Seeker woke up early the next morning and waited for the sun to rise. He climbed the tower, as he always did, but he couldn’t focus. Restless, he wandered out to the pastures. And there, the loneliness found him.
A lone sheep stood apart, bleating into the morning stillness. From a distance, the flock answered her call. She turned and ran toward the sound.
He followed her. When he reached the flock, he found Stern seated on a rock. Beside him sat another shepherd—his hair and beard gray, but his posture youthful and his eyes shining with quiet life.
“Seeker,” Stern said, looking up with a smile. “I’m glad you’re here. This is Kind. He’ll be tending the flock while I’m away.”
Seeker’s heart sank. Stern was leaving?
“My family and I are heading to the Delectable Mountains for a short time,” Stern said gently. “But we’ll be back.”
“Stern was telling me about Companion,” Kind said, his voice warm. “I’m sure you miss him already.”
Seeker nodded.
“Liora’s cooking breakfast,” Kind said, “Come on. She’s waiting to meet you.”
Seeker looked to Stern. Stern nodded. “Go on. We’re not leaving for several days. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Kind spoke enthusiastically as they walked—he had plans for Seeker—the Harvest festival, Prince Emmanuel’s Birthday, breakfasts, suppers.
The fragrance of cooking grain and wild herbs drifted to Seeker as they approached the humble canvas tent. A young girl spotted them, then ducked inside. “Mom!” she called, tugging Liora out by the hand.
Liora stood there, poised and elegant, yet entirely approachable, with eyes that matched her husband’s in kindness.
“Heya, Seeker.” The girl looked up at him with piercing gray eyes. “Oh, don’t look so surprised. Everyone knows you. You just need to get your nose out of your books. Or listen.” She laughed. “I’m Tirzah, by the way.” And just like that, she was gone.
The three of them ate breakfast together and talked. Well, Seeker talked. Kind and Liora had no end of questions for him. And somewhere along the way, Seeker forgot he was lonely.
