Welcome to the 1st book in the Tales of Esmerelda. Set in the distant or not too distant future, after a devastating plague (the sickness) mankind are now a species of the past. As a result animals have now evolved at a phenomenal rate but most of all the ovine species. With their close contact with humans, sheep quickly learnt skills & trades previously used by their former keepers & now the world is changed. But with most species there is always a lust for power, a conflict between good & bad. The tales begin in a peaceful, quiet valley where Esmerelda & her flock have settled without fear of captivity or slaughter. Their peace is shattered when Boris, a peace loving bear & his two companions beg for Esmerelda to help rid their mountain village from a large band of renegade Tups lead by Billy. With the agreement from the Council of High Elders of the flock, Esmerelda and her friends' adventure begins with returning with the bears to their mountain. Esmerelda is told that the settlement is totally destroyed & they will need even more help to repel the marauding Bovver Tups. So a fresh journey begins to seek new allies & new skills. Their new quest takes them through the forest of sighs, an encounter with the fearsome captain Ramone, a journey to Van Lambs island to learn the Baartial arts. So with a revised plan & a several more new companions, the original quest continues at the mountain with a final showdown. Hopefully after reading this book you will never look at a sheep in the same light again and mint sauce will be banned from the dining table.