In a world where the Gods walk and their spirits commune with mankind, there must be those trained while in a trance to intercede with them, for the good of the tribe. Mondoani, a young woman, is chosen by the Gods to take the place of the Old Mother upon her passing. Is this frail young woman strong enough to hold the spirits of the Gods when they descend? For it will be her responsibility to hold the memories of all those who have lived before. These memories of the past are the keys to the survival of her people and she will need to find the strength of spirit and body to help protect and lead her people. For they must travel across the dead lands and snowy plains to a place they can safely spend the winter or die from starvation in a land devoid of rain. But before she can accomplish that she must choose an apprentice from among the young girls and women, someone who can take her place should she fall. Will Mondoani's youth and inexperience condemn the tribe to death or will she rise above it and with the help of the magical world choose correctly?