Martin Hyde, the Duke's Messenger

Born in a damp Suffolk rectory as a Dutch‑war rider clattered by, Martin Hyde grows up amid the rumble of militia drills and the whisper of smugglers in the fens. He learns to paddle coracles, hunt waterfowl, and navigate the wild reeds that lace the Broads. These early lessons turn his boyhood into a restless apprenticeship for a life on the water.

When the war ends, the coastline buzzes with secret cargoes and the promise of adventure. Martin’s uncanny skill with boats draws him into the service of a powerful duke, where he must deliver messages across treacherous tides and cut‑throat rivals. Along the way he meets colorful companions—captains, a mysterious Aurelia, and the rough‑handed men of the coastal clubs—each shaping his daring journey toward an uncertain future.