This story takes place before the series, although there are some spoilers/speculation regarding the title character's background.

This is the ninth story in the Tales series. The rest can be found here:

River, Wash, Mal, Kaylee, Zoë, Simon, Inara, Jayne

Rated PG for language and violence.

Thanks go out to my much appreciated beta-ers.

Go Neong Yung Duh=Son of a bitch

Chui Se=Go to hell

*****

Derrial Book was kneeling in prayer in the main chapel.

He had been at the Southdown Abbey on Persephone for awhile now, and had finally begun to feel the peace that he had come seeking. The chapel, with its stone walls and wooden pews, had become like a home to him. Book had been all over the ‘verse, but had never before called any place home. Until he had come to the Abbey, he had been adrift, moving from place to place on the orders of others. Now he had a place that he could come to and find peace. In his former life, he rarely was able to find any. There was always bloodshed and death following him from world to world. There had been so many men and women that had died.…

No. That time was over, and he didn’t need to dwell on it any longer. He was a Shepherd now, and his previous life no longer mattered. If God was willing to grant him a clean start, then he needed to be able to do the same for himself.

He was about to begin the first psalm when he heard a voice behind him.

“Excuse me, Shepherd? I hate to bother you, but is Abbot Toshiro around?”

Book stood and turned to face the man. He was a young man, and simply dressed. He looked upset, as though there was something weighing on him. Book smiled at him, trying to make him feel more comfortable.

“No, I’m afraid that he’s not here at the momen