The tale of Cloran Hastings

the long version

"Cloran has spent his life at sea and is set to retire. He hopes to marry his long-suffering fiancee Adaire, but his hopes are dashed when King Bozin sends him on one final journey to the far-flung icy island of Miotes. This time, however, the Sea is jealous of Cloran, and will never give him up to Adiare freely. Alas, Cloran has no choice, and accepts the mission begrudgingly. 'One final journey,' he tells himself. No matter what happens, it will be his last. Join Cloran, First Mate Lenny, Greaves, Darrell, Turner, Mallory, Richards and Jenkins as they navigate Wavegrazer throutgh icy channels, floating castles, magical islands inhabited with faerie women and deadly reefs patrolled by the evil man-killing crab, Krackaman." --from the back cover.