The de Médicis family visits Bruno's newly granted territory of Marseirre so Bruno can be briefed on the situation there. The seaside location provides the perfect opportunity for a beach trip. Upon returning from Marseirre, Farma finds that his pharmacy is even busier than before. However, with this higher profile comes unwanted attention.

Farma confronts Grand Temple Inquisitor Salomon, and his sudden conflict with the Inquisition takes a surprising turn.

With the Saint Fleuve Fair about to begin, Farma fights to keep the Black Death from ravaging the Empire.

Farma reaches the capital only to find that plague is spreading swiftly through the city. Can he and the people of the capital get the situation under control and defeat this epidemic?