Five species of animals were gifted with speech and rational thought by the Keepers (a male and female Grey Squirrel deity): grey squirrels, flying squirrels, marmots, wolves and ants (however, no one has been able to talk to them). Lead by a grey squirrel prophet, they have all lived in peace for many years. The story opens with the leader of the grey squirrel warrior army betraying the prophet. Pinecone, a poet, realizes that key texts are being changed and as he tries to protect their written history, a small group of resistant fighters oppose a takeover by the usurping warrior. [from publisher web site]