"If there are carts here - wagons? Beasts of burden? I would gladly take it with me to the village edge. Perhaps I should plan multiple trips. The first to scout and report back, the ones following to retrieve what can be located." He had no fear of any of this. No worry. No concern. "If I can be provided with charcoal and a large enough page or cloth, I would make a map as I was there. I am no true cartographer, but I can write what I see."

The plan helped, even if the thought of maps made him think of the bureaus scattered through the Levant, of dropping into the courtyard to be welcomed by the rafiq. Or scorned, if it was Jerusalem.

"But first, I have my own skills to relearn."