WHEN A DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS DRAGS THE COUNTRY INTO WAR...

In the spring of 1144, there is a temporary truce in England, but the fragile truce between Empress Matilda and King Stephen is far from giving hope for lasting peace.

Brother Cadfael considers even this brief respite from the protracted war a blessing. However, as an ex-soldier, he never turns down a little excitement, and when the opportunity presents itself to accompany his brother Mark on a diplomatic mission to his native Wales, he jumps at it.

None of the monks, however, have any idea that a bloody family feud is raging through Wales. Prince Owain has recently banished his brother Cadwaladr, whom he has accused of malicious murder, whereupon the reckless Cadwaladr angrily hires an army of Danish mercenaries to invade Wales.

Cadfael finds himself in Danish captivity and right in the heart of an impending civil war. He has a difficult task ahead of him: to settle the rift between the brothers before it is enough to throw the whole country into chaos.