O: ARTHUR: By the River Tigris, 1876

Arthur begins his arduous journey in August 1876, traveling from Nineveh to Castrum Kefa, where the oppressive heat makes it difficult for him to eat. The journey is made all the more challenging by the harsh conditions, and his sustenance consists mostly of dates, flatbreads, and camel’s milk. Accompanied by his guide, Mahmoud, they set out under the cover of night, the cooler hours offering them a reprieve from the scorching desert heat. As they travel across the barren landscape, the night brings an eerie calm, with the moonlight illuminating the terrain and making it feel as if it’s alive. Although Mahmoud warns Arthur of the dangers of traveling at night, Arthur is captivated by the serenity, his mind wandering through the ages, imagining the civilizations that once thrived under the very same sky.

Throughout their journey, Arthur is drawn into deep contemplation, reflecting on the land’s once-immense glory. What was once a land filled with prosperous cities and fertile soils has now been reduced to a dry, unforgiving desert. The contrast of what was with what is, deeply affects Arthur, as he considers how human greed, power struggles, and environmental mismanagement have all played roles in the devastation of this once-thriving civilization. This realization shifts his perception of civilization itself, seeing it no longer as a stronghold of advancement but as a fragile, unstable construct that could easily collapse under its own weight. The ruins around him become a poignant symbol of what can happen when societies fall victim to their own vices.

During their travels, Arthur and Mahmoud pass through a village struck by cholera, a tragic sight that stirs memories of his own personal losses. Seeing the suffering of those around him, Arthur urges Mahmoud to seek medical assistance, only to be met with the bitter reality that no doctor will come to their aid. Mahmoud, in a solemn and respectful gesture, begins to pray for the afflicted, a moment that fills Arthur with a quiet comfort despite his own struggles with faith. Arthur, in his heart, is torn between seeking solace in religion and recognizing the harshness of reality, where faith often offers little in the face of such overwhelming suffering. These moments highlight the profound isolation Arthur feels as he contemplates the fragility of life and the inability to truly heal the wounds of the world.

As the journey continues, Arthur becomes increasingly fixated on reaching Castrum Kefa, where he hopes to check on Leila, the woman he believes he is meant to be with. However, Mahmoud’s counsel to turn back rings in Arthur’s ears, questioning the impracticality of his quest. Mahmoud’s reference to the story of Layla and Majnun, a tale of unattainable love, strikes a deep chord within Arthur, reminding him that his own obsession with Leila mirrors the tragic romance of Majnun. The realization that he is pursuing an impossible love adds weight to his already troubled heart, but despite his inner conflict, he refuses to turn back.

Eventually, after a difficult conversation with Mahmoud, Arthur decides to continue his journey alone, determined to press on regardless of the risks. However, he soon succumbs to a severe illness, suffering from dysentery, and finds himself in a weakened state. Mahmoud, despite his earlier advice to return, shows unwavering loyalty, seeking Arthur out and insisting on accompanying him through the last stretch of the journey. As they near Castrum Kefa, Arthur’s strength fades, and Mahmoud is forced to carry him to a nearby shepherd’s hut, where they seek refuge. Mahmoud, ever faithful, watches over Arthur, tending to him as he drifts in and out of consciousness.

In his feverish delirium, Arthur experiences visions of his past, where both cherished memories and painful losses resurface. Among these muddled memories, a thief enters the hut and steals a prized blue tablet from Arthur’s belongings, a seemingly small act that carries much greater significance. The theft of the tablet serves as a subtle reminder that even in the midst of his physical decline, the past continues to shape Arthur’s journey. It is a symbol of the long-lasting impact of his experiences and the history that has been woven into the fabric of his life, showing that no matter how much time passes, the past remains an inescapable force.