The tall and thin wizard known as Rincewind was used to run. So this time I had to try twice as hard to catch up his speed. Quirm Street wasn't round the corner of Unseen University. Indeed, it was quite far from it. Besides, Fatigue was growing stronger and stronger. But I clenched my teeth. However, I was sad because the Luggage had stayed in the University.

Finally, Rincewind slowed down and came to a halt in front of a small house. It looked clean, friendly and closed. Exhausted, I leaned against the wall next to the door and closed my eyes.

The wizard grabbed an iron door handle and pulled. He looked at a sign on the door and sighed. I took a deep breath and looked at the sign myself but I couldn't read it.

"What... What's it saying?" I panted.

"Unfortunately, there are no rooms available at the moment. I beg your pardon. Mrs Marietta Cosmopilite," Rincewind morosely read out to me.

"Never mind," I said against better judgement, "I'm sure I'll find another place to stay."

"You wouldn't last five minutes, Miss Barbara," answered the wizard gloomily, "I can't leave you here just like this. I'm responsible for you. Ridcully told me so."

Out of a sudden, he snapped his fingers, turned around, grabbed my wrist and hurried along. I staggered behind him while the darkness grew more and more. Finally, the wizard stopped again and looked to his left and his right. Then he pointed towards a small building nearby.

"In there!" he commanded, pulling me forth. The building was an old barn and storage room. I could see old carriages and stuff. A short rickety ladder was leading towards the attic. We climbed up and sat onto big heaps of straw. Rincewind pulled an old blanket from a corner, shook it out and gave it to me.

"Thank you, Rincewind," I said quietly.

"Never mind," Rincewind said tight-lipped. He pulled his robe tighter around himself and fell silent. I tucked myself into the blanket and tried to sleep. However, it was useless. Strange pictures haunted my dreams, and so I gave up.

The wizard hadn't moved a bit. He still had his robe pulled tight around his body. I could see his bony shoulders shiver.

"You're very cold, are you?" I wondered. There was no answer from Rincewind but a murmuring under his breath. I arose and sat close to him before I put the blanket around the both of us.

"You're responsible for her," the Archchancellor had said. To my opinion, that wasn't fair. Why should he be the one to pay for his kindness?

The wizard's bright blue eyes gave me a look of distrust and amazement. He seemed to wonder what to think about my treatment. Obviously, he wasn't used to that. Finally he took the blanket, covered us properly and cuddled up in a better position.

"Thank you," I heard him mumble.

"You're welcome," I replied.

We were both staring into the darkness and listening for the occasional rustling caused by some rodents. Every now and then the city was completely silent. By now, I was almost used to the inaudible bell of Old Tom. It didn't scare me anymore.

"Rincewind?" I asked in a whisper after the silence had stopped.

"Uhm?" he replied likewise.

"What do you think about the ritual? Do you think it's worth trying?"

"Alas, I don't have the best relationship with... you know... Death," said the wizard after taking a couple of deep breaths, "But he is quite a clever guy, I think. I'm sure he'll find an answer."

"Oh!" That was all I could say. I knew that Rincewinds wasn't on good terms with Death at all. Again we felt silent.

"Why do you ask?" the wizard inquired at last.

"Doggone if I know," I lied. Of course I knew. I had asked because deep inside me, I was really depressed. I felt pitiful, even helpless.

Still, I was none the wiser concerning being here. I had to hope for Death's answer. And assuming that he wouldn't be able to tell me what happened... Even the Grim Reaper wasn't told to be all-knowing.

"I just think I'm scared. I don't know what to do if Death can't tell me," I finally said. I didn't feel good to be dishonest to Rincewind.

„Well... I... I think you'll have to see," the wizard said, obviously trying to comfort me with these words. But I didn't feel any comfort. My tears rolled afresh. I wiped my face with my sleeve and tried to calm down. However, I couldn't.

Something touched my shoulder. It was a very soft touch and made me raise my head. Rincewind had put his hand on my shoulder, in a very careful and gentle and quite timid way. The gesture ought to be soothing, but his fingers were trembling and his face was showing an impression of confusion and helplessness. Apparently, he wasn't familiar with such situations.

Desperately, I tried to stop crying. I was uncomfortable with causing more troubles for him. But it took me a few minutes to calm down again. The wizard dug his pockets again to find his handkerchief and handed it over. I took it, wiped my face and blew my nose.

"Thank you very much," I mumbled, "And thank you for being here, too."

"Never mind," Rincewind said again. But this time I noticed a change in his voice. The first time he had almost snarled these two words, his voice sounding like a piece of burlap. Now his voice was much more pleasant, almost soft.

I laid back and suddenly touched something underneath the blanket. After a moment of astonishment, I realized that it was Rincewinds left hand. Carefully, I dared to strike his palm.

The wizard winced. Then he looked at me and returned the touch. His palm felt used and rough. But feeling another person beside of me soothed me. I felt my heartbeat and breathing slow down when his long fingers closed around mine.

Finally, Sleep overwhelmed me.

Waking up, the first thing I saw was a reddish piece of sky. It confused me a bit until I realized that this was dawn. I hardly ever awake that early.

Rincewind was lying next to me, being wide awake already. His head was resting on his right arm. The other hand was still holding mine.

"Morning," I said.

"Did you sleep well?" Rincewind looked at me.

"I did," I replied and sat up. Then I caught a sight of our hands. Rincewinds gaze followed. Slowly, he released my hand. He noticed my look and managed a little encouraging smile. After a while, I returned it. Thus we were looking at each other for a couple of minutes. None of us spoke until the wizard lowered his gaze.

"I... I... I think... we should get some breakfast," suggested he quietly. He cleared his throat and added, "World is getting better with a full belly, you know." All I could manage was a nod.

Side by side, we returned to Unseen University. But his time the way seemed twice as long to me. Mostly this was because Rincewind didn't hurry. He had buried his hands deep into the pockets of his coat and sauntered along the streets of Ankh-Morpork. I followed him patiently, giving him a look every now and then. In secret, I was very glad he was with me.

We could see something moving an the gate. It was the Luggage marching back and forth. When it spotted us, turned around, ran towards us and stopped right on time before knocking its master over.

"Will you behave yourself!" ordered the wizard. I knelt down and touched the chest's lid.

"Good morning," I said. The Luggage uttered a small creaking. Then it lifted its front, looking at me first, then at its master. The look from its lock was a bit stunned, then it became perplexed. Out of a sudden, the Luggage turned around and rushed into the University like a scalded cat.

"What's with it?" I wondered, getting up.

"Search me," Rincewind answered and shrugged, "I never learned to understand this damned thing." Again, he gave me a glance from the corner of his eyes.

"Well, come on, then," he said, "Breakfast time."

The other wizards had already entered the Great Hall. There was an unseated chair on the right and left side from Archchancellor Mustrum Ridcully.

"Have a seat, Miss, please do sit down," the Archchancellor said, "I assume you had had a pleasant night?"

I agreed and helped myself with a cup of tea, sugar, a boiled egg, two slices of toast and a few pieces of fruit. A big black hand placed three bananas next to my plate. I turned my head to face the Librarian's big brown eyes. He gave me a tooth-ridden smile from ear to ear.

"Thank you," I said.

The wizards took their time for breakfast, as long as it took the Bursar to finish his porridge. I decided to have a second helping of toast and fruits while waiting for them to finish.

Finally, the Archchancellor looked over the table and cleared his throat.

"Very well, gentlemen," he said, "I think, it's time."