The next day, I set out for Dotham. Just like my hosts had suggested, I travelled with their friends who were merchants. They were about five men in number. With them were large quantities of goods to be sold once they arrived at Dotham. I cared less to check out the goods they were going to sell at Dotham. All I cared for was the success of my mission and their protection which Celine and her husband had assured me I will get a hundred per cent from them.

So far so good! The men were kind to me. There were in their mid-fifties. Their long bears, sometimes, grey were...