A Column of Fire

Barney, who is now disillusioned with the poor conditions in the Spanish Army, is forced to kill his captain, Gomez, because the man attacked Ebrima following an argument. Barney, Ebrima, and Carlos flee. They find an old man on a raft in the nearby river, subdue him, and set out to reach the fields. Barney is wracked with guilt over killing Gomez and is uncertain about the future. Ebrima questions Carlos about his freedom, and Carlos finally confirms it. The trio decide to head to Antwerp in search of safety.

When they reach Antwerp, they hide the raft and tell the guards that they are relatives of Jan Wolman, who is a cousin to the fathers of both Barney and Carlos. Jan welcomes them into his home. Ebrima is uncertain about his status but enjoys his newfound freedom. They build a new furnace, which is completed a month later. Jan is impressed, and Carlos explains that competitors in Spain destroyed the previous furnace out of jealousy. Business discussions follow, with Jan suggesting that the profits be used to pay off the loan, after which the remainder will be shared among them. Barney, however, decides to leave for Kingsbridge to see his mother and Ned. He joins the ship Hawk, which is captained by Dan Cobley. Barney is unaware of the ship’s true destination. On the journey, Barney learns about Kingsbridge's current state and Ned's rising influence in Elizabeth's court and realizes that he has been tricked into returning to Spain.

As Odette gives birth, Pierre is filled with resentment and disappointment and hopes that the baby won't survive. When he finally hears the baby's cries, he heads upstairs to find Odette near death. The midwife hands him the infant. Odette chooses to name the baby Alain after his birth father. Angered by the name, Pierre plans to abandon the baby and considers various options. He eventually takes the baby to the Convent of the Holy Family and claims that Alain is illegitimate. Pierre pays off Mother Ladoix and leaves for a tavern. When Pierre returns home, Charles demands he bring the baby back. He also charges Pierre with caring for the child for the rest of his life. Although Pierre is furious, he complies with the order.

Sylvie, now living under an alias with her mother in Paris, has a new business supported by her sale of illegal Bibles, but her supply has now run out. Determined to obtain more Bibles for the Protestant community, she decides to go to Geneva and seek the help of Luc Mauriac, a cargo broker. After selling her last book, she attends a secret Protestant service and learns that the court is moving to Orleans. Realizing the potential danger, she decides to journey to Geneva alone. She disguises herself by cutting her hair short and pretends to go on a pilgrimage to Vezelay.

In Orleans, Pierre collaborates with Charles de Louviers to assassinate Antoine de Bourbon and neutralize their enemies. They plan to strike at a grand palace during a debate at Chateau Groslot. Pierre informs Alison of their plot, and Charles de Louviers reveals the necessity of a signal from King Francis to authorize the assassination. Alison proposes an alliance between their powers, and Pierre contemplates a romantic connection. As they await the signal, Francis falls ill, disrupting their plan. Scarface refuses to carry out the deed, leaving the conspirators in shock as Francis leaves the scene. Sylvie journeys to Geneva, facing advances from others and enduring freezing temperatures along the way. Disguised as a laywoman, she struggles to buy books from printers until she meets Guillaume. With his help, she purchases expensive and cheap Bibles and conceals them for her return trip to Paris. Guillaume expresses interest in her. While she does not reciprocate, she still accepts his assistance for the return home.

Alison worries about Mary's status if Francis should die, and Caterina sends her to deliver a message to Pierre. It is part of her larger summons of the Guise Dukes and their enemies, during which she announces Francis's imminent death. She manipulates Antoine into relinquishing the regency and appoints herself as regent for her second son, surprising everyone. She successfully consolidates power and orchestrates a symbolic reconciliation between Scarface and Antoine, establishing herself as the effective Queen of France. Meanwhile, Sylvie moves her cargo through Marseilles and attends a Protestant service but decides to save her books for Paris. Later, she encounters customs issues, but Luc Mauriac, the cargo broker, helps her to bypass inspection.

In 1561, Ned and James Stuart are sent by Elizabeth to persuade Mary Stuart to stay in France to prevent civil unrest in Scotland due to her strong Catholic beliefs. They find Mary in St. Dizier and face resistance from Pierre. Despite Ned's attempts to dissuade her, Mary remains determined to return, influenced by Pierre’s promises of power and support waiting in Scotland.

In 1562, Pierre joins Scarface in Champagne and heads to Wassy to suppress a Protestant gathering. This leads to a brutal confrontation in a barn where many Protestants are killed. Pierre sees the brewing civil war as an opportunity for his ambitions. Meanwhile, in St. Etienne, Sylvie, appalled by the violence, learns about Pierre's servant Nath, who possesses a notebook with lists of spies. Sylvie convinces Nath to get revenge on Pierre by obtaining the notebook.

A year after the Massacre of Wassy, the civil war progresses as Scarface leads Catholics in besieging Orleans. However, the Duke is wounded in an assassination attempt. Pierre senses an opportunity to solidify his position. He manipulates the situation, framing Gaspard de Coligny for the attack. When Scarface succumbs to infection, Gaspard is falsely accused but escapes execution. As the war ends, Sylvie warns the Protestants of a spy amongst them.

Barney, who is now the master gunner on the Hawk, participates in a trade of enslaved people that was initiated by Captain Bacon in the Caribbean islands. They purchase enslaved people in Sierra Leone and sell them in Hispaniola. Uncomfortable with the trade, the crew grows anxious about the legality of these activities. A cleric named Father Ignacio informs them that Don Alfonso wants to see Captain Bacon. Barney goes with the captain to meet with Alfonso, who arrests them for illegal trade. They negotiate a bribe with Alfonso, although Bacon also threatens to use the Hawk to level the town. Barney is intrigued by Alfonso's illegitimate daughter, Bella, and later purchases rum from her. Barney must return to the ship, but Bella invites him to supper.

Barney, who falls in love with Bella, contemplates his uncertain future with her. He does not ask her to leave with him when he returns to the ship. As the Hawk departs, a Spanish ship approaches. Barney, who has naval combat experience, aids in the defense. While significant damage is done to the other ship, it is Bacon's steering that saves the Hawk. They head to Combe Harbor and leave Hispaniola behind.

Margery attends a secret Catholic Mass in Tench, risking legal consequences under Queen Elizabeth's rule. The congregation practices religious tolerance, attending both Catholic and Protestant services to avoid fines. Despite the dangers, Margery finds joy in preserving her faith. Later, Ned faces an awkward proposal from a woman named Susannah, which he declines. He meets with Queen Elizabeth to discuss the appointment of a new bishop for Kingsbridge to replace Julius. The meeting takes a turn when the Spanish ambassador accuses English pirates of attacking a Spanish ship. He also accuses Ned's brother, Barney, of piracy, leaving Ned in shock. Elizabeth is unperturbed and focuses on the bishop’s appointment. She approves Luke Richards, a converted Catholic.

Margery’s marriage to Bart is troubled, and she contemplates dying by suicide or running away. Despite Bart’s absences, she still finds herself compelled to accompany him on Catholic missions. After the death of Earl Swithin's bride in childbirth, Margery is once more the lady of the house in Tench. Swithin repeatedly sexually assaults her. In the aftermath, she is told to pray for forgiveness.

In Kingsbridge, Rollo learns of a plot by Dan Cobley to disrupt the consecration of the new bishop, Luke Richards. Rollo sees an opportunity to manipulate the situation for personal gain. Earl Swithins has come to attend the consecration, and Rollo informs him of the situation; together, they plan to murder Dan Cobley. Margery expresses fury at her family for using violence and feels used. She meets Ned, warns him about Dan’s plan, and reveals the Catholic spy. Ned decides to thwart violence during the bishop's consecration and suggests a fake funeral for the relics. Margery is disappointed with Ned's decision because she wants Swithin dead. However, Ned learns about the assault and vows to take action. In the market square, chaos ensues as the planned brawl is thwarted, and Sheriff Matthewson intervenes. Rollo is caught off guard, and Ned, fueled by rage, confronts Earl Swithin. Swithin and Ned engage in a fight, but Ned arrests Swithin for blasphemy and murder. Rollo wonders if Ned planned the whole thing.