For years, historians and archeologists under the direction of Professor Edward Johnston have been working to restore the medieval village of Castlegard near La Roque Castle in Dordogne, France. The restoration is funded by ITC, a clandestine organization studying quantum theory, led by genius and billionaire Robert Doniger. When ITC accidentally drops a random hint about the location of a yet-undiscovered feature at the site, Professor Johnston begins to get suspicious. The Professor departs for New Mexico, demanding answers from ITC. In his absence, a sheaf of ancient documents is discovered at the excavation site--one of which appears to be in the Professor's handwriting. Carbon dating the ink reveals that the note--"HELP ME"--was written in the 1300s.

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In a feat of quantum physics, ITC has developed a method of time travel. After the Professor insisted on being sent back to see for himself, he never returned. This, paired with his note, has convinced Doniger that the Professor is in trouble, and a party from the restoration must be sent back to bring him home, as the crew knows the grounds and history better than anyone. André Marek--broadsword-wielding, Occitan-speaking medieval-enthusiast--leads the team, with historical architect Kate Erickson and historical technologist Chris Hughes. David Stern, the restoration crew's physicist, stays behind at ITC--and is therefore the only one out of the friends to witness the time machines' demolition. Soon after Marek, Kate and Chris are transported back, an accident occurs that will potentially lead to the three being stranded in the time--unless Stern can fix the problem before the machines return.

 

1357 France is a dangerous era, with rogue knights, bandits and battles. Searching for the Professor is made difficult by the fact that Arnaut de Cervole is attempting to take La Roque from Lord Oliver of Castlegard, and the Professor is right in the thick of Oliver's schemes. With a strict time limit, malfunctioning time machines, and a vengeful antagonist hidden amongst the noblemen in Castlegard, Marek, Kate and Chris find themselves immersed in a world far more dangerous than they could have ever anticipated.