The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey

Griffin, a 14th century boy in northern England's Cumbria district, has visions he cannot explain - a church steeple, a cross in the water, a falling glove. So far, his community has been spared from the black death, but the villagers fear its imminent arrival. Connor, one of the leaders among the residents, returns from a journey to the cities, telling tales of wide-spread deaths from the fatal disease. "You find a lump under your arm, and you're dead the next day!" With the boy as their guide, a group of men set out to dig a hole to the other side of the world to fulfill the visions and save the village. They believe that a copper witch's spike placed on the steeple will spare them. With the boy as their guide, a group set out to dig a hole to the other side of the world, to fulfill the vision and save the village. They carry the ore with which to cast the spike. Using an ancient, human-powered ram, they punch a hole into the sewer system beneath 20th century Auckland, New Zealand city. Griffin becomes the group's navigator. Their first obstacle is cross a very busy freeway in the dark. Then they need to find a foundry. Griffin has them blindfold him so that he can find the facility by his sense of smell. Last, they need to take the cast object to the proper church in the sprawling city. It's across the harbor.