The second book in the Kingdom of Farin series finds John adjusting to life with his new found father, Sir Henry. After returning to his father's home, John turns his thoughts to learning a trade even those Sir Henry insists that it is completely unnecessary. Along with his friend Liam, he gets his opportunity to explore seafaring when he accompanies Lady Mariana to the coast where he gets to try his hand at working on a real ship. Their journey takes them through the village of Gaithwaite where they visit John's mother, but they are not prepared for his step-father's anger upon meeting up with the boy. John is able to convince his mother, who has been quite abused by her husband, to leave with him, but his step-father is not keen to let his wife go so easily or see the object of his anger slip through his fingers. At the coast he carries out his plan and waylays John. John's friends and family spend every minute searching for him and in the end fear they have to give him up for dead.