The sun hangs fat overhead now, pouring white light down onto the travelers. Ahead, the columns halt and spread out over a valley between the dunes, pooling into blue and tan circles.
Jaruna and Ayan hurry ahead to join the crowd for the Noon Prayer. Kiddu and Gil, on the other hand, stay behind and observe from a distance. Soon, chanting fills the desert air.
Kiddu
What a waste of time. I know we should probably try to be respectful and all that, but—really, three times a day? As if Asham needs the attention.
Gil
If I’m going to be a mystic mujatawhatever, I’m going to have to do that too, you know.
Kiddu
How often do you pass gas when you’re praying? I did a bunch at the Temple. Three times a day—man, it’s gotta happen all the time. I wonder if Lord Sun God Asham hears that. He probably gets all angry and wrathful and everything.
Gil
I don’t know. He’s all-seeing Asham, not all-hearing Asham.
Kiddu
Then how do you think he hears people’s prayers?
Gil
Lip-reading, obviously.
As they sit, the heat becomes so unbearable that Gil wonders if the Sun God is actively avenging their blasphemy. He takes a swig of water, but Kiddu smacks his hand, telling him to save it for the afternoon. Apparently the afternoon is worse.
