The Shepherd's Speculation

Astra saw the shepherd wave to her, and he let his dog mind the sheep. He started out for the high ground that Astra stood upon. Astra decided neither to avoid him nor to approach him. She stood her ground, and just let the shepherd come forward. She looked like a statue. If she stood still, she might not scare the shepherd.

Somewhat later that morning, the shepherd finally finished navigating the broken and rocky ground that led to her. Astra had not thought about the fact that there should be a trail of broken vines and bootprints in the muddy spots on the ground behind her. However, for some reason the shepherd did not notice this, and approached her cautiously. He then started to talk to her. Some shepherds had been known to talk to their sheep, as they spent many hours with no human company. And sheep were not that much more intelligent than rocks.

The shepherd was now close up to her, and he said, "You are a beauty."

He looked up and down at her, and said, "It is a pity that you cannot speak. I wonder where you came from. You look like one of the mighty women on horseback from the south. But that is some ways away."

He now got close, and looked into her eyes.

"Those are pretty blue jewels in your eyes, Miss. Maybe you once lived in a palace, a long time ago. You could be the last part of it left. Or maybe you looked over a tomb, and you are the image of the young lady buried in it." The shepherd stroked the stubble of his chin with is thumb and index finger. "But you look like you were crafted just a few days ago! And you are way out here - where you have no business being! A right good mystery this is. Well, honey, you are safe with me. I will not steal your eyes to get a new coat. It would be a sin."

The shepherd was now staring into her face. He then raised his hand to her cheek and touched it gently, as he would have done if she were flesh and blood, and then pulled it back suddenly.

"Good heavens! You are as warm as any regular girl."

1. Astra still stayed perfectly still.
2. Astra plants a picture in the shepherd's mind.
3. Astra starts to move.

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