PROLOGUE

(1 year after Serenity Valley)

The midmorning sun cast long shadows across the damp, green fields of White Hall. Mold grew up the sides of the low, stone fences that covered the countryside for miles. Fresh rains prompted an early spring and colorful flowers dotted the hillside. The sheep were grazing in the highlands, soon to be herded downhill for shearing. The town of New Glasgow went about its business of producing more wool than food and the city council met again to fruitlessly discuss methods of protecting the sheep from hungry vagrants.

At a small ranch about five miles from town, crouched between a low fence and a shady lean-to meant for picnics, Jayne Cobb’s black boots trampled the fresh spring grass. His steely blue eyes scanned the green hills, his stomach twisting in fear. Just beyond the stone fence his adversaries took cover in a barn. They were confident and beginning to encroach on his position. The loose stones of the fence offered little in the way of protection and rising only three feet, kept him uncomfortably stooped.

Jayne cast a sidelong glance at his cousin who, being pixyishly small, found the fence ample cover. Her hazel eyes met his, her determination lending him strength. They were surrounded. Clutching his Mauser automatic pistol, he checked the location of the five men again as they took strategic positions at the doors of the barn. His cousin held a rifle to her chest; it looked almost comical next to her small frame. Her gaze was fixed on the strongest of the five.

“That one,” she said, indicating the burly man, next to whom even the 6’4” Jayne seemed dwarfed.

“Shouldn’t we take out the Captain?” Jayne asked. He was new to this kind of situation. The Captain with his Cofer revolver—an antique at best—looked like an easy target to start with.

His cousin shook her head, brown locks rustling. “Captain’s depending on the strength of that guy right there. We take him out, the rest will retreat.”

Jayne nodded, seeing the logic. They both shifted behind the fenc