To Anyanwu’s dismay, Doro commands her to marry Isaac.Īnyanwu and Isaac live in mutual respect as husband and wife for many years. He often takes the lives of his villagers. His relationship to them is sometimes that of a stern father and other times that of a farmer fattening and breeding animals for slaughter. They reach the city of Wheatly, New York, one of many villages Doro has established to “breed” people of extraordinary ability. Thus, he understands what she does not that she is a potential danger to him. Later, Anyanwu discovers the pleasure of turning into a dolphin and swimming, and Doro discovers that he cannot “sense” her when she is an animal. In retaliation, she become a leopard and kills him. Lale has the ability to enter people’s minds and control their thoughts, which he uses on Anyanwu. Isaac has incredible telekinetic abilities, at one point rushing the boat past a squall using the power of his mind. Anyanwu recognizes one of her own kinsmen and frees him.ĭuring the Atlantic crossing, Anyanwu meets Doro’s white sons, Isaac and Lale. The slaver here knows Doro and is amenable to him. Soon they reach a coastal market where slaves are processed and branded. At one point he demonstrates the quickness and devastation of his power, killing a young boy and the arrogant son of a slaver he once knew within seconds. Anyanwu discovers that Doro has business with and dominion over every powerful slaver they meet. On their travels, they meet slavers of both African and European ancestry. Such a power both seduces and entraps Anyanwu, who follows him east, leaving her people behind. Doro is far older and reluctantly admits that he has the power to kill people and take control of their bodies. She is also incredibly strong and a noted healer among her people. She can change her form, mimicking the appearance of other people and the form and characteristics of animals. Both soon reveal themselves to each other as people with godlike abilities. In 1690, after searching for miles, Doro discovers Anyanwu.

Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler