Continental dictator Napoleon Bonaparte is tightening the imperial knot around Europe's neck. The German and Pomeranian ports are swarming with French privateers. Horatio Hornblower's squadron is tasked with protecting British merchant ships from sea robbers in the Baltic Sea. But this is only part of the task. The most difficult thing to predict is the behavior of the Russians. "If Bonaparte throws Alexander out of Russia, you will need to pick him up. We will always find a use for him." This is what the illustrious prophets from the Admiralty tell Hornblower, reminding him that Sir Horatio has no right to make a mistake. One wrong step will ruin everything. On the calendar, 1812 is a year for Britain, not the most significant. Could Commodore Hornblower have foreseen how this year would turn out not only for Russia, but also for himself, who often stumbles and falls, despite combat and life experience...