Set in France during the Napoleonic Wars this is the first of a trilogy telling the story of a regiment of Napoleon's soldiers recruited from the dungeons of the Bastille. Murderers, rapists and political prisoners are thrown together under the ruthless leadership of the ambitious Cezar and pronounced expendable. Among them is Henri Lausard, an aristocrat who escaped the reign of terror by posing as a peasant, only to witness his family's slaughter at the guillotine. His guilt and despair make him a fearsome soldier, caring little for his own life whilst protecting his comrades; traits which bring him into conflict with Cezar. During a mission to steal Austrian gold, a murderer begins picking off the men and no-one is free from suspicion. Lausard suspects Cezar but has no proof and they must face the Austrian army unable to trust their own comrades....
