Chapter 9

The chapter starts with Anand getting woken up by Nisha saying that they were ready to go. Abhaydatta hands the owner a thick wad of bills saying to spend it cautiously so people don't ask too many questions. They board a train and as they ride Abhaydatta tells them a story about a one-eyed deer who died because it did not keep an eye on the river but only on the forest. They get down at Ranipur and Abhaydatta buys them all warm clothing and food. He also buys Anand a drink but Anand only toys with his food. They keep walking and soon they are out of town on a narrow perilous road where if u slipped u could fall to your death. Suddenly Abhaydatta disappears but after a few minutes they find him in a small cavern in the rock. The chapter ends with Anand recounting the story of last night's dream and ending by saying that he must leave so that he doesn't comprimise the safety of the company. The last thing Abhaydatta says is that he needs both his assistants help and that to help him gather twigs to start a fire.

I have mixed feelings about this chapter because i don't like the sulking of Anand. But i do like the part where Abhaydatta hides in the cavern as a test. I was surprised that Anand or Nisha didn't take the initiative and do something about Abhaydatta's apparent disappearance. I wonder what would happen though if Abhaydatta actually does get ambushed or is forced to leave.