Lalani of the Distant Sea

This summary section includes “Chapter 17: Ellseth’s Story,” “Chapter 18: Just Such a Girl,” “Chapter 19: Three Drops,” and “Chapter 20: You Are the Nalupai.”

Ellseth says that his people are called the mindoren, and that they are peaceful and prosperous. Isa offers everything they need to maintain their happiness, but Ellseth confesses that, at least for him, it wasn’t enough: “I had everything I needed, but I wanted more. There is a difference between ‘want’ and ‘need’” (100). Because of this, Ellseth began to steal. His thefts grew more ambitious because his dexterity made him feel superior, and he boasted about his ill-gotten gains. Eventually, the other mindoren banished him. They cast a spell to remove his eyes since he coveted everything he saw, and then they sent him away to Sanlagita. Ellseth says that he wants to make amends and offers to use his magic to help Lalani.

Ellseth explains that he stole a magical talisman from the guardian of Isa. It is called the udyo, and he can use it to grant Lalani’s wishes. Lalani assumes that the udyo is Ellseth’s walking stick. As a test, she asks him to heal her scraped knee, which he does.