Wil-Low Series #7: Heart and Stone

Available for purchase from January 1, 2027

Money can win wars. But can it win hearts?

France, 1418. As civil war and English invasion threaten to destroy the kingdom, famed alchemist Nicolas Flamel reveals a final secret before his death: the Philosopher's Stone is not an object, but a living mystery. He entrusts an ancient compass to Yolande of Aragon, the formidable political force behind the French crown, telling her that the Stone could save France in its darkest hour.
Years later, France remains on the verge of collapse despite the victories of Joan of Arc. Desperate for a miracle, Yolande and King Charles VII recruit Jacques Coeur, a clever merchant recently condemned for coin fraud but spared execution. Disguised as a trader, Jacques is sent east to uncover the truth behind the Stone before agents of Burgundy can reach it first. His journey takes him across the Mediterranean to Alexandria, Jerusalem, Damascus and Jacob's Well, where he crosses paths with Burgundian operatives pursuing what they believe to be the Holy Grail. There, the mysterious compass leads them to an old man who appears to be the legendary bearer of the Stone. The encounter ends in violence, death and confusion, leaving Jacques convinced that he has failed his mission.
Returning to France empty-handed, Jacques abandons the search and devotes himself to commerce. Drawing on the knowledge gained during his travels, he builds an unprecedented trading network that reconnects France to the markets of the Mediterranean. His fortune grows, his influence expands, and under his financial leadership Charles VII gradually rebuilds the kingdom. As France rises, so does Jacques. He becomes Grand Argentier, the kingdom's chief financial officer, and one of the richest men in Europe.
Yet success breeds resentment. While loyal friends such as his wife Macée, the Genoese merchant Pietro Lomellini, and royal favorite Agnès Sorel remain steadfast, many nobles come to see Jacques not as a savior but as a threat. When Agnès dies unexpectedly, rumors and political opportunism converge. Jacques becomes the target of accusations, investigations and a carefully orchestrated campaign to destroy him. The man who helped finance France's victory in the Hundred Years' War is arrested, tortured, stripped of his fortune and condemned.
After years of imprisonment, Jacques escapes with Pietro's help and returns to the Holy Land, determined to understand what truly happened at Jacob's Well. There he discovers the secret that has eluded alchemists, kings and crusaders for centuries. The Philosopher's Stone was never an immortal object and never a single chosen individual. It is a succession, a living tradition passed from one bearer to the next across generations. The old man had carried it before him. Now Jacques carries it. One day, someone else will follow.
Freed from the need for wealth, status or vindication, Jacques disappears from history. Years later, living in anonymity, he encounters a brilliant young merchant named Jakob Fugger and begins telling him a story about the Philosopher's Stone, ensuring that the chain will continue.

Heart and Stone is a historical mystery-adventure about wealth, power, loyalty, and legacy. It explores a simple question: not what we leave behind, but what we choose to pass on.

Screenplay

A password-protected screenplay version (second-draft version) is available on FilmFreeway.

Series

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