Susan L Markloff

Born and raised in rural Africa, Eshe Balewa has spent her whole life happy and content in her village. Her tribe is her life. She’s never ventured further than the market or the trails to fetch water. The outside world is vast, but she has no need to explore it. Everything she needs and everyone she loves resides within those boundaries.

The arrival of her Zaheri a year ago changed Eshe’s view of both her life and the world. Now, acutely aware of her special ability to heal, a slow, small warring begins to churn in her heart. As days pass, she’s found her gaze drifting to the horizon, wondering what may lie beyond the life she’s always known.

Despite the intense love she holds for her tribe, there is a new desire building within her to step beyond the borders of her village. Feeling equally at home among both her Zaheri and her tribe, she wishes she could follow the unknown and also remain with her people.

Until a day dawns where her life she viewed as unexceptional gets flipped on its head, and decisions on her path are made for her. Thrust into violence and terror, her peaceful village faces something completely foreign to them: war. And though she wishes to see no harm come to those she loves, Eshe cannot bring herself to resort to violence–even to defend.

Will her decision to remain passive ensure continued peace for her people, or will it only bring destruction?