In 2937 BC

"The Year of the Ransom," 12 May 2937 B.C., pp. 694-695.

Of course, no one living that long ago knew that it was the twelfth of May, let alone so many years before Christ. Tamberly and Castelar had arrived on 11 May, then Castelar departed, temporally stranding Tamberly. By sunrise on the following day, he has not returned:

"Castelar had not returned. Maybe he'd allow extra time. Seeing himself from above had perturbed him. Maybe he wouldn't return. He could meet death, off in the future, or could decide he didn't give a damn about the false friar." (pp. 694-695)

In fact, Castelar does not return. If he had done so, then he could have made his return simultaneous with his departure. Thus, Tamberly would not have been stranded. However, by sunrise on 11 May, Castelar has not returned. Therefore, he will not return between his departure and the following sunrise in the current timeline.

Poul Anderson appeals to all five senses when describing Tamberly's experiences on 12 May:

"Tamberly woke at sunrise. The riverside was wet beneath him. Reeds rustled in a low wind, water purled and clucked. Smells of growth filled his nostrils.

"His entire body hurt. Hunger clawed at him." (p. 694)

An assault on every sense, including not taste but its opposite. Sight and sound continue:

"The sky reached pale blue, save for a flight of crows that cawed past and disappeared." (ibid.)

Tamberly expects to find a primitive but hospitable settlement at the estuary and has useful skills, which not every time traveller would have:

"Already he had an idea." (p. 695)

- about how to signal his presence to the future.