Falcon Lord -- Book Three: Escape from the Skookumchuck (An Epic Steampunk Fantasy Novel)

By D. A. Metrov

"FALCON LORD is wonderful—the most enticing fantasy world I've come across in years, with characters we truly care about—and I have no doubt it'll hit the world with a bang." Robert Zemeckis, Academy Award winning writer-director-producer of BACK TO THE FUTURE, FORREST GUMP, CAST AWAY, POLAR EXPRESS

“I found the world of FALCON LORD to be majestic, visually stunning, and endearing. I have no doubt this franchise has the capacity to grow and grow.” Bruce Joel Rubin, Academy Award winning writer of GHOST, JACOB’S LADDER, DEEP IMPACT, STUART LITTLE 2, THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE

“I was stuck by the magical nature of FALCON LORD, and sincerely hope to see it join the ranks of fantasy classics.” Mark Johnson, Academy Award Winning producer of RAIN MAN, CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, A LITTLE PRINCESS, GALAXY QUEST, THE NOTEBOOK

An Epic Steampunk Fantasy Novel--In this third installment of Falcon Lord, a series of Steampunk Fantasy Novels, the good people of Valkyrie have finally driven off Dredgemont’s gorpes and nzumbe trolls, but the enemies’ evil spirits still haunt Perpetua. The great raven, Wark has died, and the citizens elect Brighton Aviamore the new Chancellor. The Falcon Rider’s first challenge is to stop the mysterious winds that are growing worse by the day. But when Willowmena is kidnapped by a monstrous bird, and Brighton discovers she’s been taken to a land called Amaraka, he abandons all other concerns, and swears an oath to get her back. Forced to traverse the dimensions of time and space, and reincarnate in a new body, Brighton is reborn in Kansas shortly after the end of the American Civil War which has been won by the South. An elitist mob of Rutheneist tycoons (part zombie, part vampire) are destroying the earth out of greed, and the same winds ripping apart Perpetua are driving humanity underground. Brighton grows up to be a brilliant inventor and aviator. He attends the finest steam technology university in the country where students race single-man steam jets in a city filled with a bewildering array of Babbage-steam driven vehicles, airships, and other inventions. Joined by Will, Pello, and Biffee (also incarnated as humans), Brighton discovers the winds are originating from an oceanic whirlpool that’s being fueled by manmade disruptions to the environment. Though determined to find a solution, he faces a series of devastating traumas including Will’s murder. Assisted by a small army of robots, he constructs an enormous levitating platform in the shape of a falcon to carry a reverse-ionization device over the sea and restore balance to the discordant atmosphere. His nemesis, Dredgemont has also incarnated in America, and sets out to destroy him by raising an army of phantom gorpes, trolls, and bats, including Gretch and Malgor. A clash of spirit armies takes place amidst the global hurricane and the Skookumchuck whirlpool threatens to swallow Brighton and his fantastic airship to the bottom of the sea.

FALCON LORD -- A SERIES OF STEAMPUNK FANTASY NOVELS

• Language: English
• Publisher: D. A. Metrov
• Release date: May 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301649730

D. A. Metrov

LIGHTMASTERS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS THE YA STEAMPUNK-FANTASY WURKS OF D. A. METROV I attended UCLA film school, then moved to New York City where I worked for ten years as a designer and fine arts painter. During this time, I spent a year painting in Rome, Italy. Inspired by the early works of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, I wrote a 32 page treatment with drawings for my motion picture, SOLARBABIES. The treatment evolved into a 12-minute, computerized slide presentation. With the help of Mark Johnson [RAIN MAN], we sold the project to Mel Brooks [THE PRODUCERS]. The movie is still in distribution by MGM. Some of my writing mentors have been Menno Meyjes [THE COLOR PURPLE], Walon Green [THE WILD BUNCH], Bruce Joel Rubin [GHOST], and Bruce McAllister [DREAM BABY]. My first agent was Jack Rapke, Head of the Motion Picture Department of CAA, now producer for Robert Zemeckis [FORREST GUMP, CAST AWAY]. I'm now represented by Caren Bohrman of the Caren Bohrman Agency. I've written, produced, and directed two, small feature films, DARK SPIRAL and LITTLE EDEN, as well as several short films. I have multiple novel, graphic novel, and motion picture projects in development--most currently, the FALCON LORD series, THE TERRIBLE QUEST OF THADDEUS PENNYBROOK'S KNEE-HIGH STEAMBOTS, and MACHINE OF GOD. I currently live in Santa Barbara, California with my wife Maureen. Maureen has a real job. As a Doctor of Pharmacy, she saves lives daily. Together, she and I care for a wild and terrible black cat. Though the creature resides in a permanent state of sleep, it somehow manages to keep the household free of dangerous lizards and thieving field mice. To learn more, please visit: www.lightmasters.net.

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FALCON LORD

Book Two: Escape from the Skookumchuck

D. A. Metrov

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013

Lightmasters Publications

www.lightmasters.net

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 9781301649730

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ENDORSEMENTS

FALCON LORD is wonderful—the most enticing fantasy world I've come across in years, with characters we truly care about —and I have no doubt it'll hit the world with a bang.

Robert Zemeckis, Academy Award winning writer-director-producer BACK TO THE FUTURE, FORREST GUMP, CAST AWAY, POLAR EXPRESS, BEOWULF

I found the world of FALCON LORD to be majestic, visually stunning, and endearing.  I have no doubt this franchise has the capacity to grow and grow for a long time to come.

Bruce Joel Rubin, Academy Award winning writer GHOST, JACOB’S LADDER, DEEP IMPACT, STUART LITTLE 2

I was stuck by the magical nature of FALCON LORD, and sincerely hope to see it join the ranks of fantasy classics.

Mark Johnson, Academy Award Winning producer RAIN MAN, CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, A LITTLE PRINCESS, GALAXY QUEST, THE NOTEBOOK

Thank god someone like D.A. Metrov has produced a brilliant green series of books with characters, that are fun, smart, captivating, and most importantly, that teach a different way of thinking about our responsibility to the planet.

Robert Glenn Ketchum, Leading landscape photographer, author, & environmental activist; winner United Nations Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award

Artwork by D. A. Metrov

Thank you for supporting the Arts!

If you enjoy this book, you can learn more about the

author and his other books at http://www.lightmasters.net.

Prologue

In Book Two—RESTORATION—the citizens of Valkyrie were faced with the destructive consequences of Dredgemont's old mining operation: his abandoned tunnels were collapsing, and the mountains caving in. Perpetua's rivers were polluted by toxins and mutant monsters. Monkrat children were entering the world with birth defects. Drinking water was scarce. Chancellor Wark commissioned Brighton Aviamore to return to the underworld to retrieve maps of Dredgemont's former empire—maps which might allow the citizens to fill in or otherwise shore up the old mines. Before his departure, Brighton was shocked by the appearance of his mother, Lady Aviamore, who'd been lost underground for nearly two years. She begged his forgiveness for abandoning him, claiming she'd been bewitched by Dredgemont. At Willowmena's insistence, Brighton sent her away. But Lady Aviamore managed to win their favor by revealing the location of the sought-after maps.

During his journey underground, Brighton discovered that gorpes, led by Croatius (the tailed-one) were re-building their army. Not only were they constructing a fleet of armed dirigibles, they were purposely breeding the deadly eels and poisoning the isle's water with toxic waste. What Brighton failed to discover was the gorpe's eugenics laboratory. Using technology stolen from the abandoned eugenics lab in Valkyrie, the gorpes were supplementing their army with a frightful variety of mutants: apecats, megaboars, and semi-organic rotopods.

Trapped in an underground cave-in, Brighton recovered the Sorcerer's Chest from the ghost of Dredgemont himself. But the wily spirit tricked him and nearly succeeded in casting him into the very heart of Hades. With the help of his falcon, Mandroid, Brighton escaped, but lost the chest. He finally returned home to find Valkyrie under attack by an army of underworld mutants, including a titan robot known as the Lightning Giant. Falcon Lord took lead of the resistance and inspired the Valkyrians to hold the line against overwhelming odds.

Angered over the destruction and imbalance occurring on Perpetua Isle, an antediluvian beast known as the Ambroglious rose from the sea to annihilate all the Earth's creatures. Unexpectedly, it was Willowmena who was able to control the monster and turn it against the enemies of Valkyrie. The Ambroglious ended up sacrificing its life to help defeat the Lightning Giant and the rest of the underworld army.

After the war, the intrepid monkrat brothers, Pello and Biffee, thought to be dead, arrived in Valkyrie with the Sorcerer's Chest and the lost tunnel maps. The citizens commenced the daunting task of restoring Perpetua from years of destruction caused by greed.

The story ended when Willowmena agreed to accept Brighton's hand in marriage.

PART ONE

Death and Illusion

Chapter One

Strange Winds

The Lizard King and his attendants sat on a promontory high above Valkyrie Heights not far from the falcons, Mandroid and Marka. The old monarch blinked and wondered about the unusual wind blowing in from the north seas. He had a sense about winds. He could tell by their velocity, and the odors they carried, and their direction, and temperature, their origin, who'd sent them, and for what hidden purpose. The wizened reptile knew more about the nature of winds than any creature on Perpetua. He knew they had spirits of their own. That they were entities from other realms.

This wind, he thought, carried a warning. Change was coming for Brighton Aviamore and his beloved Willowmena. A change that would reveal a secret most never dreamed of.

Once more, the King blinked. He lowered his gaze to the solemn ceremony taking place down on the flats, attended by all the citizens of Valkyrie.

Brighton Aviamore felt his eyes watering. He'd tried to fight the grief that had been building in his belly for the last three days. But now, walking next to Sharpeye, and surrounded by all the others, he could no longer hold back. Chancellor Wark had died. The injury to his wing inflicted during the Battle of Valkyrie had festered for months. Despite her healing skills, Lady Sharpeye had been unable to save him. The fact was, the old raven had been tired. He'd wanted to move on. Years of warfare had taken their toll. Even his wife never knew he'd secretly dreamed of simply growing his walnuts in a kinder, quieter world.

The great raven had served as leader of the township and commander of the war. He'd been mortally wounded for his efforts. And now, the citizens of Valkyrie were gathered to honor him. Never before had a chancellor been so loved. The tears flowed like tiny waterfalls from the eyes of everyone present.

Even the mighty Magradores felt the mourning. The two of them—Brighton's Mandroid, Willowmena's Marka—perched proudly on the mountain top overlooking the Heights. The birds had nurtured their chicks for months after they'd hatched. Brighton and Will had decided to let the offspring return to the wild to maintain the population of Perpetua's giant falcons. The parents had not protested, but remained loyal to their riders.

The only one not in attendance was Lady Aviamore. She'd gone on a walking trip into the deep woods looking for herbs. She'd begun to practice the Art of Magic more frequently after the Battle of Valkyrie. It had become her custom to wander off on her own, often for days at a time, to collect flowers and rare plants for potions and spells. Brighton never questioned her about it. Nor did Will. They gave her the benefit of the doubt that her magic was white, not black. Performed for good, not evil. And so she'd been off in Perpetua's mid-country when Wark had passed away.

A number of elders and other prominent citizens had already delivered long, moving eulogies. In fact, the speeches had gone on all day. Even Sharpeye was glad when they'd finally ended.

Led by Brighton, Willowmena, Lady Sharpeye, Pello and Biffee, and the town elders, the massive procession wound its way across the flats and down the bluff trail toward the beach. Behind the procession leaders, six giant Wolfstalks carried Wark’s casket on their shoulders. Dwarol sparrow riders, blowing long brass horns, fluttered like cherubs overhead. Dozens of steaming robots flew in formation behind them, Mitor at the lead. The robots blasted low, mournful drones from their chest horns. If a traveler had been within hearing range, he would have believed he was hearing Tibetan monks in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Taking up the rear, several hundred monkrats chanted the funerary hymn reserved for heroes. The song was in the old tongue, and so it sounded more like the moaning of prairie dogs than actual singing.

Brighton and the others left the trail and crossed the beach. Brighton was surprised to see the sun already going down. He looked at Sharpeye and saw she was exhausted. It had been difficult enough tending to Wark in his last days. Enduring an all-day ceremony, on her feet the whole time, had taxed her to the limit.

Brighton glanced at Will. She forced a bitter smile, then turned to Sharpeye.

Why don't you sit, Eleanor? It will take some time for everyone to get down here.

Sharpeye smiled in gratitude, then lowered her large, feathered frame to the ground.

It was a full hour before all the citizens finally assembled on the water's edge.

One of the elders nodded. The chanting ceased. Everyone watched in silence as monkrat crews fired up the steam engines of two specially constructed airships that had been positioned on the beach the day before. Smaller than regular fighting ships, Brighton had designed them to fly on their own once launched. Their partially filled balloons inflated quickly. The crews disembarked and manned the stays that held the vessels earthbound.

Somber eyes watched as the Wolfstalks set Wark's casket on the sand between the two dirigibles. The monkrat crews attached their stays to the massive wooden crate, painted black and decorated with flowers, and redberries, and parchment drawings from the monkrat children.

The eldest of the council members approached Sharpeye with a lit torch. She stood up again and took it in her beak. Without a word, she used it to set fire to her husband's casket. Since it had been soaked in oil beforehand, it erupted in flames. The monkrat crews scurried back. The airships lifted away. And the strange wind carried Wark out to sea.

The crowd watched their beloved leader drift into the sky accompanied by squadrons of dwarols and robots. Brighton could have sworn he heard choirs of angels humming somewhere in the clouds. All mixed up with the horns and whistling wind.

The two Magradores called out and took flight. They soared into the sky and circled high above the funerary vessels, calling out to honor their winged brethren.

Wark's casket burned bright as an evening star. It rose in the heavens even as the sun descended below the horizon. The citizens watched as the fire left a trail of black smoke. They knew it was the raven's remains returning to spirit and ash. Then, having burned its stays, the fiery casket broke free and plunged into the distance waters. The dwarols and robots circled around it like gulls in celebration.

The citizens gazed skyward, almost mesmerized, in the soft dusk light. The wind, which had died down, picked up again. In an instant, it howled, as if all the mountain gods were venting their sadness. The sea whipped into a frenzy of whitecaps. The zephyrs that rolled down from the North grew strong enough to pick up sand and drive it down the beach.

Brighton put his arm around Will's shoulder.

Goodbye, Wark. He wiped his eyes and squeezed her. They both looked at Lady Sharpeye. She smiled with the grace and dignity she always possessed. The citizens parted in solemn respect, and the three of them led the procession back to Valkyrie.

The Lizard King stared straight ahead, his troubled eyes not looking at anything in particular.

What is it, my lord? asked one of his attendants.

The king appeared spellbound by some inner vision.

I should be used to these things by now, he said without moving a muscle. But I'm not. It's always a bit of a shock. Always a little unnerving.

The attendants glanced at each other.

What do you mean?

I sense the coming of an event. A disruption in the very fabric of Nature. It will be shocking and painful for many. More so than the death of Wark. And we will be powerless to do anything about it.

Again, the attendants glanced at each other. Intuitively they knew what their old monarch meant. Still, they wanted confirmation. But before they could ask, he spoke again.

Even if we could intervene, we must not.

Who, my Lord? Who is behind this? whispered another of the king's loyal aides.

I've said too much already.

His ancient eyes never flinched. They burned like coals as the sky darkened and night fell. And the wind blew the sea into a ballet of delirious whitecaps.

The entire citizenry accompanied Sharpeye back to her home. Monkrats, dwarols, Wolfstalks, and robots watched in silence as Brighton and Will walked her to her front door.

Would you like some company, Eleanor? Will asked.

Willowmena and Sharpeye had become the best of friends ever since returning from the war at Drakton several years earlier. After all, Will was the only female human, and Sharpeye the only female Gothhoven raven. So their bonding was natural.

Thank you, dear. But I'm tired. I just want to sleep.

We understand.

Sharpeye looked at the crowd of mourners gathered behind Brighton and Will

I can't thank you enough. Each and every one of you. You've done a great honor to my husband by being with us today. Now please go home and enjoy your families. Before this storm gets any worse!

She lowered her massive head and squinted her eyes from the wind.

The citizens shuffled on their feet, and glanced around, a little uncertain about leaving her.

And grieve no more, Sharpeye shouted. Wark had a great life. He lives on. Up there. She nodded to the sky. Celebrate all that he accomplished.

Many managed meager smiles. A few cheers rose above the wind. Finally, the citizens of Valkyrie obeyed, and turned to head home.

Good night, Eleanor, said Will, kissing Sharpeye on the beak.

Brighton hugged her around the neck. Good-night, Eleanor.

Good night, whispered Sharpeye. And with that, she withdrew into her cottage and closed the door.

Brighton took Will's hand, and they, too, headed home.

What not a single Valkyrian realized was the Wark had been watching the whole affair. He sat in a walnut tree big as a mountain that had grown just for him in the otherworld. His heart was filled with warmth and joy, and swollen with affection for his beloved Sharpeye.

Thank you, my angel, for our life together, he thought to himself. We shared one hell of an adventure, eh? Perhaps we'll do it again sometime. In another lifetime.

He watched her for a few moments longer, right through the roof of their cottage, as she readied for bed. He blinked his eyes and turned. He spread his massive, ghostly wings. And without a sound, flew off into the heart of the distant stars.

Chapter Two

A New Leader

Brighton and Willowmena returned home to find Marka and Mandroid already cuddled together in their mews. The birds didn't move, or make a sound, but merely opened a single eye each to acknowledge their masters’ presence.

A wolf howled somewhere in the distance mountains. The wind whistled through the tree tops and bent the tall pines toward the south.

I wonder if your mother's home yet? Will shouted as they headed inside.

Probably not. She would have joined us on the beach.

Brighton glanced back and met Mandroid's eye. He and the bird shared a silent knowing that someday, they, too, would have to part. Just as Wark had parted from everyone he knew.

Brighton looked away and closed the door. Mandroid went back to sleep.

Inside, Will made a pot of redberry tea.

Brighton lit a fire in the hearth.

Sad day, he said watching the small flames grow from the kindling he'd gathered that morning. It was always best to prepare the evening's fire in the morning. By the time night fell, it was usually too cold to go collecting branches and logs outside in the dark.

Sad, but hopeful, said Will. The future holds great promise now that the gorpes are gone.

Still a lot of work to do. To stop the erosion in the tunnels.

She came up and squatted next to him as he stared into the fire. She took his arm and laid her head on his shoulder.

We've plenty of workers. And they're very energetic, she cooed.

Lucky for that.

He paused.

I'm a little anxious, Will.

She raised her head and looked at him.

The council will hold an election soon. Everyone will vote in the new Chancellor. Word is, I'm the most likely candidate.

Word is, she said, laying her head back against him.

I have mixed feelings about it, said Brighton.

That's natural, I suppose.

He stood up then, suddenly a bit agitated.

I mean, it's a big responsibility. He paced now.

She sat on the floor, holding up her palms to feel the warmth of the hearth.

I want to do my duty. But it will be different than being Sky Sheriff. I'll be dragged into politics. He furrowed his brow. I'll be caught in the middle of their bickering. Tangled up in petty intrigues. And gossip. You know how I hate gossip.

You'll do a fine job, she said keeping her gaze on the fire.

I don't have the experience. They've told me themselves. How many times have I heard that? I'm a Falcon Rider. From a long line of Falcon Riders. That's where I'm comfortable. Up there. Flying free. In the sky. Feeling the wind and the sun on my face. What do I know about council meetings? And leading the whole damned community?

What did Wark know before they elected him? He'd spent his life tending walnut trees.

Brighton frowned. He knew she was right. She was good at keeping her poise when he became upset. He knew she'd learned that from Sharpeye. He looked down at her and realized she was grinning.

What's so funny?

She got up and hugged him.

Monkrat politics. It's a funny notion, if you think about it. A bunch of furry males arguing in the town hall. Smoking their pipes. Trying to outmaneuver each other. For what? They all want the same things. It's nothing but machismo.

Machismo? he said feeling disarmed by her sweet face.

Machismo is when males strut their stuff trying to outdo each other. She grinned again, and kissed him on the lips.

I love you, she whispered.

I love you, too.

He looked over her shoulder, staring into space. I'll be trapped inside that damned smoky chamber all day.

Not all day.

It's not what I want to do. I'm happier inventing things. I'm good at it. I have ideas for inventions that will help the whole isle to prosper. He looked into her eyes. I want to be a good husband. I want to provide you with everything your heart desires.

Her eyes sparkled.

You already have.

You know what I mean. Not only that we have to...

... reschedule the wedding? She giggled.

Yes, reschedule the wedding!

Their wedding plans had been delayed by Wark's death, and they hadn't yet set a new date. But Brighton had finally become accustomed to the idea. And once he'd done that, he couldn't wait to have a real wife.

Thank you, my love, Will said still smiling into his eyes.

Why are you thanking me?

For being you. And for loving me.

He felt himself blush. He didn't know what to say.

You're also going to make a wonderful father.

His eyes went wide.

You're not...

She grinned.

Not yet. I don't think. She lost her smile and laid her head on his shoulder again.

Brighton tried to remain calm. He knew that part of growing up meant accepting more responsibility. And doing it with poise. But did it all have to come at once? Being elected town leader? Getting married? Having a child? Then there were the memories of his parents'