BlackBirds are the Atlan warriors. Besides having the job of protecting their village, they are - one at a time - sent out into the world, disguised as traders. They listen for any talk about their own tribe, for it may mean war. More importantly, they seek out rumors of other Atlan villages. After generations of looking and listening, some of the Blackbirds have - reluctantly - decided that there are no other tribes. One day, Inna - one of the BlackBirds who had given up hope - came across a clue that couldn't be ignored or overlooked.