A majestic novel of assassination, espionage, and forbidden love in the time of the Crusades.Ordained as a Black Monk, Tristan de Saint-Germain is inducted into medieval Europe's most secretive organization, the Benedictine Underground, where he's tasked with carrying out secret orders, embassies, and assassinations on behalf of the Gregorian papacy.But Tristan holds a secret. He has become hopelessly drawn to a beautiful young Romani girl, Mala, whom he met by chance as a boy. Indeed, despite his vows, his rigid monastic indoctrination, and his labors on behalf of the Benedictine Underground, Tristan cannot and will not refute his growing and unbridled passion for Mala. Their clandestine relationship, however, will weave a twisted trail that can only lead to heartbreak, betrayal, and tragedy as Tristan's stature continues to rise within the Church while it fights schism from within and the sudden threat of Islam arising from Spain, Africa, and the Middle East.This riveting story of politics, religion, family bonds, loyalty, honor, and a man whose heart is torn between doctrine and true love brings to life the cataclysmic, murderous rampage of hatred and intolerance that bared its ugly fangs at the end of the eleventh century and whose venom lingers within us to this very day.