St. David's, Wales, late spring, 1370. After a pilgrimage to the land of his birth, Owen Archer is anxious to go back to York and his herbalist wife, Lucie, and children. Then death changes his plans: He is called to investigate the strange hanging of a young stone carver, driven to suicide by a broken heart...or deviously murdered. Unknown to Owen, Lucie is in dire trouble, charged with poisoning a client. Alone and distressed, she turns to Harold Galfrey, a mysterious steward who has appointed himself her protector. Now Lucie faces an earthly temptation -- and a chilling betrayal. But Owen is caught up in a country at war where a cunning rebel leader plots to have Owen Archer sign up for the ferocious fight...and never return home.