It is not the beginning; nor is it the end. Sandwiched between death and renewal-long after rebellion and far before the final conflict-comes pain, heartache, torment, despair, and hope. recounts the story of Pascal, a man beaten and humiliated by his fierce enemies through heartless and torturous subjugation. Long has his rival schemed for this day, and joy is the mood of choice in this wicked land. Yet even a broken Pascal is not as helpless as his enemies would like to think.