The native Coosa people lived on the land that would one day become the southeastern United States, until the arrival of the white man changed their lives forever. Calling Crow faces the most difficult challenge to his judgment and leadership yet, as hostile Timucua, who have allied themselves with the Spanish to get the deadly thundersticks, move north in search of slaves and conquest. Calling Crow must decide whether joining forces with another new invader to his lands, the Englishmen, can halt the Spanish onslaught without sacrificing the freedom of his people.