14th century, Free Imperial City of Tremmlingen: The death of her father tears the young merchant's daughter Tilla from her well-protected life. At her brother Otfried's request, she is supposed to marry an influential city councilor. When he dies on his wedding night, Tilla innocently comes under suspicion of murder and, in order to ensure her survival, flees her hometown in men's clothing. Pursued by Otfried's captors, she wants to make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela to fulfill her father's last wish and bury his heart in the holy place. But this journey is full of unexpected dangers.

While Otfried brutally seizes power in Tremmlingen, Tilla has the unpredictable Count Aymer breathing down her neck. Her loyal companions Gourdeville and Sebastian are able to rescue her from his clutches just in time. The three's plan is to rejoin the pilgrim group. No sooner has this been achieved than fate strikes again with cruel severity: Crusaders attack the pilgrims. Tilla loses her murdered father's heart. In addition, Rigobert, her late husband's vengeful son, is still close on Tilla's heels.