Deep South. North Carolina. 1861. Lies, hate, biases, cruelty, deception, fraud, frustrations, and murders abound as a slave family struggles to escape to freedom and a Jewish Lawyer and unhappily married white southern belle navigate a 200-member plantation. Old Grand Papa Pete, determined to be free, helps his grandsons come of age as he prepares them to survive and escape bondage. Unexpected news interrupts his plan to escape from the Round Pond plantation. Suddenly, his life and the well-being of his family depend on his wits and ability to manipulate whites around him as it becomes intertwined with the problems of the southern belle, Eva, whom he despises.