Summarize page 89-117

In this section, the caravan rolls on toward the oasis. As the Englishman attempts to observe the desert and learn its language, Santiago reads the Englishman's books and learns about alchemy. The Englishman tells him that the goal of alchemists is to purify metal by heating it for many years until all its individual properties are burned away. The substance left over is called the Soul of the World. This is the language in which all things are said to communicate. The discovery itself, he says, is called the Master Work. When Santiago hears this, he asks why they do not simply observe men and omens and learn about the universal language that way. This comment irritates the Englishman, who declares that Santiago oversimplifies everything.

Santiago learns that the liquid half of the Master Work is called the Elixir of Life. The solid part is called the Philosopher's Stone. Santiago becomes more interested in the Philosopher's Stone when he learns that a small piece of it will transform large amounts of any metal into gold. Learning more about the Master Work confuses Santiago. He thinks that the alchemists overcomplicate everything. The Englishman wants him to appreciate the responsibility that comes with learning how to transform lead into gold. Santiago reads all his books and disappoints the Englishman by concluding that although they contain great teachings, everything in them "could be written on the surface of an emerald." Santiago realizes that although they have different ways of learning, they are both seeking their destinies.

The camel driver whom Santiago has befriended seems to be the only one who is not afraid of the increasing tensions and talk of war. He tells Santiago that living in the present moment is the way he stays happy. The caravan finally reaches the oasis, which is filled with date palms, water and shade. Santiago knows he still has a long way to travel to reach the pyramids. The alchemist is waiting at the oasis, already aware that it has brought him another apprentice with whom he must share some of his secrets.

The oasis is a safe refuge from the desert wars. All oases are considered neutral ground because they are home to women and children. To Santiago's surprise, the Englishman hands over a revolver when the caravan driver asks for all weapons. He tells Santiago that it helps him to trust in people. The Englishman, who is anxious to finally meet the alchemist, asks Santiago to help him locate the alchemist. They have some difficulty finding him. Santiago then meets a beautiful girl at the well. Their eyes meet, and she smiles. He falls in love with her at first sight. He recognizes love as the Language of the World. He asks if she knows where the alchemist lives. She points him in the right direction.

Later, the Englishman tells Santiago about his meeting with the alchemist. When he said that he wanted to learn how to turn lead into gold, the alchemist simply told him to try doing it. Santiago feels sorry for the Englishman but encourages him to try. The caravan driver tells them that there is no way of knowing how long this war will last. It is a battle for the balance of power, not a war between good and evil. He says Allah is on both sides.

When the Englishman builds a furnace outside his tent and begins taking the first steps toward turning lead into gold, Santiago notices that he has gained enthusiasm and energy that reading his books never gave him. While Santiago contemplates love without ownership, he spontaneously finds himself able to read the Soul of the World in a flight of hawks. The vision shows him an attacking army. He senses that he has seen an omen about something that will definitely occur. He tells the camel driver about his vision, and the camel driver relates a story about having gone to a seer, or wise man, in order to learn the future. The seer told him that the future is rarely revealed, and then only because God wants it to be altered. Disturbed by the omen, Santiago decides to go tell the chiefs of the desert tribes about it.