Book 2, The Earth's Sharp Edge: Chapters 18-19 Summary

Chapter 18 introduces Lieutenant D'Armagnac, the commander of the military post in Bou Noura. His wife lives in Bordeaux, France, and he is in the process of building a new room onto his house for her arrival when a dog is spotted on the outskirts of town with a baby's corpse in its teeth. D'Armagnac traces the child back to a young native woman, Yamina, whom he locks up in his prison. Yamina is stung by a scorpion that night and dies. Rumors spread throughout the Arab population that Yamina was raped by D'Armagnac and his battalion and murdered as a matter of convenience. As a result, all of his native servants and contractors quit and his superiors question his ability to lead.

One day, Lieutenant D'Armagnac's corporal comes to his lodging...