John Rossendale is the modern-day wandering sailor. His life is spent alone, on distant oceans off far-away lands. He asks for nothing, is answerable to no one. Except his family; the hostile, feuding faded aristocrats who are now summoning him home.

          It is the death of his mother that brings the family together. After the funeral John wants only to return to the seas. But instead he becomes a reluctant player in a game of the highest stakes. A famous, priceless family heirloom has gone missing, and several exceedingly dangerous people want it very badly. One of them thinks John knows where it is — and is prepared to kill for it.