In the dead of night, a large shipping crate is delivered to the home of our hero, Jack Flanders. Opening the crate, Jack discovers a green velvet overstuffed chair. When he sits in the chair, his everyday reality fades away, and he finds himself in a magical realm where three-masted ships sail the skies.

As a church bell tolls the midnight hour, Jack can feel himself being drawn to the green overstuffed chair. When he sits in the soft, velvety cushions, he finds himself seated upon the back of a Frombork, a fierce winged reptile. 

At midnight, the green velvet chair calls to Jack. As he sinks into the seductive cushions, he finds himself back on the Blue Swallow, sailing through the night sky. Standing in the bow, smoking a cigar, is a little girl with pigtails, her name is Little Frieda.

Jack dreams that he is on the back of a Frombork, but he awakes to find he is in a punt being poled by a man wearing a cape and top hat. This strange fellow introduces himself as the Marquis of Carumbas (a name he stole from someone who never existed). The Marquis offers to take Jack across the borders into the realm of, “The Nevermind.”

While on the Blue Swallow, the alchemist, Dr. Mazoola, causes an explosion that also injures Little Freida. Both are fading fast. Captain Swallow convinces Jack to bargain with the Lords of Death for their souls. But when Jack finds he’s standing before the Lords, with nothing to offer, they insist he dance for them. But when he tries, wearing the Marquis’ tap shoes, the Lords of Death boo and hiss, it’s thumbs down all around.

The sky ship, the Blue Swallow, encounters an ice storm, plus pirates, and are forced to land on the misty isle known as “The Dragon’s Breath.” While the ship is being repaired, Jack and Little Frieda discover a cave with paintings of giant eggs. And then, they discover The Dragon!

Jack tries Old Arts' "far-seeing" and winds up in the mind of a wild Frombork. The Blue Swallow is attacked by the Pirate Queen, the Black Mona Lisa. Captain Swallow catches a cannon ball with his tummy, and with the Pirate Queen about to board, Jack is voted the new Captain.

Using a whip, cutlass, and curses, the Pirate Queen teaches Jack how to be a “Captain!” Attempting to free Little Frieda, they attack the sorcerer Mad Mazoola’s castle. Jack “far-sees,” putting himself in a whirling dust devil, but winds up in one of the sorcerer’s bubbling glass beakers.