After a devastating tsunami destroys all that they have ever known, Mau, an island boy, and Daphne, an aristocratic English girl, together with a small band of refugees, set about rebuilding their community and all the things that are important in their lives.

How Imo made the world -- the plague -- The new world -- Calenture -- Bargains, covenants, and promises -- The milk that happens -- A star is born -- Diving for gods -- It takes a lifetime to learn how to die -- Rolling the stone -- Believing is seeing -- Crimes and punishments -- Cannon and politics -- Truce -- Duel -- The world turned upside down -- Today -- Author's note.