The Herons are home in Skandia-preparing to celebrate two of their own and working on sea trials in the newly constructed Heron. But during a short excursion, they encounter an Iberian pirate ship raiding the coast of Sonderland, so Hal and his crew take action. Though the Herons quickly triumph, the Iberians voice their fury at the Herons, vowing to take revenge. And soon they do-raiding the harbor and stealing or destroying as many ships as they can. Though there is little proof the Iberians are behind it, the Herons take their ship, the only one that has survived the raid-and race after their enemy in hot pursuit. They will take down these pirates and get justice-no matter what.