As to the crystals of bizarre nature known to have been in the possession of the White, I must confess my complete ignorance as to their fate. The rocket fired by the Free Protectorate at the height of the Battle of the Redoubt unleashed an inordinate amount of explosive power and I consider it highly probably the crystals were destroyed in the blast. I would request, in the interests of forging an amicable working relationship, that you no longer pursue this point, for I consider this particular matter is, and will remain forever, closed.
I await your reply with the greatest interest and look forward to many years of fruitful and mutually beneficial co-operation.
Yours,
Lizanne Lethridge
Co-Director, Mount Works Manufacturing Company
Blaska Sound
Varestia
DRAMATIS PERSONA
IPV Superior
Corrick Hilemore—Captain of the IPV Superior.
Steelfine—Barrier Isles native and First Officer of the IPV Superior.
Dravin Talmant—Junior Lieutenant IPV Superior.
Naytanil Bozware—Chief Engineer IPV Superior.
Myratis Lek Sigoral—Junior Lieutenant of the Imperial Marines, former acting captain of the INS Superior.
Scrimshine—Convicted smuggler and inmate of Lossermark gaol, helmsman to the IPV Superior.
Claydon Torcreek—Unregistered Blood-blessed and member of the Longrifle Independent Contractor Company.
Krizelle “Kriz”—Ancient member of the Philos Caste.
Braddon Torcreek—Uncle of Claydon Torcreek. Captain and chief shareholder of the Longrifle Independent Contractor Company.
Loriabeth Torcreek—Daughter to Fredabel and Braddon, apprentice gunhand to the Longrifle Independent Contractor Company.
Cwentun Skaggerhill—Chief harvester to the Longrifle Independent Contractor Company.
Preacher—De-anointed cleric to the Church of the Seer and marksman to the Longrifle Independent Contractor Company.
Zenida Okanas—Blood-blessed and former captain of the pirate vessel Windqueen. Contracted Blood-blessed and navigator to the IPV Superior.
Akina Okanas—Daughter to Zenida.
Varestia
Lizanne Lethridge—Blood-blessed. Former covert agent of the Exceptional Initiatives Division, Ironship Trading Syndicate. Co-Director of the Mount Works Manufacturing Company.
Jermayah Tollermine—Technologist and employee of the Mount Works Manufacturing Company.
Professor Graysen Lethridge—Freelance Technologist. Son of Darus Lethridge, inventor of the microscope and co-inventor of the thermoplasmic locomotive engine. Father of Lizanne Lethridge.
Tekela Akiv Artonin—Orphaned daughter to Corvantine noble Burgrave Artonin. Lizanne’s ward. Lead aerostat pilot to the Mount Works Manufacturing Company.
Madame Hakugen—Former Comptroller of the Eastern Conglomerate Port of Lossermark. Later Co-Director of the Mount Works Manufacturing Company.
Makario Bovosan—Composer, pianola player and former inmate of Scorazin Imperial Prison City. Friend to Lizanne.
Garrit Verricks—Captain of the IPV Profitable Venture.
Benric Thriftmor—Ironship Syndicate Board member and Director of Extra-Corporate Affairs.
Zakaeus Griffan—Contracted Blood-blessed of the IPV Profitable Venture, husband to Sofiya.
Sofiya Griffan—Contracted Blood-blessed of the IPV Profitable Venture, wife to Zakaeus.
Wulfcot Trumane—Captain of the IPV Viable Opportunity.
Ensign Tollver—Junior Officer aboard the IPV Viable Opportunity.
Dr. Weygrand—Medical Officer of the IPV Viable Opportunity.
Alzar Lokaras—Claimant to leadership of the Okanas Clan and Custodian of the High Wall.
Morva Lokaras—Blood-blessed. Adopted niece to Alzar.
Arshav Okanas—Co-Chair of the Varestian Ruling Council, claimant to leadership of the Okanas Clan and half-brother to Zenida Okanas.
Ethilda Okanas—Co-Chair of the Varestian Ruling Council, mother to Arshav.
Sanorah
Lewella Tythencroft—Acting editor of the Voters Gazette. Senior member of the Voters Rights Alliance.
Fredabel Torcreek—Wife to Braddon Torcreek and co-owner of the Longrifle Independent Contractor Company. Leader of the Carvenport refugees in Sanorah.
Sigmend Talwick—Chief correspondent with the Sanorah Intelligencer.
Molly Pins—Former Carvenport resident.
Stockcombe
Jillett—Blood-blessed. Member of the Voters Rights Alliance and Free Stockcombe Governance Committee.
Coll—Member of the Free Stockcombe Governance Committee.
Colonel Ethany Kulvetch—Commander of corporate forces in Stockcombe.
The White Drake’s Army
Catheline Dewsmine—Blood-blessed. Former Mandinorian socialite. Chosen servant of the White Drake.
Sirus Akiv Kapazin—General, former curator Morsvale Imperial Museum of Antiquities.
Henris Lek Morradin—Former Grand Marshal of Imperial Corvantine Legions. Co-general and rival to Sirus.
Veilmist—Former Island native. Chief statistician to the White’s army.
Forest Spear—Arradsian tribal warrior.
Others
Arberus Lek Hakimas—General of the Corvantine People’s Freedom Army.
Hyran—Blood-blessed. Aide to Arberus.
Jelna—Blood-blessed. Former revolutionary and aide to the First Citizen.
Varkash—Former pirate and inmate of Scorazin Imperial Prison City. Admiral of the Corvantine People’s Freedom Navy.
Attcus Tidelow—Captain of the SSM Farlight.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks once again to my US editor, Jessica Wade; my UK editor, James Long; and my agent, Paul Lucas, for their support and guidance over the course of three long and complex books. Also, thanks to my proofreader Paul Field, who still won’t let me pay him, and thanks most of all to the readers who have joined me on this journey. It’s always sad to say good-bye, but every story must reach its end.