1368. France, Spain and England prepare for war. In Italy, the Pope and the Visconti princes are battling for bloody supremacy.

The worst years of Sir William Gold's life are about to begin.

Leaving the side of his commander, Sir John Hawkwood, William embarks on a new journey that will bring him fame and favour — until a heart-breaking personal tragedy leads him to put down his sword.

But men of war can't stay out of battle for long. Gold yearns to return to Italy and rejoin Hawkwood. Only now the game of the Italian Princes is changing and, as chaos descends, Gold must finally decide who he stands for...