The second in the series The Dreamer II - The Gathering continues the saga as Tris's sheltered world expands when The People from the East (the Cro-Magnon) begin to settle in ever-increasing numbers on the long-held territories of the Old Ones (Neanderthals). Discord develops as they come into serious competition for the same limited resources. It is an idyllic summer for Tris and his family while they temporarily take up residence at the coast where they fish, hunt seals, and forage for nearby foods. Newly paired Tris is especially happy when he and his mate learn that they are expecting a baby. But later, tragedy befalls Tris's clan following their return to their forest home. Tris's father, Tor, is distraught to the point of being nearly catatonic. Soon after, Tor's brothers arrive to seek his assistance in defending their homes against marauding men of The People. Up until recently, the Old Ones and The People from the East have co-existed in relative peace. But now they fear that the object of these attacks is to drive them off their lands or starve them out, and the brothers claim that they cannot fight off their antagonists without aid. They are dismayed to find that Tor is not able to grasp the urgency of the situation. Fortunately, their old friend and Cro-Magnon neighbor, Black Wolf, has a suggestion. He believes that this conflict can be resolved at The Gathering. Black Wolf volunteers to accompany Tris and his kin to the annual Gathering of the People from the East to help them negotiate a resolution. Little do they know what is in store for them...