Publisher's Synopsis
Itikani, a young Australian Aborigine boy, has been brought up to become old shaman Makalai's successor. But Itikani transgresses the tribal Laws by allowing affection to develop between him and his stepsister Lamara, a girl of the same 'totemic skin', therefore forbidden to become his mate. Moreover, she has been promised to another, older member of the tribe as soon as she reaches puberty; shaman Makalai has his own lustful designs. When news arrives that 'devils' of immense magical powers have invaded an adjoining tribal land Makalai chooses Itikani to lead a party of warriors to confront them. The 'devils' are in fact white men and their herd of cattle. Such large animals, with enormously wide horns, have never before been seen by the young warriors and when a cattleman aims and discharges a rifle, the desert Aborigines are completely overcome. But the young shaman already knows some Aboriginal magic and puts it to good use in the life and death struggle with the 'devils' as well as with his own tribal enemy. And the Law? Is it immutable or is it subject to greater Laws? At what price? Now, when Itikani and Lamara are long gone, have their spirits crossed into the mythological world of Aboriginal Dreaming?
