Gil
WHAT?
He stands up, and then almost falls down the dune from dizziness.
Gil
I told you that in CONFIDENCE!
Jaruna
Gil, upon my honor, your secret is safe with me! Ayan only told me because—well, I needed to understand why she wanted to bring you along with us.
Gil
And why is that? You still haven’t told me why!
The mystic and his sister look at each other for a moment.
Ayan
Gil—what exactly do you know of the True Path?
A high wind whistles down the dune, blowing sand across Gil’s back. He shivers and pulls his robe tighter.
Gil
That’s like the natives’ religion, right? So I guess it’s also your religion too?
Ayan
The True Path is much more than a mere religion. The Akkadians see religion as something separate from your daily lives. But the True Path is a way of life in its entirety. It is all or nothing. Keep it, and you will achieve the grace of Asham. Stray from it, and you will call down his wrath.
Gil
So what does that have to do with my dreams?
Jaruna
You are not the only one to have visions of the Underworld, Gil. The mujashatriya also dream of Apsuka Mayaka.
Gil
The mystics? Wait—wait. You have the same dreams as me?
Jaruna laughs lightly.
Jaruna
No, not me, personally. There are only legends.
Ayan
It is said that Ramuhad, the greatest of the mujashatriya and the founder of Harrappa, dreamed vividly of Apsuka Mayaka. Others, too, have reported seeing glimpses of the world below during their meditations. But only the mujashatriya—only the ones chosen by Asham—have such visions. Do you realize what this means, Gil?
He just stares at her, mouth agape.
Maybe it’s the soma, but Gil has no idea what she’s talking about.
Gil
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Ayan
Gil, I believe that Asham has chosen you. He is trying to tell you something with your dreams, just as he has communed with our mujashatriya throughout history. You, Gil, are one of the mujashatriya.
