Joan cleared her throat. “In that same vein,” she began, “I have a request to make of you.”

Anna glanced over, curious as to what the Sister might want. It being rare for Joan to address her.

“I would like to ask that you keep a regular lookout while guiding your flocks. And scan the different directions at regular intervals.” She leaned in further. “Should you see anything unusual, like the wolf, for example, I would ask that you report it to me immediately.”

Anna’s eyes sought Ruth’s.

“Will you be able to assist Sister Joan?” Ruth asked, ignoring the young shepherd’s bewilderment.

Anna frowned. She suspected that she was meant to be looking for men like those who had killed Sister Samara. And Zahra.

Men, she thought shamefully, like her father.

Aware that the women were waiting for an answer, she nodded.

“Good,” Joan said and rose to her feet. She then drew a breath and wrinkled her nose. “Is that unbearable stink coming off of you?” she asked.

Anna dropped her eyes. She glanced down and saw that her arms and legs were smeared with hair, oils, and urine from the sheep. And, to make matters worse, her monthly renewal had come. A sour combination.

Joan’s eyebrows rose as a thought came into her mind. “You need a proper cleaning.” She and Ruth exchanged looks. “Perhaps she could join us at the next Cloud Bath?”

Ruth smiled. “An excellent idea!”

“What is that?” Anna asked.

“I must return to my duties,” Joan said and excused herself.

Ruth looked over at Anna. “It will be more enjoyable if it comes as a surprise,” she said with a wink.

Anna squinted against the sun as she struggled to retrace the steps Tabitha had taken. The task was proving infinitely more difficult than she had imagined. In the storm’s wake, the landscape had completely altered itself. Having peeled itself free of its rough outer tunic, it now seemed to recline in silky undergarments. Not a single sharp edge remained, every crack, crag, and thorn having been softened with a glazing of sand. Even the trails Anna and her sheep had carved into the land had been erased—as if they had never been followed.

After several hours, Anna managed to locate the area in which she had met Tabitha but, as she had anticipated, no trace of that day remained.

Discouraged, Anna turned around and headed back toward her flock. Her limbs heavy and spent, she decided to lead the animals back toward her cave so that she might rest.

Firing a whistle into the air, she signaled to her sheep. She watched as those who had scattered began to gather.