Lalani of the Distant Sea

This summary section includes “Chapter 47: You Are the Yootah, “Chapter 48: Boys With Baskets,” “Chapter 49: Little One,” “Chapter 50: The Animal That Never Was,” “Chapter 51: Three Days Left,” “Chapter 52: Brother, Sister,” “Chapter 53: You Are Bai-Vinca,” “Chapter 54: A Death on the Horizon,” and “Chapter 55: Gong.”

After the death of the menyoro, Maddux suggests that the village men should cast a vote to see who they want as his successor. The two candidates are Maddux and Drum. Cade and Hetsbi hold the baskets that will collect the votes. Drum insists that the boys must also vote. Cade casts his ballot for Maddux, but Hetsbi is intimidated by Drum’s stare and gives him his vote. He reproaches himself afterward for his cowardice.

Meanwhile, on Isa, Lalani goes in search of the tiny voice she heard crying. She comes across a small animal bundled in a blanket, but when she touches it, she realizes that this is a demon who has set a trap for her. The creature is called the yootah, and it feeds on the hands of the kind-hearted.