In a time when violent death is an everyday occurrence, what manner of death is it that can still strike fear into the hearts of men who have themselves made a profession of killing?
England, in the year 1067. A year has passed since the Battle of Hastings, and the Norman Conquest is fully underway. When Orderic de Varaville, a low ranking Norman knight, looks into the unexplained disappearance of two of his men, he finds himself having to overcome the natural enmity between conquerors and conquered, and join forces with the inhabitants of the Saxon village of Elastun in their struggle against an ancient evil that has found its way into their valley.
Key to their chances of success is the knowledge of pagan rites possessed by Alditha, the young widow of a Saxon killed by the Normans at Hastings. She and Orderic must put aside their mutual dislike if anyone in the village is to survive what is coming.