1373. All of Europe is a battleground. England against France, Milan against the Pope, Genoa against Venice. In the east, the Ottomans are gradually swallowing what remains of the Byzantine Empire. But wars depend on gold, and everyone, from the King of England to the Pope, is running out of money. As the wars grind down into stalemate, William Gold must find employment for his band of mercenaries. But as sides change and treason becomes the order of the day, Gold faces the loss of many of his best, as well as hard choices about chivalry, loyalty, and the purpose of war.