NI DIEUX NI MAITRES

by Eric Cherrière

Southern France, 13th century. Deep in a forest shrouded in mist, a mysterious stranger rescues Laure, a young girl of crystalline beauty, from an attack by fearsome raiders.

In Laure's village the stranger discovers a land ravaged by famine and leprosy. It is there that he reveals his origins; he is an Arab, whose presence endangers the villagers who live under the authority of Lord Ocam. Laure is amazed by this man from the East, an acrobat and poet who has promised never to kill anyone.

The following morning, Lord Ocam reasserts his authority. He kidnaps Laure, announcing that when night falls, he will exercise his droit du seigneur over her. While Laure is the guest at the castle, the stranger and a handful of villagers confront Lord Ocam and his knights.  

But will they succeed? Will the stranger be forced to kill in order to save Laure?