This is book 6 of the "Brother Cadfael" series.

This note contains spoilers for the book.

The sixth Brother Cadfael book. In the aftermath of the sack of Worcester, all are looking for a brother and sister, and the young nun who fled with them.

Yves (13) and Ermina (18) are over their heads, and Ermina doesn't know it at first. She directs their course dangerously for her own ends, and nearly gets raped by the man she had wanted to marry (she stabs him with her dagger and flees). Yves doesn't make trouble, but he takes on major responsibilities and discharges them well, even in extrame danger.

The fleeing children and their companion get tangled with a group of outlaws setting up in the area, and the search is complicated by the fact that their uncle and guardian adheres to the Empress Maud's party, and the area they're lost in holds for King Stephen. Hugh Beringar won't give leave for the uncle's squires to come in even just to search.

One does anyway, and is instrumental in most things that work out well in the book. A bastard Syrian/crusader, who chose Christianity, went to Jerusalem, took service, and is now in England. And who, Cadfael figures out near the end, is his unknown son by the woman he lived with in Antioch. I told you there were spoilers.