It is March of 1346. Caris is a nun in charge of the pharmacy and managing guests. She is fast friends with Mair, a beautiful young nun who is attracted to Caris. On this day, Caris welcomes the pilgrim Gilbert of Hereford and treats a girl with a serious burn. She says nothing when Brother Joseph recommends a goat dung poultice, having learned that being quiet and delay are best to avoid offending the monks and the ordinary people who trust in them. Her nursing practice has already taught her that the monks’ remedies sometimes worsen wounds, however. As she prepares the poultice that night, Mair comes in and kisses Caris. Their encounter ends when they disturb and incapacitate Gilbert of Hereford as he robs the nunnery and assaults Caris during his escape attempt.

Gilbert of Hereford dies of blood loss after Godwyn sentences him to being flayed alive for stealing from a church. Even Godwyn feels disgusted as he watches the punishment. With Petronilla urging him on and Philemon helping him, Godwyn steals a recent bequest to the nuns. He first builds a new treasury and takes the nuns contracts and funds without Cecilia’s permission.