An eager young man is tasked with having to find employment to repay a loan to a relative. Using this opportunity to answer an inward call, Edward Fairbury procures employment sailing. He confirms, rather, what he suspected all along: he must take to the sea. Upon returning to find his mother had died from illness, he makes a reckless decision that entraps him as we learn how Edward Fairbury survived to be the Captain of the Nicolette in this prequel to The Worthy Captain.