There have gotta be better choices for a kid than beheading, hanging or slavery. Northern California, 1850's: Heroes and villains from three cultures (Native Peoples, Chinese, Anglo) collide violently as they struggle to survive a raw, quickly-changing frontier society. A woman warrior-shaman from Mt. Shasta and a famous Cantonese martial hero join forces to fight for the rights of their peoples. During their struggles against the foreign invaders, the destinies of YANA and TAI-YING intertwine. They have a son, ISHI, and unite forces. Yana is faced with invading hordes of Anglo-European enemies who want to exterminate her tribe. Tai-Ying, famous "e;Red Stick"e; hero of Kwangtung and the chief Enforcer for the Hung Muhn Society,arrives in Chinatown as a problem solver for the newly-arrived Chinese laborers. And Ishi is just tryng to survive in the middle of a war for valuable turf between Tongs, northstate cattle ranchers and prominent Anglo businessmen.