Initially known as White Man's Dog, he is an eighteen-year-old Pikuni man of the Lone Eaters band. Plagued by a reputation for bad luck and a lack of martial success, he deeply desires to prove his bravery and provide for a family. He is thoughtful and cautious, contrasting with his more impulsive peers. His early insecurity drives him to seek out spiritual guidance and join a dangerous raid.

A wealthy and highly respected war chief of the Lone Eaters band. He possesses three wives and many horses, standing as a pillar of his community. Because he learned English from a missionary in his youth, he frequently serves as a crucial voice in dealings with white settlers. He attempts to balance his deep distrust of the newcomers with a pragmatic desire to protect his people.

The son of Boss Ribs and a prominent youth among the Lone Eaters. He is handsome, charismatic, and widely expected to become a great warrior. However, his immense confidence often bleeds into a reckless arrogance that puts his companions at risk. He dreams of quick glory and resents the slow, disciplined path of traditional leadership.

An experienced, battle-tested warrior of the Lone Eaters band. He leads the young men on a dangerous expedition to the Crow camps, carrying the heavy responsibility of returning them safely while securing wealth for his people. He is deeply devoted to his wife and children, viewing his martial duties as a means to provide for them.

A violent, rebellious Pikuni warrior who has broken away from his band. He rejects his people's communal values and cautious diplomacy, choosing instead to wage a brutal, independent war of vengeance against the encroaching white settlers. His actions place the entirely of the Pikuni nation in danger of military retaliation.

The seventeen-year-old third wife of Rides-At-The-Door. Married off by her impoverished father, she is neglected by her older husband and routinely bossed around by his senior wives. Her deep loneliness makes her highly vulnerable to complicated emotional entanglements within the cramped quarters of the family lodge.

The younger son of Rides-At-The-Door and Double Strike Woman. He initially shows more martial promise than his older brother, earning early accolades from the community. However, beneath his early success lies a struggle with fear and a growing, bitter resentment regarding his place in the family and the tribe.

The sixteen-year-old daughter of Yellow Kidney and Heavy Shield Woman. She is beautiful, deeply devoted to her family's well-being, and highly observant of the camp's social dynamics. She carries the heavy burden of caring for her younger brothers when her family faces hardship.

The steadfast wife of Yellow Kidney. When her family faces uncertainty, she turns to Pikuni spiritual traditions for answers. She is willing to undergo grueling physical and spiritual trials, including pledging herself as the Sacred Vow Woman at the Sun Ceremony, to ensure her family's restoration.

The revered "many-faces man" or medicine man of the Lone Eaters. He possesses deep spiritual knowledge and healing abilities, serving as a vital bridge between the Pikuni people and the natural world. Aging but sharp, he actively seeks to pass his knowledge down to a worthy successor.

A highly respected elder in the Lone Eaters band. He is the keeper of the Beaver Medicine, an immensely powerful and sacred bundle in Pikuni culture. He bears the heavy responsibility of maintaining these rituals and hopes to eventually pass the sacred duty down to his only son.

The wise, aging chief of the Lone Eaters. He attempts to navigate the increasingly dangerous middle ground between violent resistance and total submission to the white settlers. He prioritizes the survival of his people above all else, relying heavily on his senior warriors for counsel.

A prominent Pikuni chief who takes a fiercely defiant stance against the white settlers. He refuses to negotiate or compromise, viewing diplomatic efforts as futile in the face of ongoing betrayals. His camp frequently serves as a haven for warriors who share his hardline views.

A Pikuni chief who believes deeply in assimilation and diplomacy. He works tirelessly to secure treaties and written promises of protection from the American military, hoping to shield his band from the violence escalating on the plains.

A white trader who once lived peacefully among the Pikuni, even marrying into the tribe. He has since turned to ranching and claiming Native land, shifting his allegiances to the incoming white settlers. His two-faced nature makes him a target for intense native resentment.

A scout of mixed white and Pikuni ancestry. He leverages his bilingualism and cultural knowledge to serve as an envoy for the United States Army. Though he understands the Pikuni people perfectly, his self-preservation instincts keep him aligned with the military.

The United States Army officer in charge of regional policy regarding Native tribes. He presents rigid ultimatums to the Pikuni chiefs, representing the overwhelming and inflexible military force of the American government.

The respected first wife, or "sits-beside-him" wife, of Rides-At-The-Door. She holds authority over the other wives in the lodge and takes immense pride in her family's high status within the camp.

The second wife of Rides-At-The-Door and younger sister to Double Strike Woman. She is highly observant, nosy, and quick to notice the quiet tensions building among her family members.

The ten-year-old younger son of Yellow Kidney and Heavy Shield Woman. He relies heavily on the older men of the tribe for guidance and protection during his father's prolonged absence.

The twelve-year-old elder son of Yellow Kidney and Heavy Shield Woman. He is forced to face adult responsibilities early when his father fails to return from the raid on schedule.

A fearsome Crow chief and long-standing rival to the Pikuni warriors. His camp becomes the primary target for Yellow Kidney's horse-stealing expedition, sparking a brutal chain of retaliatory violence between the two tribes.

The head war chief of the Pikuni people. He coordinates large-scale military actions and commands deep respect among the allied bands when they gather for major offensives.

A skilled scout from the Lone Eaters band. He accompanies Yellow Kidney's group, using his tracking abilities and interpreting prophetic dreams to guide the warriors through hostile territory.