As they travel toward the pyramids, Santiago and the alchemist are taken prisoner by a tribe engaged in the desert wars. The alchemist bargains for their lives by asking that they be given three days to let Santiago demonstrate that he can turn himself into the wind. As Santiago attempts this, the wind blows fiercely. While the other tribesmen beg to end the storm, the general insists that he wants to see the power of Allah, and won’t give up until Santiago succeeds. Once Santiago succeeds, the general honors his promise and frees him and the alchemist.