While the rest of his crew wandered around the city and made detailed notes about all the Amir statuary, William and Sammy were dragged out to the Daşoguz Desert by his
half-brother. There he saw a fire that Amir said had been burning forever, since before even before the Great Khan was born. Telling a series of larger and larger tales of his exploits in the region, Amir let William know this was his happy place. He said, when he had setbacks and didn’t achieve the carnage and looting he was aiming for he’d hang out here, watching the flames, imagining singeing cats or burning his foes, while blowing bubbles with his Amir the Conquerer brand bubblegum.
William was really not a fan – like, who’s that mean to cats?? – but the fire kept things warm, and since he always had some sweet biscuits, chocolate and marshmallows on hand, he made s’mores for him and Sammy while he let Amir tire himself out.