Told in the tradition of rich Coast Salish legend, Diane Silvey recounts the adventures of teenaged twins Kaya and Tala as they journey into the British Columbian wilderness confronting fish and fowl, beast and phantom, on their mission to retrieve a sacred box which symbolises the spirit of their people. They encounter wolverines, snakes and the sharp-toothed fish of the deep as well as ferocious hawkmen and the evil spirits of the underworld as they and their mystical friend Y push ahead on the back of an eagle. Transported to celestial realms, they meet the God of Thunder and a wise Shaman who urge them to trust in the wolf spirit destined to become Tala's protective guardian and in their own instincts.