A tale of ambition, creativity and deception unfolds in 14th century England, where three brothers seek their places in a world of strict social divisions.Oswin, the youngest brother, dreams of escaping their brutal father and the daily grind of life on a farm, but his odd behaviour casts doubt on his sanity and he is sent away to be treated by an alchemist. When he is discovered to have a remarkable singing voice he joins the choristers at a great abbey, at the same time becoming entangled in a web of commerce and hazardous experiments.It is only when Oswin is forced to return to his family that he is confronted by a startling revelation that threatens to change their lives forever...