A story of the year 1.000 AD. A group of soldiers and courtiers led by Marconte Berlocchio and his new bride Princess Bernarda arrive at a distant fief, ready to rule it. But nothing is what they expected. The castle is in ruins and the villagers do not intend to obey anyone or pay any taxes. While the complex art of governing implodes in the hands of Berlocchio, the endless spiral of hunger looms over everyone, rulers and servants alike.