In medieval France, Count Gismond becomes locked in an escalating war of nerves between himself, the nearby town of Faucon-bas, and a mercenary captain named Halt Redwood. Gismond needs money to finance his lavish lifestyle, and the townsfolk refuse to give it. Both the Count and the town seek outside help in their war for dominance, with Redwood caught squarely in the middle. Another fascinating tale of intrigue and politics by a master writer.