In Lyonesse, if you know how to swim, you must be a Cross - a half-human, half-monster hybrid.

When Idris Limpet survives drowning, he is condemned to death, but a hasty escape leads him to safety.

Now he is going to become a monster groom and care for the very eatures waiting to be killed for the land's fuel.

He can't even imagine what destiny has in store for him.