January, 1381. Guests of the Regent, John of Gaunt, Brother Athelstan
and Sir John Cranston have been attending a mystery play performed by
the Straw Men, Gaunt's personal acting troupe, when the evening's
entertainment is rudely interrupted by the sudden, violent deaths of two
of Gaunt's VIP guests, their severed heads left on stage. The Regent
orders Athelstan to find out who committed such a heinous act, leading
Athelstan to tackle his most baffling case yet.