Beautiful gasped. “Great-Saint!” Then she bolted toward the Narrow Way. Seeker blinked, startled, and broke into a run after her. A lone traveler in simple clothes was walking the path—no staff, no satchel. Beautiful reached him first. She threw her arms around him and didn’t let go.
The stranger was barely taller than Beautiful. His face was hard—fierce, even—but his eyes shone with a familiar light. With Beautiful’s arms around him, he gently patted her back and tried to shrug as his eyes met Seeker’s.
“Great-Saint! Oh, it’s good to see you. What are you doing here? It’s been so long! Are you headed to the Dark Land? Are you stopping at the Cottage? For the night?”
When Seeker reached her side, she grasped his hand. “You have to meet Seeker. I made him sandwiches, and… oh, I’m getting ahead of myself. I love him. And we’re getting married. But first…”
She stopped abruptly, her face flushing red. Then she grinned and glanced away. She always looked adorable when she did that. She turned to Seeker. “Seeker, this is my brother, Great-Saint.”
Great-Saint’s handshake was firm—strong. He studied Seeker’s hand for a moment. “Your hands are soft,” he said, like he hadn’t meant to say it out loud. “But I can tell—you have a good heart.”
Beautiful cut in. “What am I going to do? Mom and Dad will never let him marry me. I’ve thought about it for so long, and I still can’t figure it out.” Then she added, softer, but certain, “But the King sent him to me. I know it.”
Great-Saint placed a hand on Seeker’s shoulder as the three of them began walking toward the Cottage. “Have you heard of Hosea?” he asked, thoughtful.
“Yes,” Seeker said. “The King commanded Hosea to marry Gomer—she was a prostitute. And when she went back to her trade, Hosea loved her so much he searched for her and brought her back home.” His eyes settled on a rock in the trail. “It’s an allegory,” he said quietly. “About the King—and wayward Pilgrims.”
Great-Saint looked at Seeker with a mix of surprise and approval, “Can you love my sister like that?”
Beautiful’s eyes flared. “Great-Saint!” She slapped his arm.
Seeker didn’t hesitate. “I love her. I’ll love her, no matter what—like the Prince loves the flock. If I have to, I’ll work for her seven years. No, fourteen, like Jacob did for Rachel. And it’ll feel like just a few days.”
Great-Saint nodded. As they walked, he spoke about Gomer. And Hosea. He didn’t stop. His voice was steady—eloquent. Almost like one of Stern’s sermons. Seeker glanced at Beautiful. She liked to talk, too. Must run in the family. He chuckled to himself.
They stopped at the path leading to the Cottage. “Eat lunch with us,” Beautiful said. “There’s so much to talk about.”
“No,” Great-Saint said firmly. “I intend to be home before sunset. Empty stomach for walking—and Mom’s broiled fish for dinner.”
“Broiled fish,” Beautiful sighed. “Miss Cheerful’s stew would be so much better with fish in it.” She wrinkled her nose, then giggled.
Great-Saint placed his hands on Seeker’s shoulders. “Seeker, I like you.” Then he turned to Beautiful. “Pack your bag, Beautiful, and come visit. Tender-Hearted will be there too. And bring Seeker.”
“Great-Saint… can I really bring him? Will Dad? Will Mom…”
Great-Saint turned back to Seeker. “The journey can be hard. I trust you to take care of Beautiful on the trip. I’ll introduce you as my friend.”
He took Beautiful’s hand in one of his and Seeker’s in the other. “The rest will be up to you.” He met Seeker’s gaze. “Don’t doubt. If the King truly sent you to Beautiful, it will all work out. My parents will give their blessing.”
With those words, he turned and headed south on the Narrow Way—and was gone.
