After satisfying her curiosity for the map, Johanna, slightly disappointed, had returned quietly to bed. There, she lay awake, waiting for Asher to rise. And when he did, she almost died with relief. He offered her a polite greeting but it seemed that right away he noticed that his scroll had been touched during the night. Instead of being angry at her for touching his possessions, he smiled. Immediately, Johanna left the warmth of her bed, although the room was fairly warm due to the spring mornings and approached Asher, hands clasped under her chin, eyes pleading.

"Oh Asher! You must take me with you, please! I haven't anywhere to go, and what a story it would be if I were to come with you. I'm very useful, and I won't be much of a bother, oh won't you let me go with you, please?"