Karel has been kidnapped into an unwanted marriage. Worse yet, she finds herself in a society where brutality toward captive women is the accepted norm. This puts a severe strain on Karel’s belief that it is her duty to remain objective, abide by any and all local customs, learn as much as she can and never pass judgment. It is small comfort when Mari, her co-wife and co-captive, tells her that Sang, the husband they now share, is less cruel than most. Mari also lets slip that some of the captive women try to run away, and Karel happily accepts that as another custom she’s entitled to follow.

Karel’s first attempt at escape ends in recapture, and her punishment is very severe and very public. Can she regain the courage to try again? If she does, can she succeed?