Summary

After Atal left the firebase, Aziz and Mortaza went to their barrack instead of to dinner. Mortaza told Aziz he’d joined the Special Lashkar because of the foolishness of the elders of his village, somewhat like the foolishness of Haji Jan. Their town had been offered protection in exchange for extra taxes but the elders of the town had chosen not to choose. Their town was hit by mortars and their house destroyed. Mortaza’s mother was dug out from the rubble. She died before Mortaza was able to pull his sister from a tree into which she had been blown. The elders refused to take a side, even after the violence done to their village. Mortaza had joined the Special Lashka because they promised badal, which the elders would not do. Mortaza then asked Aziz if he thought their desire for...