Arthur finds himself caught in a precarious situation by the River Tigris in August of 1876. With the city of Nineveh engulfed in the devastation of a spreading plague and cholera, Arthur is unable to continue his work. Struggling with the isolation and the mounting pressures of his mission, he decides to send a telegram to the Trustees of the British Museum, requesting an early end to his expedition. His hope for relief is dashed when he receives a brief and impersonal reply from S. McAllister Jones, the Museum’s secretary, emphasizing caution but offering no solution to Arthur’s desire to return home. Left without the escape he so desperately craves, Arthur feels increasingly trapped, his quest for discovery weighing heavily on his spirit. He finds solace only in the discarded remnants of past archaeological teams, sifting through chipped pottery and ancient tiles that no one else had cared to examine.

As Arthur sorts through the debris, he stumbles upon a striking cobalt tablet—an unexpected treasure that piques his curiosity. This tablet, part of the Epic of Gilgamesh, holds a portion of the story that Arthur has never encountered before, revealing a deeply resonant theme of loss. The text speaks of Gilgamesh returning home a broken man, struggling with the weight of his experiences, and in the midst of his sorrow, Arthur finds a reflection of his own inner turmoil. The tablet is particularly captivating due to its dedication to Nisaba, a mysterious goddess, rather than the typical deity, Nabu. Arthur, lost in thought, reflects on the importance of rivers in Mesopotamian culture, realizing that they represent much more than mere geographical features. They serve as vital lifelines connecting the past with the present, embodying the cycles of life and death, as well as the grief and loss inherent to the human condition. This insight deepens Arthur’s understanding of the civilizations that once thrived along the Tigris and Euphrates, and how their stories are still intertwined with the landscape today.

Amid these reflections, Mahmoud arrives with startling news: a young Yazidi woman has been seen traveling alone in the area. Arthur’s mind immediately jumps to Leila, a woman who had once prophesied disaster, and his hope flares up at the thought of finding her. Mahmoud, however, cautions him against the dangers of chasing this lead, noting that such pursuits often end in disappointment and danger. But Arthur, driven by the hope of finally finding Leila, insists on setting out for Castrum Kefa, where Leila’s sister is said to reside. Determined to follow this thread of hope despite the potential risks, Arthur prepares for the journey with renewed purpose. Mahmoud, seeing that Arthur’s determination is unwavering, reluctantly agrees to accompany him, understanding the dangers of venturing into the unknown alone.

The journey begins in mid-August, with Arthur and Mahmoud traveling through the arid landscape along the River Tigris, leaving behind the ruins of Nineveh. Arthur’s body is weary, but his spirit is reinvigorated by the thought of finally finding Leila and perhaps discovering answers to the questions that have plagued him for years. As they move further from Nineveh, the land becomes more desolate, yet Arthur feels a connection to the ancient history that still lingers in the sand. Each step brings him closer to the past and to the truth he seeks, not only about the woman he is searching for but also about himself. In this journey, Arthur is not just chasing a woman who might never be found, but he is also grappling with the echoes of his own life, the mistakes he has made, and the redemption he longs for. As they head toward Castrum Kefa, Arthur faces the inevitability of the unknown, a man in search of answers, hope, and closure.