A young princess Elizabeth is in a dangerous position as her older siblings jostle for the throne.

       Roger Ascham, Elizabeth teacher and mentor is determined to keep her safe, So when he receives an unusual invitation from the sultan in Constantinople, asking him to take a part in the greatest chess tournament the world has ever seen, he resolves to take a princess with him.

       But death stalks the streets of glittering Ottoman Capital - a cardinal has been found mutilates, Ascham is asked to investigate, but as he and Elizabeth delve deeper, they uncover a secret that marks the young princess for life and darkness that defines the queen she will become.

   Author:-  Matthew Reilly