The death of William's mother throws him into a tailspin. Meanwhile, Mary deals with a troubled pregnant teen and is stunned when an old flame turns up on her doorstep.
When the goldsmith is robbed and killed, locals decide Liliwin must be guilty. The mob pursues the man to the abbey where he frantically seeks the sanctuary of the altar. Cadfael believes Liliwan is innocent.
When a wealthy landowner decides to disinherit his stepson, Shrewsbury Abbey stands to benefit. But before its final, he is poisoned by food prepared in the abbey. The dead man's widow is Cadfael's own childhood sweetheart.
