Although the purpose of his voyage is not yet known to him, Beaver sets out with the family of a trader who knows the way to the quarry. During their travels, the small group begins to suspect that a curse has fallen over them, and they become more and more convinced that the only way to break the spell is to uncover the secret of the red pipestone.
As he comes of age, the seventeen-year-old Beaver must learn to trust his instincts as he grapples with the strange apparitions and perplexing dreams that are leading him to the answers he seeks. He encounters many captivating people on his journey, each of whom has something valuable to teach him. Only when he realizes that some things are not meant to be understood, but only experienced, can Beaver fulfill the potential of the life destined to be his.
