Brother Mathias-or Grog, as he is known to his fellow monks in the Benedictine monastery where he lives-is what we would today call a cranky old man. Short with his peers and often insubordinate to his superiors, this aging but talented artisan repeatedly gets himself in trouble with his temper. Having had enough of the little monk's impertinence, Grog's abbot relents to the pressure of the corrupt bishop and rents out the little monk for a cask of good Italian wine. And the adventure begins.

Follow the little monk as he copes with life outside the protection of his abbey. Meet Hansel the page boy, Lartharg the dragon, and Sir Orville and other good and evil knights. Join Grog as he comes to terms with his fate and pursues it to justice and redemption in medieval Bavaria where superstition thrives but courage rules.