In this prequel, Crispin Guest has his hands full in more than murder: his abduction, two women, a young cutpurse and a friend turned adversary. When a corpse turns up at his favorite tavern, Crispin Guest begins an inquiry. The dead man turns out to be a Templar knight, an order thought to be extinct for 75 years, charged with protecting a certain religious relic which is now missing. Before he can begin to investigate, Crispin is abducted by shadowy men who are said to be minions of the French anti-pope. Further complicating matters are two women: one from court with an enticing proposition, and another from Crispin's past. And a cunning young cutpurse by the name of Jack Tucker has insinuated himself into Crispin's already difficult life.