It is June 1813. After the victory at Vitoria, Wellington is preparing the troops for the invasion of France. The depleted South Essex is a battalion at half strength. Wellington sends Sharpe to England to recruit new soldiers. Sharpe and the newly promoted Sergeant Major Harper discover corruption in the highest ranks of the British army. When their suspicions are reported, they find themselves the targets of an assassination attempt. In the dramatic race against time to prove their allegations, Sharpe and Harper fake their own deaths and re-enlist in the South Essex...