Plot

Wellington is about to invade France and is considering his options. Sharpe's regiment, under the command of a green Colonel, is sent to capture a French castle in the hope that the local population will rise up against Napoleon.

Wellington is about to invade France and is considering his options. A French anti-Napoleon aristocrat indicates that the people of his area might rise up against Napoleon if the British made a show of force in the district. Wellington sends Sharpe's regiment and some riflemen to take the aristocrat's castle, now occupied by the French. The unit is to be led by a very inexperienced Colonel whose lack of competence in military matters is soon obvious.—grantss

Sharpe, with his new commanding officer, is sent to capture a castle when news comes of locals who will rise against Bonaparte. However, he is somewhat distracted by thoughts of his wife whom he was forced to leave while stricken with fever.—layle