The discovery of an unknown cousin is significant for anyone, but for Emmet, it's life-changing. For within moments of meeting Captain Francis Drake, Emmet is invited to be his cousin's servant aboard the "Pelican" on a glorious trading expedition to exotic Alexandria, Tripoli, and Constantinople. It is a chance to go on a great voyage and to escape the angry mobs who now threaten him and his home. Emmet accepts. At sea Captain Drake's sailors become restless and angry -- animals who sniff out fear. Emmet witnesses death upon bloody death of those who are civil and kind, and sees innocent people of peace cut to shreds by men who seemed good. He realizes he must pick his friends carefully and rely on none. As the journey continues and Drake's crew pursues the fabled SilverShip, Emmet comes to see how a taste of wealth can turn men into monsters.

Award-winning author Laurie Lawlor sweeps us aboard ship with Captain Drake as we follow Emmet on an increasingly desperate journey of self-discovery while at sea with a motley crew of gold-thirsty men.