Ned deserts his post in the bear army, leaving his family behind, and sets out for the city of Wexlin to learn more about the life of his favorite author, the legendary river otter explorer Ulrich Leon Labarre. Drawn in by a group of pirate river otters with the promises of treasure, adventure, and to sail the same seas as his idol, Labarre, Ned takes a position as the cook aboard the infamous galleon, the Ironwill. What was planned to be a casual cruise down to the Island of Always Winter, turns into an adventure as the group encounters the jaguar navy, stormy seas, the ghost ship, the Dirty Whisker and her captain, the ruthless Roberto Maydia, a jaguar cursed by the Gods never to leave the seas. According to Labarre’s writings and legend, a bear is the key to reversing Maydia’s curse and bringing back the Gods and the magic to The Land. Maydia will stop at nothing to capture Ned and reverse his curse, while Ned must protect his new friends and unlock the secrets of Labarre’s legend at the end of the world.