France, 1145, and the Normandy coast is bracing itself against the approaching autumn Equinox. Terrible storms are brewing, the north wind has frozen beaches and the lower plains are being flooded. Then, one morning, two river watchmen see a fountain of air shoot out of the water. A whale has made its way into the River Seine. They raise a cry, which reaches back to the Forest of Jumieges, and the Abbey bells ring out to call the monks and peasants to the river. Rurik, a tall blond Dane, is hired to kill the whale. Meanwhile, the Chevalier Galeran has been called by the Bishop of Lisieux to investigate the Abbot Eustache of the Abbey of Jumieges. There have been rumours of corruption in the Church...Galeran arrives in town, where the stench of burning whale flesh is still overpowering, to hear of another death: the horrific killing of a young bride on her wedding night. He soon discovers that the town is riddled with theft, corruption, black magic - and murder.