1792. British naval lieutenant George Vancouver arrives in the Pacific northwest on a voyage of exploration. He has orders to take possession of Nootka Sound, but finds the Spanish, led by Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, already there and unwilling to leave. Quadra and Vancouver negotiate their countries' claims, manoeuvre for advantage, and seek the support of Maquinna, chief of the Mowachaht, who recognizes the threat posed by all the newcomers to his territory. While the commanders seek a solution, their crews fraternize and wait. When a young man is killed on shore, Spanish and British alike blame the natives and demand revenge. The man's commander, though, refuses to retaliate without proof. He investigates, and uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and exploitation - and the identity of the killer.

How Quadra and Vancouver respond to their standoff, and the truth they both discover about the murder, could ignite into conflict in the Pacific northwest - or outright war between the world's two most powerful empires.