Chapter One Summary

The Hundred Days is about the hundred days when Napoleon has escaped and attempts to reignite his quest for world domination. Aubrey and his squadron are tasked with halting the building and outfitting of ships in the Adriatic region who seek to aid Napoleon. A second, very important task is the halting of a shipment of gold intended for the payment of Muslim mercenaries who are tasked with the responsibility of preventing the Russian and Austrian armies from uniting against Napoleon. Aubrey, along with his close friend Maturin, are eminently successful in all their assignments and end the hundred days to both acclaim and increased wealth due to the capture of the gold intended for the mercenaries' pay.

There has been a quick rearmament of the British navy and army in 1815 following the escape of Napoleon Bonaparte from Elba. Unemployed and half-employed men await the...