For Brother Cadfael in the autumn of his life, the mild November of our Lord's year 1145 may bring a bitter--and deadly--harvest. England is torn between supporters of the Empress Maud and those of her cousin Stephen. The civil strife is about to jeopardize not only Cadfael's life, but his hopes of Heaven.

While Cadfael has sometimes bent the abbey's rules, he has never broken his monastic vows--until now. Word has come to Shrewsbury of a treacherous act that has left thirty of Maud's knights imprisoned. All have been ransomed except Cadfael's secret son, Olivier de Bretagne. Conceived in Cadfael's soldiering youth and unaware of his father's identity, Olivier will die if he is not freed. Like never before, Cadfael must boldly defy the abbot. The good brother forsakes the order to follow his heart--but what he finds will challenge his soul.