Huilen was a member of the Mapuche tribe in the mid-1800s. Her people made their living farming and raising livestock.

Huilen's closest friend and confidante was her younger sister, Pire. Only twelve months separated them, and they were like fraternal twins in many ways, having their own shorthand language between them. Pire was the beautiful one, and Huilen was the strong, capable one. Because they were so close, Huilen knew immediately when something changed in Pire's life.