The Call of Earth

In the second book (1992) of the Homecoming Saga, Orson Scott Card continues the story from The Memory of Earth.

Related Topics:
Orson Scott Card - The Memory of Earth

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The book focuses on several key events that happen after Nafai, Elemak, Issib, Mebbekew, Zdorab and the father Volemak leave for the desert. Volemak has a dream from the Oversoul, foretelling his sons going back to the city of Basilica to get wives. The sons proceed to Nafai's and Issib's mother, Rasa, who is attempting to keep order within the city. However Hushidh, a raveler under Rasa's care, makes the disastrous mistake of severing the ties between Rashgallivak and his men, leading to widespread riots across the city.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the same time, General Moozh, leader of the "Wetheads" nation, is attempting to conquer cities around Basilica. He sees a strategic chance, and taking only 1000 soldiers, marches across the desert to conquer the city. He arrives in time to help the local city guard quell the uprising, and slowly begins taking control of its affairs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The remainder of the book deals with Nafai and his brothers who had come (Elemak and Mebbekew)'s attempts at finding wives. In the end, they are all forced into a house arrest along with Rasa, where Elemak takes Eiadah as his wife, Mebbekew takes Dol, Nafai takes Luet, the waterseer, with Rasa and Hushidh deciding to come as wives for Volemak and Issib, respectively. Shedemei is dragged along with enough plants and animals to populate the future earth with new species, also as a wife to Zdorab.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The ending comes when Moozh decides to marry Hushidh to politically tie himself with the city. Hushidh's original mother arrives to stop the ceremony, since Hushidh is actually the daughter of Moozh. Nafai's party is escorted out of the city with the women and supplies for the camp.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the end, Moozh ends up conquering the "Wetheads" they had been working for. He prepares Basilica for a defense, but in the end he is killed and Basilica falls, scattering the citizens to various other nations and cities on Harmony.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~