"Anywhere. Wherever their duties and their destinies call them." "_What_, exactly, is a Great One?" "A child of God who, through his own efforts, has prepared himself--or herself--for greater understanding of God's laws; for deeper awareness. With this of course, comes greater responsibilities, and greater achievements." "I have heard that there are men in India--" "Why necessarily India?" "--that there are men on this earth who can walk on water; who can pass through solid substances. Is there any truth in that?" "I do not know. I have never met such a person." "Do you believe that such persons exist?" "The answer to that is difficult. Do you have complete understanding of all natural laws? All God's laws?" "No. I have very little knowledge of them." "Then I might put it this way: A man walking through solid matter would seem to you to be violating a natural law. But a trick of elementary sleight-of-hand--the vanishing of a coin--could appear the same to a child. So perhaps the answer lies in comparatively greater understanding." Lee regarded Abat Krishna. Abat Krishna calmly regarded the heavens. Lee said, "But the _greatest_ Great One of all is the man with the golden eyes. Am I correct?" "You are correct." "I seek him." "A worthy endeavor. I have sought him for many years." "But I know where he is." "You are indeed fortunate." "I saw him in what many might consider a dream. But I know it was not a dream!" "I'm sure it was not." "I saw him in a cave high in one of the Himalaya Mountains." "There are many mountains in the chain." "I shall find the right one." "I'm sure you shall." Lee leaned forward. "You said you seek him too. Then come with me." "I cannot. Each man follows his own destiny." "And yours--?" "To sit and study the heavens until I find myself worthy of lowering my eyes." "A strange destiny." "All destinies are strange." "I am selfish enough to ask your help." "I have none to give." "No advice?" "One inconsequential bit perhaps. To the east is a settlement called Almora. Trading caravans leave from there for the higher country--and across." "Thank you." "The goat is ready to be milked. Refresh yourself before you go...." * * * * * Now Almora was far behind. And far behind was the trading caravan and the men who took his money and left him to die many days later in the cold foothills. But he had not died. And far behind were the more kindly natives of the colder, windier places who clothed and fed him, treating him as a mad child rather than a man. He left them and they shrugged and let him go. As though perhaps they had seen other mad ones go before him.