While Branan's uncle Mathias is recounting the story of Samson slaying thirty Philistines, Philistine soldiers break into Mathias' house and take both of them captive. Branan is brought before Commander Sidon, who orders his execution and holds Mathias prisoner.

On the way to his execution, Branan escapes his captors and returns with a band of marauders determined to loot Sidon's palace and to free Mathias.

Branan trades in his camel and the desert for an adventure on the high seas, as he joins marauders on their way to take back stolen goods from Branan's arch nemesis. And what would a maritime tale be without a sea creature! But can the son of Samson stand up to the mighty leviathan? Along the way, Branan may find how even those who appear to have noble purposes might prove corrupt when there's treasure involved.