,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T
          ,TRAVELS 9 ,AF<ANI/AN
                   ,BY
             ,,JASON ,,ELLIOT

         ,PUBLI%$ 0,PICADOR ,,USA
                ,NEW ,YORK
      ,COPY"R #AIII 0,JASON ,ELLIOT

   ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
   ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

        ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL
          ,0,NANCY ,BAIRD ,BR[N
           ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
            ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #AJ ,VOLUMES
                ,VOLUME #E
         ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #CJG-DBJ

           ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
   ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
            ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                  #BJJC
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T       ;II
























         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      ;III

        ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$
             ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

@ 7#D7 A35T M>K
99 7#CE1 #CE7 REF];E 9DICATOR


















         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T       ;IV
























         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CJG

                  ,FIVE

  ,2F ! CATA/ROPHE ALL VISITORS 6,AF<ANI-
/AN FELL 9 LOVE )! ,AF<ANS1 Z IF ) _! [N
FA#D PA/1 :5 WE 7 PR\D1 BRAVE1 9DEP5D5T1 &
WITTY & G5]\S Z WELL4
    ,DORIS ,LESS+1 ..,! ,W9D ,BL[S ,AWAY
    ,\R .,^WS

  ,? 0 ,BADAKH%@AN1 ,AF<ANI/AN'S NOR!RNMO/
PROV9CE1 & "O ( XS WILDE/4 ,ESK@AZ] LAY AT
! JUNC;N ( ?REE VALLEYS4 ,"O H1D$ S\?WE/
AL;G ! R\TE WE _H FOLL[$1 BACK 6,PANJ%@IR4
,ANO!R L$ EA/ VIA ,K]@AN O ,MONJ@AN 6,PAK-
I/AN 7VIA ,ZEEBAK & XS LUNG-SPLITT+ PASS71
,TAJIKI/AN 7VIA ,I%KA%EM ON ! RIV] ,PANJ71
& ,*9A 7VIA ! ,WAKH@AN CORRIDOR74 ,! O!R
L$ NOR?1 FOLL[+ ! ,MONJAN RIV]1 VIA ! RUBY
& LAPIS M9ES1 6,FAIZ@AB@AD4 ,? 0 \R R\TE4
  ,"? S(T DU/ WE TRAIL$ HI< ABV ! JUNC;N (
! RIV]S4 ,! ,SOVIETS _H "O ( _! MO/ REMOTE
BASES "H1 & _H P.D$ ! VALLEY 9 BO? DIREC-
;NS ) >TILL]Y FL[N 9 0HELICOPT]4 ,"H TOO
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CJH
"! 7 BOMB CRAT]S & ,I 0 W>N$ N 6/RAY F !
TRACK 9 CASE ( M9ES4
  ,! RIV] _H TURN$ 6! COL\R ( JADE N[ &
LOOK$ Q DI6]5T F ! ,PANJ%@IR2 ! SAPPHIRE
LANGUOR _H G"O \ ( X1 &! WAT] 0 A WRI?+
COCKTAIL ( M9]ALS1 LICK$ 96XS CURR5T F !
F.D,NS ( UN"ND M.TA9S4 ,! VALLEY 0 N>R[]
TOO1 &! P1KS ON EI SIDE SO>$ 6NE>LY TW5TY
?\S& FEET4 ,! TRACK W.D "E HI<] ABV ! RIV-
]1 : SEEM$ 6SWIRL J 2Y ! TIP ( MY LEFT
BOOT4 ,) 4A/] "E 9 M9D ,I TOOK MY FEET \
(! IMPROVIS$ /IRRUPS ON ! HI<E/ "PS S Z TO
2 A# 6JUMP F ,CLOCK"W AT ! F9AL MO;T4 ,I D
N REGRET ? P]SI/5T 9CL9,N T[>DS C[>DICE3
AT "O PO9T ,I FELT SURE X 0 ALL OV]4 ,WE 7
M ?AN A HUNDR$ FEET ABV ! RIV]1 & ,I 0
RID+4 ,! TRACK B5T %>PLY 6! "R J ": "! 0 A
SLI<T OV]HANG ( ROCK1 : CAU<T MY %\LD]4 ,I
M/ H BE5 "DDR1M+1 & WOKE UP ) HORRI# SU45-
;S2 ,I LAU< N[1 B AT ! "T X 0 AN UGLY
FEEL+4
  ,I LO/ MY BAL.E & TOPPL$ S UNEXPECT$LY
ACR ,CLOCK"W'S BACK T HE SLIPP$ ON ! EX-
POS$ B\LD]S (! PA? & FELL 6HIS KNEES4 ,I
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CJI
TUM#D 2S HM1 &=A FEW SECONDS LOOK$ 96HIS
MUTE EYES2 HE 0 MO/ UN-,LIPPIZAN]-L ) 8
LEGS P9N$ HELP.SLY "U HM4 ,ALI ,KHAN 0 AT
8 SIDE L LI<TN+1 H1V+ 8 HORSE 6HIS FEET4
,B ,CLOCK"W'S H9D LEGS1 TIR$1 SLIPP$ OV] !
$GE (! TRACK1 SCRA2L+ PITI;LLY1 & HE 2GAN
64APPE> OV] ! $GE L A MAN S9K+ 96QKS&4
,ALI ,KHAN H1V$ AT ! ROPES >.D ! ,CLOCK-
"W'S SIDE & ,I GRIPP$ 8 MANE USE.SLY1 WON-
D]+ :E!R 8 HAIR WD -E \ 9 MY H&S4 ,B 8
LEGS1 F9,Y1 F.D A MO;T>Y HOLD 2N ! L$GE &)
A TRULY DESP]ATE EF=T ON "EYBODY'S "P HE 0
UP AG4 ,WE BRU%$ ! DU/ (F \R CLO!S1 ,I
LOOK$ AT ,ALI ,KHAN1 HE LOOK$ AT ME1 & NEI
( U SD ANY?+4

  ,TWO H\RS LAT] WE GLIMPS$ ,MA'D@AN--!
PLACE (! M9ES--S"EAL MILES AH1D ( U1 BE-
TRAY$ 0T9Y WISPS ( SMOKE F XS *IMNEYS4
,ALI ,KHAN SPOKE (! CLU/] ( HUTS CL++ 6!
DESOLATE M.TA9 Z ?\< X 7 ,BA<DAD "U
,H@AR\N ;,AL ,RA%ID1 & \R >RIVAL A *APT]
WOR?Y (! ..,?\S& & ,"O .,NI<TS4 ,WE CD GET
KEBABS "!1 HE SD ) RELI%4 ,& MELONS1 &
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAJ
GRAPES EV5--Y "N X1 HE SD1 & WE CD GET X
"!4 ,I _H 0N[ AN IMMODE/ VI.N ( UNLIMIT$
S+LE MALT & HOT BA?S T5D$ 0DOE-EY$ .HOU-
R@IS1 ^? WILL+ MAID5S SD 6T5D 6A MAN'S E
:IM 9 ! ,ISLAMIC V].N (! AFLIFE4 ,J !N A
S.D L A MU6L$ ?"UCLAP ROLL$ D[N ! VALLEY
T[>DS U & 9/ANTLY ,I FELT A FAMILI> S5SE (
AL>M4 ,X S.D$ L H1VY >TILL]Y4
  8,HE> T80 ,ALI ,KHAN TURN$ 6ME )A 3SPIR-
ATORIAL GR94 8,X'S ! M9ES40
  ,X 0 DYNAMITE1 &! EXPLO.NS 7 BELL[+ \ (!
GUTS (! M.TA9S4 ,T 9IMITABLY COL\R$ /"O1
LAPIS LAZULI1 HAS BE5 M9$ 9 ! ,MONJAN VAL-
LEY = C5TURIES1 MILL5NIA P]H2 ! M9ES >E
C]TA9LY PRE-,ISLAMIC &! M.TA9S >E PEPP]$ )
TUNNELS4 ,DUR+ ! W> ! /"O 0 AN IMPORTANT
S\RCE ( REV5UE4 ,MUJAH$D9 C>RI$ X OV] !
HI< PASSES 6,PAKI/AN 6RAISE M"OY = W1PONS4
,TD "! IS N"O (! EQUIP;T 6CUT & POLI% !
/"O1 S X IS C>RI$ \ ON HORSEBACK 9 RAW
LUMPS4 ,! BE/ /"O IS A PURE & /RIK+ CYANIC
BLUE2 9F]IOR PIECES >E FLECK$ ) CALCITE1 !
CRY/ALL9E MATRIX 9 : ! /"O IS F.D1 OR IRON
PYRITE T RESEM#S GOLD4
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAA
  ,HALFWAY UP ! M.TA9 AB A MILE AWAY 0 A
BLACK SPOT L ! 5TR.E 6A CAVE4 ,A PROCES.N
( ANT-L %APES 0 TOIL+ UP & D[N A ?\S& FEET
( ZIGZA7+ TRACK T SPILL$ F X2 M5 & ANIMALS
MAK+ _! WAY F ! M9E 6! VILLAGE 2L1 & BACK4
,X 0 A FA9TLY S9I/] SI<T1 Z IF WE _H UN-
COV]$ "S PRIMITIVE & DEMONIC 9DU/RY HI45 F
! EYES (! ORD9>Y POPUL,N4
  ,A CR1K+ BRIDGE ( POPL>S CROSS$ ! RIV]
2L ! VILLAGE1 &A TRACK L$ UPW>DS T[>DS A
CORRAL ": A FLOCK ( MIS]A# B1/S ( BURD5 0
GA!R$ 9 =LORN HU4LES4 ,"! WE LEFT ,CLOCK"W
AM;G 8 [N 6RE/ F ! "D'S TRIALS1 5TRU/$ MY
BAG 6! KEEP] (! LOCAL .SERAI1 & SET (F TO
CRUISE MA9 /REET1 ,MA'D@AN4 ,! F/ ?+ ,I _H
NOTIC$ AB ! PLACE 0 ! GR.D2 ALL >.D U 7
LUMPS ( :ITE /"O VE9$ ) BLUE /R1KS (! GEM1
EA* "O A TR1SURE B WOR?.S 9 ! G>D5 ( _!
ORIG9AL HOME4 ,I _H ! FEEL+ A ?IEF M/ EX-
P]I;E ON OP5+ A BRIMM+ SAFE & _H A SU45
TW+E ( SYMPA?Y =! CRIMES P -MIT =! SAKE (
PRECI\S /"OS4 ,"! 0 A SMALL & BUSY M>KET 9
! N>R[ /REET B X FELL %ORT ( ,S*EH]AZADE4
,ALL EYES FOLL[$ U4 ,"! 0 A WILD FEEL+ T 0
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAB
N MY IMAG9,N1 A 3SPIRATORIAL T5.N1 P]H !
VE/IGE ( AN 9/9CTIVE S5SE ( SACRILEGE AT !
VIOL,N ( "S?+ PRECI\S F ! WOMB (! HILLS4
  ,AN >M$ GU>D TOOK U 6! LOCAL -M&]1 :O
R1D MY P]MIS.NS F ,KABUL4 ,HE KEPT A RIFLE
0HIS SIDE1 F+]$ A SET ( GRE5 PLA/IC PRAY]-
B1DS & ASK$ AB \R J\RNEY )A S(TLY SPOK5 &
ATT5TIVE C\RTESY4 ,WE DRANK TEA 9 8 T9Y
ROOM & ,ALI ,KHAN SD MY BOOK WD *ANGE !
FUTURE ( ,AF<ANI/AN4 ,I _H HOP$ 6BE A# TO
WALK UP 6! M9E 5TR.E XF1 B ! OV]ALL -M&] (
! PLACE 0 N "! & HE CD N GIVE U P]MIS.N4
,Z IF 6-P5SATE ME = ? 4APPO9T;T HE R1*$ 2H
HMF1 PUTT+ 8 RIFLE ASIDE1 & FI%$ \ A FI/-
SIZ$ LUMP (! PURE/ LAPIS4 ,I TRI$ 6H& X
BACK4
  8,H X MADE 96A NECKLACE1 & GIVE X 6YR
DAU<T]10 HE SD QUIETLY1 & CLOS$ MY F+]S
G5TLY >.D X ) 8 [N4
  ,9 ! .SERAI ,I 0 GIV5 A SPACE AT ! 5D (!
ROOM ON A RAIS$ DAIS4 ,AWAY F ! GL>E (!
LANT]N ,I 0 SAV$ F ! REL5T.S SCRUT9Y (! M5
:O FILL$ ! ROOM AT SUNSET & ,ALI ,KHAN ,I
?9K 0 GRTLY RELIEV$1 2C X 0 ! F/ "T HE DID
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAC
N H 6EXPLA9 ME4 ,M5 HAUL$ 9 _! DU/Y LOADS
& B1T !M ": !Y WD SLEEP 96! %APE ( PILL[S4
,AT DUSK A MAN 9 A FE>;L TEMP]--,I ASSUME
HE 0 ! LOCAL .MULL@A--CAME 96! .SERAI &
H>ANGU$ ! ASSEM#D M5 = N RESPOND+ M 5?USI-
A/IC,Y 6! EV5+ CALL 6PRAY]1 A3US+ !M ( N
2+ WOR?Y (! TITLE ( ,MOSLEMS & SWEEP+ !M F
! ROOM )! TAIL ( 8 TURBAN4
  ,AF ,ALI ,KHAN RETURN$ 7HE1 TOO1 _H BE5
*A/5$ 0! .MULL@A'S VEHEM;E71 WE _H D\#
HELP+S ( KEBABS & MELON & FELT L K+S4 ,I
WAT*$ Z TWO RA7$ TE5AGE BOYS EXPLA9$ 6!
[N] !Y DID N H 5 6PAY = _! D9N]4 ,X 0 A
T9Y AM.T ( M"OY1 B !Y 7 DE/ITUTE4
  8,?9K Y C EAT = FREE1 D Y80 GRUM#D ! [N-
]4 ,& !N F ! POCKETS (! M5 ALL "? ! ROOM
CAME A LL PILE ( NOTES1 : M.T$ 9 FRONT (!
BOYS1 :O GAVE X 6! [N] )A LOOK ( %AME4
  ,:5 X 0 "T 6TAKE (F MY BOOTS & SETTLE
96MY CORN] 7A SIMPLE B PRECI\S ?+1 N 6BE
TRAPP$ 2T TWO SNOR+ M57 A WAVE ( AMMONIAC
SMELL L ! CORN] (A FIL?Y /A# ROSE UP AG/
MY NO/RILS4 ,:AT A FIL?Y PLACE ? WAS1 AF
ALL1 ,I ?"\1 & SNI6$ MY WAY "? ! %AD[
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAD
T[>DS X1 HOP+ ,I MI<T 2 A# 6COV] X UP4 ,X
0 9DESCRIBABLY PUNG5T4 ,!N Z ,I L1N$ OV] !
$GE1 UNEXPECT$LY MY NOSE HIT A WALL (!
SWEET /9K1 & ,I KNEW ,I _H R1*$ ! S\RCE4
,X CAME F MY SOCKS4

  ,! NEXT "D 0 \R LA/ TGR1 AL? ,I DIDN'T
YET "K X4 ,0N[ X SEEM$ NORMAL T WE WD KEEP
GO+ "? ! M.TA9S = "E4 ,! DAWN 0 ! COL\R (
SLATE4 ,I DRESS$ A BLI/] ON ,ALI ,KHAN'S
TOE 9 ! LI<T AF HE _H RETURN$ F PRAY]S1 &
8 EYES FELL L;G+LY ON ! M9IATURE KNIFE T
HELD ! SCISSORS ,I _H US$ 6CUT A PIECE (
GAUZE4
  8,S* A ?+ WD 2 EXTREMELY USE;L 6"SBODY L
ME10 HE SD ) UNDISGUIS$ 5VY1 LI/+ ! _M
WAYS1 MO/LY 6D ) HORSES ,I ?9K1 T S* A
KNIFE CD 2 US$4 ,I KNEW ,I WD GIVE X 6HM4
  ,WE LOAD$ ,CLOCK"W & SET (F 6F9D "S"O :O
CD *ANGE "S M"OY3 ,I _H NO ,AF<AN M"OY
LEFT4 ,GO+ F H\SE 6H\SE WE >RIV$ AF L5G?Y
5QUIRIES AT A DOORWAY 2Y : A MAN 0 PLAY+
*ESS )A M* OLD] :ITE-BE>D$ MAN1 :O AT \R
>RIVAL BR"\ TEA & PEEL$ ME A DELICI\S PE>4
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAE
,TALK AB M"OY L$ 6TALK (! PRICE ( ?+S 9
G5]AL1 & \R HO/ %OOK 8 H1D & SI<$4 ,X 0 A
3V]S,N ,I HE>D REP1T$ ) ONLY M9OR V>I,NS
"?\T ! C.TRY1 & ALW 9 ! SAME BITT] T"OS4
  8,AF<ANI/AN IS .KHER@AB1 RU9$10 HE SD1 &
SWEPT ! PIECES F ! *ESSBO>D 6ILLU/RATE 8
PO9T4 8,"H--0 HE PUT ! K+ 9 ! C5TRE (!
BO>D--8IS ,AF<ANI/AN40 ,!N HE TOOK ANO!R
PIECE & SMACK$ X ONTO A NE>BY SQU>E4 8,&
"H IS ,PAKI/AN40 ,A BI%OP JO/L$ NE>BY4
8,"H IS ,RUSSIA40 ,A QUE5 CLOS$ 9 F ! O!R
SIDE1 & NEW PIECES ADV.ED AT E "N4 8,AM]I-
CA6 ,DO/UM6 ,GULBU496 ,T@ALEB@AN60 ,8 ,AF-
<ANI/AN 0 SOON 5CIRCL$ 0! M5AC+ PIECES4
  ,I ASK$ HM :Y S* A 4TANT PLAY] Z ,AM]ICA
FIGUR$ ON 8 BO>D4
  8,!Y AB&ON$ U10 HE SD BITT]LY4 8,= T5
YE>S WE F"\ ! ,RUSSIANS4 ,AM]ICA HELP$ U
!N1 :5 ,RUSSIA 0 ! 5EMY4 ,:5 WE DEF1T$ !M1
! ,AM]ICANS 7 G"O4 ,LOOK AT ? C.TRY N[1 :
WE \RVS DE/ROY$ 2LIEV+ !Y WD HELP U AFWS40
  ,HE WAV$ 8 H& OV] ! PIECES 9 ANGRY RES-
IGN,N4 8,AF<ANI/AN IS .KHER@AB6
.,KHER@AB60 ,8 DESP]ATE NOTE SWELL$ 6A
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAF
PLEA4 ,WE /OOD UP 6L1VE4
  8,HOLD ON10 HE SD1 & 4APPE>$ 96ANO!R
ROOM1 EM]G+ MO;TS LAT] )A LUMP (! BLUE GEM
& PRESS$ X 96MY H& )A W>M SMILE4
  8,A S\V5IR40
  ,I PROTE/$1 6NO AVAIL4

  ,REMEMB]+ ! "D T FOLL[$ ,I SEE F/ ! LI<T
T ,I H SE5 NO": ELSE & : 3SUMES 9 A S+LE
L1P ! IMPUR;Y ( 4T.E S -PLETELY Z 6REV1L !
SPECK (A MAN TWO MILES AWAY2 ,I SEE ! PRO-
FILE (A M.TA9 TW5TY MILES AWAY L A ?IRD
P1K 2T ,CLOCK"W'S E>S &! %>P \TL9E (A T9Y
CREVICE HI< UP T RESEM#S A HOOD$ MONK1 ON-
LY X IS A HUNDR$ FEET HI<4 ,I SEE ! BOIL+
JADE SNAKE (! RIV] 2L U &A TRACK CL++ 6!
HI< CLI6S WIDE 5 = TWO HORSES ONLY 9 A FEW
PLACES & PROPP$ UP ON XS CORN]S ) /ICKS
JAMM$ 2T FRACTUR$ ROCKS4 ,I SEE ?REE FAN-
TA/IC SUMMITS L SPE>S ) :ITE TIPS RE>+ UP
6TW5TY ?\S& FEET 2H U1 & D[N 0! WAT]'S $GE
": ! VALLEY BROAD5S1 =E/S ( SMALL TREES
GL[+ GOLD & G+] 9 ! W9T] SUN ) DELICATE
PO9T$ L1VES & CRIMSON B]RIES ! COL\R (A
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAG
C.TRY GIRL'S LIPS4 ,I SEE ON A T9Y ROCK A
:ITE-?ROAT$ W>#R S++ AT ! TOP ( XS LUNGS4
,& ,I SEE ,ALI ,KHAN DRAW+ NE>1 %ORT (
BR1? F ! CLIMB1 WAT*+ ME Z ,I LOOK UPW>DS
AT ! WALLS (! M.TA9S T 5CLOSE U1 & ,I SEE
HM SLIP (F 8 DU/Y TURBAN 6REV1L ! /UB# T
GL9TS ACR 8 %AV5 SCALP & WIPE 8 CALL\S$ H&
OV] 8 H1D &! P]SPIR,N ON 8 *E/NUT BR[ & ,I
SEE ! FURR[S & L9ES ( 8 RU7$ FACE FLEX
MAGIC,Y 96A BROAD SMILE Z HE TOO COCKS 8
H1D AT ! GIANT WALL ( ROCK & SAYS3
  8,N[ T'S :AT Y CALL A F9E BIG OLD M.TA91
EH80
  ,&)A SU45;S T MADE ME SAD ,I SAW ! TRACK
_H BROAD5$ 6! WID? (A VEHICLE & ,I KNEW \R
TRIP 0 -+ 6AN 5D4 ,IF "! 0 A ROAD X M1NT
"! WD 2 A VEHICLE1 & Z SOON Z "! 0 A VEHI-
CLE ,ALI ,KHAN WD H -PLET$ 8 MIS.N4 ,WE
/OPP$ 6RE/ & EAT A PLATE;L ( COLD RICE AT
A F9AL L"OLY .CHAIKH@ANA4 ,TWO M5 WALK$ 9
Z WE ATE2 "O 0 A TALL FI<T] )A ?ICK BE>D1
/>+ EYES1 A FROZ5 HALF-SMILE & AN UNRULY
5]GY AB HM2 ! O!R 0 A =LORN TE5AGE BOY4 ,!
WILD "O B>KS 9 A L\D VOICE1 & SLAPS D[N 8
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAH
,KALA%NIKOV )A CLATT]2 8 PRES;E IS 9TRU-
SIVE4 ,! BOY PICKS UP ! GUN & REMOVES !
MAGAZ9E2 HE IS TOY+ ) X4 ,B HE HAS DI6I-
CULTY )! MAGAZ9E4 ,! WILD "O SEES ME LOOK+
AT ! BOY )A TR\#D EXPRES.N1 GRABS ! GUN
BACK F HM1 SNAPS ! MAGAZ9E BACK 96PLACE1
%\LD]S A R.D 96! BREE*1 TURNS 8 GL1M+ EYES
ONTO ME1 & /AMPS ! RIFLE ON XS BUTT 9
FRONT ( ME4
  8,Y %[ HM1 !N60 HE B>KS4 ,& SMILES4
  ,X IS AN ,EGYPTIAN MODEL ( ,KALA%NIKOV1
AB T5 YE>S OLD4 ,A LL N]V\S1 2C ,I H N
H&L$ S* A W1PON = YE>S1 ,I TAKE (F ! MAGA-
Z9E1 CLE> ! *AMB] ( XS BULLET1 MAKE SAFE &
CLIP ! BULLET BACK ) XS FAMILY 96! MAGA-
Z9E4 ,! [N] GR9S A WILD GR94
  8,X'S YRS10 HE SAYS1 8= SEV5 .LAKH60 99
      99 ,A .LAKH IS A HUNDR$ ?\S& ,AF<AN-
    IS4 ,AT ! GO+ RATE1 "!=E1 A LL LESS
    ?AN A HUNDR$ P.DS4
  8,I DON'T NE$ X10 ,I SAY1 & H& X BACK4
  ,HE *ATS ) ,ALI ,KHAN Z WE L1VE1 !N
WALKS ON AH1D ( U4 ,Z WE R.D A B5D ,I SEE
A BLACK BIRD ON A ROCK 9 ! MI4LE (! RIV]4
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CAI
,J Z ,I AM WOND]+ :AT K9D ( BIRD X IS "!
IS ! CRACK (A RIFLE %OT1 : E*OES MADLY 9
AN EF=T 6ESCAPE F ! VALLEY4 ,A T9Y F.TA9
ERUPTS A FEW 9*ES F ! BIRD1 S5D+ X SQUAWK-
+4 ,FUR!R ON "! IS A :IFF ( CORDITE 9 !
AIR & ,I SEE ! WILD "O SL++ 8 RIFLE OV] 8
BACK4
  ,WE WALK = ANO!R H\R4 ,!N "! IS A L>GE
MUD-BRICK BUILD+ AH1D ON ! "R & ,CLOCK"W
VE]S T[>DS X L A GUID$ MISSILE4 ,WE TURN
96X 2N HI< D\# GATES & SEE 9 XS -P.D F\R
JEEPS1 &A MAN "W+ "U "O ( !M4 ,X IS A
/RANGE SI<T 2C ,I H N SE5 A VEHICLE = :AT
SEEMS L YE>S4 ,AL X M1NS T ,ALI ,KHAN W
L1VE ME "H1 & ,I R1LIZE MY J\RNEY ) HM IS
AT AN 5D4
  8,AHA60 ,I SAY Z WE 5T]4
  8,AHA60 SAYS ,ALI ,KHAN4

  ,0MID"D ! TEMP]ATURE _H ALR 2GUN 6FALL1
&) X1 MY _SS4 ,I 0 PRIVATELY SAD T ,ALI
,KHAN WD 2 L1V+ ME 9 ? WILD PLACE ! NEXT
MORN+ & F.D MYF IRRITAT$ 0SMALL ?+S4 ,"! 7
FIFTE5 M5 9SIDE ! .SERAI &1 SUBJECT$ 6!
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBJ
USUAL R.D ( />ES & "QS1 ,I QKLY FELT
CLAU/ROPHOBIC4 ,6ESCAPE ,I SCRAM#D UP A
HILLSIDE 6WRITE MY DI>Y AL"O1 & :5 ,I CAME
BACK ! M5 7 F9I%+ _! LUN*4 ,! COOK TOLD ME
"! 0 NO M FOOD2 ,ALI ,KHAN LOOK$ D[N AT !
EMPTY B[L 9 FRONT ( HM &)A %EEPI% LOOK
/RANGE 62HOLD 9 S* A T\< MAN1 APOLOGIZ$ &
SD HE DIDN'T "K ": ,I'D G"O4
  ,A MAN ON ! F> SIDE (! ROOM NOTIC$ MY
CRE/FALL5 EXPRES.N & H&$ ME 8 B[L )A H&;L
( RICE 9 X4 ,ANO!R RUMMAG$ = AN AGE "U !
FOLDS ( 8 CLO!S & )DREW A DRI$-UP LUMP (
M1T4 ,I CD ONLY WOND] H[ L;G X _H BE5 MA-
TUR+ 9 8 POCKET1 B AF ALL ! EF=T HE _H
MADE 6EXCAVATE X &! E>NE/ SMILE ) : X 0
(F]$1 ,I F.D X IMPOSSI# 6REFUSE4
  ,X SEEM$ LIKELY ,I WD 2 HORRIBLY ILL Z A
3SEQU;E1 & ,I 2GAN 6FEEL EV5 M GLOOMY4 ,!
WILD-EY$ -M&] CAME 9 & B>K$ 9TRUSIVE "QS
AT ME1 & :5 ,I 0 RUDE 6HM 9 RETURN HE LEFT
! ROOM1 MUTT]+1 8,WELL1 ,I N"E1 '''0
  ,Z D>K;S FELL ! ROOM FILL$ 6BUR/+ & SOON
"! 7 =TY DU/-COV]$ M5 SMELL+ L ! 9SIDES (
OLD GLOVES SQUEEZ$ UP AG/ "O ANO!R4 ,AN
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBA
A7RESSIVELY NOSY ,TURCOMAN )A POCKM>K$
FACE & BR1? L A POISON$ W9D DECID$ 6SIT
NEXT 6ME4
  8,:AT'S ? !N80 HE ASK$1 POK+ MY BAG4
8,:AT'S ! MATT] ) Y8 ,:AT LANGUAGE D Y
SP1K80
  8,5GLI%1 7BAD BR1?740
  8,!N H[ IS X Y'RE SP1K+ ,P]SIAN80
  8,S T ,I MAY ANSW] YR _M "QS40
  8,HA6 ,BL< BL< BL< BL<40 7,AT L1/ ? IS
:AT X S.D$ L 9 ,TURCOMAN DIALECT47 8,Y
DIDN'T GET T1 DID Y80
  8,NO1 ,I DIDN'T10 ,I REPLI$ WE>ILY4
  8,WELL T'S 2C Y DON'T SP1K ,TURCOMAN1
,,D ,,Y8 ,,HA60 HE YELL$1 9*ES F MY FACE1
COLLAPS+ 96LAU<T] AT ! 9G5U;Y ( 8 [N HU-
M\R4
  ,ALI ,KHAN 9 ! M1N"T MADE FRS ) 8 NEI<-
B\R & 0 ABSORB$ 9 A GRIPP+ EX*ANGE ( HORSE
/ORIES4 ,I 2GAN 6FEEL ACUTELY HOMESICK4 ,!
SURR.D+S SEEM$ 9TOL]ABLY H1VY ) /RANGE;S1
& MY DESPAIR VAULT$ Z ! NI<T WORE ON1 ,I
LOOK$ AT ,ALI ,KHAN & FELT ANGRY1 & 0 F$
UP )! SI<T & S.D ( M5 SPITT+ & C\<+ &
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBB
BR1?+ OV] ME4
  ,:5 X 0 "T 6SLEEP ! ,TURCOMAN SNOR$ VIO-
L5TLY 9*ES F MY "R E>1 : ,I MANAG$ 6BLOCK
) "O F+]4 ,B F ! O!R SIDE ,I 0 JOLT$ \ (
EV5 ! SLIMME/ *.E ( SLEEP 0,ALI ,KHAN1 :O
_H DEVELOP$ AN EXPLOSIVE C\<4 ,E FEW M9-
UTES 8 BODY WD ERUPT 9 SPASMS Z L\D & %>P
Z A K>ATE 9/RUCTOR SMA%+ BRICKS4 ,!N AT "O
O'C 9 ! MORN+1 HALF ! M5 2GAN PACK+ _! ?+S
& CLE>$ NOISILY \ (! ROOM 7AT :AT UNFA?OM-
A# SIGNAL1 & 6":874 ,X 0 A HORRI# NI<T4
  ,YET ,I M>VEL N[ Z ,I M>VELL$ !N AT :AT
/RANGE ?+S >E ?R[N UP ON ! %ORE ( 3SCI\S;S
0! TIDE (! NI<T4 ,I DR1M$ ,I W5T 6VISIT MY
GOD"F1 ! NEWS ( ^: D1? ,I'D RCVD 9 ,PAKI-
/AN ! V "D 2F ,I F/ LEFT = ,AF<ANI/AN T5
YE>S E>LI]4 ,HE 0 A ,FR5* WRIT] & LIV$ 9
,P>IS1 B ,I'D N"E _H ! *.E 6"K HM Z AN
ADULT4 ,9 ! DR1M ,I 0 OV]JOY$ 6SEE HM 2C
,I 0 GR[N UP N[4 ,HE 0 9 A /UDY ": ! SUN 0
%9+ ON WALLS ( BOOKS ) B1UTI;L L1!R B9D+S
& GOLD-L1F TITLES4 ,! WALLS FELL SL[LY OV]
U &! BOOKS FLOAT$ D[N 9 WAVES1 B WE 7 UN-
HURT4 ,:5 !Y _H SETTL$ HE LOOK$ UP AT ME &
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBC
SMIL$ A SMILE ( 9CR$I# K9D;S4

  ,9 ! MORN+ ,I SD GDBYE 6,ALI ,KHAN1 AF
PAY+ HM & GIV+ HM MY P5KNIFE1 HALF !
.KESHMESH1 &A L5G? ( NYLON ROPE4 ,WE EM-
BRAC$ & HE TROTT$ AWAY ON ,CLOCK"W 9 A LL
CL\D ( DU/ )\T A BACKW>D GL.E4 ,I /RU7L$ )
A FEEL+ ( -PLETE AB&ON;T1 & W5T BACK 6!
.SERAI 6WRITE UP MY DI>Y4
  ,! "D 2F MY RITUAL DI>Y-WRIT+ _H QKLY
DRAWN A CR[D B N[ "! 7 ONLY A FEW 3SPIRA-
TORIAL GL.ES 9 MY DIREC;N1 & MY PRES;E NO
L;G] CAUS$ A /IR4 ,YET X 0 SMALL 3SOL,N =
2+ /R&$ 9 ? WILD];S1 & ,I HE>D ! CREEP+
VOICE ( WORRY 2G9 69FECT MY ?"\S4
  ,M5 & DONKEYS PASS$ ! .SERAI ON _! WAY
NOR?4 ,A FEW TRAD]S CAME IN1 VIRILE OLD M5
:O LOOK$ Z ?\< !Y _H /EPP$ F ! ,OLD ,TE/A-
;T1 RE/$ _! /ICKS AG/ ! WALL & HU4L$ = AN
H\R AG/ ! /OVE 2F MOV+ ON4
  ,WAT*+ !M 4APPE> ,I WOND]$ H[ L;G ,I WD
H 6WAIT =A VEHICLE H1D+ 9 ! SAME DIREC;N4
,"O WD -E1 SD A MAN4 ,"O WD N -E1 SD ANO?-
]4 ,"! 7 ?REE MILIT>Y JEEPS 9 ! -P.D4 ,NO
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBD
"O 0 A# 6SAY IF ANY ( !M 7 GO+ NOR?4 ,I
F.D ! WILD-EY$ -M&] & ASK$ HM2 HE DIDN'T
"K EI1 & LAU<$ :5 ,I SD ,I WANT$ 6GET TO
,JURM1 ! T[N AT ! H1D (! VALLEY4 ,I WAIT$4
  ,F ! SMOKE-BLACK5$ *AMB] NEXT DOOR "S
B[LS ( RICE 7 PASS$ "? ! ROOM4 ,I SAT NEXT
6AN OLD MAN1 :O SD "! 7 LAPIS M9ES 9 !
HILLS4 ,I WOND]$ IF HE KNEW H[ L;G !Y _H
BE5 M9$ 0MAN4
  8,TWO ?\S&1 SIX HUNDR$ & FIFTY-TWO
YE>S10 HE SD4 ,!N HE1 TOO1 LEFT4
  ,APPALL$ AT MY [N SMELL ,I FOLL[$ A
TRACK D[N 6! WAT]'S $GE & WA%$ MY UPP]
BODY 2H A B\LD]4 ,MY >MS SEEM$ :ITE & V
?94 ,!N ,I W5T 6ASK ! -M&] AG1 DET]M9$ ?
"T 6EXTRACT AN ANSW] Z 6H[ 6GET 6,JURM4
  ,HE _H AN UNRULY1 MASCUL9E 5]GY T MADE
HM DI6ICULT 6APPROA*2 HE SEEM$ UNA# 63C5-
TRATE & ,I TRI$ 6?9K ( "S?+ ) : 6W9 8 AT-
T5;N4 ,I TOOK 8 PICTURE1 & HE ASK$ :Y X _H
FAIL$ 6-E \ (! CAM]A4 ,!N ,I REMEMB]$ T 9
MY BAG ,I _H A SET ( ?REE SMALL ?R[+
KNIVES : ,I _H BR"\ AL;G = J S* AN O3A.N4
  8,-E & SEE "S?+10 ,I SD4
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBE
  ,"! 0 A DOOR 9 ! WALL1 & ,I ?REW !
KNIVES 9 SU3ES.N F AB TW5TY FEET AWAY4 ,HE
0 IMPRESS$4
  8,Y'RE A L@UT@I10 HE SD )A LAU<3 A B&IT4
8,I'M /AY+ AWAY F Y60
  8,NO10 ,I SD1 8,I'LL %[ Y H[ 6D X TOO40
,& 6KEEP 8 ATT5;N ,I TOLD ! BE/ KNIFE /ORY
,I KNEW3 (A "Y ,BRITI% (FIC] *ALL5G$ 0A
,G]MAN SOLDI] )A BAYONET4 ,)A KICK ! KNIFE
0 S5T FLY+4 ,X CAU<T ! LI<T Z X SPUN UP-
W>DS1 & D[N AG UNTIL X LODG$ 2T ! B"OS (!
,5GLI%MAN'S WRI/1 F ": X 0 PULL$ FREE &
TURN$ SWIFTLY AG/ XS [N]2 A TWI/ ( FATE IF
"E "! WAS1 X _H LEFT A /RANGELY RA7$ SC>1
! %APE ( : ,I KNEW WELL 5\<4
  ,A L9E ( M5 QKLY =M$ 6H A G4 ,I PULL$ !
KNIVES F ! DOOR & H&$ !M 6! -M&]4 ,! RE-
SULT 0 /RANGE4 ,I _H TAK5 = GRANT$ T ^!
T\< M5 ) _! GUNS & SANGU9>Y HI/ORY WD "K
9/9CTIVELY H[ 6?R[ KNIVES4 ,B X 0 OBVI\S F
_! EF=TS !Y _H N"E 2F SE5 A KNIFE ?R[N4
  ,! -M&] _HN'T EV5 ! VAGUE/ 3CEPT4 ,HE
TOSS$ ! KNIVES 9 TURN )A DELICATE HOPP+
MO;N Z IF HE 0 ?R[+ 3FETTI OR A HOOP OV] A
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBF
/U6$ ANIMAL1 OR UPW>DS 9 A G5TLE >C ! WAY
Y ?R[ A D>T4 ,! O!R M5 TRI$ &! KNIVES FELL
%ORT & WIDE OR SLAPP$ SIDEWAYS AG/ ! DOOR4
,N "O ( !M SU3E$$4 ,!Y _H NO MODEL1 ,I RE-
ALIZ$1 6IMITATE4 ,!Y _H N"E SE5 KNIFE-?R[+
GYPSIES AT A CIRCUS OR C[BOY FILMS ( M5
?R[+ DA7]S 96_! 5EMIES' HE>TS4
  ,I PD SPECIAL ATT5;N 6! -M&] & %[$ HM H[
6HOLD & FLICK ! KNIFE AT ! 9/ANT 2F RE-
L1SE1 & AF T5 M9UTES 7&A NE> MISS Z A MAN
OP5$ ! DOOR F ! O!R SIDE & WOND]$ :Y P 7
?R[+ KNIVES AT HM7 HE GOT ! HANG ( X4 ,!
F/ "T A KNIFE /UCK SATISFY+LY 96! WOOD HE
LOOK$ AT ME1 & !N 8 H&S1 9 UTT] 4BELIEF4

  ,"! 0 ! RUM# (A MOTOR4 ,A PICKUP TRUCK
PULL$ 96! -P.D1 & UNLOAD$ A DU/Y C>GO (
WE>Y-LOOK+ TRAVELL]S1 :O W&]$ (F 96!
HILLS4
  ,I ASK$ ! DRIV] IF HE CD TAKE ME 6,JURM4
  8,=A .LAKH10 HE SD4
  8,I CD BUY A HORSE = T AM.T40 ,! JOKE
RIPPL$ D[N ! L9E ( M54
  8,YES1 WE CD BUY HORSES AT T PRICE60 ,!N
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBG
! -M&] APPE>$ ) TWO CIG>ETTES = ME &=! F/
"T SEEM$ CALM & COH]5T2 HE SD ,I %D PAY
#CJ1JJJ ,AF<ANIS =! TRIP 6,JURM 9 A TRUCK
& NO M4 ,! TRUCK WD TAKE ME &! O!RS1 HE
SD4 ,X S.D$ L A LOT ( M"OY4 ,X 0 ?REE
P.DS4
  ,"! FOLL[$ H\RS ( 4CUS.N & DEBATE4 ,!
DRIV] WANT$ A DOZ5 PAY+ PASS5G]S2 ^? :O
WANT$ 6TRAVEL 7 ONLY SIX4 ,! WD-BE PASS5-
G]S 4P]S$1 !N GA!R$ AG = FUR!R DEBATE4
,TWICE WE GOT 96! TRUCK & TWICE WE GOT \
AG & WAIT$ ANO!R H\R4 ,X 0 A WE>I"S RITU-
AL1 B ,I WD GET US$ 6X4 ,(T5 "U S* CIRCUM-
/.ES "! >E H\RS ( WAIT+ & WAIT+ & NO?+
:ATSO"E APPE>S 6BE HAPP5+4 ,NO VISI# PROC-
ESS ( DECI.N IS TAK+ PLACE2 "! IS NO *ANGE
9 -PANY OR NEWS OR W1!R--& !N AT "S 9VISI#
SIGNAL A MAD RU% 2G9S1 A /AMP$E ( ACTIV;Y1
&! TRUCK 7C>1 BUS1 TANK7 TE>S (F 9 A %ELL-
BUR/ ( DU/4

  ,X 0 ?REE O'C &! "D 0 ALM 2H U :5 ! DIS-
GRUNTL$ DRIV] REL5T$4 ,WE _H J PULL$ UP !
/EEP ROAD 2Y ! .SERAI :5 A BUR/ (
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBH
AUTOMATIC GUNFIRE BR"\ U 6A LUR*+ HALT2
LATECOM]S HAIL+ U 6WAIT4 ,F\R BR1?.S DES-
P]ADOS EM]G$ FIVE M9UTES LAT] F 2N ! SLOPE
& CLAMB]$ 96! BACK4 ,! B>REL ( AN AUTOMAT-
IC RIFLE /UCK 96MY FOOT4 ,I NOTIC$ T !
SICK OLD MAN ,ALI ,KHAN _H ALL[$ 6RIDE
,CLOCK"W ! PREVI\S "D 0 W$G$ 96A CORN] AT
! FRONT1 %R\D$ 9 8 .PATT@U4 ,8 EYES 7
HALF-CLOS$ & Z WE SET (F AG ,I WOND]$ IF
HE WD SURVIVE ! TRIP4
  ,I _H N"E SE5 A TRUCK DRIVE S DANG]\SLY
FA/ OV] S* A BAD SURFACE1 M* LESS BE5
JAMM$ 96"O ) TWELVE O!R M54 ,X 0 A RELA-
TIVELY MOD]N PICKUP1 B ! ,AF<AN ROADS _H
AG$ X PREMATURELY4 ,! %OCK ABSORB]S 7 COM-
PRESS$ 6_! LIMIT &! *ASSIS BUMP$ AG/ ! RE>
AXLE ) S* =CE T "T & AG WE 7 NE>LY FLUNG
96! ROAD4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# 6MOVE AT W4 ,"O (
MY FEET 0 -PLETELY NUMB2 MY KNEES 7 AG/ MY
*E/1 & ,I _H 6GRIP ! SIDE (! TRUCK AT AN
EXCRUCIAT+LY UNNATURAL ANGLE 6KEEP MYF F
B\NC+ \4
  ,! DRIV] KEPT UP ! PACE = F\R OR FIVE
H\RS4 ,I LOOK$ OV] 6! OLD MAN F "T 6"T &
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CBI
PITI$ HM4 ,L ! O!RS ,I _H WRAPP$ MYF 9 MY
.PATT@U & HELD X TI<T ) MY TEE? AG/ ! COLD
& SWIRL+ DU/4 ,WE W.D HI< ABV ! RIV] & AT
"TS ! ROAD GAVE UP ALT & WE PL\<$ ACR WA-
T]Y B$S ( SCREE & LUR*$ ACR FLOOD-C>V$
TRIBUT>Y GULLEYS L AN ANT /RA4L+ ! TEE? (A
-B4 ,Z X GREW D>K] WE NE>LY COLLID$ ) AN
ONCOM+ TRUCK ON A N>R[ TRACK TWO HUNDR$
FEET ABV ! RIV]1 & GR.D 6A HALT 9 A L;G &
HE>T-NUMB+ SKID4
  ,R\<LY HALFWAY AL;G 9 A VILLAGE WE
DROPP$ (F ?REE M5 & GA9$ FIVE4 ,WE 7 FIF-
TE5 N[4 ,A HUGE DOG B>K$ FURI\SLY AT U F A
RO(TOP &A CR[D ( SUICIDAL *N *AS$ U "? A
CL\D ( DU/4 ,ON ! \TSKIRTS (! VILLAGE A
MAN TRI$ 6CAT* UP ) U1 & RAN H]OIC,Y 2H U
= AB A MILE4 ,S"EAL "TS1 Z WE SL[$ 6NEGO-
TIATE A FROZ5 RUT1 HE CAME ALM )9 R1* (!
H&S /RET*+ \ 6HM F ! BACK (! TRUCK1 B !
DRIV] REFUS$ 6SL[ D[N4 ,EV5TU,Y ! RUNN+
MAN 0 KNOCK$ SIDEWAYS Z HE TRI$ 6CLAMB]
IN1 MO;T>ILY CRU%$ 2T ! BODY (! TRUCK &!
V]GE1 & TUM#D 96! ROAD 2H U4 ,X 0 A HORRI#
SI<T1 B HE SURVIV$4 ,SOON X 0 D>K4 ,I FELT
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCJ
C]TA9 ! OLD MAN _H DI$4 ,!N "EY?+ 0 DU/1
%AD[S &! ICY W9D4
  ,WE 7 /E]+ A R\< & R1DY C\RSE ON ,POL>IS
7: ,I / CDN'T F9D F ,URSA ,MAJOR 2C (!
HEI<T (! SURR.D+ M.TA9S1 B F ,CASSIOPEIA
9/1D71 W1V+ 2T ! 9T]LOCK+ SPURS (A GRADU,Y
BROAD5+ VALLEY4 ,! M.TA9S 2GAN 6LOOS5 _!
HOLD ON ! L&SCAPE1 & ,I CD MAKE \ P9PRICKS
( LI<T 9 SETTLE;TS ABV BROAD T]RAC$
FIELDS4 ,I %>$ A CIG>ETTE )! MAN SQUEEZ$
NEXT 6ME4 ,HE WORE A :ITE .PATT@U & TURBAN
& ASK$ ME ": ,I 0 F4
  8,5GL&1 Y SAY8 ,I AM A T1*]10 HE %\T$1
OV] ! RO> (! W9D & CRUN*+ ROCK4 8,I T1*
,5GLI%40 ,& ,I ?"\ :AT A RELIEF X 0 6F9D
"S"O ,I CD TALK 6IN MY [N LANGUAGE1 & :AT
A PLACE 6F9D HM6 ,HE PO9T$ UPW>DS & ASK$3
  8,:AT IS ?80
  ,I FELT HE 0 AB 6ANN\NCE "S PROV]B ( "T-
.S WISDOM4
  8,T'S ! SKY10 ,I SD4
  8,YES X IS60 ,!N HE PO9T$ UPW>DS AG4
  8,:AT IS ?80
  8,T'S ! SKY & ^? >E />S4 ,:AT AB !M80
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCA
  8,YES X IS6 ,NO X ISN'T6 ,YES X IS60 ,&
L ! UGLY ,TURCOMAN HE 2GAN 6LAU< AT 8 SU-
P]IOR -M& ( LANGUAGE4
  ,AN H\R LAT] WE >RIV$ 9 ,JURM1 UNBUCKL$
\R LIMBS & PD ! DEMONIC DRIV] 0TOR*LI<T4
,"! 7 ! USUAL PROTE/S & C.T]-PROTE/S AT !
PRICE4 ,A FEW M5 4APPE>$ 96! BLACK;S1 :ILE
! O!RS BANG$ ON V>I\S GATES LOOK+ =! LOCAL
.SERAI4 ,AN OLD MAN 0 R\S$1 L$ U 96A PAS-
SAGE ) AN OIL LANT]N1 & WE "W$ \RVS 9TO
SPACES 2T R[S ( SLEEP+ M51 COV]$ \RVS 9 \R
.PATT@US1 & FELL LOV+LY 96! >MS ( SLEEP4

  ,9 ! MORN+ ! ROOM 0 NE>LY EMPTY4 ,=A FEW
MO;TS ,I CD MAKE NO S5SE (! NEW SURR.D+S
UNTIL1 ) A/ONI%;T1 ,I RECOGNIZ$ MY FELL[
PASS5G] ! OLD MAN SITT+ NE>BY4 ,HE BECKON$
ME & WE DRANK TEA TGR2 HE TOO 0 GO+ TO
,FAIZ@AB@AD4 ,I 0 V GRATE;L = 8 -PANY2 ,I
ADMIR$ 8 P[]S ( SURVIVAL1 & HE _H N"O (!
9TRUSIVE CURIOS;Y ( "Y] M54 ,HE SD A TRUCK
WD -E 6TAKE U 6,FAIZ@AB@AD4 ,:E!R X WD -E
! SAME "D HE CDN'T SAY4
  ,X 0 SEV5 O'C &! VILLAGE 0 2G9N+ 6/IR4
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCB
,I W&]$ AL;G ! S+LE MA9 /REET 6XS 5D1 &
AL;G A N>R[ PA? ( S(T DU/ FLANK$ 0A L9E (
:ISP]+ WILL[S ON "O SIDE &A MUD WALL ON !
O!R4 ,SCATT]$ 2Y ! FIELDS ,I CD SEE CLU/]S
( E>!N H\SES ) WISPS ( SMOKE RIS+ F _!
*IMNEYS4 ,2Y !M 0 A PAT*"W ( FRE%LY PL\<$
FIELDS OV] : ! VAP\R (! MORN+ HUNG 9 LAY-
]S1 & 2Y !M ! HILLS1 S(T] N[1 P]H ONLY A
?\S& 6TWO ?\S& FEET HI<4
  ,I 0 /RUCK 0! B1UTY (! PLACE1 & SEE+ !
N1T MUD SETTLE;TS &! GLITT]+ /R1MS 2T !M1
HE>+ ! FLUTT] ( WILL[ L1VES1 & SMELL+ !
DU/ & FRE%LY TURN$ SOIL &! SMOKE ( E>LY
MORN+ FIRES 0 REM9D$ (! "T.S MATRIX ( ELE-
;TS F : ! NATURAL PATT]N ( SETTLE;T ORIGI-
N,Y SPRUNG4 ,"H X SEEM$ UN9T]RUPT$ & Z IN-
TIMATE Z "E4 ,! FI]CE SLOPES (! M.TA9S 7
G"O1 EXORCIS$ 0\R NI<T-"T J\RNEY1 & ALR AN
AGE AWAY4
  ,?REE WOM5 PASS$1 DRAW+ VEILS ( :ITE1
YELL[ & BLUE ACR _! FACES Z ,I APPROA*$4
,"S *N *AS$ A /RAY C[ "? ! /REET4 ,! /ALLS
ON EI SIDE CAME GRADU,Y 6LIFE & SOON ! C5-
TRAL ?OR\<F>E 0 FULL ( M51 WOM51 *N &
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCC
ANIMALS4 ,! WOM5 7 VEIL$ &! "Y GIRLS 7 ALL
V B1UTI;L4 ,"! 0 A CHAIKH@ANA )A BALCONY
ON ! UPP] FLOOR OPPOSITE ! .SERAI1 : ,I CD
WAT* 9 CASE "S"O MADE (F ) MY BAG4 ,I OR-
D]$ KEBABS & BASK$ 9 ! SUN%9E1 LUXURIAT+ 9
! TW9 PL1SURES ( HOT FOOD & SOLITUDE4

  ,0"O O'C ! SUN _H ?R[N A PALE YELL[ LI<T
OV] ! B>E HILLS &! "D FELT ALR SP5T4 ,I 0
WORRI$ AB ! WAY AH1D4 ,ALW "! IS ? K9D (
SUSP5SE ON A J\RNEY ": Y >E BO? ISOLAT$ &
RO2$ ( YR [N LANGUAGE4 ,"U S* 3DI;NS !
M1NS 0: Y MAKE S5SE ( ?+S 2G9S 6BE TRANS-
=M$2 Y C NO L;G] RELY ON FAMILI> SIGNALS B
A CRYPTIC SEQU;E ( T9Y EV5TS1 ! PATT]N ( :
Y S5SE M KE5LY Z YR ISOL,N GR[S4 ,X L1DS
6A K9D ( "P+ (! WAYS2 Y EI LET G ( YR WOR-
RIES & PUT YR FAI? 9 ! NATURAL UNFOLD+ (
EV5TS OR >E PLAGU$ ) ANXIETIES1 : MULTIPLY
Z D>K;S FALLS4
  ,I CD HE> TWO VOICES AT "W4 ,"O 0 AN IN-
CESSANT REM9D] AB SAFETY1 FE> ( L"OLI;S &
9SECURITIES ( E K9D4 ,H[ WD ,I "K IF A
TRUCK CAME & W5T8 ,WD MY BAG 2 SAFE 9 !
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCD
.SERAI8 ,"T & AG ,I _H BE5 TOLD X 0 UNSAFE
6TRAVEL AL"O ''' ,I _H F ! 2G9N+ (! TRIP
BE5 AW>E ( ? F/ VOICE2 AN ALM REL5T.S TALE
( WORRY AB H[ ?+S WD TURN \ AT E /AGE1 L T
(A HOMESICK * L;G+ =! FAMILI>4
  ,X _H XS [N LEGITIMACY B Z ANY"O "KS :O
HAS BE5 T\*$ 0! SPELL ( TRAVEL "! IS ANO!R
VOICE /RU7L+ 6BE HE>D1 & N[ =! F/ "T ,I 0
A# 6HE> X2 A CALM] SIGNAL ON : ,I 0 UN-
WILL+ AT F/ 6RELY4 ,X 0 ! IMPULSE 6PUT MY
TRU/ 9 ! NATURAL C\RSE ( EV5TS1 & 6SURR5-
D]1 N PASSIVELY B 9TELLIG5TLY1 6! RE/RA9TS
& OPPORTUNITIES (! MO;T4 ,0 ,I N F$ & W>M
& 9 A PLACE ( B1UTY8 ,?+S WD "W \ '''
  ,7 ^! ! EQUIVAL5T ,EUROP1N 9 ME &!
,ASIAN1 (! H1D &(! HE>T8 ,I AM TEMPT$ 6?9K
S4 ,! ,WE/]N M9D IS TRA9$ 6?9K XS WAY "?
LIFE4 ,! TR\# )! HABIT IS A T5D5CY 6=MU-
LATE "EY?+ 9 T]MS ( "S?+ ELSE1 9/1D ( AC-
TU,Y EXP]I5C+ X = :AT X IS2 ! DEF9I;NS (
SU3ESS & FAILURE1 JOY & DI6ICULTY1 T5D 6BE
FACTORY-SET AT HOME4 ,"! IS NO?+ L AN
,ASIAN J\RNEY--2G9N+ )A CATALOGUE ( PHYSI-
CAL *ALL5GES & 9CONV5I;ES1 & ALL !
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCE
ASSAULTS ON 3V5;NS REG>D+ "T1 4T.E &
/RAI<T ANSW]S F P--6?R1T5 ! DEF9I;NS &!
S5SE ( SELF T BUILDS ON !M4
  ,ASIA IS DI6]5T2 X OP5S AN UNFAMILI>
DOOR ONTO EXP]I5C+ ! _W4 ,YET ? %IFT1 %D X
O3UR1 IS ONLY A NATURAL ADAPT,N1 A REBAL-
ANC+ (! M9D Z ! CL\D ( ORD9>Y ?"\S GRADU,Y
2G9S 6/1 L MUD SETTL+ 6! BOTTOM (A POOL4
,"!1 GIV5 "T1 %APES 2G9 6EM]GE1 WOND];L
%APES IF ! SI<T ( !M WD ONLY LA/ '''

  ,I WALK$ ONCE M AL;G ! MA9 /REET T[>DS !
O!R 5D (! VILLAGE4 ,J !N ,I CAU<T SI<T (A
PICKUP TRUCK 4APPE>+ 96A SIDE ALLEY4 ,X _H
A FLAG ( "S K9D ON XS ANT5NA & ,I W5T 6SEE
:O X MI<T BE4 ,TWO M5 GOT \2 ! FLAG SD
8,AF<ANAID01 & ,I 9TRODUC$ MYF4 ,A TALL
MAN )A RI* BLACK BE>D ANSW]$ ME 9 P]FECT
,5GLI%4 ,HE WORE A :ITE .SHALWAR & SKULL-
CAP4 ,I EXPLA9$ ,I 0 TRY+ 6GET 6,BAH>AK AT
! H1D (! VALLEY1 !N ON 6,FAIZ@AB@AD4
  8,NO PRO#M10 HE SD *E];LLY4 8,WE C TAKE
Y AL;G TM4 ,B :Y N /AY TN ) U AT \R (-
FICE80 ,HE S5T A MAN ) ME 6C>RY MY BAG1 &
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCF
WE WALK$ TGR AL;G A W9D+ PA? C>PET$ )
FALL5 L1VES1 S"EAL HUNDR$ Y>DS UP ! SLOPE
2H ! VILLAGE4 ,I 0 GIV5 TEA & !N--BLISS6--
A BUCKET ( HOT WAT] &A PRIVATE ROOM 9 : TO
WA%4

  ,MOHAMM$ 0 9 *>GE (! LOCAL BRAN* (! ,5G-
LI% *>;Y1 & OV]SAW AN AMBITI\S LI/ ( ONGO+
PROJECTS 6HELP RE/ORE ! REGION'S =M] PROS-
P];Y4 ,X _H SU6]$ BADLY DUR+ ! W>1 HE EX-
PLA9$1 & TRAC$ ! TRAIL ( MIS]Y BACK 6! PE-
RIOD ( ,SOVIET O3UP,N4 ,FI<T+ _H 4RUPT$
"EY?+4 ,RE/RIC;NS ON ! TRADI;NAL MOVE;T (A
POPUL,N DEP5D5T ON FRAGILE PATT]NS ( SUP-
PLY & TRADE RESULT$ 9 YE>S ( NEGLECT4
  8,NO "O 0 ALL[$ 6MOVE FREELY10 HE SD4
8,! ,RUSSIANS %OT AT "EY?+ T MOV$--EV5 OR-
D9>Y BUSES40 ,&! S+LE ROAD 6! REGION _H
BE5 S BADLY DAMAG$ DUR+ ! W> T GRADU,Y !
REGION _H 2GUN 6/>VE4 ,SO>+ PRICES = BASIC
FOOD/U6S _H =C$ F>M]S 6LIVE 9 POV]TY 9 !
CITIES4 ,LACK ( FUEL L$ 6! OV]-CUTT+ (
WOOD & DE=E/,N1 L1D+ 6SOIL DEPLE;N1 L1D+
6L&SLIDES &! *OK+ (! IRRIG,N SY/EMS1 L1D+
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCG
6FUR!R NEGLECT ''' L ALL W>S X _H LEFT A
LEGACY ( DI6]5T BATTLES4
  ,X 0 A PL1SURE 6TALK 6S* A DEVOT$ & EX-
P]I;ED MAN4 ,HAV+ J EM]G$ F ! WILDE/ T]RI-
TORY ,I _H "E SE51 ! T]M9OLOGY 0 Z IMPRES-
SIVE Z X 0 9CONGRU\S2 SU45LY ! ROOM 0 FULL
( TALK AB CROP ROT,N1 ERO.N MANAGE;T1 SE$
HYBRIDIZ,N1 -MUN;Y DEVELOP;T1 9COME G5],N
& 9/RUC;N PROGRAMMES4 ,& WD ,I L 6SEE !
MODEL NURS]Y TM8

  ,WE DROVE \ 9 ! MORN+ 69SPECT ! "Y TREES
& VEGETA#S GR[+ ON AN EXP]I;TAL PLOT ON !
\TSKIRTS (! VILLAGE4 ,AT LA/ ,I LE>N$ !
"NS & V>IETIES ( TREES ,I _H SE5 ON ! WAY3
! MO/ -MON 7 TWO SPECIES ( POPL> 7IN ,P]-
SIAN CALL$ .CHEN@AR & .SEP@ID-DAR72 TWO (
P9E 7.,P9US .HELOP9SUS & .,TAJA .ORI5TAL-
IS71 ACACIA 7.,RUB9ICA71 ,RUSSIAN SILEX
7.,AL5TUS .GL&ALOSA71 ,%5G 7.,FRAXIMUS7 &
CATTAL4 ,ACACIA & ,RUSSIAN SILEX 7 PLANT$
9 >1S ( DE=E/,N ON A3.T ( _! L;G ROOTS1 :
>E M RESI/ANT 6! E6ECTS ( ERO.N4
  ,!N WE DROVE ON 6,BAH>AK AT ! H1D (!
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCH
VALLEY ACR A HI< GRE5 PLAT1U ( S(T B1UTY4
,9 ! FIELDS & ON ! RIV]BANKS ( ? REMOTE
L&1 B>EFOOT F>M]S 9 TURBANS GUID$ WOOD5
PL\<S >.D ! RU/+ HULKS ( ,RUSSIAN TANKS &
>M\R$ TROOP-C>RI]S4
  ,9 ! T[N WE /OPP$ 9 A BUSY MA9 /REET L9$
) NEWLY BUILT %OPS4 ,! OLD BAZA>S _H BE5
DE/ROY$ 9 ! W>1 SD ,MOHAMM$4 ,I SAW TRUCK-
LOADS ( >M$ "Y M51 BOYS MO/LY1 PREP>+ TO
MAKE _! WAY 6! FRONT 9 ,KABUL4 ,!Y 7 SMIL+
& FRLY & MY HE>T LUR*$ AT ! ?"\ ( :AT
AWAIT$ !M4 ,!N WE *ANG$ VEHICLES & PIL$
96AN OV]LOAD$ TRUCK ) AN ,AF<AN FAMILY1
:O1 N WI%+ 6/[ A =EIGN GUE/ 9 ! BACK1 DE-
CAMP$ F ! -=T (! CAB & RE9/ALL$ !MVS AM;G
SACKS & BUNDLES 2H4 ,I PROTE/$ 6NO AVAIL1
& WE SET (F ON ! F9AL LEG (! TRIP 6,FAIZ-
@AB@AD4

  ,"H TOO Z 9 ,PANJ%@IR X SEEM$ 9CR$I# T
TANKS _H MANAG$ 6SQUEEZE AL;G ! CLIFF-
HEMM$ R\TE1 : TWI/$ %>PLY HI< ABV ! RIV] Z
WE LEFT ,BAH>AK4 ,X 0 A ?REE-H\R J\RNEY B
9 4T.E ONLY ?IRTY MILES OR S4 ,! UNSURFAC$
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CCI
ROAD 0 BADLY DAMAG$ 0WAT] ERO.N & AT "O
PO9T A NEW B BADLY BUILT BRIDGE _H BE5
WA%$ AWAY 0! SPR+ FLOODS E>LI] 9 ! YE>1
L1V+ ONLY ! 3CRETE FOOT+S4 ,WE WAD$ "? A
SWIFT CURR5T 6! F> SIDE :ILE ! TRUCK LUR*$
ACR4
  ,FAIZ@AB@AD IS ! REGIONAL CAPITAL (!
,BADAKH%@AN & XS L>GE/ T[N4 ,! RIV] ,KO*KA
BISECTS ! SETTLE;T L A JADE S]P5T SET 9
WILD /"O1 LICK+ AT CRUMBL+ CLI6S4 ,! MA-
JOR;Y ( H\SES1 G5]\SLY 9T]SP]S$ ) GROVES (
POPL>1 >E ON ! NOR!RN SIDE (! RIV] & SPR1D
UP A G5TLE SLOPE =A MILE UNTIL ! M.TA9S
2G9 6RE>4 ,ON ! S\!RN SIDE ! SLOPES >E
/EEP] &A /R+ ( ?\S&-FOOT P1KS OV]LOOK !
E>? &! JADE &! B>R51 ROLL+ HILLS 2Y4 ,I 0
TOLD !Y TOO 7 ONCE =E/$2 C]TA9LY 2F ! W>
"! 7 OR*>DS ( PI/A*IO & WALNUT ON ! L[]
SLOPES T H N[ G"O1 B = C5TURIES AT L1/ X
CD N H BE5 ! D5SE =E/ T ,I HE>D EVOK$4
  ,WE DROPP$ (F ! ,AF<AN FAMILY AT _! HOME
& !Y BE7$ ME 6BE _! GUE/ B ! LUXURY ( 2+
A# 6SP1K ,5GLI% )! O!RS 0 TOO M* 6RESI/1 &
,I G5TLY REFUS$4 ,!N WE 7 9/ALL$ AT !
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CDJ
,AF<ANAID (FICE & MY BAG 0 C>RI$ 96A ROOM1
A KETTLE ( TEA SOON APPE>$1 & AG ,I _H !
LUXURY ( HOT WAT]1 M ? "T ?AN ,I CD H WI%$
=4 ,I WA%$ MY HAIR & FELT L A K+1 !N 0 IN-
TRODUC$ 6?REE O!R /AFF1 ALL ( :OM SPOKE
,5GLI%4
  ,! F/ 0 A ROTUND & JOVIAL "* 9 8 FIF-
TIES1 A =E/RY EXP]T "U ! =M] GOV]N;T4 ,I
FELT VAGUELY 9TIMIDAT$ 0HIS 9TELLIG;E &
9QUISITIVE;S2 "S?+ AB HM SEEM$ \ ( PLACE4
,I SD ,I 0 HOP+ 6WRITE AM;G O!R ?+S AB !
POSITIVE ASPECTS ( ,AF<ANI/AN1 & HE RE-
PLI$3 8,WELL1 Y'LL 2 LUCKY IF Y C F9D
ANY10 & LAU<$ 9 A R UN-,AF<AN WAY4 ,I 0 /
ATTUN$ 9W>DLY 6! SIMPLE WAYS ( RURAL ,AF-
<ANI/AN EPITOMIZ$ 0,ALI ,KHAN1 & ^! M5 C>-
RI$ ) !M A ,WE/]NIZ$ AIR 6: ,I ADJU/$ ONLY
SL[LY4
  ,OV] D9N] ,I 2CAME 3SCI\S ( AN UNSETTL+
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O!RS SP1K+ N 9 ,P]SIAN B 9 ,PA%TU1 ,I R1L-
IZ$ _! SYMPA?IES LAY LESS )! GOV]N;T ?AN
)! ,T@ALEB@AN4 ,! OLD] MAN D5I$ X :5 ,I
ASK$1 B ,I CD TELL HE 0 RELUCTANT 6EXPRESS
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8 TRUE ALLEGI.E4 ,HAV+ ALL BE5 TRA9$ 9
,PAKI/AN1 X 0 P]H 9EVITA#4 ,AF ! M1L A
S(TLY SPOK5 "Y MAN ) BIG K9D EYES & :O
WORE A BLACK L1!R JACKET %[$ ME 96! SP>E
ROOM4 ,I ASK$ HM IF HE ?"\ ! ,T@ALEB@AN WD
"E TAKE ,KABUL4
  8,!Y W10 HE SD 3FID5TLY1 8"! C 2 NO
D\BT40 ,HE W5T FUR!R & SD !Y 7 ! ONLY *.E
= P1CE 9 ! C.TRY4 ,LOOK AT :AT _H HAPP5$ 9
! >1S "U ,T@ALEB@AN 3TROL1 HE A4$2 !Y _H
RE/OR$ ORD] & DE->M$ CORRUPT -M&]S :O !
GOV]N;T _H ALL[$ 6PROSP]4 ,RUM\RS ( ,PAKI-
/ANI & ,AM]ICAN 9VOLVE;T 7 FALSE4
  ,P]H HE 0 "R4 ,HE C]TA9LY 2LIEV$ 9 :AT
HE SD4 ,! ,T@ALEB@AN _H RE/OR$ A M1SURE (
SECUR;Y 9 ! S\?1 B :AT (! CIVILIANS DY+ E
"D "U ,T@ALEB@AN >TILL]Y & ROCKETS8 ,H[ _H
S* IMPOV]I%$ & RELIGI\S M5 9T]CEPT$ & =C$
D[N A ,RUSSIAN C>GO PLANE B.D = ,KABUL A
FEW MON?S 2F8 ,PAKI/ANI SUPPORT =! ,T@ALE-
B@AN 0 AN OP5 SECRET1 & ,AM]ICAN (FICIALS
_H CLOS] TIES )! ,T@ALEB@AN ?AN ) ANY O!R
FAC;N2 P]H ! ,T@ALEB@AN _H 3V9C$ _! SPON-
SORS !Y CD 3TROL ! 5TIRE C.TRY4 99
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CDB
      99 ,NEWS T AN ,AM]ICAN OIL -PANY &
    XS ,SAUDI "PN] 7 PLANN+ ! 3/RUC;N ( AN
    OIL & GAS PIPEL9E ACR ,AF<ANI/AN EM]G$
    ONLY LAT] 9 ! YE>4 ,! PROPOS$ PIPEL9E
    WD L9K ! RI* OILFIELDS ( ,DAULATABAD 9
    ,TURKM5I/@AN )! ,PAKI/ANI PORT ( ,MUL-
    TAN1 PASS+ "? NE>LY A ?\S& MILES (
    ,AF<AN T]RITORY4
      ,F ,AM]ICAN -M]CIAL 9T]E/S 6,AM]ICAN
    -PLIC;Y 9 ! ,T@ALEB@AN'S RISE 6P[] IS
    B A %ORT /EP 9 _M1 ESPECI,Y ,AF<AN1
    M9DS4
      ,CIT+ ! 3T9U$ 9/ABIL;Y (! REGION &!
    ,T@ALEB@AN'S FAILURE 6SECURE 9T]N,NAL
    RECOGNI;N1 ! -PANY'S PLANS = 3/RUC;N 7
    SUSP5D$ 9 ,AUGU/ #AIIH4
  ,X 0 A "PICUL>LY ,AF<AN TRAIT3 "! 0 ALW
"O 5EMY & ONLY "O SOLU;N 6! G5]AL WOES
FAC+ ! C.TRY4 ,9 DI6]5T PLACES ! PRO#M1
AL;G )! SOLU;N1 0 P]CVD DI6]5TLY2 :AT 0
VALID 9 "O REGION WASN'T NECESS>ILY APPLI-
CA# 9 ANO!R4 ,Y ONLY NE$$ 6TRAVEL 9 NON-
,PU%TUN >1S 6R1LIZE J H[ UNLIKELY A ,T@AL-
EB@AN VICTORY RE,Y WAS4 ,I 0 TIR$ & WE
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CDC
LEFT X "!4
  ,! FOLL[+ EV5+ OV] D9N] ! OLD] MAN TALK$
VOLUBLY AB ! W> &! DESP]ATE NE$ = ECONOMIC
REHABILIT,N4 ,"! 7 S"EAL KEY ISSUES1 HE
SD4
  ,! F/ 0 T ! MAJOR;Y ( ,AF<ANS 7 WE>Y (!
FI<T+ &! C.TRY 0 />V+4 ,SECONDLY ! PRES5T
GOV]N;T 0 KEPT 9 P[] ONLY 0,RUSSIAN M"OY1
N 0POPUL> SUPPORT4 ,& ?IRDLY1 EV5 IF !
,T@ALEB@AN TOOK ,KABUL1 ! FI<T+ WD G ON 2C
! DI6]5T GR\PS WD N"E AGREE 6%>E P[]4
  ,:AT 0 ! GRTE/ OB/ACLE 6P1CE8 ,GUNS1 HE
SD4 ,S L;G Z "! 7 S _M GUNS 9 ,AF<ANI/AN
"! WASN'T A HOPE ( P1CE4 ,? 0 A C.TRY ": P
7 S POOR !Y BROKE UP OLD ,RUSSIAN TANKS &
HAUL$ ! PIECES 6,PAKI/AN 6SELL = SCRAP
METAL4 ,B ) M"OY Y CD PAY A MAN 6FI<T2 & 9
A C.TRY Z POOR Z ,AF<ANI/AN ? 0 EASI] ?AN
"E 2F4
  ,! W>1 9 O!R ^WS1 0 KEPT ALIVE 0A VICI\S
ECONOMIC CIRCLE2 XS -M&]S 7 LIV+ 9 LUXURY
:ILE ORD9>Y P DI$4 ,MASS\D 0 A BRAVE MAN1
HE SD1 & RESPECT$ = 8 ROLE 9 ! L;G W> AG/
! ,RUSSIANS4 ,B 8 0 ONLY ANO!R P[]-HUNGRY
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CDD
"PY1 N A VIA# GOV]N;T4
  ,X 0 NO GD ASK+ ,AM]ICA = HELP 7DID HE
M1N ! GOV]N;T'S APP1L+ 6,WA%+TON = RECOG-
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CA4 ,"H "! 7 TWO ANALOGIES DESCRIB+ P'S
FEEL+S T[>DS _! =M] ALLIES 9 ! .JEH@AD3 "O
(A FIRE 7W>7 HAV+ BE5 PUT "U A POT 7,AF-
<ANI/AN7 & LEFT 6BOIL L;G AF ! WAT] _H
4APPE>$ 7! ,RUSSIAN )DRAWAL72 ! O!R (A MAN
HELP$ 6! TOP (A TALL BUILD+ 7! .JEH@AD WON
) ,AM]ICAN AID 6! MUJAH$D97 !N HAV+ _H !
/AIRS REMOV$ F "U HM1 L1V+ HM /R&$4 ,A
CRIPPL$ VICTIM (! COLD W>1 9 O!R ^WS4
,ONCE1 ,AM]ICA _H BE5 P]CVD Z A F>-(F B
2NEVOL5T "F FIGURE :O _H ! P[] 69FLU;E &
RESOLVE 3FLICTS2 B H[ CD A "F AB&ON XS "Y8
,! MUJAH$D9 _H RU9$ _! [N L& 9 ! 2LIEF T
,AM]ICA WD LAT] HELP !M REBUILD X1 ONCE !
-MON 5EMY ( -MUNISM _H BE5 D1LT )4 ,& 9 !
M1N"T ! BE/ ,AF<AN M9DS _H FL$ ! C.TRY & 7
"W+ = =EIGN SAL>IES ABROAD--H[ _M ( !M CD
2 EXPECT$ 6RETURN 6A PLACE ": A CIVIL S]-
VANT E>N$ TW5TY DOLL>S A MON?8
  ,ONLY ! ,UNIT$ ,N,NS CD D ! JOB1 HE SD1
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CDE
B PROP]LY ? "T & ON A L>GE SCALE4 ,! ,,UN
,SECRET>Y ,G5]AL'S ,SPECIAL ,5VOY ON ,AF-
<ANI/AN1 ,MAHM\D ,MI/]I1 ^: "N 0A CRUEL
PUN 9 ,P]SIAN M1NT 8T9K]]01 0 J T2 HE CAME
& W5T1 TI<T5+ NUTS & BOLTS "H & "! & PRE-
P>+ ! C.TRY = M W>4 ,:AT 0 NE$$ 0 A ,,UN
P1CEKEEP+ PRES;E T WD DEMILIT>IZE ,KABUL &
SPR1D XS 9FLU;E "? ! C.TRY 0BUY+ E LA/
GUN4 ,:O WDN'T GIVE UP _! GUNS = M"OY8
7,:O WD GIVE UP _! M"OY = GUNS8 ,I WON-
D]$47
  ,X 0 GLOOMY & SIMPLI/IC TALK4 ,I W5T 6B$
DWELL+ ON ! 9DI6];E (! ,AM]ICANS2 ! BANK-
RUPTCY (! ,,UN2 ! GRE$ (! DI6]5T MUJAH$D9
"PIES &( _! =EIGN SPONSORS 7HE _HN'T M5;N$
^!72 ! MIS]Y (A PR\D P4 ,I S*EM$ WILDLY AT
! $GE ( SLEEP2 :AT IF X 7 RE,Y Z SIMPLE Z
BUY+ E GUN 9 ! C.TRY8 ,I DID "S M5TAL
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GET >.D T M"OY 0 AVAILA# &! GUNS CD 2 GA?-
]$ UP 0! TRUCKLOAD2 SOON EV5 ! MO/ CORRUPT
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CDF
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2 =C$ 6GIVE UP XS OLD DR1M ( MANIPULAT+ !
TRADE R\TES 6C5TRAL ,ASIA "? ,AF<ANI/AN1
&! G5]AL POPUL,N CD 2G9 ! TASK ( REBUILD+
_! %ATT]$ L&4 ,ALL T 0 NE$$ 0 6E/ABLI% !
TA/E ( P1CE4 ,A HUNDR$ MILLION DOLL>S WD D
X3 ! BUDGET (! LATE/ ,HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBU/]
'''

  ,AF ! M.TA9S1 ,FAIZ@AB@AD SEEM$ L A
PLACE ( HI< CIVILIZ,N2 YET AG/ X1 ,KABUL 0
A MEGALOPOLIS4 ,I WALK$ 96! T[N 9 ! MORN+
6EXPLORE1 AL;G :AT ,I IMAG9$ WD 9 S1SON 2
L1FY AV5UES1 PA/ A -P.D ": ! WRECKS (
TANKS & >M\R$ VEHICLES _H BE5 PIL$ UP 9
R[S1 "? S"EAL L>GE & DU/Y OP5 SQU>ES1 &
AL;G A ?OR\<F>E ( W9D[.S /ALLS4
  ,X 0 POOR "H4 ,%OPKEEP]S P]*+ 2S _! W>ES
/>$ Z ,I PASS$1 UNA3U/OM$ 6! SI<T (A /RAN-
G]4 ,/OREFRONTS 7 PIL$ ) ASC5D+ R[S (! MO/
BASIC H\SEHOLD GDS1 H>DW>E & SECOND-H&
CLO!S2 A FEW 7 C>PET %OPS4 ,I /OPP$ AT A
=GE ": "O MAN "W$ A BELL[S & TWO O!RS 7
B1T+ A R$-HOT AXEH1D ) SL$GEHAMM]S 9
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CDG
RHY?MIC T&EM1 :ILE A F\R?1 2T BL[S1 TURN$
! GL[+ LUMP ( METAL AT ! 5D (A POLE4
  ,"! 0 A BR1K FIFTY FEET ACR ": ! RIV]
TRICKL$ 9 WAT]Y FISSURES D[N ! SLOPE1 & ,I
HOPP$ F /"O 6/"O 6REGA9 ! %OPS ON ! F>
SIDE4 ,AF HALF A MILE !Y 2CAME PRIVATE
HOMES AG1 & X WD H BE5 EASY 6LOSE YRF 9 !
MAZE ( DIM9I%+ ALLEYS T L$ AWAY F ! MA9
FA@CADE4
  ,6! NOR?WE/ /RET*$ A L;G GRASSY FIELD
DOTT$ ) C.T.S BUMPS1 : CLOS] UP ,I R1LIZ$
0 A HUGE CEMET]Y4 ,2Y X A FLOCK ( GOATS 2+
L$ 96! HILLS /IRR$ A CL\D ( DU/1 &A C>AVAN
( HALF A DOZ5 H1VILY LOAD$ CAMELS FOLL[$
!M 96A D>K & N>R[ GORGE4
  ,I CROSS$ ! RIV] AG & F.D A TRACK L1D+
UPW>DS ": A T1M ( M5 7 C>V+ T]RACES 96!
ROCKY HILLSIDE4 ,? 0 ! WAT]-%EET MANAGE;T
PROJECT ,I _H BE5 TOLD AB4 ,A HALE & ELD]-
LY F>M] SUP]VIS+ ! M5 WAV$ ME ON4 ,PL1S$
AT ! PACE MY LUNGS & LEGS 7 A# 6MANAGE1 ,I
SCRAM#D UPW>DS ON A /EEP GRASSY SLOPE4 ,I
0 AL"O2 ! VIEW OV] ! T[N 0 P]FECT1 & NO "O
WD SEE ME GAZ+ AT XS 9HABITANTS "? MY
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CDH
B9OCUL>S4 ,=A :ILE ,I SAT 9 ! %ELT] ( "S
B\LD]S & WAT*$ ! T9Y _WS ( LIFE 9 ! 5CLOS$
C\RTY>DS ( H\SES1 N )\T A FA9T S5SE ( %AME
AT ? V UN-,AF<AN VIOL,N ( PRIVACY4
  ,FUR!R AL;G ! TRACK N>R[$ 6A GOAT TRAIL
& ,I FOLL[$ X = AB A MILE1 SKIRT+ ! GRASSY
SIDE (! HILL4 ,I WANT$ 6WALK AL;G ! RIDGE
Z Y NORM,Y WD ON A HILLSIDE ABV A T[N1 B
"! 0 A /R+ ( MILIT>Y 9/ALL,NS "! &! ?"\ (A
/RAY M9E HELD ME BACK4 ,AT ! H1D (A PROM-
ONTORY 2N ME ,I CD SEE ! GRASS-COV]$ BUMPS
( :AT LOOK$ L RU9S1 & WOND]$3 ! REMA9S (A
,KU%AN =T OR ,SOVIET >TILL]Y BATT]Y8 ,ON !
F> SIDE (! VALLEY ,I CD SEE :AT RESEM#D
CRUMBL+ CA/LES CL++ 6HI< CLI6S1 & FELT A
PANG ( L;G+ 6/AY 9 ? WILD PLACE =A YE> &
EXPLORE4 ,N"E _H ,I BE5 DRAWN 6A L&SCAPE M
?AN ^! SCULPT$ CANYONS & PLUTONIC PRECI-
PICES OR ! SOLEMN B1UTY (! GRE5-GOLD
SLOPES T GU>D$ !M4
  ,6M1SURE ! 4T.ES 2T S* PLACES AG/ ! OR-
D9>Y SCALE ( MILES GAVE NO S5SE ( _! ISO-
L,N4 ,I _H MET TRIBESM5 :O _H ASK$ IF ,5G-
L& 7 A T[N NE> ,KABUL1 XF A REMOTE 5 PLACE
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CDI
6! MAJOR;Y4 ,AF<ANI/AN'S RURAL SETTLE;TS 7
A HUNDR$ "TS M REMOTE ?AN ! VILLAGES (
,EUROP1N C.TRIES2 M1SUR$ ON ! RELATIVE
SCALE ( REMOTE;S ! C.TRY 0 VA/] ?AN ! :OLE
( ,EUROPE4 ,BRIEFLY ! CLATT] ( ,SOVIET
HELICOPT]S _H BR"\ ! REGION )9 ! ORBIT (!
MOD]N _W1 B _! E*O _H L;G S9CE FAD$4
  ,WALK+ ON1 MY EYE 0 CAU<T 0"S HOLL[ AM-
MUNI;N CAS+S WA%$ F ! HILLTOP 9 A N>R[
GULLEY1 & ,I W&]$ CLOS]4 ,"! 7 LIVE RIFLE
BULLETS & ANTI-AIRCRAFT %ELLS A FOOT L;G2
FUR!R UP "! 7 TANK %ELLS ) ,CYRILLIC M>K-
+S4 ,I ?"\ ( H[ A %EPH]D BOY WD SEE ^! & 2
TEMPT$ 6PUT !M 9 8 POCKET OR ?R[ !M (F !
SLOPE1 & VISUALIZ$ DESPAIR+LY H[ !Y WD 2
WA%$ GRADU,Y D[N ! SLOPE & 5D UP 9 FIELDS
6BE /RUCK "O "D 0! PO9T (A PL\<4
  ,J !N "! 0 A BUR/ ( H1VY-CALIBRE GUNFIRE
S L\D ! AIR SEEM$ 6%AKE4 ,I C[]$ AG/ !
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A GULLY FULL ( HALF-BURI$ EXPLOSIVE DE-
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BUR/ ( FIRE & ,I /RU7L$ )! IMPULSE 6RUN1
CURS+ MYF = BR1K+ MY [N RULE AB L1V+ WELL-
WORN TRACKS1 ESPECI,Y 9 ! VIC9;Y ( MILIT>Y
SITES4 ,I HU4L$ 9 2T "S B\LD]S & TRI$ TO
PLACE ! S\RCE ( FIRE : ! E*O MADE M DI6I-
CULT2 "! 0 A ?IRD BUR/ & ,I R1LIZ$ X M/ H
BE5 A GUN ON ! RIDGE FIFTY FEET ABV ME1 ":
,I CD MAKE \ ! WISP (A MILIT>Y ANT5NA1 & T
MY PRES;E 0 ALM C]TA9LY A CO9CID;E4
  ,!N "! 0 NO S.D B ! RO> (! RIV] F 2L1 &
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SL[LY ACR ! T[N4

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METAL BAS94 ,HE _H "W$ = ,AF<ANAID = S"EAL
YE>S & 0 PREO3UPI$ )! PRO#MS ( SU/A9A# AG-
RICULTURE 9 IMPOV]I%$ >1S S* Z "H 9 !
NOR?4 ,HE EXPLA9$ T EV5 ! MO/ WELL-9T5;N$
RELIEF ORGANIZ,NS _H T5D$ 9 ! PA/ 6?R[
M"OY AT DI6ICULTIES & !N WOND] :Y ?+S
SEEM$ 6GET WORSE AF AN 9ITIAL IMPROVE;T4
,_! MISTAKE 0 6DECIDE ON ! P]CVD PRO#M &
!N DECIDE H[ 6SOLVE X )\T F/ EXAM9+ !
FRAGILE LOCAL ECONOMIC ECOSY/EMS4 ,! BE/
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CEA
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EXP]TISE & RES\RCES : 5A#D !M 6FUNC;N 4AP-
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  ,B ?+S 7 *ANG+4 ,N[1 HE EXPLA9$1 X 0
POLICY 6SIT D[N )! ELD]S (A VILLAGE & ASK
!M :AT _! GRTE/ PRO#MS W]E1 EXAM9+ LOCAL
RES\RCES "? LOCAL EYES 6-E UP ) SOLU;NS4
,E>LI] 9 ! YE> HE _H BE5 9 ! REGION ( ,I%-
KA%EM NE> ! BORD] ) ,TAJIKI/AN1 LOOK+ 9TO
MICRO-HYDROP[] TE*NOLOGIES 6RELIEVE !
PRO#MS ASSOCIAT$ ) DE=E/,N4 ,!Y 7 L;G &
DI6ICULT TRIPS & LOCAL P 7 SUSPICI\S ( _!
MOTIVES4
  8,WE US$ 6-E BACK ) LICE10 HE SD1 Z HE
WRUNG \ A %IRT4 8,Y C'T WA% !M \2 !Y HIDE
9 ! S1MS &! ONLY WAY 6KILL !M IS 6IRON !
CLO!S40
  ,HE SPOKE 9 A QUIET VOICE & ,I 0 IM-
PRESS$ 0HIS G5TLE MANN] & 3SID]$ ANSW]S4
,EV5 6HIS GE/URES "! 0 A CAT-L S(T;S4 ,HE
EMPTI$ ! WAT] 96A SECOND BAS9 & R9S$ (F 8
H&S 9 CL1N WAT] )\T SPILL+ A DROP4 ,HE
SQUEEZ$ ! EXCESS F 8 F+]S Z IF X 7 GOLD
DU/1 & ,I KNEW !N T HE _H SP5T "T 9
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CEB
PRISON4
  ,BRIEFLY HE TALK$ AB ! OLD "TS2 HE _H
BE5 AT ,KABUL UNIV]S;Y :5 ! -MUNI/S >RE/$
HM4 ,I ASK$ HM :Y4 8,!Y DIDN'T NE$ A REA-
SON10 HE SD )\T BITT];S4 8,!Y >RE/$ ANY-
BODY !Y WANT$40 ,HE _H AL BE5 A KE5 MUSI-
CIAN & /UDI$ )A T1*] (! .ROB@AB :O 0 AL A
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ALT]NATELY TE>S ( SAD;S & JOY 6! EYES (!
LI/5]S1 EA* MELODY SUIT$ 6! DI6]5T H\RS (!
NI<T4

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DRA9$ WE/W>DS 96! M.TA9S & ABV XS 9C&ESC5T
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! O!RS TALK$ ANIMAT$LY 9 ! MA9 ROOM ,I F.D
,HAMID QUIETLY /UDY+ A ?ICK VOLUME ON *EM-
I/RY4
  8,NITROG5 DEPLE;N 9 ! SOIL10 HE SD1 TAP-
P+ ! PAGE 2N A L9E ( -PLICAT$ *EMICAL
EQU,NS4 8,>TIFICIAL F]TILIZ]S >5'T VIA#4
,WE NE$ 6F9D LOCAL SUB/ITUTES4 ,LOOK AT
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TURE4 8,%EEP DUNG GR.D ) MU/>D SE$S1 !
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CEC
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DUNG ACT$ Z A B9D]1 &! OIL 9 ! SE$S BURN$
EV5LY = H\RS4 8,WE C LE>N F ? K9D ( ?+10
HE SD1 SMIL+ G5TLY4 ,!N HE %[$ ME PICTURES
( 8 FAMILY1 :O LIV$ 9 ,PAKI/AN1 & PRES5T$
ME )A GIFT = MY DAU<T]4 ,X 0 A JEWELL]Y
BOX MADE F TRANSLUC5T /"O & 9LAID )A T9Y
LAPIS FL[]4
  ,OV] D9N] ! H1D (! PLACE APOLOGIZ$ = N
2+ A# 6BE M HOSPITA#4 ,I _H NO -PLA9TS &
WOND]$ :AT HE M1NT4 ,Z G5TLY Z POSSI# HE 0
REQUE/+ ME 6MOVE ON4 ,HE TALK$ AB ! SUSPI-
CIONS ! /AFF _H 6PUT UP ) F LOCAL P4 ,X 0
N EASY1 HE SD1 "W+ 9 A "P (! C.TRY ": !Y 7
3SID]$ /RANG]S1 DRESS$ DI6]5TLY1 & DROVE
AB 9 A %9Y PICKUP TRUCK4
  8,& Z Y "K10 HE A4$1 8WE >E N /RICTLY
ALL[$ 6H =EIGN GUE/S40 ,HE MADE A VEIL$
5QUIRY 96MY PLANS1 !N APOLOGIZ$ AG AT HAV+
6REQUE/ A NOTE F ME1 3FIRM+ ,I _H /AY$ &
PASS$ SAFELY ONW>DS4
  8,SADLY1 ? IS NORMAL "U ! 3DI;NS10 HE
SD4 ,YET X _H ! FLAV\R ( AN IMPORT$ RITU-
AL1 : ,I'D N 5C.T]$ ELSE":4 ,I GL.ED AT
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CED
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;L4
  ,AWAY F ANY IMM ?R1T X 0 EASY 6=GET ? 0
A C.TRY PROF.DLY TRAUMATIZ$ 0NE>LY TWO
DECADES ( W>4 ,I 0 REM9D$ (! TRAVELL]'S
PRIVILEGE ( IMMUN;Y F :AT"E TR\#S MI<T
GA!R 9 ! WAKE ( 8 PASSAGE4 ,B ) X ? PRIVI-
LEGE C>RI$ ALL ! EXIG5CIES ( MO;N1 EXACT+
AN EQUIVAL5T TOLL ON BO? BODY & _S3 ! BIT-
T]SWEET TA/E ( REP1T$ "P+S1 ! BURD5 ( RCVG
HOSPITAL;Y 2Y ! DES]V$1 ! WE>Y+ RITUAL (
EXPLA9+ "OF 9 A =EIGN LANGUAGE 6/RANG]S1 !
/RESS & SUSP5SE ( REP1T$ W>N+S AB ! WAY
AH1D1 Z WELL Z ! DAILY /RU7LE )! %IFT+
SCALE ( "T1 6^: UN/A# FABRIC ! J\RNEY HELD
A K9D ( MAGNIFY+ GLASS1 /RET*+ X \ UNBE>A-
BLY "U ! 9FLU;E ( DANG] & 3D5S+ X 96RI*
POOLS ( EXP]I;E 9 MO;TS ( -=T4 ,I SIGN$ !
NOTE L ! TRAVELL] :O BUILDS A CAIRN1 A TO-
K5 ( 8 PASS+1 2F MOV+ ON 96! UNC]TA9 GRASP
(! WAY AH1D4

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9 : ! 5TIRE /AFF L9$ UP =A "P+ EMBRACE1 ,I
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CEE
0 DRIV5 96! T[N4 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6L1VE AT
ALL1 & WRE/L$ )! IDEA ( /AY+ ON "S": &
F9D+ "S"O 6/RIKE 96! M.TA9S )4 ,"S":1 "S"O
''' ,9 SPR+"T P]H4 ,X WD 2 B1UTI;L !N4 ,WE
CD TAKE ! ROAD F ,FAIZ@AB@AD1 & ?R1D NOR?-
EA/ T[>DS ,LAKE ,%IVA NE> ! ,TAJIK BORD]1
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  8.,KHER@AB .AST6 ,RU9$60 HE SD4 ,8 H&
TRAC$ A PLUNG+ >C4 8,S _M TRUCKS >E FALL+
(F 96! RIV]4 ,S _M >E DY+40
  ,WE F.D A GIANT .KAMAZ 9 ! T[N1 ALR
LOAD$ & R1DY 6L1VE4 ,MY BAG 0 PASS$ UP &
,I P]*$ ON A BULG+ C>GO ( GOATSK9S & H1VY
5G9E "PS4 ,OPPOSITE ME SAT AN ELD]LY TUR-
BAN$ MAN & ?REE WOM5 9 BLUE .BURQAS4 ,AT !
LA/ M9UTE A %EEP 0 HAUL$ UPW>DS & ?REE M
M5 CLAMB]$ UP ! FRAME (! TRUCK4 ,I WAV$
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BLACK EXHAU/ L A BLA/ FURNACE 96! /REET4
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         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CEF
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! CU/OM>Y PRAY]1 LL GUESS+ T ! MO/ T]RIFY+
POR;N (! J\RNEY 0 AB 62G94





















         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CEG

                   ,SIX

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;S1 ATTA9$ "S"TS 0*N1 M R>ELY 0GR[N-UPS1 &
X -MUNICAT$ XS MAGIC 9 "S DEGREE 6ALL ( U4
    ,]IC ,NEWBY1 ..,A ,%ORT ,WALK 9 ! ,H9-
    DU .,KU%

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TEMP]S & AN EV5TUAL 3S5SUS ( PO9T.S;S4 ,S
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GODS ( W>4
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^: GOATSK9S X APPE>$ 7 ! CAUSE (! HOLD-UP1
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OR S ! SCALE (! TASK 2CAME APP>5T 6ALL--"!
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DIRECTLY ABV !M1 ROCKS Z BIG Z ! H\SES
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COLL>S ( MUD4
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AIRPORT1 ": A TRUCKLOAD ( >M$ TE5AGE BOYS
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PLANE4 ,EV5 AT A 4T.E ,I CD MAKE \ _!
SMILES Z !Y PREP>$ 6SET (F =! FRONT L9ES
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CFJ
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WAT*-SLIT PRISMS REFRACT+ NO?+ B ! EMPTY
SKY4 ,I ?"\ (! GRIM TASK ( HAV+ 6DEF5D !
AIRPORT F ! MUJAH$D9 DUR+ ! W>4 ,& ?\< !
FOLLY (! ,SOVIET P]IOD SEEM$ _WS AWAY N[1
X LIV$ ON PRIVATELY = ME AT S* MO;TS & IG-
NIT$ A CURIOS;Y AB ! FATE ( ,SOVIET SOL-
DI]S Z M* Z _! RESI/]S4 ,FAIZ@AB@AD _H BE5
A KEY /R;GHOLD (! NOR? & FI]CELY 3TE/$ =
YE>S4 ,YET Z WE PASS$ X DID SEEM H>D 6BE-
LIEVE T BATTLES _H BE5 F"\ OV] ^! S]5E
ACRES ( M.TA9 FA/;S1 : 7 Z B1UTI;L & RE-
MOTE Z "O CD IMAG9E4
  ,N F> 2Y1 ! SURFACE (! ROAD 2GAN 6BR1K
UP L ! FRAY+ 5D (A ROPE4 ,SOON X 0 RAK$ )
DEEP & 9T]W1V+ RUTS ( FROZ5 MUD4 ,\R PACE
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SWAY & CR1K L AN OLD GALLEON 9 A RIS+
/ORM4
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GRIPP+ ! METAL CROSSB>S L A *>IOTE]4 ,? 0
N ! ,AF<AN WAY1 : 0 LESS O/5TATI\S4 ,! O!R
PASS5G]S1 L;G IMMUNE 6! NOVELTY & RISKS (
OP5-AIR TRAVEL ON RU9$ ROADS1 HU4L$ /OIC,Y
AG/ ! SIDES4 ,! EXCEP;N 0 ! MAN )! SUN-
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WAT*$ ! ROAD4 ,) 8 BE>D & SC>F & 8 FACE
SET AG/ ! W9D1 HE LOOK$ M SUIT$ 6! SA4LE
(A ,H>LEY ,DAVIDSON4 ,"! 0 "S?+ AB HM ,I
CDN'T PLACE1 &= ONCE ,I 0 DO+ ! GUESS+ AB
"S"O ELSE4

  ,X 0 MID-AFN4 ,ALR ! SUNLI<T L A TIDE _H
2GUN 6SLIP BACK F ! HILLS1 & Z WE 5T]$ A
WIDE GORGE 5CLOS$ 0HI< WALLS ( BROK5 ROCK
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2GAN 6FALL &! ROAD TI<T5$ AG/ ! CLIFF4 ,WE
LUR*$ =W>D1 RIS+ /1DILY1 OV] BRAID$ FURR[S
( MUD Z ! NOTE ( /RA9 F ! 5G9E 2GAN 6GR[1
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L1 HANG+ F ! CLIFF FACE 9 TORTUR$ PL1TS4
,I LOOK$ \ OV] ! :EELS 6SEE H[ M* SPACE WE
_H 6B>GA9 )1 &)A SICK FEEL+ SAW ! TYRES
BULG+ AT ! V $GE (! CLIFF4 ,! RIV] COIL$ A
HUNDR$1 !N TWO1 !N ?REE HUNDR$ FEET 2L1 )-
\T S M* Z A H&HOLD ON ! 9T]V5+ SLOPE4 ,ON
! NE>SIDE (! ROAD ROSE A %E] WALL ( ROCK1
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(! CYL9D]S "U ENORM\S /RA94 ,X 0 L RID+ A
ME*ANIZ$ DRAGON CAU<T AT ! 5D (A LASSO1 XS
BRUTE DET]M9,N TRANSMITT$ 6E S1M & RIVET4
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NOXI\S1 BILL[$ F "UN1? U4 ,X ROLL$ UPW>DS
AG/ ! CLIFF !N D[N AG OV] ! BODY (! TRUCK
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WE CD POSSIBLY 3T9UE4 ,B D>K;S 0 NO OB/A-
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A TE5AGE BOY1 WD L1N F ! OP5 DOOR (! CAB L
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CFC
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! MO/ DANG]\S PO9TS1 YELL+ DIREC;NS BACK
OV] ! RO> (! 5G9E4 ,SOON ALL B A DU/Y YEL-
L[ SWA! ( ROAD 9 ! H1DLI<TS 0 OBSCUR$ 0!
D>K;S4 ,I WASN'T SURE : 0 BETT]2 N 6BE A#
6SEE AH1D & GIVE UP ALL *.E ( MAK+ A LA/-
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ATIVE RELIEF ( N "K+ AT ALL4
  ,I 0 ON ! SIDE NE>E/ ! PRECIPICE1 & "W$
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2GAN 6TOPPLE OV] ! CLIFF1 ,I WD SW+ 6! F>
SIDE ON ! C5TRAL B> (! CANOPY & JUMP FREE
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A K9D ( /EPP+-/"O1 & ,I AB&ON$ ! PLAN \ (
%AME4 ,B X 0 A PO9T.S PLAN2 F/ 2C IF !
:EELS DID SLIP1 "! WD SIMPLY 2 NO "T =
ANY?+2 SECONDLY 2C ,I CD N KEEP UP ! ANXI-
ETY ( ?9K+ AB ! 3SEQU;ES4 ,Y C ONLY 2
AFRAID = S L;G2 AF A L;G M5TAL BATT]+ Y >E
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B S5S$ ^! MO;T>Y PAUSES Z ! PRELUDES 6!
MO/ DANG]\S SEC;NS1 L HAIRP9 B5DS ": !
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! ROAD _H BE5 "PI,Y WA%$ AWAY & 0 SUPPORT$
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WE WD HE> ! PREP>ATORY BUR/S ( ?ROTTLE1 !
SCREE*+ 96F/ GE>1 &! OLD MAN 9 ! BACK WD
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TURN H1V5W>D "? ! DU/ Z WE BANG$ AG/ !
METAL FRAME1 TOO COLD N[ EV5 6GRIP4
  ,! %EEP1 TRAUMATIZ$ 0! T]RI# RIDE1 2CAME
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"T & AG 6XS KNEES4 ,X /A7]$ & FELL REP1T$-
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ROR OV] \R FEET UNTIL ! CANVAS 0 AWA%1 &
TRAIL$ CASCADES ( DROPP+S Z X B\NC$ L AN
ICE-HOCKEY PUCK F SIDE 6SIDE & 5D 65D1 XS
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X 6LIE D[N1 &=A L;G /RET* W>M$ MY FEET "U
XS /OMA*4 ,!N AT ANO!R VIOL5T TILT+ (!
TRUCK X WD REP1T XS FRANTIC EF=TS 6/AY UP-
"R UNTIL F9,Y1 H\RS LAT]1 X GREW TOO EX-
HAU/$ 6C>E4
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  ,9 ! WE/ A SICKLE MOON HUNG L A NOMAD
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REFLECT$ F ! RIV] L ! SCALES (A WRI?+ M]-
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ICE-NE$LES & W9DS 96A =E/ ( SN[-DRAP$ M\N-
TA9 P1KS1 C>V$ 96L1P+ RIDGES & VALLEYS (
HE>T-/OPP+ IMM5S;Y 0GLACI]S (! M.TA9
RANGES T COLLIDE "H1 ! ,PAMIR &! ,H9DU
,KU%4 ,& ON1 2T !M1 ": A VALLEY /RET*$
WE/1 & AL;G XS FLOOR A SNAK+ RIV]1 !
,PAMIR1 AN ICY TORR5T )\T HOPE ( ESCAPE 9
ANY O!R DIREC;N1 IMPRISON$ 2T WALLS R1*+
ON EI SIDE 6TW5TY ?\S& FEET4
  ,S UN=GIV+LY REMOTE2 A /RANGE PLACE =A
FRONTI]1 & M /RANGELY %AP$2 A N>R[ F+] (
L& ONLY A FEW MILES WIDE1 A WILD];S ( GREY
MORA9E /REWN ) B\LD]S ! SIZE ( H\SES1
HEMM$ 9 0HI< CAT>ACTS ( ROCK4 ,? 0 !
,WAKH@AN CORRIDOR1 A /EM-L 9CUR.N F ! L1F-
%AP$ BODY (! C.TRY1 S DESIGN$ Z 6PREV5T !
BORD]S ( TWO ONCE-PR\D EMPIRES F "E T\*+4
  ,X 0 A H>D MORN+'S FLI<T2 WE HU7$ ! VAL-
LEY FLOOR 6/AY 9 ! M>G9,Y ?ICK] AIR1 & N"E
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHJ
SAW ,3CORD P1K OR ,LAKE ,VICTORIA 7,OZ]O
,ZORKUL 6! ,RUSSIANS71 T L"OLIE/ ( LAKES
MAPP$ 9 ! "DS (! ,GRT ,GAME 0M5 ( H]OIC
OBSCUR;Y4
  ,NUMB$ ) COLD WE TORE WE/ = NE>LY A HUN-
DR$ MILES1 UNTIL ,I FELT A NUDGE F ! ,SI-
MOR<'S B1K1 Z HE NO4$ 2Y A W+TIP 6! F/
SIGNS ( HUMAN LIFE F> 2L U4 ,X 0 A T9Y
HAMLET1 J AT ! JUNC;N (! ,PAMIR &!
,WAKH@AN RIV]S4 ,F "H ON1 ,I REMEMB]$1 !
NOR!RN BORD] 0 CALL$ ! ,AB-I ,PANJ ON !
,AF<AN SIDE &! ,PY&ZH 9 ,TAJIKI/AN4
,SPIRES ( ICE-BUTTRESS$ ROCK RE>$ ALL >.D3
6! NOR?1 9 ,TAJIKI/AN1 AT ! 3V]G;E (! ,I%-
KA%EMSKY &! ,YUZHNO ALI*URSKIY M.TA9
RANGES1 & 6! S\?1 9 A L(TY 3F$],N (! HI<E/
P1KS (! ,H9DU ,KU%1 ,NAO%AQ1 ,TIRI* ,M@IR
& ,S>A<R>4
  ,B ON ! VALLEY FLOOR ,I CD N[ MAKE \ "S
WISPS ( SMOKE1 RIS+ F A CLU/] ( MUD-BRICK
H\SES B>ELY 4T+UI%A# F ! E>?4 ,WE BANK$1 J
6BE C]TA91 CIRCL$ AT A ?\S& FEET1 &
GLIMPS$ A =LORN ASSEMBLY ( ANIMALS2 HALF A
DOZ5 SKELETAL ,ROS9ANTES1 "S TWO-HUMP$
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHA
,BACTRIAN CAMELS &A YAK1 XS WILD COAT
MATT$ 9 FROZ5 CLUMPS4
  ,"H ! ,WAKH@AN 0 ONLY T5 MILES WIDE4 ,ON
EI SIDE ! GREY M.TA9 FLANKS >C$ UPW>DS 96!
CL\DS & AL? X 0 T5 MILES WIDE AT ! N>R[E/
PO9T WE SEEM$ 6BE SQUEEZ+ 2T WALLS ( ROCK4
,! F/ PROP] VILLAGES />T$ 6APPE> AT ,ES-
K@A%IM1 ": ! ,PANJ 2GAN A L;G DIV].N 6!
NOR?1 =M+ R\<LY1 Z ,I PICTURE X N[1 A %APE
L A MAMMO?'S H1D1 )! ,WAKH@AN = XS TRUNK4
  ,WE BANK$ NOR? T[>DS ,BADAKH%@AN1 A WILD
& SPECTACUL>LY SCULPT$ REGION ( ROCK &
W9D+ TORR5TS1 FOLL[+ ,POLO'S R\TE 6,*9A 9
REV]SE 7& AT "O MO;T GLIMPS+1 ,I FANCI$1
ON ! FLANKS ( AN 9HOSPITA# SLOPE1 A SPECI-
M5 (! GRT M.TA9 GOAT "ND AF ! WAYW>D
,ITALIAN HMF1 ! MAJE/IC .,OVIS .AMMAN
.POLII74 ,!N AL;G ! VALLEY (! ,W>D@UJ F
,ZEEBAK 6,FAIZ@AB@AD1 WE LOOK$ D[N ON T9Y
VILLAGES CL++ 6XS CORRUGAT$ HEM1 _! BORD]S
FLANK$ ) 9CR1S+LY BROAD] T]RACES ( METICU-
L\SLY CULTIVAT$ FIELDS4
  ,IMP]CEPTIBLY1 ! M.TA9S 7 S(T5+4 ,&
SOON1 L9ES ( POPL> TREES 2GAN 65CLOSE ^!
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHB
T5ACI\SLY MA9TA9$ SETTLE;TS1 A4+ A TRAC]Y
( NATURAL T5D];S 6! SWEEP+ ROCKS4 ,ABV !M
"! 7 PI/A*IO & MULB]RY GROVES ON ! HI<]
SLOPES4 ,A ROAD APPE>$4 ,X WASN'T SURFAC$1
B LOOK$ SOLID 5 = :EEL$ TRANSPORT 0! "T X
R1*$ ! JUNC;N (! ,W>DUJ &! ,KOK*A RIV]S
NE> ! VILLAGE ( ,BAH>AK1 & ": ! BRIDGES
W]5'T WA%$ \ 0! FLOODS (! PREVI\S SPR+1 X
ALL[$--,I GUESS$1 F ! SI<T ( AN ANT-L
TRUCK CREEP+ AL;G X--AN AV]AGE SPE$ ( AB
T5 MILES AN H\R4
  ,F "H A TRIBUT>Y ROAD L$ NOR? T[>DS
,LAKE ,%IVEH1 ": C>AVANS ( NOMADS GA!R$ 9
! SUMM] MON?S1 & ,I FELT A TW+E ( REGRET T
X 0 ! WR;G S1SON 6GLIMPSE !M4 ,B !
,SIMOR<1 S5S+ MY L;G+1 HYPNOTIZ$ ME MO/
MIS*IEV\SLY1 &=A FEW MO;TS ,I CAU<T SI<T
(A /R+ (A ?\S& CAMELS PA4+ AL;G ! DU/Y
TRAIL1 L$ 0H>DY1 SUNBURN$ M5 &1 SWAY+ ABV
!M1 SWA!D 9 BLACK FOLDS1 WOM5 ( H>% & >IS-
TOCRATIC B1UTY4
  ,2Y LAY M M.TA9S1 ?R1D$ 0JADE-COL\R$
TORR5TS SEEK+ REL1SE 2N ! PLUTONIC PRECI-
PICES (! NOR!RNMO/ BORD]1 : LOOP$
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHC
DRAMATIC,Y S\?W>D AG AF SNAK+ 6)9 FIFTY
MILES ( ,KIRGIZ/AN1 & DESC5D$1 SPL9T]+ 96A
NET"W ( WAT]Y FISSURES1 9 ! M MANAGEA# T]-
RITORY ABV ,YANGI ,Q@ALA4
  ,"H1 ": ! M.TA9S EV5TU,Y SURR5D]$ 6!
NOR!RN PLA9S ( ,TURKE/AN1 A DESC5T BR"\
FROZ5 F1!RS 96W>M] AIR1 J ABV A CLU/] (
/RANGE TUMESC;ES T /RET*$ 9L& ": ! ,AB-I
,PANJ 0 JO9$ 0! GRE5I% TORR5T (! ,KO*KA4

  ,WE RE/$ BRIEFLY3 X 0 A GD PLACE =A RE/1
&! ,SIMOR< %OOK 8 F1!RS Z ,I SLIPP$ F 8
BACK 6LOOK OV] ! SITE & DR1M A LL ( HI/O-
RY4 ,WE 7 9 ,BACTRIA N[1 "O (! RI*E/ HIS-
TORICAL OASES ( ALL ,ASIA4 ,XS PA/ 0 RE-
CORD$ 9 GRT] ?AN USUAL DETAIL 0CLASSICAL
HI/ORIANS ON A3.T (! BRIEF B TUMULTU\S IN-
CUR.N 96! REGION 0T BRILLIANT1 *>ISMATIC &
BLOOD?IR/Y "Y ,MAC$ONIAN1 :O TORE "? 9
#CCJ ,,BC AT ! H1D ( AN >MY ( =TY ?\S&1
PAV+ A SANGU9>Y WAY = G5],NS ( ,GREEK SET-
TL]S &! CULTURAL 9FLU;E T WD F> \TLIVE !M4
,YET ! HA/ILY 3/RUCT$ EMPIRE FRACTUR$ QK-
LY AF ,ALEX&]'S D1? 2T ! FEUD+ MON>*S (
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHD
,MAC$ONIA1 ,EGYPT1 ,BACTRIA1 ,P]SIA & ,IN-
DIA1 SURVIV+ ONLY ANO!R TWO HUNDR$ YE>S
AM;G A SU3ES.N ( -PET+ DYNA/IES RUL$ BY
,BACTRIAN & ,9DO-,GREEK K+S4 ,!N1 \ (!
NOR?1 RODE ! NOMADS '''
  ,& TD ALL T REMA9$ (! ,GREEKS' EA/]NMO/
C;Y LAY >.D U 9 A RAMBL+ GRAVEY>D ( S"E$
BU/S & TOPPL$ ,COR9?IAN CAPITOLS4 ,LOCALS
KNEW ! PLACE 0! 5IGMATIC "N ( ,AY ,KHAN\M1
! ,MOON ,WOMAN1 & Z A FAV\RITE HUNT+-GR.D
(! =M] K+4 ,X H9T$ ONLY :ISP]+LY AT :AT 0
ONCE ! L>GE/ ,GREEK C;Y \TSIDE ( ,GREECE1
& 6JUDGE F ! SCALE ( XS MONU;TS1 "O (! MO/
OPUL5T4 ,XS TWO-?\S&-YE> SLEEP 0 RUDELY
BROK5 0,FR5* >*AEOLOGI/S 9 ! #AIFJ'S1 AF
=TY YE>S ( RESE>*4
  ,X 0 LATE MORN+4 ,"! 0 NO S.D B ! FA9T
RU%+ (! RIV]4 ,I SCRAM#D 96"O (! EXCAVAT$
PITS1 ": A LAY] ( C>BONIZ$ RO( TIMB]S H9T$
AT ! C;Y'S F9AL MO;TS4 ,X 0 TEMPT+ 6IMAG9E
! SC5E1 Z ! SITE 0 OV]RUN 0NOMADIC C5TRAL
,ASIAN HORDES R\<LY A HUNDR$ YE>S 2F !
BIR? ( ,*RI/2 ! T]ROR ( XS ,HELL5I/IC OV]-
"LS AT ! VI.N1 ACR ! RIV]1 (! N>R[-EY$ &
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHE
BATTLE-H>D5$ HORSEM5 ADVANC+ 2N A CL\D (
DU/2 ! CRIES ( AL>M R++ "? ! HI< FLUT$
COLONNADES1 ! FRANTIC,Y 9VOK$ PRAY]S AT !
SACR$ 5CLOSURE (! MY/]I\S ,K9EUS1 ! DR1D;L
FLI<T F ! C;Y GATES1 ! TOPPL+ ( POLI%$
/ATUES & DRESS$ ROCK %ATT]+ 9 ! FLAMES &
FALL+1 N"E 6/IR = TWO MILL5NIA1 96RIVULETS
( MOLT5 BRONZE '''
  ,!N OV] G5TL] T]RITORY WE 3T9U$ WE/1 ABV
! S\!RN BANK (! DEEP5+ RIV] :1 REL1S$ N[ F
! WALLS ( ROCK1 0 BORD]$ ) WIDE ALLUVIAL
FLOOD PLA9S4 ,!Y /RET*$ 9 A BROAD & SP>SE-
LY POPULAT$ SWA! ALL ! WAY 6,TURKM5I/AN4
,UN"ND RU9S EROD$ "U U ON ! ?9 & /ONY
SOIL4 ,NE> ! RIV] "! 7 M>%ES & SALT-FLATS2
FUR!R 9L& ,I CD SEE A BELT ( DES]T FLECK$
) /UNT$ TRAGACAN? & TAM>ISK BU%ES1 R1*+ Z
F> Z ! R.D$ FOOTHILLS (! ,TURKE/AN RANGE4
  ,L;G AGO ! 5TIRE >EA MAY H BE5 CULTIVAT$
--PLANTS BLOOM LUXURIANTLY 9 ! SOIL :5
T5D$--B ! IRRIG,N CANALS S VITAL = AGRI-
CULTURE 7 DE/ROY$ 9 SU3ESSIVE 9VA.NS F !
NOR?1 & N[ !Y 7 VISI# ONLY Z BUMPS & TU-
M\RS 9 ! O!RWISE AB&ON$ L&4 ,\ (! B>R5;S1
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHF
! SMALL T[N ( ,TA%GURGAN LOOM$ UP LATE AT
MID"D1 J NOR? (! HI< N>R[ GORGE ":--X M/ H
BE5 "H--,BESSUS WAIT$ 9 VA9 6AMBU% ,ALEX&]
TW5TY-?REE C5TURIES AGO4 ,TA%GURGAN 0 FA-
M\S 9 ,AF<ANI/AN = XS "T.S *>M & BOA/$ !
OLDE/ COV]$ BAZA> 9 ,ASIA1 HALF-DE/ROY$
N[1 X 0 SD1 0,RUSSIAN -M&OS 9 RETALI,N =!
KILL+ ( _! -M&+ (FIC]'S BRO!R4
  ,MAZ>-I ,%>@IF 0 SOON VISI#4 ,\ (!
SPRAWL (! C;Y L$ A /RAI<T ROAD BUSY )
TRUCKS4 ,"! 7 "S RU9S ON ! \TSKIRTS1 : WE
D>$ N L+] OV] = LACK ( "T2 6! NOR?WE/ 9
,BALKH1 ,BACTRIA'S ANCI5T CAPITAL1 WE CD
MAKE \ ! MASSIVE EROD$ RAM"PS (! C;Y
WALLS4 ,B "! 0 LL 6SU7E/ XS =M] GLORY Z "O
(! MO/ 9FLU5TIAL -M]CIAL CAPITALS (! ,EA/4
  ,I FELT AN OLD PANG IGNITE4 ,C5TURIES
AGO1 :ILE ,*RI/IAN;Y 0 / AN \TLAW$ CULT1
,BALKH _H BE5 P]H ! GRTE/ TRANS-3T95TAL
C>AVAN-.SERAI (! ANCI5T _W4 ,X 0 AL ! F]-
TILE CRADLE (A -PLICAT$ CULTURAL MATRIX1
": LOCAL & IMPORT$ RELIGIONS FUS$ )! IRRE-
SI/I# MONO!ISM ( LAT] RELIGIONS1 SPAWN+
EXOTIC PAN!ONS ( DEITIES4
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHG
  ,BALKH 0 ALR AN IMPORTANT ,ZOROA/RIAN
C5TRE :5 ,ALEX&] R1*$ X 9 #CBI ,,BC4
,FITT+LY1 X 0 "H T ,ALEX&] IS SD 6H TAK5
,ROXANNE1 ! DAU<T] (A ,BACTRIAN L1D]1 Z 8
BRIDE1 & 6H /AG$ "O (! M O/5TATI\S M>-
RIAGES 9 HI/ORY1 CLAIM+ HMF 6BE A GOD 9 !
PROCESS4 ,FIVE YE>S LAT] ,ALEX&] 0 D1D2 B
! SUMPTU\S SETTLE;T HE REBUILT 0 CALL$ !
8,"M ( ,CITIES0 0! ,>ABS :O OV]RAN X 9
#FDE4 ,XS GRT;S WD 5DURE UNTIL ! >RIVAL (
,*+IZ ,KHAN1 :O CROSS$ ! ,OXUS NE>BY )A
HUNDR$ ?\S& ,M;GOL TROOPS 9 #ABBJ4 ,! DEV-
A/,N T FOLL[$ 0 TOTAL1 & ,BALKH &! SURR.D+
REGION N"E RECOV]$4
  ,WE FLEW ON OV] UNMAPP$ POOLS ( OIL BUB-
BL+ L 9K/A9S 96! S&S NE> ! NOR?WE/ BORD]1
TURN$ S\? OV] ! GAS FIELDS ( ,%IB]GAN1 &
GLIMPS$ ! HOLL[ TOMBS (! ,KU%AN NO#S UN-
E>!D AT NE>BY ,TILYA ,TEPE )A HO>D ( OV]
#BJ1JJJ >TEFACTS1 MO/LY GOLD1 0,SOVIET >-
*AEOLOGI/S 9 #AIGH4 ,WE SAW ! EM]ALD-
COL\R$ NOR!RN FOOTHILLS &1 9 _! POPL>-
HEMM$ FOLDS1 HI<-*EEK$ ,UZBEK F>M]S W9N[+
:1T L ! SPRAY ( F.TA9S ( AMB]4 ,"! 0 NO "T
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHH
6PASS OV] ,&OKHOY1 FIFTY MILES 6! NOR?WE/
7WAS ? ! ,BACTRIAN C;Y F.D$ 0,ALEX&]1 DE-
/ROY$ 0B>B>IANS1 REBUILT EPONYM\SLY 0,AN-
TIO*US SON ( ,SELEUCUS1 & PEOPL$ )! COLONY
( ,SYRIANS F :OM ! ,S@UR@I DYNA/Y ( ,<OR1
:O =G$ AN EMPIRE Z F> Z ,9DIA 9 ! TWELF?
C5TURY1 TOOK _! "N874 ,WE FOLL[$ 9/1D !
SUMM] R\TE ( NOMADS T[>DS ! M.TA9S (!
,TURKE/AN RANGE1 & LEFT ! PLA9S =! RIS+
*AP>RAL C.TRY (! NOR!RN FOOTHILLS1 "?
SCATT]$ =E/S ( P9E & W9D+ V]TICAL CANYONS
( LAY]$ ROCK4 ,"H AG ! ROADS FAD$ 6R\<
TRACKS MANAGEA# ONLY 0JEEP4 ,G"O 7 !
SPRAWL+ SETTLE;TS (! NOR!RN L[L&S2 "H "! 7
ONLY VILLAGES L9K$ 0PRECIPIT\S TRAILS1
CL++ L LIMPETS 9 M.TA9 CREVICES4
  ,I FELT ! AIR COOL AG Z WE APPROA*$ !
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TIVELY L[ RANGE = ,AF<ANI/AN B1 EV5 S1 IM-
PASSA# 0ROAD 9 W9T]4 ,! EI<T-?\S&-FOOT
SA4LE 0 :ITE ) SN[ & ,I DUG MY H&S 2N !
,SIMOR<'S F1!RS1 & DREW !M \ ONLY AF WE _H
SWOOP$ D[N AG 96! ,KHORASSANIAN PLA94 ,!N
WE BORE T[>DS ,H]AT1 PASS+ OV] ! NIPPLE-
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CHI
%AP$ RO(S (! \TLY+ ,F@ARSIW@AN T]RITORIES1
UNTIL WE GLIMPS$ ! TWO HUNDR$-FOOT HI<
TURQUOISE ,T@IM@URID T[]S RIS+ F ! BROAD &
ONCE-PROSP]\S VALLEY4
  ,H]AT TOO _H BE5 A GRT JEWEL 9 ! /R+ (
,SILK ,R\TE CITIES1 A SETTLE;T BORN \ (!
MI/S ( PREHI/ORY2 A FA#D PLACE T _H FIGUR$
3SPICU\SLY 9 E P]IOD ( ,AF<AN HI/ORY4 ,Z A
CULTURAL C5TRE 9 ! ,T@IM@URID ]A X _H NO
RIVAL2 VISIT+ EMBASSIES CAME & W5T F ,*9A
6,ROME1 EX*ANG+ ROYAL TR9KETS ( TIG]S &
HORSES4 ,9 ! N9ETE5? C5TURY X 0 SAV$ F !
,P]SIAN >MY 0AN ,IRI%MAN2 LAT] ! ,BRITI%
DE/ROY$ XS MO/ GLORI\S MONU;TS 9 A ,RUSSO-
PHOBIC PANIC4 ,9 #AIGH T5 ?\S& ,AF<ANS 7
KILL$ "! 9 AN UPRIS+ AG/ ! -MUNI/S1 SP>K+
! ,SOVIET 9VA.N4
  ,! ,SIMOR< NO4$ T[>DS ! EA/1 Z IF 6ASK A
"Q2 YES1 X 0 TEMPT+ 6CUT 96! C5TRAL REGION
(! ,HAZ@ARAJAT1 A REGION S TANTALIZ+ Z TO
DES]VE EXPLOR,N1 B )\T A LOCAL GUIDE ,I
S5S$ EV5 ! ,SIMOR< 0 RELUCTANT 6TRY !
R\TE4 ,EV5 F ! AIR X WD 2 A *ALL5GE 6FOLL[
! W9D+ M.TA9 TRAILS3 X WD H 6WAIT4 ,WE
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CIJ
FOLL[$ F \R AIRBORNE OBS]VATORY ! OLD CIR-
CUL> ROAD 9/1D1 & H1D$ S\? AL;G X 6,Q&AH>1
96,PA?AN T]RITORY1 T[>DS ! DES]TS ": !
..B@AD-I SAD O B@IST .R@UZ1 ! #ABJ-"D W9D1
BL[S VICI\SLY 9 ! SUMM] MON?S OV] ! B>R5
FLOORS ( EXT9CT LAKES4
  ,X 0 ! R\TE TAK5 0! ,M;GOL >MIES 9
#ABBA2 !Y _H BR"\ DEVA/,N 6! SETTLE;TS
AL;G _! WAY4 ,CITIES BUILT "U ! ,<AZNAVID
,SULTAN ,MAHM\D1 & LIK5$ 6,P>ADISE 0,>AB
HI/ORIANS1 LAY 2N U 9 RU9S2 AT ! JUNC;N (!
,HELM& & ,><&AB RIV]S ! ROYAL CA/LES (!
,SULTAN'S W9T] QU>T]S SPRAWL$ 9 DESOLATE
SPL5D\R4 ,_! F.D]1 ! FAM\S SLAVE-K+ (
,TURKI% DESC5T1 0 "O (! MO/ BRILLIANT G5]-
ALS (! ,ISLAMIC _W4 ,AT ! TURN (! ELEV5?
C5TURY HE SWEPT \ ! ,BU4HI/ RUL]S ( S\!RN
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,IRAN2 9 8 SP>E "T HE SURR.D$ HMF )A ?\S&
S*OL>S & F\R HUNDR$ POETS 9 8 CAPITAL AT
,<AZNI1 ": PILLAG$ ,H9DU /ATU>Y 0 US$ TO
BUILD ! ?RE%OLDS (! C;Y'S MOSQUES4
  ,EV5 9 W9T] X 0 W>M "!2 ,AF<ANI/AN'S
CLIMATE1 Z -PLEX Z ! L&SCAPE1 F9DS "H XS
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CIA
OPPOSITE POLE F ! ICE-B.D R1*ES (! NOR?-
EA/4 ,N F> AWAY LAY ! LIFE.S ,DA%T-I ,M>-
GO1 ! ,DES]T ( ,D1?1 AN UNEXPLOR$ EXPANSE
( VOLCANIC PEB#S1 POLI%$ 5D.SLY 0S& & IM-
PLACA# W9DS4 ,X M/ H BE5 A TRULY T]RI#
PLACE =A BATTLE2 ! ,BRITI% SU6]$ "O ( _!
WOR/ DEF1TS "H 9 ! SUMM] ( #AHHJ3 ,MAIW&4
  ,TAM>ISK & CAMEL-?ORN >E ALL T GREW 2T !
DUNES & %ALE-/REWN FLATS ( NEI<B\R+ ,REGI-
/AN1 ! ,L& ( ,S&S1 B NE>+ ! S\!RNMO/ C;Y
WE LOOK$ OV] S1SONAL LAKES & M>%ES ": !
RIV]S F.D EV5TUAL REL1SE F ! M.TA9S (! IN-
T]IOR4 ,X 0 LATE AFN :5 WE /OPP$ 6PRE5 DU/
F F1!RS AT ,Q&AH> AIRPORT1 ! REFUELL+ PO9T
5VISAG$ 0,AM]ICAN COLD-W> /RATEGI/S = NU-
CLE> BOMB]S ON _! WAY 6T>GETS DEEP 9SIDE !
,SOVIET ,UNION4
  ,0N[ ,I 0 IMPATI5T 6R1* ,KABUL3 \R MY?I-
CAL "D 0 DRAW+ 6A CLOSE4 ,S WE H1D$ ALM
EXACTLY NOR?EA/ OV] ! S\!RN M.TA9S (!
,PA?AN HE>TL&2 "S": D[N "! SNAK$ ! "E-
3T5TI\S ,DUR& ,L9E4 ,9 PLACES AN UNMISTAK-
A# PUNG;E1 ,I 0 SURE ( X N[1 ROSE UP ON
SUBTROPICAL !RMALS F ! POPPY FIELDS 9
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CIB
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ODITUS'S ,PAKTYIKA (! ?IRTE5? SATRAPY87 WE
CAU<T ! SC5T ( P9E LIFT$ ON ALP9E BREEZES4
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LAD5 ) FRUITS1 NUTS1 ANIMAL HIDES1 TIMB]1
FUEL1 GUNS & DRUGS PLY+ 9 BO? DIREC;NS4
,FLANK+ ! ILL-FAT$ HI<WAY ON EI SIDE
/RET*$ MILE AF MILE ( RU9S4 ,ALL ! WAY 6!
CAPITAL1 ! BURN$-\1 /RIPP$ HULKS ( TANKS &
>M\R$ VEHICLES LITT]$ ! V]GES4 ,& 9 C.T.S
PLACES ,I CD MAKE \ A /RANGE SI<T H>D 6NO-
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9 BATTLES T _H LEFT _! VIOL5T SIGNATURES
IMPRESS$ 96! E>?4 ,9 E DIREC;N >.D ^! =M]
MILIT>Y PO/S & 9/ALL,NS /RET*$ RAY-L L9ES
( CRAT]S1 EA* "O ! IMPR9T (A FALL5 %ELL OR
MORT> R.D4 ,! E6ECT 0 CURI\SLY EVOCATIVE2
!Y LOOK$ L T9Y POR;NS (! SURFACE (! MOON1
OR ! CORPSES ( AB&ON$ />S4
  ,! DE/RUC;N R1*$ A DESOLATE CLIMAX 9
,KABUL1 ": ! S\? & S\?WE/ (! C;Y LAY ALM
-PLETELY 9 RUB#4 ,YET EV5 "H1 ": "O MI<T
L1/ EXPECT1 WE FLEW C>E;LLY 6AVOID ! /R+S
         ,,AN ,,UNEXPECT$ ,,LI<T      #CIC
( *N'S KITES1 & 3T9U$ OV] ! M.TA9-R+$ CAP-
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