#yee-caw

Shepherd Book sat in the shade of an old oak tree, idly watching the other brothers tending to the great garden.

Was leaving the Abbey the right thing to do? And even if it wasn't, what other choice did he have? If he stayed bad thing would happen. Of that, he was certain.

He sighed and pulled out his old and battered Bible, reverently tracing the faded gold lettering. His rough skin caught on the broken leather, the fraying ribbon fluttering weakly in the wind.

'Send me a sign,' he thought and glanced up at the leafy canopy. 'If this is the right thing to do, send me a sign...'

A flutter of wings nearby brought Book out of his reverie.

Two crows were playing near the base of the tree, chasing each other through the exposed roots.

The Shepherd smiled.

Pocketing his Bible, he stood and took one last look at the garden. Shaking his head, he slowly started to walk back to the Abbey, feeling lighter than he had done in a long time. An old nursery rhyme his mother had taught him years ago came back and Book quietly hummed it under his breath, savoring the sunshine for the last time.

Chapter 13 is up! Prompt: Yee-caw!

Summary: Sheriff's deputy Haurchefant Greystone forms a bond with the handsome stranger who just rolled into town. The local clergy is less receptive.

Chapter Preview: “Right. Better to do somethin’ plain foolish and hope it works out for the best than to do nothin’ at all,” Haurchefant agrees.

You gonna scroll by without saying yee-caw?