The Bonell family comes to the Benedictine monastery with the intention of bequeathing their possessions to the monastery in exchange for a lifelong boarding house. Suddenly Gervase Bonel falls ill. Cadfael, a skilled healer and herbalist, rushes to help the patient, but all his efforts are in vain: Bonel dies. The surprises don't end there. In Bonel's wife, Cadfael recognizes his ex-fiancée Richildis, and her son Edwin is accused of murder.