Ranh, a planet seeded with Cretaceous life from Earth that has evolved a technologically advanced race of raptors, many of who feel the proper place for a mammal is the larder. Governed by a theocracy, there are always some who wish to remove humans from the Planet of Creation (Earth). While a treaty with other advanced civilizations previously forbade them, that treaty has expired, and Natasha Kotchetkova arrives at Ranh to negotiate a further treaty. The agreed plan formulated on Earth is simple. The Kuyrills head the Space Curia, Kuyrill Kazyn would present Natasha to the Curia and his father would ensure the treaty was signed. That plan failed. On arrival home, Kazyn finds the Kuyrill's in disarray and his father dead. Kazyn suspects assassination, and shortly Kazyn is accused of murder. Somebody does not want this treaty. While he has the perfect alibi through Seppet Methrell of the Military Curia, Methrell, perhaps the most dangerous female on Ranh, puts Kazyn on the run. Is she trying to sort out what is going on? Is she testing Kazyn as a possible mate? Or are her motives more sinister? Kazyn's only ally was his servant Baht, unacknowledged, the lowest of the low, who was forbidden to hurt a fly or stand up for herself, yet she must do what no other unacknowledged has ever done or there will be interplanetary war. And will Natasha and her associates survive long enough to get to the signing? A tale of plotting, conspiracy, religious fervour, murder, treachery, honour, diplomacy, and tail-ball.