Chapter 49: Strength And Weakness Part 1
The Eethlek boy lay under the soldier's sword, back on the ground, chest heaving.
"Don't kill him," said Turtle.
"My lady, please do not interfere." Lieutenant Rinsin of the Mosasaur slid off his travois. "What was this savage doing all the way out here with you? Where is Captain Ngarong?"
"My uncle is dead, Lieutenant."
Rinsin hissed as if burned. "What?" He spun around. "At the hands of this half-man - ?"
"No," Turtle grabbed his arm. "The Eethlek boy protected me."
"You have a talent for eliciting that response from men." Rinsin shook her hand away. "How did Captain Ngarong die?"
"Lieutenant?" shouted the soldier standing over the Eethlek boy.
"Tie up the barbarian. Stand by for orders." Rinsin followed Turtle to the bloody place in the weeds where Ngarong of the Ankylosaur lay, throat ripped open, an expression of relief on his waxy face.
"Who did this? Or...what?" His head came up, and his voice lowered. "Where is the Chris?"