Naples, Rome, and Milan are some of the backdrops in Captain Alatriste"s latest exploit. Accompanied by young igo Balboa, Alatriste is given orders to intervene in a conspiracy critical to the Spanish Crown a swift attack to assassinate the Doge of Venice during the Christmas Mass and to forcibly place a new head of government more conducive to the Catholic King"s interests in this Italian region. For Alatriste and his comrades veteran soldier Sebasti n Copons and the dangerous Moor Gurriato, among others, the mission rapidly becomes difficult, risky and full of surprises. Suicidal certainly, but not impossible.