Cologne 1395: Seven years have passed since the trial against the "secret healer." Madlen is happily united with Johannes, and they have given life to two children. Through a chance encounter, Madlen meets a traveling medicus who has stopped in Worms and is actually on his way to Heidelberg to teach medicine at the university. She is fascinated by the man and wants to learn as much as possible about the healing arts that he studied in Salerno. She struggles against societal conventions and her husband's jealousy, determined to pursue studies with the medicus. Meanwhile, Johannes is recalled to Cologne by the bishop. There, a series of murders of several prominent individuals has taken place. Johannes investigates and finds himself in grave danger.