Chapter 16

the chapter starts with Anand poring over the question trying to figure what is most important. He thinks about what virtue each of his companions would choose. When the voice asks him for the answer Anand replies that he hasn't chose any of the virtues. when the voice asks why Anand replies that each of the virtues on its own is worthless and a person needs all three. The voice goes silent and Anand assumes he has failed. He places the conch down and starts to walk away when the voice says that he has answered correctly. The base of the mountain opens and three men walk out. They tell him to some quickly for the auspicious moment of sunrise will pass. Anand asks if he can bring his companions and the men say no because Abhaydatta is of no use to the brotherhood and Nisha has already been contaminated by Surabhanu and a seed of evil may remain. They tell Anand that they will send Abhaydatta and Nisha down to a local village where they will be cared for but will forget the whole journey. Anand makes up his mind and says that he will go with his companions because he cant abandon them after all this time. Then he hands over the conch and sits down in the snow next to his companions. The next thing he knows a healer is telling him that he has passed all expectations and that he and his companions may come into the silver valley. The chapter ends with Anand being led to the great hall and the chief healer welcoming him.

This is probably the best chapter yet because the quest is finally over. No more sulking for Anand no more hardships for the company and sadly no more story. There are three more chapters but i think that they will be shallow chapters just there to wrap up this book. But i wonder what would have happened if one of the company (Anand Nisha and Abhaydatta) wasn't there? Would there even be a quest in the first place? And what if the book followed Abhaydatta through his travels and not Anand?