Napoleon, escaped from Elba, pursues his enemies across Europe like a
vengeful phoenix. If he can corner the British and Prussians before
their Russian and Austrian allies arrive, his genius will lead the
French armies to triumph at Waterloo. In the Balkans, preparing a thrust
northwards into Central Europe to block the Russians and Austrians, a
horde of Muslim mercenaries is gathering. They are inclined toward
Napoleon because of his conversion to Islam during the Egyptian
campaign, but they will not move without a shipment of gold ingots from
Sheik Ibn Hazm which, according to British intelligence, is on its way
via camel caravan to the coast of North Africa. It is this gold that
Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin must at all costs intercept. The fate of
Europe hinges on their desperate mission.