He's maladjusted. He has an attitude. And once, the village priest tells him, he was a Jew. When a survivor of the First Crusade persuades Martin to explore his heritage in the Jewish community of Constantinople, Martin has no idea what he's in for and it's not easy. Through his experiences and the choices he makes, Martin comes to understand relationships and responsibility, finds his place in society, and develops a commitment to Jewish life and to his troubled mentor.