The Hudson Bay Ambush

Étienne Leclerc woke to the stench of smoke and the screams of panicked sled dogs. He rolled from his fur bedroll, fingers scrabbling for his rifle, but the tent flap tore open before he could grab it. A shadow loomed-a man in a North West Company capote, face wrapped in wool, swinging a firebrand.

Étienne lunged, tackling the intruder into the snow. They grappled, the trapper's breath hot and rancid in Étienne's face.