The first line tells me what is needed. At the end…. this word (I point to the word I had translated as ‘yet’)… implies an extended length of time; it could be months or years. But the key is the next line. If the beginning phrase is negative then so is the sentence above.
‘Not since our youth have I felt so alone.’

So I should read the first line like this… I am not well. I will need your assistance very soon. If he would have left off the final word he would have been requesting assistance immediately. Understand?

“Yes yes – go on”
“From here on it gets a bit more complicated. The last word on the second line I translated alone or it could be ‘by ones self’. Indicating at first pass that I should come alone however the ending allows me the discretion to bring whomever I trust. But I get ahead of myself. “

“The third line sets out when and where.”
“Twice before this has happened once at night and the other north of the dark lake.”

“Wait when you first read this you said ‘black lake’” Mari recalls…

“Youre right… It can mean black or dark or empty.” I continue…

“Twice at night…. Means two nights from now… at the north end of the black lake. And since the next line is clear”

“What do you mean clear?” Mari asks

“Oh sorry – I mean it’s free of the negative implications as opposed to line two”

“I understand” Mari replies