When Bertram Blackwood's father is attacked and injured, Bertie must take his father's place and travel to Japan where he hopes to obtain a contract for silk from the prince of the Kaiyo province.But his rival, Felton Coleman, doesn't play by the rules.Despite an attack on Bertie, and his right-hand man Tom, they still make it to the rendezvous in time to be taken to the palace.When Bertie meets Prince Ichirou, friendship soon becomes something much more, but danger stalks Ichirou.Bertie must battle with an ancient evil if he's to save his prince.