Daniel sure didn’t feel new. He felt about as used as year-old moccasins. He kept to the back alleys away from the Green and the village center, taking an indirect route that was a few minutes longer but bound to attract less attention. The village had spent itself in celebration and everyone was still asleep in this last moment before dawn. As Daniel made his way to Albright’s place he struggled with the next decision: whether or not to return to his bedroll and pretend to wake with the others in the house. There was always the chance of alerting them prematurely. The reverend might not be a sound sleeper. Better not risk attention. He could clean up in the barn and pretend he had just awakened when the others came down for breakfast. He yawned and worked the kink out of his shoulders. Somehow, today, he was going to have to steal a little time to rest. Daniel had another problem even more important than sleep. He had taken the first step against Josiah Meeks. But that was only the beginning and the trail ahead was a dangerous one.
