If ideas are more dangerous than material things, what happens when ideas become matter?Near a crossroad in the country town of Smetham, a retired philosopher is felled by what appears to be a huge lion.

Near a crossroad in the country town of Smetham, a retired philosopher is felled by what appears to be a huge lion. The lion vanishes, leaving the seemingly untouched man in a coma. But over the next few days, more creatures start to appear.