Not much time is left until dusk. Dalia had said goodbye to Lealy and now she is going to their guesthouse to say farewell to Tirad. He should cancel their trip to Avij and get his coins back from the port officer. She had gone with her mother to meet Narivan and had returned to Lealy after a few hours, in time to help her pack her things. Mart had ordered Lealy to go to the refugee harbour with Surnat and Soushia before the sunset. Helay was to start treating the refugee patients and the two missioners were to talk to them and prepare them for Circle’s decision which was to be announced that night. From what Dalia had learnt, the Oxan chiefs were going to have a meeting with Mart, Tirad and Yuma and go to the harbour after dinner. Lealy had listened to Dalia’s words about her mother’s Paradise Island with disinterest, seemingly not believing a word she was saying. She had said goodbye coldly and followed the two missioners to the eastern gate. Dalia didn’t understand Lealy’s stone-cold reaction, perhaps she didn’t want to make their goodbye emotional. Or maybe she was too tired, having worked all day, she must have expected a resting time instead of being sent straight to the refugee harbour. Dalia had thanked her. She had tried to help Lealy for the past few days to show her gratitude. She didn’t want to leave her like that; Lealy seemed sad and left out. She was mad at Tirad. He had only come to the Saviour stand telling them about the booked trip to Avij and had brought some water for Dalia at Lealy’s command. He was in such a hurry that he hadn’t heard Narivan playing that enchanting music in the market, although he must have seen Lealy’s frowning. He seemed restless and turbulent. He had said goodbye to Dalia as if they were never to see each other again, even though the boat to Avij didn’t leave until the next day and they had another night together.

Dalia gently opens the guesthouse door. The lights are off and there is no one in the hall. Two room doors are open and one of them is closed. Dalia takes off her leather sandals walking on her nail-less toes. She looks around the hall. There is no sign of Tirad or his things. She stands behind the door. Mart and Yuma are talking. She just listens to be sure Tirad is not with them and go looking for him outside. But what she hears makes her freeze where she stands.

“Are you sure?” Yuma asks Mart.

“Absolutely! The courier boat that comes in tomorrow morning will bring the news of Hurmaz’s death! Everything is taken care of!” Mart says excitedly.

“I’m asking about Tirad! Are you sure about the boatman?” Yuma asks again anxiously.

“You said so yourself… He came here and took all the coins. There were one thousand coins in that bag!” Mart answers boldly. Yuma doesn’t say anything probably because he agrees with him.