[No worries, eh? I figured life had gotten as busy for you as it seems to have for everyone else of late.]

The morning light had not yet broke when the gathering ceased. The Vizier’s guests had, more than likely, fallen to rest here and there within the dwelling. The tale teller waited, her dark eyes certain of what they were about to see and eventually did.

She fell into step behind him as he left without her. He was but a scholar and, she suspected, not so far from home that he would have needed a camel or horse. It was not difficult to catch up to him. On foot, older than she, and a rather corpulent, she was merely a desert fox to his buffalo.

It took him a time or two, as he was in an abstracted mood which could be understood, to recognize her presence. When he did, she merely bowed her head and tucked her hands into her sleeves, remaining some steps behind as befits a servant.

"It but shows your wisdom, O Heaven’s Kindness, that you should find a place which you are free of the jealousy of the Vizier. Truthfully, he was not happy with your words."

It was cheeky, actually, for her to state such things. There was a hint of deadly humor in her words which she attempted to draw the venom from with a deep bow while she walked. "I had felt it sure that you, O Wisdom, would not have need of me. But if I knew where you were planning to go, and you did not mind a companion, then most assuredly, I would appreciate one to travel with."

She did not have a guard and on those few times when she had not procured a "master" in a manner of speaking, she was forced to move by way of subterfuge. It was an uncomfortable act and a dangerous one, for if she were found out, she would have quickly been stoned to death. It was, to be sure, in her best of interests to follow him. "I shall pay for my own meals and care for your camels as well as your meals if you would let me go with you under the status of servant, O Kindest of Wisdoms."

To have gone on alone, was a fate she wished to not follow. "Perhaps until such time as another has need of my tales. I shall not regale you with any, however. This I promise."

__________________

‘What will my death be like?’ he thought- and knew at once
with abrupt certainty, that it would be just like his life:
... the same balance of bearables.
~Amis