Since joining the new group, Peter had felt belittled and demoralized by his reduced status. The head shepherd, a wiry man with an ear torn to rags during a fight with a wolf, had so far entrusted him only with the weakest animals.

Still, Peter was glad to be free of Solomon and the others. They only reminded him of his great loss. Often his mind turned to Jesus. And to how his friend had believed in him.

But what would he think of me now? Peter wondered.

He cringed at the thought.

Just ahead of his lead sheep, a snake slithered out to sun on the rocks.

Spying him, Peter loaded his sling and fired a deadly shot. The stone hit the snake in the head and he flew, lifeless, from the rock.

Smiling at his deadly shot, Peter reset his sling and puffed out his chest.

He then decided to do all he could to lift his status among the new shepherds. And to earn the ragged-eared man’s respect.

In so doing, he would make himself worthy of his friend’s memory. And impress him, even in his death.

CHAPTER 22

Somewhere within The Narrows outside ancient Palestine—30 A.D.

Anna led the sheep down into the valley. Standing guard over the flock, she heard the swift whistle of air rushing along a raven’s wings as it glided above. She turned and caught sight of the onyx bird drifting overhead. She watched the glow of dawn powder its feathers with silver. Though it had been some time since she had practiced, she tossed back her head and cawed a coarse call into the air. The raven tilted its wings, driving itself higher, then circled back on a wide arc of sky. Startled by the creature’s overt response, Anna concentrated and called again. The raven drifted closer and she could see its shiny marble eyes watching her. Anna called again and, this time, the raven called back.

Anna’s mouth fell open.

Finally, she had mastered the call!

She hardly had time to digest her success when another raven cried out. The second bird’s call echoed with a deeper authority than either the first raven or the shepherd had been able to summon. Anna turned and, to her surprise, found Mother Susana standing on the ridge. It had been her call. The raven floated toward the old woman and spiraled above her. Mother Susana waved her hand and the bird flew off, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. Susana stepped down from her perch. She lifted her staff and gestured for Anna to follow.

Anna bounded up the ridge to join her.

The two women walked together for several minutes, silent but for the whisk-whisk of their sandals across stone. Arriving at a crest of dark red rock, Susana indicated that they should sit. Together they watched the first shadows of morning appear on the sand like pale ink stains.