In 602 A.D., in a small town near Rouen, Achtriel, (8) a brilliant foundling, lives in a community of scholarly, but unorthodox, Jews. Her adoptive grandfather, Tahto, is contacted by his brother from Constantinople, now forced to emigrate to the west. He is due to arrive in several months.

 

Meanwhile, a duke, the “natural son” of a Parisian royal, moves to their sleepy village. Preparations for his welcoming pageant coax Achtriel from her reclusive habits. She befriends some intriguing newcomers—Nadaasya, an ex-pat Indian musician, and Frans a talented bard—who have come to perform at the pageant.

 

Returning from a trip to Rouen, Achtriel is startled to find Tahto’s brother Nimrode, and his wife, Berthe, accompanied by an exceedingly beautiful Ethiopian girl, Tirzah. (13) Their Byzantine exodus, and its relation to this enigmatic girl, is a mystery explored in later episodes. Meanwhile, Tirzah and Achtriel develop a sisterly - i.e. rivalrous and contentious - relationship which evolves over the course of the series.

 

Jeannie Troll Muller is a clinical social worker and creative person residing in Santa Cruz CA. She is surrounded by wonderful family, friends and creatures.