The twelfth century monks of Glastonbury have discovered two strange skeletons buried in their graveyard - one is tall, like that of a warrior, the other small with long blonde hair. Since Glastonbury is the site of Avalon, are these the remains of King Arthur and Guinevere? The monks hope so. Fire has just destroyed their abbey and they badly need relics that will bring back the pilgrims who are their source of revenue. King Henry II, too, needs evidence that the legendary Arthur is dead in order to stop his belligerent Welsh subjects believing that their Once and Future King will return to lead them against him. But he must be sure. So, calling on his Mistress of the Art of Death, the anatomist Adelia Aguilar, he sends her to examine the bones. Somebody, however, doesn"t want the skeletons identified; and is prepared to kill in order to prevent it...