She sat up and in the silvery light saw Judas standing farther down the ridge. In his hands he held the goatskin pouch that he carried, always, on his back. She could just make out the figure of Solomon, fallen on his knees, beside him. The gray-eyed shepherd cradled his face while his back rose and fell on waves. Anna watched the great sobs rack his body.

Was he grieving the loss of his mother?

With this thought, Anna’s hands flew to her neck. She found the medallion resting safely against her chest. She then heard a rustle and looked up just in time to see Judas helping Solomon to his feet. Together they turned and began to walk toward her. Fearful of how they might react if they saw the medallion, she pushed it deeper inside her tunic and feigned sleep.

The men came and stood above her. For a while, both were silent. Finally, Solomon spoke.

“Do you sense that the others suspect? Peter perhaps?” he asked.

“No,” Judas grunted. “Peter is too eager to please. And the others have not the imagination.”

Following a prolonged silence, Solomon spoke again.

“The journey will be long,” he said. “And the risks great.”

Judas swallowed hard. “Yes.”

Anna then sensed him kneeling beside her. She froze, afraid of what he might do.

Judas lowered his voice. “Even so, brother, we must not fail,” he said, his voice girded with determination. But when he spoke again, his words wobbled. “Enough blood—most precious blood—has already been shed. And to lose another …” he choked, unable to continue. Anna felt him press a hand along her back.

“I know,” Solomon whispered.

Anna sensed Judas bending closer. She smelled his sharp sweat. She tensed at a feeling of sudden warmth. Then relaxed when she realized its cause—the shepherd had covered her with a sheepskin.

Solomon took a deep breath, as if not wanting to disturb his friend’s thoughts. “The hour grows late,” he said. “Let us retire.”

After a moment, Anna heard the churn of footsteps.

She wanted to watch them, to make sure they would not return, but did not dare open her eyes.

In the darkness, her thoughts returned again to Judas’s words.

What journey were they planning to take? she wondered.

And, more important, whose blood had already been shed?

Anna ran her tongue across her lips. They were dry and cracked from the heat. The merest hint of saliva made them sting. They had traveled for days, stopping to rest only at night. Solomon drove the flocks hard, assuring the men that a timely arrival at Dara would bring a worthwhile reward. When the nights grew colder, the shepherds built long tents with goatskins suspended on ropes and branches.