It is 1709, and Europe is in the midst of the coldest winter for a
century. France is suffering profoundly: with her people starving
and her army rattled by mutiny and desertions, King Louis XIV is at
The Hague, searching for peace with the English on almost any terms.
To assist these negotiations, the Duke of Marlborough sends Captain
Daniel Rawson on a dangerous mission to Paris to seek out a package
of vital information that could secure an advantageous peace deal
for England.
Yet in spite of his efforts, the peace talks collapse, and Daniel
finds himself once more embroiled in dangerous adventure. For
Marlborough has another mission for him: this time it is not
information but a precious tapestry that has to be recovered. The
tapestry of the Battle of Ramillies has been stolen, and Daniel's
hunt for the ruthless thieves leads him into enemy territory, where
he must daily outwit betrayal and kidnap, and risk capture and life itself.
All the while, the French army is regaining its strength under the
supervision of Marshall Villars, a worthy opponent in the field. As
the opposing armies mass in the area around the village of
Malplaquet, a bloody encounter looms. Which means that if Daniel
manages to return safely to the Duke's forces from behind enemy
lines, he must then stand fast and fight in their most murdering
battle yet.
