Did You Know, Mr. Intrepid?  [Part 16]

(Books by Authors Who Never Existed:  A Steampunk Hybrid story)

By the author of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

Did You Know, Mr. Intrepid?  [Part 16]

(Books by Authors Who Never Existed:  A Steampunk Hybrid story)

By the author of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

As they step onto Nigel Street, he glances at the cane with the dragon handgrip.  A time, from many years ago, replays in his mind. 

Mr. Claws, and Ulysses, had brought back, mysterious gravity crystals. from one of their far north adventures.  Mr. Claws had allowed the Museum of Physics to put some of the crystals on display.  However, on a cloudy night, someone, or something, had broken into the museum, and stolen the crystals.  Chief Shabuni was called in by the Yard, to help investigate.  The Yard believed the thief had arrived by steam train from Londonera.

It was twilight, in late spring, in Scotlandterra, when the Chief saw a person with a top hat and wearing a gray Londonera Fog, trench coat talking to someone else.  The collars of the Londonera Fog were up, so he couldn’t see the person’s face.  Another individual, with the curves of a woman, was holding a pink crystal, the size of a small scrying ball, in her hands.  She wore a tight, black bodysuit, black corset, and midnight blue calve high army boots.  A black cape covered her shoulders.  With the collar up, he couldn’t see much of her face, only the tinted, brass goggles she wore under her bowler hat.

When he saw that the crystal hovered above the woman’s hand, he charged towards the two.  The person in the trench coat blew on the crystal as he pulled out a double barrel gun.  After the crystal landed on the woman’s hand, she shoved it between her bosom, while drawing a black straw from a pocket in her corset.

After that, everything became hazy.  He remembers touching his neck.  Feeling the feather of a dart.  He fell sideways onto the ground, staring along a street full of terra cotta, coloured buildings.  His eyesight cleared but he couldn’t move.  He heard the rapid steps, before he saw a determined man, with a cane, walking by.  The man was wearing a top hat with a ring of copper wire that held up miniature gears, and a silver music note charm, with a skull at the top.  The man turned in his direction, and he immediately recognized him. 

“Here, take this, before they catch me,” the man said gruffly, to someone he couldn’t see.  That’s when he noticed the skeleton key, without a gemstone, at the front of the man’s top hat.  The voice, and tiny, tinted glasses told him, exactly who this was.

“Did you ever meet a man named Mr. Intrepid?” he dared to ask.

“Of course,” Lady Oolong replied.  “He was my father.”

***

Taylor Norris, RMT (Lady Evelyn Oolong): taynorris@gmail.com

My Jolly Sailor Bold—Mermaid performed by @_melegie

Perched Drake Cane by FireandSteel.ca

I just saw a fantastic steampunk post by @Hannah_redfoxcloset with art by @creadoresasueldo

One of the goals for these writing experiments is to include makers, and models of Steampunk.  Ben Lanzenstein of Switzerland creates Steampunk vehicles, weapons, and more.  I will be posting a short interview with Ben in very near future.  Meanwhile, you can see his work at:  ben_lanzenstein

Unwoman.com

Joanne Gosling (as Lady Marina Steamsail):  Jgosling@calclosets.com

Fireandsteel.ca Dragonrider Folding Knife

GRACEART Unisex Steampunk Top Hat with Goggles

Alivila.Y Fashion: Women’s Faux Leather Steampunk Corset Victorian Bustier Top

Wait, I’ll Go With You [Part 15]

(Books by Authors Who Never Existed:  A Steampunk Hybrid story)

By the author of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

Lady Oolong tilts back her head, and blows out the invisible smoke from her pipe.  “And what tea are you interested in Chief Shabuni?” she asks.

He stares down at her, and gulps.  “What do you know about a block of ice that doesn’t melt?” 

Her reaction is cool, and quizzical.  “That sounds interesting.  Is it used to keep a cold room cool, or drinking water refreshing?”  She smirks.

“It may be a portal,” he replies.  “Or part of one.”

“A portal,” she says while chewing on the end of her pipe.  “To where?”

He gives her a shallow smile, hoping it will come across as confidence.  He takes a chance by telling her a slight lie.  “Lady Steamsail believes, it’s a portal to somewhere called, The Other Place.”

For a moment Lady Oolong’s eyes widen.

When she doesn’t reply, he asks, “Can you think of anyone, who would be interested in Mrs. Claws’, books by authors who never existed?”

At that, she shrugs.  “Makes more sense than stealing a block of ice that doesn’t melt.”  She lets out a long breath.  “Anything unique, or that might contain secrets, is always of interest, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes,” he says with a nod.  He places his stovepipe back on his head.  “I must be getting back to Mrs. Claws.  There was a break in the other night.”

“Wait, and I’ll go with you,” she says.  “One moment.”

He watches as she pours some of the kettle water into a siphon connected to a cabinet.  Next, she takes a record out of the cabinet, and places it on the spinning table of a gramophone.  A needle automatically lifts onto the record.  As the sonorous voice of Melegie, and enchanting chords of a harp, play through the clamshell shaped speaker, Lady Oolong places her top hat on.  Next, to his surprise, she unwinds the dragon handle of her cane, to reveal a narrow sword blade.

“All ready,” she says.

***

Taylor Norris, RMT (Lady Evelyn Oolong): taynorris@gmail.com

My Jolly Sailor Bold—Mermaid performed by @_melegie

Perched Drake Cane by FireandSteel.ca

I just saw a fantasic steampunk post by @Hannah_redfoxcloset with art by @creadoresasueldo

One of the goals for these writing experiments is to include makers, and models of Steampunk.  Ben Lanzenstein of Switzerland creates Steampunk vehicles, weapons, and more.  I will be posting a short interview with Ben in very near future.  Meanwhile, you can see his work at:  ben_lanzenstein

Unwoman.com

Joanne Gosling (as Lady Marina Steamsail):  Jgosling@calclosets.com

Fireandsteel.ca Dragonrider Folding Knife

GRACEART Unisex Steampunk Top Hat with Goggles

Alivila.Y Fashion: Women’s Faux Leather Steampunk Corset Victorian Bustier Top

Book Review of The New Age Herbalist

Along with writing fiction (currently Books By Authors That Never Existed: Steampunk hybrid), and fitness articles and videos, I will be talking about eco friendly technology and other matters that have to do with positive eco living.

In this video I discuss the advantages of getting a book such as, The New Age Herbalist by Richard Mabey.

Have Some Valerian Tea [Part 14]

(Books by Authors Who Never Existed:  A Steampunk Hybrid story)

By the author of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

Lady Evelyn Oolong

Chief Shabuni hesitates at the hexagon glass store front with the double oak doors.  Engraved on the lintel in cursive gold lettering is, Lady Evelyn’s Oolong’s Tea Shop.  He climbs up the seven steps to the doors and bangs on the right door’s brass doorknob.  That the doorknob is in the shape of a wyvern, does not escape him.

The door opens, and Lady Oolong smiles graciously up at him.  She has her brunette hair done up in a twirling bun.  Pressing her lips against an old pipe she lifts her goggles onto her forehead.  Her grey shawl covers her shoulders and arms so that only her bronze-coloured corset and dress are visible.  She’s conveniently hiding, what he believes, is a very fit body.  The knee-high military combat boots she’s wearing, are a reminder, of how dangerous she likely is.  He can smell cherry coming from her pipe but sees no smoke.

“Come in, Chief Shabuni,” she says with a sweep of her arm.

As with Lady Steamsail, he feels unnerved by, what is for him, a tiny figure. 

She leads him past an assortment of tea drinking accessories to an ancient China cabinet.  “Let me boil some water.”

The perched drake cane, leaning against the China cabinet, is something that awakens his memories in a bad way.

Lady Oolong returns with a porcelain tea pot in the shape of an elephant.  “We’ll let it steep she says.”

He takes off his stovepipe hat and holds it against his belly.  Sweat starts to pour down his face.  Of all the people he didn’t want to deal with, it this group of merchants.  He knows they deal in magic; he can feel it.

“Chief Shabuni, you look a little stressed,” she says as she pores the tea into a China cup sitting on a saucer.  “Have some valerian tea.”  She pushes the teacup towards him.

From her tone, he knows the offer of the tea, isn’t just a suggestion.

***

Perched Drake Cane by FireandSteel.ca

I just saw a fantasic steampunk post by @Hannah_redfoxcloset with art by @creadoresasueldo

One of the goals for these writing experiments is to include makers, and models of Steampunk.  Ben Lanzenstein of Switzerland creates Steampunk vehicles, weapons, and more.  I will be posting a short interview with Ben in very near future.  Meanwhile, you can see his work at:  ben_lanzenstein

Unwoman.com

Joanne Gosling (as Lady Marina Steamsail):  Jgosling@calclosets.com

Fireandsteel.ca Dragonrider Folding Knife

GRACEART Unisex Steampunk Top Hat with Goggles

Alivila.Y Fashion: Women’s Faux Leather Steampunk Corset Victorian Bustier Top

The Race Series: The Whipping Post

Tebogo gives a very broad observation of Stone Town and discusses slavery and the teaching of European history in Africa. This is a really insightful article.

The Race Series (Sort Of): Where’s that?

Another insightful perspective from Tebogo. This one looks at something I have personally pondered. How we perceive different continents as being just one country, or that people are familiar with all the other countries on their continent. She explains this much better. Very much worth the read.

What Would I Know About, The Other Place? [Part 13]

(Books by Authors Who Never Existed:  A Steampunk Hybrid story)

By the author of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

What Would I Know About, The Other Place? [Part 13]

(Books by Authors Who Never Existed:  A Steampunk Hybrid story)

By the author of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

Lady Marina Steamsail wielding the Dragonrider folding knife fireandsteel.ca

Lady Steamsail tilts her head and stares up at him.  “A slab of ice that doesn’t melt?” she asks.

“One in which someone could see another place?”  Chief Shabuni has to shock her into giving away something in her expression or voice.

“You mean like a steam TV?” she asks, then gives a quiet laugh.

“Better quality,” he replies.

Her eyes turn away for a moment, as she purses her lips.  “I have heard rumours that Mr. Claws and Ulysses brought something else back, other than just the books by authors who never existed.”  She glances up into his face.  “But there’s all sorts of rumours floating around in this town.”

He nods his head.  Siku Claws and the giant Newfoundlandtir, Ulysses, always brought a great deal of excitement to Londonera.  Rumour was that Mr. TLC protected his human father, and dog brother’s findings, from everyone but Mrs. Claws.  “What do you think the interest would be in this slab of ice?” he asks.

“Well, if it can see into the Other Place, could it also be a portal?” Lady Steamsail replies, with an unconvincing shrug.

“Who would want it?” he asks, while watching her intently.

“What would I know about The Other Place,” she replies with a fake laugh.  She nonchalantly whips out the necromantic dragon knife.  “Sure you don’t want to take this away from me?  Could be dangerous,” she says with a menacing voice that does not match her beaming smile.

“No, you might need it.  There seems to be ninjas out stealing slabs of ice that won’t melt, and automatons trying to steal books by authors that never existed.  Thank you, and stay safe, Lady Steamsail,” he finishes with a warm grin.  “I’ll see myself out.”

As he walks towards Lady Evelyn Oolong’s Tea Shop on Tannic Street, he ponders Lady Steamsail’s comment on The Other Place.  The way she said it, sounded very much like it wasn’t the other place, but an actual place, called The Other Place.

***

One of the goals for these writing experiments is to include makers, and models of Steampunk.  Ben Lanzenstein of Switzerland creates Steampunk vehicles, weapons, and more.  I will be posting a short interview with Ben in very near future.  Meanwhile, you can see his work at:  ben_lanzenstein

Unwoman.com

Joanne Gosling (as Lady Marina Steamsail):  Jgosling@calclosets.com

Fireandsteel.ca Dragonrider Folding Knife

GRACEART Unisex Steampunk Top Hat with Goggles

Alivila.Y Fashion: Women’s Faux Leather Steampunk Corset Victorian Bustier Top

What Is It You Want To Know, Chief Shabuni? [Part 12]

(Books by Authors Who Never Existed:  A Steampunk Hybrid story)

By the author of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

“Come with me Chief Shabuni,” he hears Lady Steamsail call, in a motherly tone.  Which he finds unnerving, since he’s sure he has ten or more years on her.

Lady Steamsail leads him up a staircase to its landing.  He glances from a shelf full of trinkets up to the wall itself.  Paintings of great sailing ships take up most of the space.  However, there is also a panoramic picture of soldiers from the Great War.

“I don’t recognize the ships, nor the uniforms the soldiers are wearing,” he says quizzically.

“Perhaps you haven’t come across them in any books, yet,” she says in a taunting lisp. 

He nods his head, and stares easily over her head at the picture and the paintings again.  Putting his symbolic detective hat back on, he asks, “Do you think the books Mrs. Claws has, would have any pictures such as these?”

Lady Steamsail scrunches up her face into a thoughtful expression.  “Could be.  Is that what you came to ask me about?”

“More so,” he says, staring down at her, “whether you’ve heard any rumours about a slab of ice that doesn’t melt.” 

***

One of the goals for these writing experiments is to include makers, and models of Steampunk.  Ben Lanzenstein of Switzerland creates Steampunk vehicles, weapons, and more.  I will be posting a short interview with Ben in very near future.  Meanwhile, you can see his work at:  ben_lanzenstein

Unwoman.com

Joanne Gosling (as Lady Marina Steamsail):  Jgosling@calclosets.com

Fireandsteel.ca Dragonrider Folding Knife

GRACEART Unisex Steampunk Top Hat with Goggles

Alivila.Y Fashion: Women’s Faux Leather Steampunk Corset Victorian Bustier Top

Questioning Lady Marina Steamsail [Part 10]

(Books by Authors Who Never Existed:  A Steampunk Hybrid story)

By the author of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

Lady Marina Steamsail

Chief Shabuni excuses himself from Mrs. Claws house.  The Clockmaker will be arriving soon, and Inspecter Harper and Campbell, along with Mr. TLC, will keep watch over Mrs. Claws, and on The Book Stealer.  He needs to do something else in the meantime.

He keeps thinking about the four thieves dressed as ninjas.  There wasn’t time to process what he saw before but now he realizes they all had womanly figures.  Lady Iris comes to mind but he won’t go near her.  Some call her a witch, while others, a sorceress.  Whatever, she is, she sees him as a source of magic, and that terrifies him.  Where he came from, albino children were often captured.  A limb or their entire bodies amputated.  Their bones dried and ground into dust to make tonics believed to contain powerful magic.  That leaves three others to visit.  Lady Elsewhere, the owner of the Krystal Jewellery store; Lady Evelyn Oolong, the Vintage Tea store owner; and Lady Marina Steamsail, the boat supplier.

He walks down Main Street, nodding down at passersby’s, as he turns left onto Cauldron Street.  A short time later he sees the river Thamesmar and a large steepled building made of cedar wood.  He steps up the marble stairs to an arched alcove.  Two oak doors greet him.  He takes a bronze handle in the shape of a dragon’s head, and knocks.

The door opens and he sees Lady Steamsail standing by a grandfather clock.  “Come in Chief,” she says with a charming smile full of venom.

As he enters the spacious hallway, he notices shark teeth, and helms wheels, decorating the walls between large, oil paintings of famous sailing ships.  He takes off his stovepipe hat, and asks in a weary voice, “I need to ask you where you were the other night?”

“Don’t you want to disarm me before questioning?” Lady Steamsail asks, proffering her very ornate knife.”

He immediately notices the knife’s handle is in the shape of a necrotic motorcycle, with the twisted body of a dragon.  He gazes up her pink skin to her charming, yet deadly smirk, to her engulfing, blue eyes.  Then he stares for a long moment, at the skeleton key earring, that hangs from left ear.  A tiny, tanzanite crystal glimmers from the centre of the earring’s head.  “That won’t be necessary,” he answers.

***

One of the goals for these writing experiments is to include makers, and models of Steampunk.  Ben Lanzenstein of Switzerland creates Steampunk vehicles, weapons, and more.  I will be posting a short interview with Ben in very near future.  Meanwhile, you can see his work at:  ben_lanzenstein

Unwoman.com

Joanne Gosling (as Lady Marina Steamsail):  Jgosling@calclosets.com

Fireandsteel.ca Dragonrider Folding Knife

GRACEART Unisex Steampunk Top Hat with Goggles

Alivila.Y Fashion: Women’s Faux Leather Steampunk Corset Victorian Bustier Top

“Owner of the Gemstone” poem/song

Video with music of the author reading “Owner of the Gemstone” from the epic, deep, and dark fantasy novel, BARD: Owner Of The Gemstone.