Taking work as a mercenary aboard a Spanish galleon, Captain Alatriste, accompanied by his faithful foster son, Íñigo, participates in a grueling battle on the high seas that brings Íñigo's readiness for independence into question.

Subtitle from cover. "Originally published in Spanish as Corsarios de levante by Alfaguara, Santillana Ediciones Generales, S.L., Madrid.". -- t.p. verso.