“And this recommends that we leave right away. Yes, I see. But there is something else?” Toli’s sharp eyes appraised Quentin, who stiffened and turned away from their piercing gaze.

“What makes you say that?”

Toli laughed softly. “Only that I know my Kenta very well. You would not look so if you had not a suspicion of what lay behind this innocent summons.”

“Innocent?” He fingered the leather case that he had stooped to retrieve. “But you’re right, Toli. I am afraid a little. Something came over me as I read that message-a feeling of deep sadness, of loss…”

Toli watched Quentin closely and waited for him to continue.

“I’m afraid that if we go to Askelon now, we will never come back to Dekra again.”

“You saw this?”

Quentin only shook his head.

“Well, then it may not be. Your feelings may only be a warning of what may come if we do not go at once.”

Quentin smiled again; this time a flicker of relief shone in his eyes. “Yes, perhaps you are right. As usual the servant has rescued his master from himself.

“We can leave tonight. It will be good to sleep on the trail again. We have not done that in a long time, you and I.”

“We shall, but not tonight. Have you forgotten that tonight we dine with Yeseph? If I am not mistaken, we have only enough time to prepare ourselves and go to his house. He will be waiting.”

“We will leave at dawn instead,” said Quentin.

“So be it,” said Toli, inclining his head in a slight bow. “I will see to our preparations when we have supped with Yeseph and the Elders.”

Quentin nodded and took the rolled parchment which Toli offered him, then slid it back into its case as they turned and walked back into Quentin’s rooms.

The two dressed themselves in their finest woolen mantles and stuffed their feet into fine leather boots and set off for Yeseph’s humble lodgings.