three day road

There are two major conflicts in the novel that create suspense. The first is Xavier and Elijah's struggle to maintain their relationship and their sanity throughout the war. As Elijah descends into a morphine- and war-induced madness, Xavier grapples with feelings of guilt, love, and duty. Their relationship is also strained by jealousy, as the officers frequently overlook Xavier in favor of his more outgoing friend. Ultimately, this conflict spirals out of control, and their friendship can no longer be maintained at all. The second major conflict is Niska's struggle to keep Xavier alive. She goes to desperate lengths to care for her nephew; the stories of her past that she tells throughout their three-day canoe journey are one manifestation of her efforts to save Xavier.