An agnostic scientist travels to a remote land to chase down rumors of a primitive tribe said to be wrapped in silence, silent even when they speak. How can this be? His pursuit for answers takes him up a dangerous river and ultimately to Lost Mountain. There he learns the awful secret that afflicts this tribe. When the explorer finds more than he is questing for, the story takes on far deeper significance. Setting science aside, he seeks a way to alleviate their plight. In the end, a series of mysterious events takes matters out of his hands, teaching him something far beyond the realm of natural science.