Graduates of Ravan’s madrasa were considered among the world’s best priests, and Arianos had been offered positions in Attan’s fanciest temples when he returned home. He turned down all those offers, though, in favor of a position at a poorer temple near the docks.
“My father was a sailor,” he explained in one of his letters to Umar several years earlier. “These people risk their lives on the sea for the world’s commerce. They are not wealthy, they are not polished, but they need Oromasd’s blessing every bit as much as the merchant who keeps his shop and makes regular donations to the temple. Many of these sailors go out upon the sea, never knowing whether they will return; they need the comfort of knowing that Oromasd travels with them and will guide their souls if they give themselves i
