North West India, July 1897. Simon and Alice Fonthill are travelling with their old friend Jenkins to Marden, India for a 50th anniversary party with the Guides Corps. What begins as a peaceful journey becomes a dangerous battle as they find themselves ambushed by four Pathans. On arrival at Marden, their suspicions of conflict are confirmed as they are told of fresh trouble from the Pathans leading Simon and his comrade, 352 Jenkins, to join the charge in protecting a nearby fort. Afterwards, their respite is short-lived when Simon is tasked by Viceroy Elgin to deliver a very important letter to the Amir in Kabul. For her safety, Alice only travels as far as fort Landi Kotal in the Khyber Pass. But strife prevails throughout the land; tribe fights with tribe and every man is a soldier ready to bloody his hands. Undertaking his mission in Kabul, Fonthill learns from the Amir that an army is heading towards the Pass to seize the forts and will undoubtedly leave most for dead. Can Fonthill and Jenkins battle their way back across the Pass to the fort? And will they make it in time to rescue Alice or will the merciless Pathans get there first?
