Summary

In Chapter One: "Rotten in the State" opens with John Sands watching sword practice. The rest of the acting company called the King's men prepare to perform for King James. However, as two boys fail at a stage fight, Joan takes the sword to show them. The metal gives her its name, Alala, and she practices the fight with Nick, whom she is attracted to.

Later, after Joan fixes the rest of the company's swords, she meets with her brother, James. He and another apprentice, Rob, play the women's roles, as laws prohibit women from speaking lines on stage. Nick and Samuel arrive as Master Phillips is suspicious seeing all the dark-skinned people together. Samuel gives Joan a token of esteem to pass to one of the lady acrobats. She leaves before the boy's teasing gets out of hand.

On the way to...