Sharon and Dean lease an
island in the Pacific Northwest. No other human has ever been to the island.
After building a living compound for themselves, they explore the island and
discover a race of sentient beings that may well be the subjects of mythical
elves referred to in folklore. The tiny beings, less than a foot tall,
introduce themselves as Yeep and Yip. Yeep, the male, quickly learns to
communicate in English. Yip, the female, gives birth to twin babies that are
called Yeepoos. It is soon learned that the sentient beings are called Yeep,
and that they are escapees from the Yagwal. The yagwal are remarkably similar
to mythical trolls. Over a thousand yeep are held prisoners in the yagwal's
underground caverns. The yeep have been slaves of the yagwal for over four
thousand years.
Sharon and Dean promise to
help Yeep and Yip free their people from the yagwals.
During a reconnaissance of
the caves at the north end of the island, Dean is taken prisoner. He escapes
with the aid of several yeeps. Sharon finds Dean and, with help, from the yeeps,
they flee the yagwal patrols. Unfortunately, not all survive the viscous
attacks from the yagwal; some are seriously injured within sight of their
living compound.
After the yagwal attack the human's living compound, Dean forces freedom of the
yeep by entering the yagwal caverns. There, he battles the yagwal in a battle
that will forever change the yeeps lives, and will ultimately lead to great
changes in the world.