Now that the destructive force of black powder has been unleashed, Alfred must reinforce his alliances in a world where the nature of conflict has been changed for all time. Against this backdrop, he faces the daunting task of finding a suitable match for his eldest daughter, knowing he must balance the needs of the kingdom against his vow to ensure the happiness of the child whose anticipated arrival kept him alive during his ordeal in captivity. When the Teutons take advantage of the ongoing civil war in the Kingdom Across the Southern Sea by seizing its southeastern province, the stakes are ratcheted up yet again. Does Alfred hold the trump card to subdue the ambitions of the Teutons and find a new equilibrium in a constantly changing world?