sentences:  Gwynedd itself is a medieval kingdom similar to the British Isles of the 10th century, with a powerful Holy Church (based on the Roman Catholic Church), and a feudal government ruled by a hereditary monarchy.The population of Gwynedd includes both humans and Deryni, a race of people with inherent psychic and magical abilities who are being systematically persecuted by both the Crown and the Church.The novel begins two days after the conclusion of "Camber the Heretic", as the Regents of young King Alroy Haldane continue their bloody suppression of Deryni throughout the realm.