Gold Dust recoiled from the loose folds that hung from the woman’s arms and resembled gray dough. She was amazed the old one didn’t cover herself like other women. She feared her hands would, of their own accord, spring out of the woman’s and snatch a piece of her flesh to mold it into a less offensive shape.

Rebekah elbowed Gold Dust, motioning for her to start.

Gold Dust had learned her lesson well “Ancient One, how did evil first come to our world?”

By some miracle, mossy decades suddenly dropped from the old woman and in a strong voice she cried, “That was a terrible time when demons burst upon the world. Zahak, the demon of Deceit, his body brimming with lizards and scorpions and other vile creatures, had the audacity to offer sacrifices to heaven to allow him to depopulate our earth.” She struggled to regain her breath. Staring at Gold Dust, she searched for the virtue of inquisitiveness, a trait she cherished above all else.

Wonder replaced the tremble in Gold Dust’s voice. “Holy One, where is Zahak now?”

The Ancient Zoroastrian stretched her lips in a dry smile. “Don’t ever lose your curiosity, Tinkling Child.” She was fond of this girl, who at a young age had cultivated the art of questioning. “Zahak is on Mount Damavand, where the hero Thraetaona imprisoned him. He will remain there until the end of history. Then he will attack again, devour creatures, and smite fire until the resurrected Keresaspa will eliminate him. Then good will overcome evil, poverty will not be a shame, and women will find love in noble hearts, not in power and overflowing pockets….”

Rebekah’s disapproving touch weighted the woman’s shoulder down. She was not here with her daughter to hear lessons in ethics and imaginary worlds of moral hearts where power and wealth were scorned.

The old woman felt the pressure of Rebekah’s hand. Her gnarled finger traced the outline of Gold Dust’s waist, her young hips and slim thighs. “You are maturing, child. Would you like to know what Ahura Mazda has inscribed for you?”

“I would be honored,” Gold Dust replied.

The Ancient Zoroastrian’s gaze probed the fire, her tongue wriggling in and out of her toothless mouth as if it were a fish tossed ashore. “Holy flames and beneficent light, which banishes the darkness of your adversary Ahriman, show me the truth. High heavens, deep oceans, and mighty mountains, reveal Mazda’s sacred flames.”

Rebekah stared into the fire. “I see them. I see wisdom, power, wealth … and much more…. What is this I see?”

Tall men with flowing capes and fancy aigrettes surfaced, then melted back into the fire. Naked men with hard bodies and kind eyes quivered into being, carved their shapes into the flames, then faded.

“I see a tightrope walker with hair of fire,” the old woman murmured.

Gold Dust jumped up to inspect the images for herself. Rebekah’s grip held her back.