It is many years since I have seen my aged teacher and mentor. Perhaps it was selfish of me to send for her. She is much older than I, and neither of us ever speak of our age. This woman is the most wise person I have ever known. For the sake of my sanity I know I must talk to her. She is the only one who has ever understood me.

We ride to the Palace of Phaitos in a carriage that has been provided me. I wonder can the driver hear what I say. The walls have ears. It will be necessary for me to speak privatly with Kyria.

When we reach the palace we go to my quarters. Kyria, as old as she is insists upon carrying her own belongings. She will only allow me to assist her with her bundles.

She has brought food. She has a jug of water from the Castalian spring. There is a cereal that she mixes with the water. This is all that we eat, but it is nourishing. The first thing she tells me is to stop eating any food given me from the palace. I am not even allowed to drink the water. After our meal of cold porridge, she gives me a bit of date wine.

It is early in the afternoon. She asks me to show her the gardens. Here we find a quiet grove where we can talk.

The last thing I remember; befor finding myself here, I tell her, is a dream of being attacked. It was a man dressed in black leather. He threw me to the ground and held a knife to my neck. I grabed the knife. I fought and tried to kill him. He only laughed and told me that there were nine more from where he came. I knew that I could not kill him. I was prepared to die. There was nothing to do but surrender to the Almighty...

When I awoke I found myself here. This is why I sent for you Kyria. You are my only contact with reality.