In late 15th century Venice, only four people are aware and accepting of the subterfuge of his undetectable mask, and Rade's true scarred face behind it. His father-in-law urges him to leave Venice and immerse himself in the French invasion of the states of Italy. Create a story. Get rid of the mask. Come back as who you really are - so the rest of the world will accept your scars. He presents Rade with an unruly cavalry horse named Artimon. A gift Rade doesn't want. Rade departs, accompanied by his manservant and friend, Alberico, along with a mule train loaded with grain to sell to the French. Things start going wrong early on. Crossing the Apennines, an accident separates Rade from Alberico and Artimon. Bereft, his young bride, Caterina, struggles to reorder her life and Rade makes the acquaintance of Maria. Thus begins a journey that culminates in the notorious Battle of Fornovo, which becomes a matter of survival for Rade. Their marriage, strained to the breaking point, falters.