A mother must protect her son from a predatory shaman in a brutal, prehistoric landscape where survival depends on the whims of nature and the spirit world. Tillu, a woman living on the fringes of her nomadic tribe, seeks only to care for her slow-witted son, Kerlew, while practicing her quiet, healing magic. Her life is upended when Carp, the tribe's malevolent shaman, sets his sights on them, forcing Tillu to flee into the unforgiving Arctic wilderness. The narrative follows their desperate struggle against environmental hazards, rival tribes, and the encroaching influence of a dark, manipulative power.

This work is often analyzed for its departure from the high-fantasy tropes found in the author's later, more famous works. The narrative is frequently compared to prehistoric survival fiction, noted for its grounded, gritty approach to the daily struggles of ancient peoples. Readers often highlight the author's ability to create a sense of isolation and environmental dread that mirrors the harshness of the setting. The characterization of the antagonist as a source of psychological and spiritual horror adds a layer of tension that elevates the story beyond a simple survival tale. The prose reflects the author's signature attention to character interiority, even within a stark and unforgiving prehistoric framework.