Zertelo is a young lizard who lives in a peaceful meadow on the border of the dark forest. He does not know that the Guardians, seven warrior owls, protect the meadow as a last refuge against the evil hawk Lord Bailfar.

The Chief Owl, a Guardian named Ol' Aladon, sees a bright blue stripe growing down the lizard's back and tail. Ol' Aladon swoops down to Zertelo's home and reveals that the stripe is the mark of courage, signifying the lizard's potential to become a knight of the forest. Zertelo must enter the forest and help the animals win their freedom from the sinister hawk. With the help of a wizard frog and a quick-thinking tortoise, Zertelo goes on a mythic adventure.

The first book in the children's book series.