Visions
The Shepherd, Book II
A Novel by Jeffrey B. Linn
All Rights Reserved

Chapter I

We were there, reveling on the lawn in the twilight, when I felt the gentle pressure of a hand on my shoulder, and I heard words in that Voice that one's soul knows . . .

"Come with me."

The scene before me spun, becoming a whorl of featureless azure, and I left the ground like a leaf buoyed by the wind. Slowly my feet exchanged places with my head, and the scent of the bonfire was displaced by fresh breezes perfumed with grass, as if from a steppe. When my sabots were again planted upright, I was in an altogether different place, a vast plain, again at twilight. He stood next to me, the Shepherd of all things, all knowledge and all love in his eyes, dressed in a coarse weave robe and cloak.

"Behold!" he said, motioning into the distance with his crook. Along the horizon a black line appeared, thickening even as I turned to glance at it. Within minutes, the horde was bearing down upon us, as if carried by the gusts of the plateau. They halted with a tumult just before they seemed to be about to overrun us.

"Hail!" the leader called out. They were garbed head to foot in black, cloaks not quite concealing gleaming mail. Their shields and hoods were oiled for battle. Even their mounts were armored. "Travelers whom?" he demanded.

"Just disciples on the road," replied the Shepherd.

"Disciples are welcome," he said, "if they adhere to the Code.

"We do," returned the Shepherd, "And who is this host?" he queried.

"We are the Regiment of the Code."

"Enforcing it?" the Shepherd affected surprise, for my benefit.

"Of course."

"By what means?"

"All those who do not observe the Code shall be compelled."

"Seeing your spears I am sure that the Code is safe." Beneath the commander's veil of control, a glimmer of pride. "Yet indulge me once more, and tell me . . . whose Code is it?"

"Why, the Shepherd's!" the commander spat indignantly.

I tried to stifle a gasp. The Shepherd became thoughtful. "Tell me, prince, can the Shepherd be known?"

"Known?" he frowned.

"Yes, such as any other acquaintance, to speak with, as you and I are now."

For a moment the prince's aspect softened. "I know not if there is a way," he said almost wistfully. "Perhaps some things cannot be known," he added. Then his steely look returned. Ahead!" he commanded. Canter pace!"

They roared slowly past us. The Shepherd gazed on at them with a look of desolation.

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