And yes, I killed them," he told the Council. "Surely even here it is the right of any man to defend himself and his family. Or have things changed that much in my absence?"

"What gives you authority to speak here at all?" one man challenged.

"My blood is my right to speak here," Jayne looked the older man dead in the eye. "This one," he pointed to Flint, "tried to coerce me into marriage with his daughter by claiming that an agreement had been reached between him and my father for such a union."

"If you know who I am, then you know that I was not Raised," he looked at each major Chieftain in turn. "No chief would promise the hand of his only daughter and heir to an unraised boy. And if such a union were promised, then how is it that the one Chief who did not offer assistance after the massacre of my people would be the one claiming that such a marriage deal was struck?"

"The fact is that this man wants the lands of my people to be added to his own," Jayne continued. "Despite the fact that such is a violation of tribal law and custom. When I informed him that I was already married, he sought to have my wife killed. His lackeys," Jayne gestured to the file on the table, "attacked my daughter instead, who is very similar in size and appearance to my wife. They did this in open public, from ambush. Attempting to kill a teenage girl," he voice was contemptuous.

"Brave men, serving a brave leader," he sneered openly. "As so I have come to demand satisfaction. Someone must pay for what has been done to my family."

"Your lands lie fallow! Wasted!" Flint almost screamed. Several of the chiefs frowned at that display. "Your people are dead and that land should be ours!"

"My people are not all dead," Jayne replied softly. "As heir to my father's title, it is for me to say who occupies our place at this table, is it not?" he demanded.

"That is true," the Council Chief nodded. "Do you plan to take the seat and return to your homelands?"

"I cannot," Jayne shook his head, a note of sadness creeping into his voice. "I have been gone too long. Shed too much blood. That stain would follow me here. I never planned to return when I left here on the war trail. In truth, I did not expect to survive. That I have does not change the other facts."

"No, I have searched for others of the Blood who now live among others clans. Many have expressed interest in returning to the lands that this child killer covets, and I have, as heir to Ironhorse, selected one of them to take this seat and lead my people in their efforts to return deMuertos to the clan rolls." He nodded to the door guard who opened the door once more.

Yet another minor uproar passed among the crowd as Joseph Many-Horses walked into the room. He walked slowly, with dignity, to stand by Jayne's side.

"This man carries the Ironhorse blood," Jayne said flatly.

"Joseph, what is the meaning of this!" Flint demanded, worry creeping into his voice for the first time. "Why are you here?"

"I warned you that what you sought was dishonorable, George," Many-Horses replied calmly. "That it was wrong, that it would lead to bloodshed and shame."

"You are Dos Osos!" Flint shouted.

"I am Ironhorse," came the reply, calm and assured.

"Joseph Many-Horses Ironhorse will preside over the Blood Knives from this moment on," Jayne declared. "He will sit at this table and represent my people and their interests. And should there be another attempt to take that which is ours, I will be waiting, just a call away," he warned softly. "It would be best if that call were unnecessary."

"I dispute this!" Flint cried out. "I will not allow it!"

"It is not for you to say yea or nay," the Council Chief reminded him sternly. "Nor is this a matter the Council decides. Our laws are clear, and as the heir to Bowbender, this man has the right to do as he has done."

"What this Council can, and must do," the old man continued, "is rule on the accusations made by both parties. Only one party has presented any evidence of wrongdoing thus far. Can you refute these charges, Flint of Dos Osos?"

"My word is all that should be needed to satisfy such a false charge!" Flint spat back before he thought.

"You will not speak to the Council Chief in such a manner," the Sergeant at Arms spoke from his place at the door. "You will address him with respect, or you will pay the penalty for not doing so."

"What reparations do you seek, Ironhorse?" the Council Chief asked, ignoring the by play.

"I demand his blood," Jayne said simply. "I demand that this be ended, that my family and my new people be kept safe. There can be no such so long as this man and his treacherous heir remain in place. I will accept nothing less. There will be no Blood Feud between us, Council Chieftain. There will be resolution, now and for all time."

"You would challenge an old man in combat?" another chief asked, his disdain clear.

"I will allow him to choose a champion," Jayne replied evenly. "When I kill him, I expect this Council to remove this treacherous dog and his trickster daughter from their place and appoint someone who is worthy to lead Dos Osos. Someone who will not taint their name with the stain of dishonor, murder, and deceit."

"Never!" Flint roared again. "I will never relinquish my rule of Dos Osos!"

"Rule?" the Council Chief frowned again. "You do not rule, Flint, you lead. Though not well, it would appear," he added with disdain. "I am inclined to grant the request of Ironhorse, provided he is the victor in combat."

"Second," three different voices called from around the table.

"The motion before us is made and seconded," the Council Chief ignored Flint's continued sputtering. "In favor?"

Thirteen of the eligible voters responded with ayes.

"Opposed?"

The man who had been so disdainful of Jayne and two others voted nay, though they knew it was mere grandstanding at this point.

"Tomorrow then, at dawn, the champion of Flint will meet Ironhorse," the Council Chief declared. "We are in recess until that time," the gavel fell sharply.

Joseph turned to look at Jayne.

"It is up to you, now."

FIREFLY

Authors note: As I mentioned before, Shade was based on an original character I had developed but never expected to be able to publish. The Shade series was a wonderful diversion for me at a very hard time and I have enjoyed it greatly. The first novel of the character Shade was based on, Stormcrow, will be released soon. If you follow my wordpress blog or my Facebook page, you can see the projected release date and cover art when the publisher makes the announcement.