It seemed he never stepped out the door without encountering some danger. She’d wanted to glimpse the terrors of the deep and the sky, which Archimedes had fought and escaped so many times. She’d wanted to fly over the zombie-infested lands of Europe and Africa, which she’d described in dozens of stories but had never seen for herself. After years of writing about her brother’s adventures, she’d been looking forward to a little adventure of her own. So far, the journey had been as eventful as Zenobia had predicted-and not nearly as eventful as she had hoped. If ever I am forced to narrate the tale of my upcoming journey, the title will surely be The Scribbling Spinster and the Uneventful Voyage. Remember to collect your post, and you’ll see that I am getting on perfectly well. I shall write to you frequently-if you have any brains in your head, you will recognize my assumed name. I warn you again, Archimedes, do not even think of pursuit! I don’t need you and Captain Corsair to chase after me, shooting everyone who crosses your path. Rest assured that I have taken proper precautions. I have also assumed an alias to conceal my identity. No pirate would dare attack our escort, and we will not fly too near the smugglers’ havens. Helene’s husband serves as an ambassador in the French diplomatic corps, and we will be traveling aboard a naval airship to his station in the Red City. I forbid you from undertaking such a stupid effort.

It will be the perfect opportunity to research the location of the next Lady Lynx adventure.ĭo not stop reading this letter, Archimedes! Your instinct will be to drop it and rush up to your skyrunner, where you and your captain will make hasty plans to follow me.

She has invited me to accompany her to Australia, and I have accepted that invitation. I have had an unexpected visit from an old friend, instead-you will remember Helene Krause, though she is now Mrs. Since they have come into my employ, I have not been kidnapped even once. The guards you recommended to me have seen to my safety commendably. If this letter is in your hands instead of on my desk where I left it, you must have flown to Fladstrand without first collecting your correspondence in Port Fallow-where the note I sent to you would have saved you a trip.

The Kraken King by Meljean Brook