Free Steamscape by D. Dalton Page A

“–Flows straight south out of Eliponesia and into Mekani and then beyond the Steamscape. But the flatboat won’t leave Mekani, if it’s even allowed out of our country.”
    “It will be.” Merlina reached out behind her for an engorged perfume bottle and started to spray the letter.
    Solindra and the others slammed their hands across their noses, but the perfume still burned the backs of their throats.
    Merlina rolled up the letter and tucked it inside a small tube. “This is the only way the flatboat captain will know it’s real. He’s memorized my scent.”
    Drina coughed. “We’ll be smelled out by the sewer rats and thieves before we get there!”
    “Now, now. I know you’ll find a way to avoid them. Of all people, you know what it’s like to be caught in a web.”
    Drina’s eyes widened for just a fraction of a moment.
    Solindra snatched up the tube and stood. “Thank you for your time and this letter.” She turned and pushed her way through the heavy curtain. Jing and Drina followed.
    Theo was behind them when Merlina called, “A moment, please, little love.”
    He made a face, but stopped.
    She dropped into a much heavier bricoleur accent. “I fear I won’t be here for you much longer.”
    “What? Are you leaving the country too?”
    “Yes, but I waited to see you one last time. I knew you’d come.” She let her fingers play in the candle flame, passing through it but not burning. “You’re not going with them.”
    “No. Going to Redjakel to cause trouble for Steampower now.”
    “Don’t steal the cipher medallion.”
    “What?” He grinned innocently and squirmed in place. “It’s worth a mint.”
    “Now I know your momma taught you how to steal true and proper, but not this time, little love.” She pulled her hand back from the candle.
    “Merlina, thanks, but I will do what I need to do and–”
    “They will lead you to Flame,” she interrupted.
    Theo froze, and then immediately uncoiled with a feigned smirk. “How could you possibly know that? I know I told you what happened, but you can’t know that.”
    Her voice sounded more like a whip now. “I’m for real, my boy.”
    He remained motionless.
    “And you need to go. Now.” As he shoved aside the curtain, she turned her gaze and fingers back to the tall, slender candle.
    ***
    The candle had burnt down to nearly a stub. Merlina’s painted eyes fluttered open. She glanced up to see the curtains slapping against a strong wind. Then she cursed under her breath. She hurled her skirts to the side, jumped up from the couch and lunged for the curtained door.
    She stopped and her breath caught in her throat.
    The heavy curtain barring entry to the room twitched. A long glass length pushed it aside, smearing the fabric with the fresh, hot blood on its length.
    “Glinter,” Merlina groaned.
    Steam and smoke rolled inside as Smith strolled into her sanctuary.
    She deflated and retreated back to the couch. “You’re here sooner than I expected.”
    Smith frowned. “If you suspected my arrival, why are you here?”
    She wiped a tear from her eye, rubbing away some glitter and makeup. “Fate, I suppose. I was leaving on the morrow.”
    He shrugged, indifferent, and rubbed a piece of a tooth off from his sleeve.
    Merlina crashed back down on the couch. “Get on with it then.”
    Smith smiled and took a seat on the opposite couch. He set the glass cane upright and rested both hands on top of it. Glinter’s blood rolled down its length. “First, tell me about the man with the mechanical leg.”
     

Chapter Seven
    Solindra could hear the splashes better than she could see the water rushing against the side of the boat. She glanced up. The stars shone like crystals and the moons were mostly dark tonight. She squinted. There wasn’t even a lamp on the prow of the flatboat.
    If it could be called a prow. The boat was just a rectangle. It had no steampowered paddlewheel, unlike all those pictures she’d seen with ladies lounging