Half-Indian and half-white, Kiriki, adopted by a Pawnee chief as a child, is on the verge of womanhood. She longs to spend her life as Sun Eagle's woman. He, in turn, aches to claim her. But when Kiriki is chosen as the sacrifice in a Pawnee ritual and kidnapped, Sun Eagle's ardor turns to rage. And as he seeks to free her and make her his wife, he realizes that one misstep could be the last one for both of them.