Chapter 9 Summary

After Rhisiart's funeral is over, Sioned tells Cadfael that she is not too upset with Peredur. She is more relieved that he is not the real murderer. As Cadfael walks by Cadwallon's house, he hears Father Huw beckoning him to come and offer a hand with Peredur's mother, Dame Branwen, who has gone hysterical with grief over her Peredur's troubles. Sioned wants to help. She has grown accustomed to Dame Branwen's mood swings, just as Cadfael has to Columbanus' trances. Cadfael finds Dame Branwen in a fit, one second chastising her husband for allowing their son to take blame for something he obviously could not have done and the other second yelling at Peredur for disgracing the family.

Cadfael remembers that Columbanus brought some of Cadfael's special poppy seed syrup and goes to the Columbanus' room to get some, hoping to soothe and...