The tribal chieftain tells Santiago a story about the tribe's tradition, which says that the oases are neutral ground and therefore safe from attack. However, he assures Santiago that they always listen to the omens of the desert, and so he tells him that the next day they will break the commitment of carrying no arms at the oasis and be on the alert for enemies. He promises to reward Santiago with gold pieces if he has read the omens correctly.
Santiago leaves the chieftain and encounters a powerful, intimidating stranger on horseback, who terrifies him at swordpoint. The stranger turns out to be the alchemist, who demands to know who is reading the omens in the hawk's flight. He is testing the boy's courage, which he says is the essential.....
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