Seeker and Beautiful began preparing to leave at once. When he asked about the house, she said, “Leave it. I don’t want to spend one more minute than we must in this accursed town.”
Between their savings, Seeker and Beautiful had enough to buy a donkey to carry their belongings, and provisions for their journey.
Three large canvas bags. One for Seeker’s books, another for their dishes and Beautiful’s keepsakes, and the last for Bright’s books and toys.
“What’cha doing, Daddy?” Bright asked.
“Me and Mama are packing, Bright.”
“Why?”
“We’re going to live somewhere else,” Seeker said, tussling Bright’s hair.
“Where?” Bright’s eyes lit with excitement.
“Well, Bright, first we have to climb a big mountain. Then we’ll visit Palace Beautiful.”
“Daddy, did you know… did you know that’s Mama’s other name?”
Seeker laughed. “Of course I know, Bright.”
“Does Mama really have a palace?”
Beautiful walked into the room, “Nobody knows, Bright.” Her eyes danced.
“Will I have friends there?” Bright asked.
“Lots and lots of them,” Seeker said. “Are you going to miss your friends here?”
Bright frowned and shook his head. “People here are too mean.”
“Enough questions now, Bright. Go help your mama pack your toys, okay?”
“Okay, Daddy!”
***
It was still dark when Seeker loaded their burdens onto the donkey. As the sun rose, he led it through the village streets, Beautiful following with Bright’s hand in hers.
In the early morning light Delight took on a sinister new shape—Deceit. Seven years he had toiled here and never made the connections. This was where Adam-the-First had tried to enslave Faithful. Seven years—wasted, he thought bitterly.
“Seeker!” The voice cut through the morning quiet as they started across the bridge spanning the ravine. Jabal strode up to them. He bowed low. “Beautiful.” Impeccably dressed, as always—no hint of sleep left in his face.
“I didn’t believe the rumors, so I had to come myself. Didn’t I just give you a promotion? Name your price, Seeker—you’re like a son to me.”
“There’s nothing can keep us here,” Beautiful said.
“I see,” said Jabal. “Seeker?”
“Yes, Jabal. We’ve made up our minds.”
Jabal nodded, then snapped his fingers. A serving-man stepped from the shadows. “Bring his payment.”
The man slipped away toward Jabal’s office.
“I told you in Delight—”
“Deceit,” Beautiful corrected.
“In Desire… um, Delight,” he continued, thrown off beat, “all are rewarded for their hard work. I wish you’d come to me yesterday.”
The man reappeared, a folio in one hand and a bag of coins heavy in the other.
“Twenty gold down on your house, purchased at one hundred twenty. Current value—two hundred. Twenty for my commission. That leaves one hundred,” Jabal’s voice was businesslike.
Beautiful’s eyes went wide. He opened the folio, revealing a note: Debt paid in full. Claim to house relinquished. “Sign here.”
The serving-man handed him a pen and a bottle of ink. Seeker dipped the nib and scrawled his name. Then the man passed him the bag of gold.
“I trust you don’t feel the need to count it?” His voice was flat.
Seeker hefted the bag’s weight. “No, Jabal. No need.”
“Oh, and one other minor thing, remaining, in the terms of your service,” Jabal said.
Seeker frowned. Charm stepped from the shadows, her green eyes downcast, her movements quiet.
“My daughters will travel with you.”
Beautiful exploded. “That… that…” She trembled with rage. “That whore won’t be part of my life—or my son’s.” She stepped in front of Bright, one hand thrust out in refusal.
Charm stepped back.
“Very well,” Jabal said.
Comfort emerged, tears streaming down her face, and fell to her knees. “Take me with you, Beautiful.” Her eyes pleaded. “Please?”
Beautiful hesitated.
“She,” Comfort spat, “isn’t my sister.”
“Comfort!” Charm exclaimed. Jabal frowned and shifted his stance.
“Haven’t I served you well all these years? I’ve been faithful—I would never betray you.” She shot Charm a look of disdain.
“Very well,” Beautiful said. She started to rub her belly, then quickly let her hand fall. “I’m sure you’ll be a help—especially now.”
“You are always welcome here in Delight,” Jabal said. He smiled, but the warmth never reached his eyes.
–
Seeker loaded the gold onto the donkey. They set out without looking back. Beautiful walked at Seeker’s side, Bright’s hand in hers, with Comfort trailing behind.
