Rufkin must learn to try harder. He is sent to work in a salvage yard amongst black mud and ancient ship parts. Here you double-knot your laces and tuck your pants firmly into socks to protect youfrom the vicious cave-lizards.Then Rufkin meets Nissy, and a small boy who can only say "Help!", and they are caught up in a perilous sea adventure.Rufkin, the boy who suffers stage-fright, is suddenly centre stage: the only one who can right an ancient wrong and save the kingdom.