After the local potter's field is given to the abbey, a plowman unearths a skeleton with long thick women's tresses unceremoniously buried there. Suspicion immediately falls on the newest monk, Brother Ruald, who lived on the land with his wife until abandoning it, and her, for the monastic life. The abandoned wife, a lovely young woman who pleaded with her husband not to leave, has been missing since shortly after Ruald left to answer his calling from God. But Cadfael remains puzzled, as he sees no signs of foul play on the remains. A young novice fleeing warfare that has invaded a nearby monastery further complicates the picture.