He then recalled that their mission had been endangered once before—with Zahra’s unexpected death.

Yet he had still managed to retrieve Jesus.

Perhaps it was destiny?

Either way, Solomon knew he had to devise a strategy. For the last several weeks, since guiding the flock along the plain beneath The Narrows, he had been unable to think of a way to transfer his young charge.

And time was running out.

Soon they would travel beyond the secret entry point, and all hope would be lost.

Solomon returned to the fire and took up his pipe. Smoking with the others, he watched Peter arrive and lay his mat next to Jesus. Keeping silent, the shepherd studied the air between the two friends. As was his custom, Peter lifted his flute to play. Solomon noticed how his adolescent body swayed, rhythmically, toward Jesus. And how his flute’s arching, woody melody floated like an unanswered question between them.

Seeing their interaction, the elder shepherd contemplated the plan he had envisioned and decided to carry it out. Immediately.

Despite the dangers involved, he felt certain that a far worse tragedy would result if he let the young shepherd stay.

He only hoped Jesus could endure the trials that lay ahead.

As the sun rose, Solomon gathered the men around the fire. Everyone remained silent as the flames crackled. They were anxious to hear what he intended. More than a week had passed since his return and already their supply of food was dwindling. Over the last few days, the hot smell of desert had grown on the wind, hovering, like the smell of the sea before it comes into view.

“I have reached a decision, brothers. And not an easy one,” Solomon began.

The men dropped their eyes to the dust, knowing what they would hear.

“We have waited long enough for the rains to come to us. It is time now for us to follow them,” he told them.

The men grumbled among themselves, their worst fears confirmed.

“I wish it could be otherwise,” Solomon continued. “But at this point we have little choice left.”

No one took comfort in his conclusion. Yet how could they argue against it? As it stood, they were blocked to the north by the mountains, by desiccated land to the west, from whence they had come, and now Solomon had learned that the path they had intended to follow southward was just as bleak.

When no one spoke up, Solomon continued. “As you know, our journey across the great sand will be difficult. But I promise you that we will be well stocked with food before our departure.”

The men struggled to calm their nerves. They knew that Solomon had led his sheep across the difficult terrain before.

“But Solomon, with all respect, I must ask you, from where will this new supply of food come?” Akbar asked. “We have already traveled well beyond the last village I know of.”