After saving the life of Sir Arthur Wellesley, Sharpe is rewarded with the field commission of Lieutenant. His first mission is to go behind enemy lines to locate a missing agent who carries a banker's draft for badly needed funds for the army.

Col Simmerson arrives with his regiment, the South Essex. Wellesley arranges for the regiment to blow up the bridge at Valdelacasa. Knowing Simmerson is incompetent, Wellesley orders Sharpe to make the mission successful in exchange for a promotion.

Spain 1812 - After victory at Ciudad Rodrigo, Wellesley (now Duke of Wellington) sets his sights on Badajoz. Sharpe is reunited with Teresa and learns that he is the father of a baby girl, but is alarmed to learn that the baby is in Badajoz.

Adrados has been overtaken by a horde of French, Spanish and British deserters.

1813 - A grieving Sharpe is challenged to a duel by a Spanish Marques who demands an apology for Sharpe having forced his attentions on his wife.

Summer 1813 - An angry Sharpe goes in search of the British infantry who failed to prevent the French retreat from a recent battle. Sharpe discovers that the infantry men are deserting and is unable to prevent it.