A night watchman is the first to see the massive ship in Sesimbra's harbor. The people of the prosperous port city on Portugal's coast have never encountered anything like it. After a brutal fight, it leaves as quickly as it came, on course for Japan.
The Ocean Castle, under the fierce captain Jaidev, is a marvel. Astronomers and artists alike call her their home. A flourishing ecosystem of sailors, scholars, and tradesmen exists below her decks. Someone, however, appears to disrupt the community. The mysterious stowaway Xavier is determined to uncover the secrets of the magnificent ship.
Meanwhile, in Mikawa Province, Japan, Lord Sakurai Takeru is fighting for his political power. A former passenger of the Ocean Castle, Takeru has a mysterious bond with Xavier and is keeping secrets of his own. The lives of these two men will intersect once again in this swashbuckling adventure.
This historical novel has been meticulously researched by Mark Joseph Mongilutz. A student of military history, Mongilutz details the intricate realities of Renaissance Europe and feudal Japan. As two empires clash, Xavier's and Takeru's choices ahead will have an effect on generations to come.
About the Author: Mark Joseph Mongilutz is from the northern reaches of Washington State. He served as an infantryman in the US Army before receiving his master of arts in military history.
Mongilutz has cultivated a love of fantasy, history, and science fiction since childhood. He has also authored a graphic novel. In his spare time, he is learning the art of blacksmithing.
