The preacher, certainly aware of how much folk like to hear about journeys, spun a vivid tale about the trek of Tobias the Younger, the guide and the dog through the plain of Media. He talked about the fish caught in the River Tigris, about the heart, liver and gall bladder of that fish, removed on the advice of the guide. About how Tobias the Younger met Sarah, Raguel’s daughter in Ecbatana, the capital of the Medes, and how a beautiful and sincere love bound the two young people together. Mistress Blažena stifled a yawn. She knew more fascinating love stories. Marketa sighed and licked her lips.

And the preacher, his voice cracking with excitement, told of the curse placed on Sarah. About the deceitful spirit Asmodeus, who treacherously murdered all the men that the girl fell in love with. About how, on the good advice of the guide, Tobias drove out the evil spirit using incense from the heart and liver of the fish he had caught, and how he was wed with Sarah in a happy marriage. About how, after returning to Nineveh, the guide restored Tobias the Old’s sight using gall from the fish. How great was the joy and gratitude, what a wedding…

“And when the wedding was over,” called Father Homolka excitedly from the pulpit, “Tobit said to his son, Tobias: Think about giving a payment to the man who accompanied you! And he answered him: Father, how large a payment should I give him? For after all, he brought me home safely, freed my wife and cured you…”

“Freed…” Mistress Blažena heard a very soft whisper. “Cured…”

“Marketa? Is that you?”

“Cured him…” the girl whispered with clear difficulty. “And brought him home hale…”

“Marketa! What’s the matter?”

The people in the nave raised their heads on suddenly hearing a rustling, like the rustling of feathers, like the flapping of wings. Voices, soft cries and sighs reverberated among the congregation. Everyone looked upwards. The preacher lost his thread for moment, and only a moment later returned to the sermon and the parable. And to the answer the guide gave to Tobit and Tobias.

“I shall reveal before you the entire truth, hiding nothing. It is beautiful to keep a king’s secret, but to manifest the works of God is most praiseworthy.”

The rustling grew in intensity. Marketa moaned loudly.

“I am one of the seven angels that stand in readiness and enter before the Lord’s majesty. Fear not! Peace be with you! Worship God for ever and ever! I do not deserve credit for being with you, it was the will of God. But I—”

“No!” Marketa screamed in despair. “No! Don’t go! Don’t leave me all alone!”

“And I ascend to the One that sent me. Tell of everything that befell you.”

“He is leaving,” groaned Marketa in the embrace of Mistress Blažena. “Now… This moment… He is leaving. For ever… For ever!”