Charlie and the lions have made it safely to Venice. But King Boris's palace becomes a prison rather than a haven: The king's right-hand man has secretly made plans to give the lions to the Doge (Venice's much-hated ruler). When word arrives from the cat grapevine that Charlie's parents are not being held in Italy after all, Charlie knows he must take fast action--not only to rescue his lion friends but also to continue his search for his parents. He receives help from a gondolier, and during a city uprising against the Doge, Charlie and the lions escape by boat to Morocco--where more danger (in the form of Maccomo and Rafi) awaits them. But also waiting: Charlie's parents!