The involvement of Lígia das Graças Paiva with Gaius Gutemberg Roldão. More than just children of rival families, they are survivors of a massacre that nearly wiped the city off the map. Under the curse that the blood of a Roldão cannot mix with that of a Paiva, both will face much trouble. However, the tragedy is softened by parallel stories: power struggles, union politics, revenge, betrayals, gossip, witchcraft, and even a character from Brazilian folklore: the headless mule.