Reynard, a young apprentice, seeks release from the drudgery of working for his fisherman uncle in the English village of Southwold. His rare days off lead him to strange encounters&;not just with press gangs hoping to fill English ships to fight the coming Spanish Armada, but strangers who seem to know him&;one of whom casts a white shadow. The village&;s ships are commandeered, and after a fierce battle at sea, Reynard finds himself the sole survivor of his uncle&;s devastated hoy. For days he drifts, starving and dying of thirst, until he is rescued by a galleon, also lost&;and both are propelled by a strange current to the unknown northern island of Thule. Here Reynard must meet his destiny in a violent clash between humans and gods.