1271, East Anglian coast: Crowner Ralf finds the corpse of a brutally murdered soldier in the woods near Tyndal Priory. The dagger in the man's chest is engraved with a strange, cursive design. Was this the act of a member of the Assassin sect, or was the weapon meant to mislead? Ralf's decision to take the corpse to the priory means he is caught up in a maelstrom of conflict, both personal and political. Meanwhile, the murderer watches and waits...