Darius has failed his examination for Lieutenant and it looks like his naval career has ended before it has started until a friend gives a helping hand. He has high hopes of serving on a frigate but instead he is sent to HMS Diamond Rock, a six hundred foot high, barren rock off the coast of Martinique inhabited by a handful of sailors, a flock of chickens and a herd of goats. Life looks to be uneventful until the French arrive and he is left to defend the beach whilst the other inhabitants escape to safety. His heroic action is recognised by Lord Nelson who finds him a place on one of his ships which is bound for England and the greatest sea battle of all time. It is the chance he has been waiting for to prove himself but when a letter comes telling him he has fathered an illegitimate son he knows that if he returns to England he would have to give up the sea for ever. Now he has to decide between duty and honour and neither decision will provide the ending he so much desires.
Disillusioned by his treatment by General Wellesley, Xerxes changes sides and uses his talents to aide Prince Holkar who is at war with the British but finds that the Indian Rajah no more listens to him than Wellesley did. Tired of being ignored he gathers his fortune together and boards a ship for France with the intention of joining an old friend there but trouble follows him and he soon finds himself embroiled in a plot to kill Napoleon Bonaparte. When the conspirators are betrayed he expects to be embracing Madame La Guillotine but his talents are too valuable to waste and he suddenly finds himself with two employers. The problem is they are on opposing sides and he has to decide where his loyalties lie or work out how he can spy for the French and the British at the same time without getting caught.
This series, Duty, Glory and Honour, follows the lives of Darius and Xerxes as they make decisions which will change their lives forever in a dangerous and unforgiving world torn by war and is Sharpe, Hornblower and Aubrey all rolled into one.
Genre: Historical
Disillusioned by his treatment by General Wellesley, Xerxes changes sides and uses his talents to aide Prince Holkar who is at war with the British but finds that the Indian Rajah no more listens to him than Wellesley did. Tired of being ignored he gathers his fortune together and boards a ship for France with the intention of joining an old friend there but trouble follows him and he soon finds himself embroiled in a plot to kill Napoleon Bonaparte. When the conspirators are betrayed he expects to be embracing Madame La Guillotine but his talents are too valuable to waste and he suddenly finds himself with two employers. The problem is they are on opposing sides and he has to decide where his loyalties lie or work out how he can spy for the French and the British at the same time without getting caught.
This series, Duty, Glory and Honour, follows the lives of Darius and Xerxes as they make decisions which will change their lives forever in a dangerous and unforgiving world torn by war and is Sharpe, Hornblower and Aubrey all rolled into one.
Genre: Historical
Used availability for Clarence Cook's Proving Grounds