No one wants war, but Jacob Emerick can see it coming. The King won't bend, the Puritans keep pushing, religion and politics are a dangerous mix. Jacob intends to keep his skin whole but is going to have take some risks.

Jacob's family are Merchant shippers and it's up to Jacob, their legal man, to save them from Puritans who want their ships out of the King's hands. Of course the King wants the ships and will award anyone who gets them for him. Jacob knows that if their loan is called in they'll lose the ships and their money. He has to prevent it, keep the ships out of the way of either party, and his head out of a noose.The King's people play very rough, murder is their game.