THE KING S GOLD

The year is 1626, and a battle-weary Captain Alatriste and his companionssail home from the on-going war in Flanders. He returns to a Spain that isrotten to the core, as gold from the Americas floods into the port ofSeville, brought by the country's infamous treasure fleet. As various factions within the Court vie for supremacy, certain interestsare creaming off undeclared profits from the galleons' cargo, thusdepriving the royal treasury of its lifeblood. Indeed some of the booty isfinding its way into the hands of the same rebel provinces Spain isfighting to suppress. The King and his most trusted advisor, the Count-Duke Olivares, havebecome aware of one such plot and have decided to teach the perpetrator alesson. Once more, they must call upon Captain Alatriste's blade in adangerous adventure that will bring the captain face to face with hisnemesis, and with a ruthless man who has designs on the throne...