Captain Alatriste

After years of futile negotiations, Charles, Prince of Wales and his trusted counsel, the Duke of Buckingham, travel incognito to Madrid to enforce the prince's wedding with the Spanish infanta, María Ana of Austria, sister to King Philip IV. A “match” opposed by seemingly insurmountable forces: the holy inquisition and the Grand Inquisitor himself, Emilio Bocanegra, as well as Cardinal Richelieu, infamous counselor to King Louis XIII of France. Propelled by the sheer lust for power in the guise of religious righteousness, no intrigue is ruthless, no bloodshed vile enough to prevent the planned alliance of these two super-powers of the times, Spain and England. But destiny is decided not only in the palaces, but in the dirty, low-down streets of Madrid - the home of Diego Alatriste and his 14-year-old apprentice Iñigo de Balboa.

Thrust against his will into this filthy web of conspiracies, romance and treason, Diego, nicknamed the Captain, has his hands full not only as a bodyguard-of-sorts and sword-for-hire to the English prince, but as a man between two women, one scheming but whom he holds a secret passion for, one caring but whom he takes for granted. On top of which Diego must learn how to be a substitute father to young but brave Iñigo who refuses to budge from his side until the Captain has taught him his craft and, ultimately, to be a man.