A story of heartbreak and heroism in Chaco Canyon a thousand years ago.
Raised by his beloved Sky Chief grandfather and a mysterious albino woman, Tuwa expects to become a Sky Watcher. He is just old enough to notice a new young woman in the village when a strange star appears in the sky, brighter than anything ever seen before.
The High Priest, backed by violent warriors from the South, demands blood sacrifice to the new Day Star. Tuwa’s grandfather, a strong opponent of the foreigners, is murdered in a public ceremony, cooked, and served to the stunned crowd. Next in line are Tuwa’s adopted mother and the girl he loves, Chumana.
Unable to watch, Tuwa flees in a blind, roaring panic into the dark wilderness where he nearly dies. He’s rescued by a long-distance trader who collects orphans to carry his goods and trains them in the arts of combat.
Three years later, Tuwa returns with his hardened band of orphans intent upon revenge — only to discover that Chumana and the albino woman survive in the High Priest’s palace. The stakes suddenly much higher, Tuwa must decide: revenge or rescue?