Spring 1471 amidst war in Britain and Europe, the Bank of Niccolo awaits the return of its founder Nicholas de Fleury He is soon back, caught up in the political power-plays of the rival lions of Europe Charles of Burgundy, Louis of France, and the two Jameses of Scotland and Cyprus, all competing for his money and his genius He chooses Scotland however this is only the first stage of a journey fuelled by strong emotion - until he finds the land of golden light, which might turn him from his purpose altogether