简介：Spain1812 AfterthesiegeofCuidadRodrigo,theDuleofWellingtonplanstolaysiegetoBadajoz.Meanwhile,TeresatellsSharpeheisnowthefatheroftheirdaughter,Antonia,whoisintheirtargetcityofBadajoz. AnewdraftarrivesfromEnglandwithCol.WindhamandCapt.Rymer.InchargeofthemenisSgt.Hakeswill,amurderousfigurefromSharpe'spastinIndia.HakeswillbecomesobsessedwithTeresaandplanstousehertorevengehimselfonSharpe. Sharpeistoldthattheregimentnolongerhasaplaceforhimasacaptain,buthechoosestostayonaslieutenantandismadeQuartermaster.InabidforpromotionherequestspermissiontoleadtheForlornHopewhenthebreachatBadajozisstormed,butheisrefused. SharpeisgiventhetaskofguidingCapt.RymerandtheForlornHopetothebreach.Hewatchesastheyarerepulsedleavingmany,includingRymer,dead.Againsthispreviousorders,SharpetakeshisChosenMentothebreachandleadsthestorming.Theyaresuccessful. SharpefranticallylooksforTeresa,butHakeswillgetstherefirst,intentonrapingher.Afterafight,Hakeswillisinjuredandflees.Sharpehasreasontobehappy,heholdshisdaughterforthefirsttimeandisgivencommandoftheLightCompanyagain,togetherwithhiscaptaincy.Burtwillhishappinessbeshortlived?…