A richly detailed and gripping historical crime thriller

Merrivale travels to Spain to negotiate a deal with Alfonso XI. With the monarch fighting an epic siege, Simon must pay with more than just gold to secure his loyalty.

A dangerous assignment.
It's 1343, and Simon Merrivale is travelling with the Earl of Derby on a mission for King Edward III of England. They are bound for Castile to persuade its ruler, Alfonso, to abandon his traditional alliance with France.
A kingdom ablaze.
They arrive to find war raging across the country. King Alfonso is conducting an epic siege, by land and sea, against the city of Algeciras, held by the Moorish states.

A deadly enemy.

Plots are developing behind Alfonso's back. An old foe of Merrivale's is planning to seize power, not just in Castile but all of Spain. To thwart him, Simon must undertake a dangerous journey, facing down opponents more powerful than any he has encountered so far

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