Prester John

A restless twelve‑year‑old narrator recalls a summer of daring games along the cliffs of Kirkcaple, where secret oaths turn a simple cove into a pirate’s hideout. With friends assuming the names of legendary sea‑raiders, they slip out of a Sunday service for a hidden adventure, chasing the thrill of imagined treasure and the mystery of a lone figure seen on the shore. That fleeting encounter plants a seed of yearning that will steer him far beyond the familiar sands of his coastal town.

Soon the boy’s curiosity propels him into a world of distant landscapes, treacherous rivers and whispered legends of the fabled Prester John. Along the way he meets a colorful cast—clergymen, rugged hunters, and fellow seekers of fortune—each shaping his journey with stories, danger and unexpected kindness. The early chapters weave together youthful bravado, the pull of the unknown, and a lingering promise that true adventure lies just beyond the horizon.