The Oasis is not a respite from omens

In this section, Santiago meets Fatima, a beautiful young girl. He immediately tells Fatima that he will marry her and surprisingly, Fatima, concedes after talking with Santiago each day when they meet at the well. Perhaps, Fatima is his treasure. She urges him to complete his personal quest and she will wait for him. While discussing the books, the Englishman explains that the “alchemists spent years in their laboratories, observing the fire that purified the metals. They spent so much time close to the fire that gradually they gave up the vanities of the world. They discovered that the purification of the metals had led to a purification of themselves.” As a woman of the desert, Fatima understands that in order to understand himself, Santiago must experience his personal legend. If he does not, then he will never be complete. At the end of this section, Santiago watches as two hawks attack each other and he visits the chieftans to tell them about his vision. According to the camel driver, the tribal leaders are skilled in the way of omens. Santiago thinks that his vision is a harbinger of war approaching the oasis.