The pilgrims come out of the thick fog climbing a narrow trail on the hillside of the valley. The Tibet mountain peaks bordering the valley and those they left behind are covered by snow. The cold weather left behind, the pilgrims stop to warm-up their faces in the setting sun and rejoice the sight of some trees and a meadow; all a promise of a friendlier weather. Boron is frightened though by the sight of a strange, white leopard at a fair distance. He points at it and hides behind Baudolino. “Strange leopard,” whispers Baudolino, then pointing higher “but look at that ledge, a blue thing looking like a sheep”. The leopard is stalking the pray…and jumps about 50 feet to get it, the sheep sensing the danger too late to escape. The Poet is astounded by the powerful jump, all other are agape. Boron and Rabbi Solomon make the sign of the cross.