Chapter 12

“It is the elixir of life produced to vanquish death in the world... It is the rising moon of the mind that soothes the mental afflictions of the world.

It is the great sun dispelling the darkness of the world’s ignorance.”

-Shantideva

The sun was high when Nathaniel looked up along the length of the ravine to see that Ashidi, having disappeared out into the desert some time ago, had returned with a heavy shape slumped over her right shoulder.

He closed the heathen book as she approached, and as she walked past he saw what she was carrying: a pale yellow lizard, about three feet long from nose to tail. Its fat belly rested on her shoulder and four chubby legs dangled out on...

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