Winterset enters the service of Rhodes and witnesses first-hand the ugly and brutal side of Rhodes's independent colony-building. Later on, Winterset can only watch helplessly as "The Original Situation" reasserts itself, the world is convulsed by two World Wars, and the second one is followed by the breakup of the British Empire.
Winterset joins Rhodes's service and witnesses firsthand the harsh and violent aspects of Rhodes's independent colony-building. Later, Winterset can only watch helplessly as "The Original Situation" reasserts itself, causing global turmoil with two World Wars, followed by the disintegration of the British Empire.