It's 1642, and England is tearing itself apart. Politics & Religion, King & Parliament at loggerheads. Jacob Emerick, the youngest son of the Merchants Emerick, shipping owners, must save the family's gold and ships, under threat from a powerful family, the Fowkes. The Fowkes are supporters of the King, and want their loan to the Emericks repaid now, despite the actual legal agreement. They want to buy favours from the King, preferably an Earldome. The extreme Puritans want that money & the ships kept away from the King and don't mind how they do it. In order to keep all safe. Both sides are prepared to seize everything the family owns, using any method, including murder. In a few short weeks Jacob grows from cocky young man to serious opponent of violence & a powerful proponent for peace.