When the drought runs too long, a village of coyotes grows desperate. An old coyote cry says a gift of silver and turquoise brought to the top of Arizuma mountain will bring skywater. Carol is the only adult without pups, so she reluctantly takes on the challenge to climb the mountain with the village's last riches. She understands little about the old magic she's tasked to summon, leaving her having to trust the absent-minded and disconnected ringtail who joins her on her journey.