Serving Britain is not for the faint of heart or the faint of conscience...Emma Bannon, a sorceress in the Queen's service, has been given a task: to find the doctor who has created a powerful new weapon. Her friend, the mentat Archibald Clare, is only too happy to help her. This will distract him from pursuing his enemy, and Claire is no longer as young as he was. The hospitality of Miss Bannon and her company is what he needs. Unfortunately, the enemy is a fanatic, his discovery is as dangerous for Britain as it is for the Queen's enemies. And now one man threatens Londinium, and Claire races to find a cure. Miss Bannon, of course, has her own problems, the Queen's husband is ill, and Her Majesty is not happy about Bannon's service. You can’t even find a crew when you need one... The game has begun. The red plague is coming.