Shad’s words inspired yet weighed heavily on me. Meanwhile Malaiki spooned stew into our bowls. Gordy raved about the squirrel meat, making me feel a bit guilty I wasn’t so appreciative. Then he told us his own story, which held us spellbound. Finally we threw a party for Gordy, to honor the King for what he’d done in him—it was my idea, stolen from the universe next door. We laughed and celebrated for another two hours.

When I thought we were about to set up our tents and go to sleep, Shad said, “Let’s travel tonight! The GuideBook says there’s another dry riverbed ahead. You know what that means.” His eyes glowed. Mine dropped. We hadn’t crossed many riverbeds, and I wasn’t carrying a lot of rocks, but I didn’t feel like adding to my load.

Malaiki explained to Gordy about the King’s messenger telling us to pick up stones. He listened attentively, sucking his teeth and nodding. She gave him a burlap bag, which he fingered as if it were a fine garment.

We plunged forward into a deeply cut track between tall oaks that rustled their dry leaves in the night, as if trying to talk to us, welcoming or perhaps warning us.

“What’s that?” Victoria asked.

“It sounds like an animal—something sniffing,” I said. I felt like we were being watched. Or followed.

After I hummed a few songs from the GuideBook, it seemed pleasant enough walking in the cool darkness, until we came to the riverbed.

“We’re here,” the old man said. I heard him and Malaiki and Gordy already down on their knees.

“I don’t haul rocks,” Victoria said. “That’s where I draw the line. I’m walking on ahead, and while you’re feeling your way in the dark and groveling in the mud, I’m going to set up my tent, get under a blanket, and have some senaba. Who’s with me?”

“Be there in a little bit,” I said. I stooped down and halfheartedly felt for stones.

“There’s plenty,” Shad said gleefully, like a child with his hands in a big bowl of candy.

“You’re already carrying nearly three sacks full,” I said. “I don’t see how you can haul what you have now—much less any more. My half bag’s weighing me down.” It was closer to a quarter bag.

“But don’t you find,” Malaiki said, “the more you carry, the more strength you have?”

“Yes,” Shad said.

“Yes,” Gordy said, not knowing what he was talking about, since this was his first time gathering stones. The three of them kept laughing and crying out, “Here’s another one.”