When King Motecuzoma dies in 1468, a drought sets upon the Mexicas' land. After four years the Mexicas debate whether they should continue to worship the war god Huitzilopchtli or if they have neglected his mother, the forgotten goddess Coatlicue in Atzlan, the land of their ancestors. The younger Motecuzoma sends a retinue of soldiers, and the peasant Ollin, on a journey back to Aztlán. Ollin and the royal delegate each take different paths, and each comes upon a different Coatlicue. The first Coatlicue is disappointed in Ollin's gift of corn, cocoa, blankets and jewels, which have turned to dust by the time they reach her.