Chapter 1: Arrival

Chapter 1: Arrival begins on Monday at midday as Kai leaves Nonno's House to meet the rest of the islanders. When she reaches Yoke he gives her the encyclopedia Flora of Mutazione, enabling her to begin collecting seeds around the island.

Nonno is awake when she returns, and he talks about having just seen her in a vivid dream. He asks her to go to the Temple and collect flowers for him, and when she reaches the Temple's courtyard she finds Karoo. Karoo tells her to collect Draecena leaves, which Kai discovers are highly poisonous only as Nonno begins to eat them. Nonno says a few vague words to reassure her, then falls into a deep sleep.

Rattled from the excitement, Kai calls her mother, then goes to bed. When she wakes, Nonno's condition has improved and Mori is visiting. Nonno avoids telling Mori about the risks he took in eating the Draecena and keeps conversation light. Only when she leaves do Kai and Nonno talk about what happened.

The chapter ends on Tuesday morning as Nonno sends Kai to retrieve his shaman drum from his hut.

< Prologue Chapter 2: Rooftop Garden >