The boy called Mirrabooka is named after the Aboriginal name for the Southern Cross. One of the older boys of the tribe, Mirrabooka has developed an interest in the Dreamtime stories told by the elders from a young age, which grows ever stronger as he begins to interact with the Dreamtime beings, forging a most unusual and trailblazing bond.

While he might not be considered the strongest among the boys of the tribe, he makes up for it with his unmatched energy and proficient skills in boomerang hunting and tracking, in addition to the profound knowledge of traditional practices. In secret, the elders of the tribe are grooming Mirrabooka and his equally talented older brother Minjarra as future leaders for their people.

Just as Mirrabooka is about to finish the rite of passage to become an adult man and shoulder the responsibilities, an enemy raid results in the abduction of Alinta, his love interest. Now faced with an unprecedented crisis, Mirrabooka must seize his opportunity to find and save Alinta before it’s too late. Luckily, the bond between him and the Dreamtime prove to be very helpful in his endeavor, and Alinta duly does her part too, giving them both a chance to defy the odds.

Named after fire in the Aboriginal language, Alinta is one of the most popular girls of the tribe. Capable of food gathering, clothes-making, storytelling and many other trades, Alinta gains a reputation as an independent, brave and highly intelligent young female. Many men and boys long for her favor, but Alinta’s heart belongs only to the most unique soulmate in her tribal life.

The relationship between Mirrabooka and Alinta starts well, as Mirrabooka’s connections with Dreamtime prove to be a vital shared interest that draws both young people ever closer. Mirrabooka’s rite of passage is supposed to open the gate of marriage for the duo, but the surprise attack from their erstwhile friendly neighbors changes everything. In its wake, Alinta is taken and Mirrabooka embarks on a dangerous journey to seek her out in the vast country of Aboriginal Australian bushland.

Resourceful as she believes Mirrabooka to be, Alinta is far from being a helpless damsel in distress. As she is marched by her captors to their distant territory, Alinta leaves behind a trail of signs and marks for her would-be rescuer to follow. When an opening is finally revealed during the forced march, Alinta takes the chance with courage and resolve, fighting in her own ways for her freedom.

Mirrabooka’s older brother is named after a native plant. Minjarra doesn’t gain this name for no reason, as he is a masterful hunter and warrior in the bushland, and his medicinal prowess is formidable, making him a popular candidate for any hunting or war parties.

Having passed the rite of passage a few seasons earlier than Mirrabooka, Minjarra is married to a traditional tribal female who takes care of their 2 children. Even so, Alinta’s prominent standing among the tribe’s females attracts the older brother’s attention, and he makes overtures to her in earnest, intending to make her his second wife. While much can be offered by Minjarra, Alinta has her eyes set upon only the rarest qualities in her future partner.

A formidable and seasoned ally of Mirrabooka’s neighbor-turned enemy, Jandamarra is as muscular as he is agile, which adds a layer of credibility to the meaning of his name: a young and brave fighter. Jandamarra proudly wears ferocious body paintings that symbolize his warrior status, and his sharpened spear and bark shield rarely leave his sight. Wherever Jandamarra goes, the winds howl and the trees whimper, for the inevitable bloodshed that is to come.

Jandamarra is not without merits. A fervent defender of his old tribe and allies, the warrior answers the call for help when the war between Mirrabooka’s tribe and their neighbors breaks out, siding with the latter. In reward, he receives the gift in the form of a captured Alinta, and is ready to bring her home as his trophy. Little does he know that not only Mirrabooka is tracking them, but his prize has her own plan too.