1587. Tensions have existed between England and Spain, headed by Queen Elizabeth and King Philip, respectively, for thirty years, Elizabeth who has managed to calm the nerves for that time so as not to be officially at war. The tensions themselves are already causing issues for friends across nationalistic lines, such as between Sir Richard Ingolby of England and Don Miguel of Spain, who have to remain loyal to their country and monarch. The tensions are nearing a breaking point, as Philip's envoy relays to the Queen his displeasure of people like Sir Francis Drake and the conflicts arising at sea over gold coming from the new world. Deaths at the hands of the other side lead to greater loyalty to their monarch. As such, Sir Richard's son, Michael Ingolby, against the wishes of his unofficial betrothed, Cynthia, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, offers his service of an undercover mission to Spain to uncover the details behind what they believe to be an assassination attempt on the Queen by the Spanish, and details of the impending Spanish Armada.—Huggo