On one Sabbath, the other Macoran slave took sick and was dying. Because the guards were afraid to tend him themselves, Stefan was allowed. He longed to know the man's name if for no other reason than to report his death to the Macorans someday. He soon learned the man's name was Toran and there was not a guard among them who could stop a man from talking in his feverish madness. Toran had plenty to say and before he passed, Stefan knew exactly what had happened and who was behind his capture. He was enraged.

Then the daylight began to lengthen again, the chill in the air lessened and sometime during the building of the fifth and final arch over the river, Stefan turned seventeen.

They were now only twenty three slaves, for more died including the old man who succumbed to his age and passed peacefully in his sleep. For as long as Stefan lived, he would not forget the smile on the old man's face at the moment of his death and after careful consideration, guessed the angels had come to get him. For a long time after, he wished he had braved the guards and asked the elder's name. He missed the old man's smile, his only comfort on some days but at least his friend was finally relieved of his labors.

It also occurred to him that the old man had the answer to loneliness. There was someone he could talk to in his oppressive world of silence. At first he felt too shy to talk to God and said all the things he was taught to say by the priests. But he soon found those words had little meaning when what he really wanted to do was talk to him man-to-God. He asked a thousand questions, requested a million blessings and even thought to barter his freedom, though he had little to barter with save promises.

Some days his mind was too muddled to have a civilized thought, and some days he was too enraged. But in the end, he was certain God had sent the monk to them with warm clothing, food and a bath when they needed it most. Perhaps all he had to do was wait for God's deliverance. But what could be taking so long?

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After the elder died, Stefan was paired with a stronger man when they bathed, but this man was not about to submerge under the water. Stefan was certain the man did not know how to swim and in fact, feared the water.

Then spring became summer.

At night he remembered to send his mental message to Kannak and sometimes she would come to him in a dream. The dreams were always different. Sometimes she was in a meadow, sometimes she was laughing at him and sometimes she stood at the top of the hill watching the ocean. But always the dream ended with her hand outstretched to him. It comforted him while at the same time tortured his heart. If only he could get word to her somehow. The fear of her marrying another increased, so he took to sending a message to her every morning as well, "Wait for me, Kannak."




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