Jayne had finished his butchering, and now sat on the edge of the ramp, a large cold box next to him, more than likely filled with the results. Every so often he’d reach into a pile of bones and other remains to toss a handful out into the dirt. From the comparative darkness of the bay Mal watched in surprise as a grey, dog-like animal darted out from a patch of bushes and grabbed the morsel, scurrying back under cover with his prize.

“It’s a Lupe,” Jayne said quietly.

Mal had to smile. Even with his concentration elsewhere the big man wasn’t easy to creep up on.

“Lupe?” Mal asked, joining him.

Jayne shrugged. “Kinda like a cross between a dog and a wolf. Mean bastards if you corner ‘em, but they gotta eat, just like the rest of us.”

For a moment Mal wondered whether to point out the similarities between his ex-merc and the animal in question, then decided that discretion was the better part of not having to pick up his teeth. “You sound like you know them.”

“Made their acquaintance once.”

“Let me guess. You were lying on the dirt with a broken leg.”

Jayne looked around, a startled expression on his face. “How did ... You catching being psychic off Frey?”

“Worse things to catch, I conjure,” Mal said, smiling. “But this was honestly just a guess.”

“Yeah, well, maybehaps you were right. They sure took an interest in me while Indigo was gettin’ me ready to travel. Did occur to me I might end up as dog food. Considered shooting ‘em, just to make ‘em stop staring at me.”

“And yet you’re feeding them now.”

“Indigo wouldn’t let me. Said it weren’t their fault they ate carrion.”

Mal wasn’t sure if he was honestly talking about himself or other dead animals. “Indigo was right. No point killing when you don’t need to.”

“S’what Indigo said.” Jayne managed a slight tilt to his sometimes cruel lips. “Maybe I can persuade ‘em to go gnaw on one or other of the Tanners.”

“You never know.” Mal didn’t speak for a long while, watching the Lupe get a little braver and