Mina barked one loud piercing bark. Renni turned and saw him standing between the open flaps of the workshop tent, the sunlight blotted out by his silhouetted form. In the dimness, she could not make out his expression, though in her heart she knew it.

“You really should teach that mutt not to bark,” he said, his words both smooth and sharp at the same time. Renni turned away from him and went back to work at Carter’s bench. They were alone together, save the now quietly growling Mina. Carter had taken his daughter and the other children to the river to fish.

“You should realize it is good to have a barking dog so near. She makes a great alarm system when intruders are present.” Renni fondled the piece of wood she was working with, trying to unclench her muscles and relax. She heard him step further into the tent.

“You work in here a lot,” he said, his hot breath slapping against her neck. She shivered, despite the day’s heat. She felt him touch her back. He fingered a strand of her hair, his fingertips brushing against her neck. One of her gauntlets shifted shape, no longer resembling a coarse file in her hand. It sharpened to a point, becoming a dagger. She clenched it tight.

“I was thinking, Renni.” He slid his fingers down her spine sending an unwelcome tingle throughout her body. His hand stopped in the curve of her back and rested there a while. Her other gauntlet slid from its resting place at her wrist and filled her hand with the handle of a small axe, similar to what she’d fought the bear with so long ago. She stared at it, remembering her fear. Renni wondered how a man such as Norman Kindle could strike the same coldness in her heart as the Mongerer’s creation. She tried to step away, but he came in closer, barring her against the workbench.

Renni tried to ignore him, to ignore the shaking in her hands. Marshal had taught her to fight Mongerers. She never thought she might have to use her skills against one of her own people. Norman had never ceased watching her spar with her Harbinger friend. He knew her movements, knew how to anticipate her. Her dagger twisted in her hand, bringing the blade close to her wrist, a secure and deadly position.

“I was thinking,” he repeated, his hand once again brushing her back. He pressed in closer. She felt his heat. Mina growled deeper.

“You were thinking, Mr. Kindle?” Renni tried to keep her voice steady. She set her hatchet down and motioned to Mina. The loyal pup stalked towards her, her tail rigid, her teeth just barely bared. “Easy girl,” Renni whispered.

“I was thinking, we really should get to know one another better.” He suddenly grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him. With a violent shove, he pushed her, bending her back against the bench. Pressing his body against her, he held her shoulders down amidst the tools and wood shavings.

“Get off me,” she growled. Mina took a step back, ready to pounce. Norman grinned all the more. Releasing one of her shoulders, he dipped his hand into his pocket and removed a small revolver. Renni stared at it and then at him.

He leaned in close, pressing the muzzle of the gun to her head. “Do you think those pathetic alien weapons will save you?” He whispered in her ear. “Are they faster than a bullet?”

“What the hell do you want?” she asked. Mina charged. Norman turned and swung the revolver around, catching the pup in the head with heavy blow. Mina slumped to the ground, a mournful whimper escaping her.

Renaissance swore and shoved the man from her. Kneeling, she pulled the puppy into her arms. Blood trickled from a cut between the hounds eye and ear.

The light in the tent disappeared again before a great booming voice shouted, “Get out!” Renni turned to see Solomon and Thomas standing in the entrance, both tense and ready to fight. Instead, they each stepped aside, making room. Marshal walked into the tent.

He towered over Norman. “Out,” he said, his raspy voice hard, giving a tone of one not to be messed with. Norman side stepped Marshal but Thomas and Solomon barred the door.

“We’ll take that first,” Solomon said, reaching out a hand for the gun.

“You wouldn’t deny a man his only protection? I was only defending myself. The mongrel attacked me.”

Thomas reached out and snatched the revolver from Norman’s hand. "That's a load of bull," he said.

“Out,” Marshal repeated. Thomas and Solomon moved aside, allowing Norman walk out of the workshop tent.

Her nemesis gone, Renni doubled over the form of her dog, tears suddenly in her eyes. Her body shook violently as the tension unwound itself. Mina whimpered again. Marshal pulled the dog from her arms and put her into Thomas’. Helping Renni to rise, he held her in a tight embrace. There, she felt the soothing vibrations under his armor, so different from what she'd just felt with Norman pressing against her.

Marshal stroked her hair gently. Holding her, calming her, he whispered, “You did well. Shepherd,  you did well.”