India, 1818. While escorting a young woman across a dangerous and lawless land, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Sharpe and Sergeant Major Patrick Harper become embroiled in a perilous journey through territory threatened by bandits, unrest, and hidden enemies. When violence leaves a vulnerable wagon train in desperate need of leadership, Sharpe is forced to take command and guide its occupants to safety. But as the journey unfolds, Sharpe uncovers signs of a far-reaching conspiracy that threatens far more than the lives under his protection.

It's India, 1818 and Lt Col Richard Sharpe and Sergeant Major Patrick Harper are travelling across India, escorting the beautiful Marie-Angelique Bonnet to meet her fiancée. While in bandit-plagued badlands, they come across the very dregs of the Crown's troops; an ill disciplined, rag-tag unit led by boy soldier Beauclare. As Sharpe and company sit down to have dinner with their hosts, the camp comes under attack by the notorious bandit Chitu. As the dust settles, it becomes apparent there have been many casualties and Sharpe realises that he is the only person now capable of getting this wagon train to the safety of the next army garrison. Little does Sharpe know that the adventure has only just begun and that he has inadvertently stumbled across a massive opium trafficking ring...