Michael Smyth lands in the New World on an HBC ship and is ordered by Lord Benton to venture into the frontier in search of fur trader Declan Harp, the man responsible for the murder of Benton’s soldiers at a remote outpost.

While Douglas and Malcolm Brown negotiate a loan with wealthy Samuel Grant, their brother Cedric Brown kidnaps a Lake Walker boy as trade leverage, setting off a deadly chain of events in the Bay. Michael chooses a side. Emberly takes a big risk that puts her in Benton's crosshairs. Harp makes a promise to the Lake Walkers.

After an unprovoked attack on their camp, Machk leads the Lake Walkers to retaliate against the Brown Brothers. Harp sets out to find the truth while tensions increase.

An unexpected arrival to Fort James puts Lord Benton and Chesterfield on edge. Emberly conspires to rid herself of a problem. Michael is shocked when he sees someone from his past in the Bay.

Fort James explodes into chaos when Michael and Sokanon conspire to free Harp from Benton's grip.