Whilst in jail both his friends are infested with the plague and Will becomes deathly ill from what later turns out to be ague.

Both of his companions die but Will is bailed out by a man called Edmund who is extremely wealthy and a friend of Nat, who during the story is always at Will's side.

But Will refuses to leave until he has finished his work in relocating his stock, so he sends Susanna, with friends, to make it out of the city and into a farm where she is to camp for many nights.

Kirkus Reviews found Forged in the Fire "Lovely"[1] while Inis magazine described it as "an enjoyable, enthralling story.

"[2] Leslie Wilson, writing for the Guardian, said "The research, clearly meticulous, never laborious, is part of the muscle and sinew of the narrative.