Timeline

That same evening, back at ITC headquarters, Gordon explains to Stern that he can’t use the prototype machine because the risk of transcription errors is too great. He says that it has happened to people who used that machine. Theoretically, he could “have errors so serious, you don’t dare return” (329). Gordon says that someone suffered this fate, implying that there is a modern-day person stuck in 1357. When Stern suggests that this person might help the team, Gordon expresses doubts.

Back in 1357, Chris wakes up and sees that Marek is gone. Soldiers approach but avoid the hut when they see the broken crockery, because it is a sign of the plague. Chris looks out the window and sees Marek approaching Arnaut’s soldiers, feigning a physical disability. They laugh at him. After the soldiers leave, Marek reports that they are looking for two men and a woman, so Kate decides to disguise herself as a man. Chris theorizes that Robert de Kere has Gomez’s earpiece, because he is always able to find them. Marek thinks the imposter is Sir Guy because Sir Guy’s Occitan is terrible and he had no skill at jousting or swordplay.

The team goes to the monastery. Arnaut’s soldiers are there. A monk tells the team that they support Arnaut because Sir Oliver has been collecting taxes on the monastery’s mill. The Abbot has arranged that if Arnaut wins, Arnaut will abolish the mill tax in exchange for a payment from the monastery. Then, the monk leads them to see Brother Marcel, whom Marek is shocked to discover is dead. The monk tells them that Brother Marcel died in the night. Marek wants to search Brother Marcel’s room in the mill, but the mill is guarded by Oliver’s troops. When Marek says they are there because of Magister Edwardus, the monk urges them to meet with the Abbot. However, when they get to his rooms, a monk says the Abbot has to meet with Arnaut. While they wait nearby, Lady Claire arrives. It is implied she has been having sexual relations with the Abbot. Marek is smitten with Claire, but Chris warns him that she is a liar.

Kate, Marek, and Chris eat with the monks and go to meet the Abbot. Marek tells him that the professor has been captured by Oliver and taken to La Roque. He also tells him that the professor said Brother Marcel had the key to the secret passage. Suddenly, Oliver’s soldiers attack, and the Abbot is killed. The team escapes, and Marek remembers that there was a mysterious code in the message from the professor. The team goes to the underground chamber where they found the documents in the archaeological dig.

They find the documents, which contain the message “DESIDE VIVIX” (354). There are also references to “feet of a giant” and a “green chapel.” Kate notes that there is a green chapel in the forest north of Bezenac.

Back at ITC headquarters, Stern uses the prototype machine to send a message to the team, warning that they cannot return for another five hours. They hear the team through their communication devices, confirming that they are alive. Kramer reports this news to Doniger. They theorize that how Rob Deckard might be pursuing them; the narrative reveals that Deckard’s transcription errors have made him unstable and violent.

Kate, Marek, and Chris make their way to the mill bridge to search Brother Marcel’s room, but Sir Robert is there with his soldiers. They discuss how to get into the mill.

Chris, Marek, and Kate jump into the river. Kate and Marek grab onto the paddles of a water wheel to get into the mill, but Chris misses and floats downstream. Kate and Marek find a dead soldier. They strip the man of his weapons, disguise themselves as monks, and take out two of the soldiers on guard. Kate and Marek search Brother Marcel’s room and find the key—which is actually a diagram—etched onto the back of his door. It is a set of instructions on how to find the entrance to the secret passage from the green chapel.

There are now ten soldiers in the mill searching for the key. Marek gives Kate the ceramic marker and tells her to run while he holds them off. She makes her way to the waterwheel to escape, triggering one of the fire starters to cause an explosion in the flour dust. Sir Robert grabs her, but the mill explodes, and she escapes into the river. Seconds before the explosion, Chris sees Marek jump out the window.

One of Arnaut’s knights, Sir Raimondo, grabs Kate and Chris out of the river. They go with him to the church of Sainte-Mère. There, they meet Arnaut de Cervole. Lord Arnaut asks them where the Magister is. Chris tells him that the professor has been captured by Lord Oliver, but he lies and says that he does not know where the secret entrance to La Roque is. Arnaud is about to kill them when Lady Claire arrives and intervenes, arranging for them to be released. They head on horseback to the green chapel.

Back at the church of Sainte-Mère, Sir Raimondo is with Marek, who is injured. Arnaud’s plan was to release Chris and Kate so that they would lead his people to the secret entrance. Raimondo, his soldiers, and Marek, whose hands are bound, go after them.

At ITC headquarters, Doniger is preparing his presentation to the new board members. He is unhappy with the realistic depictions of history.

Sir Raimondo’s soldiers, along with Chris, Kate, and Marek, are attacked by Sir Guy’s troops. Chris’s horse bolts in the woods. Marek draws off Sir Guy’s troops into La Roque Castle. Kate escapes.