The year is 1812, and Richard Sharpe has one mission: to thwart Napoleon's dream of empire. Sharpe and the fighting men of the Light Company must gain control of two fortress cities in Spain if Wellington's army is to stem the Napoleonic tide.

The year is 1812, and Richard Sharpe has one mission: to thwart Napoleon's dream of empire. Sharpe and the fighting men of the Light Company must gain control of two fortress cities in Spain if Wellington's army is to stem the Napoleonic tide.

It was a hard winter. For Richard Sharpe, it was the worst he could remember. He had lost his command to a wealthy man. And from England comes his oldest enemy - the ruthless Hakeswill - utterly determined to ruin Sharpe.

Looming on the border of Portugal and Spain is the Fortress of Badajoz. It represents the last chance of the French to keep Wellington out of Spain, and Richard Sharpe must lead the assault to save his wife and daughter. Third in a series taking Sharpe all the way to Waterloo.