Vasco Coelho was a young boy in the Court of King Manual of Portugal when Magellan petitioned for royal aid to sail westward to the Spice Islands of the Far East. When King Manuel refused the petition, Magellan went to King Charles of Spain, taking with him young Vasco, whose love for the sea and adventure had drawn him to the great explorer. Intrigue, hardships, success, and, in the end, death waited Magellan on that voyage that was to be known as one of the greatest in history.