In 1750, Thomas Gunn, along with three friends, join the Hudson's Bay Company and sail from Stromness on the Orkney Islands of northern Scotland to York Factory fort on Hudson's Bay. They believe they are starting a new and exciting life in what is called Rupert's Land, but tragedy follows them, striking for the first time on the stormy Atlantic crossing. At the fort, Thomas finds his older brother, Edward, who had joined four years earlier, and married into a new native family.

Thomas' first year at the fort is a story of work and discovery, of loss and new hope. The new west is opening up, but only to the bold and intrepid among them.