History tells of learned women of the Middle Ages—midwives, scholars and healers—being condemned as heretics and witches. There is a legend that follows: Flowers grow now where once there were pyres that burned women for their independence and skills—even on the stone battlements of fortress mounts where once they were killed.

Southern France, 1243 Anno Domini
Their religion has been declared the Great Heresy. In the name of the Pope, armies now wage a brutal Crusade against Cathar villages in the region. The battle plan is simple: "Kill them all, God will know his own."

But Renata’s family has a great and splendid secret—those of her father’s ancient Merovingian line have always been able to heal by the laying of hands. Voices come upon her then, she doesn’t even know what she’s saying. Her grandmother calls it Angel-speaking, but others might call it the Devil’s Tongue.

When their village is attacked, Renata and Cebille lead their students, a small group of girls, into the mountains to escape the carnage. Herbal healing by women—even girls—has been condemned as witchcraft. Witches are now tortured for confession by the Inquisitor to save their souls—and then they are burned anyway.

Unexpectedly, a knight of the Crusade, on a secret quest of his own, and his brother, a priest helps them, though the priest has doubts as to their eventual salvation and thinks the women are going to Hell anyway, though the girls might still be saved.

The band is headed towards refuge at the fortress mount of Montségur, hoping any other villagers left alive make it there as well. Isolated in their difficult journey, they have no idea what awaits them there.