Talk of witchcraft, convictions and hangings begin to cross the border from England, reaching and influencing gentry families and villagers alike. Told from the perspective of Doli Maredudd, a naive but headstrong young gentry woman living in the outskirts of the fictional Llyngwrach on the border of Wales. Having suffered her third miscarriage, Doli seeks the help of mysterious local wise-woman and healer Sara Gwen, who is able to offer her a fertility charm. When a servant finds this charm, amidst rising gossip and accusations of witchcraft, aspersions are cast against Sara Gwen by Doli''s husband Hywel, who is keen to gain favour with other gentility and noblemen across the country.