The siege of Troy is in its 10th year, in the third book continuing from King of Ithaca and The Gates of Troy The Greeks, with Achilles at their head, have inflicted numerous defeats on the Trojans, but Troy itself still stands. Dispirited, bitter, and frustrated by the war, Odysseus and his men think lovingly of home. But while Agammenon is still determined to avenge himself upon Troy for the theft of Helen by Paris, they are all trapped by the oath that Odysseus created. Eperitus, captain of Odysseus' guards, is tormented by his own oath—to protect the very man who murdered his daughter. When Agamemnon is threatened with mutiny by a disillusioned army he changes his tactics, ordering a series of attacks on the allies of Troy, thus depriving the city of reinforcements, trade, and supplies—but even this cannot draw the Trojans out from behind their walls. When Agamemnon angers the formidable Achilles, the battle for Troy seems doomed to failure. For it's only through the strength of their golden warrior that the pride of the Trojans will finally fall.