Farnab knocks on the door and awaits Tirad’s permission to enter the cabin. Tirad gets up hurriedly and gathers the report papers on his desk, piles them up and puts his dissatisfying sketch of the snake on top of them. He lets Farnab in and asks him to sit on the stool. Tirad goes back and sits in front of him on his bed. Farnab glances at Tirad’s sketch on the pile of paper and from his expressions, it is clear that he doesn’t like it. A few years back, Farnab had shown interest in learning to draw and had asked Tirad to teach him. But every time Tirad would call for him, he had some other things to attend and the whole matter was forgotten in time. Tirad remembers him well, with his round, small chin not yet covered with the full beard he has grown now. Farnab says his greetings and tells Tirad that he has been looking for him the whole morning.

“Master Tirad! You do know that I had applied to become a missioner?” Farnab asks and Tirad nods.

“Last night, Master Hurmaz said that my application was turned down… He said that you are going off to Oxan on a mission and I have to teach your classes from now on!” he continues and waits for Tirad’s reaction. Tirad didn’t know of his own mission until this noon, but nevertheless, he knows Hurmaz to be more precise in such matters. Of course, he wouldn’t send off Tirad without planning a replacement for him. He gets up and embraces his student with a smile.

“Congratulations then! You have been appointed as a third tier? That is good news!” Tirad says. Farnab thanks him and smiles.

“Although… I would have preferred to become a missioner rather than a teacher…” Farnab says hesitantly. Tirad stops his sentence:

“There is always time to become a missioner… Teaching is a good experience for you. Wait till I get back and if you are still certain to be sent off as a missioner, I will talk on your behalf with Hurmaz.” Farnab thanks him again and asks Tirad about his mission. He has heard rumours that Tirad and Mart are sent together to solve the refugee crisis. Tirad doesn’t understand how rumours travel faster than the way things unfold. The news of his mission had been going around before that day’s meeting. Lealy must have known too but she didn’t say anything. Apparently, Tirad was the last person who got the news. Tirad wants to explain these to Farnab but a loud clamour from the deck stops their conversation. They are both drawn to the window. At the same time, someone calls him from behind. Tirad turns and gazes at the young boy that breathes hastily and calls him between his short breaths. “Master Tirad!” the boy says and bends to catch his breath again. Tirad and Farnab have one eye to the scene on the deck and one eye to the boy who is finally able to speak.