The Keepers of the King's Peace

In a remote village along the Isongo River, a widowed woman named M’lama is whispered about for her uncanny gifts. When a child chokes on a fish‑bone and a fever‑ridden infant collapses, she heals them with a simple touch, prompting awe and unease among the locals. Her powers draw the attention of Ahmet, a government spy who arrives to investigate the rumors, skeptical yet intrigued by the miracles he witnesses.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of colonial intrigue, where officials such as Commissioner Sanders and Captain Hamilton grapple with reports of strange happenings and unsettling letters that hint at deeper mysteries. As Ahmet tests M’lama’s abilities—restoring a crooked finger that has long defied medical help—tensions rise between belief and doubt, and the village’s ancient customs clash with the encroaching authority of the outside world. The first act sets the stage for a tale of magic, cultural clash, and the fragile balance between faith and power.