Drake discovers a woman's helping finance the political agitators in Santo Marco who are trying to bring down the government. He sets out to find out who employs her and why. Drake discovers it's being funded by a member of the aristocracy; Lord Ammanford, who's completely indifferent to the problems. Drake sets out to investigate Lord Ammanford's background, and receives considerable interference. For a man with unlimited capital, resources, and powerful connections, Drake needs something which neither Ammanford's money nor power can stop -if Drake wants this to end favourably for the people of San Marco.
—jem