Death of a People

Chloe and her daughter Zastra become embroiled in the politics of the Albigensian Crusade when the Pope and King Philip Auguste of France launch an inquisition against the Cathars of southern France. As Cathars, the two women follow a dissident form of Christianity which they believe was founded when Mary Magdalene and Jesus escaped the Romans and landed on the southern coast of France. Now the Pope and the French King look hungrily at Cathar lands. The Pope grants Dominic Guzman (St. Dominic) the power to torture and kill these so called heretics. Chloe seeks help from the Count of Gascony and Esclarmonde of Foix.