*This picks up up right after the first chapter.*

"You have go to be shitting me."

"Wu fo.... ni hui shuo na you." Mal glared up at Jayne. "It would be a kindness if you'd let us go and explain what the gorram hell is goin' on."

The sachem turned to Aveline. "Um, could you tell all them ta leave me 'n these fellas alone for a minute?" As soon as Aveline told the people to leave, and they did, he went over and cut Mal, Simon and Zoe free with a ceremonial bone knife.

Mal shucked the rope off and glared at Jayne. "You wanna tell us why the hell you're dressed like I need ta worship ya or somethin? And as to why cao hou-zi la-shi you didn't just run home after killin the mayor of Munchkin town?!"

Jayne tried to give a sheepish smile as he tore off his headdress. The ceremonial garb falling limply on his throne, eagles feathers and lion fur spilling over the edge of the seat. "So, ya know about that."

"I've been pondering over it." Simon chimed in with a dry tone. "Defender of women's rights, avenger of the weak and enslaved... who the hell are you and what have you done with the real Jayne Cobb?"

"I'd like ta know that also." Zoe stretched, as her body was sore from being tied up like game.

"That is a curiosity, considering you were willing to trade your gun for Saffron. What's up with the change of heart, O Great Sachem?" Mal folded his arms, somber gaze settling on Jayne. "Didja just wanna stir up trouble, so you took up a cause?"

"It just weren't right." He grunted in self defense. "Theys rape those girls, break 'um, hell you know I ain't all.... like chivalrous... ly... but I dun can't see that goin on and not feel nothin. My ma beat nuff respect inta me for that, Mal. I weren't gonna take the one I won and force her. Told them no, scuffle happened and next thing I know that elder was dead. And I weren't gonna stay 'round and be apart of a lynchin' bee."

"Oh, I see. So you had to flit off and become chieftan of the midget forest pagans?" The captain quirked a brow and waited.

"R