Within the wending of the Circle of Four there dwelt a small tribe of humans on the banks of the river. They suppored themselves with fishing, hunting and gathering. Their world was endangered when Cicerocame to their lands, destabilizing it and causing it to slowly die. Then Nehjarra came to their village and twisted them against their allies and themselves. Now their world has died.
Saved by the last of the circle, Colt, they now live on his ranch in California aided by his siblings James and Julia.
- Chief "Rock Beneath the Lake": easily swayed, he leads the tribe
- Chief's son "Tall Tree in the Storm": a great warrior, he has been convinced all interlopers are not evil
- Shaman "Follower of the Clouds": this woman was misled by Nehjarra and possessed
- “Floating Log”: this man was murdered by "Deer in the Thick Brush".
- “Spring Flower”: Daughter of the herb woman, she is betrothed to chief's son
- “Knower of Root”: the herb woman, she was also influenced by Nehjarra
- “Summer Thorn”: grand daughter of "Finder of Catfish", she is also in love with the chief's son
- “Finder of Catfish”: a very old and wise man, he worked with the outsiders to help end Nehjarra's rule
- “Deer in the Thick Brush”: the town fool, he was a tool of Nehjarra