Murder in Transit: A series of short gaslamp steampunk adventures books exploring a magic future world, #5

By Leeland Artra

"Murder in Transit" – the latest electrifying novella in the "Endless Horizons" series – takes readers on a perilous journey through the heart of the Duinna Empire. Newly elevated peer Lady Janali faces her most daunting challenge yet, not on the high seas or in the skies, but within the confines of the royal train.

 

As Janali travels to the capital with the Empress and a cadre of imperial peers, she finds herself entangled in a web of political intrigue. Surrounded by hostility and suspicion, her temporary peerage hangs by a thread, with the House of Ladies poised to cast their decisive votes. The royal train, a symbol of imperial majesty, becomes a stage for power plays and silent battles.

 

But the treacherous journey takes a sinister turn when a heinous murder shatters the illusion of safety. The victim? The highly influential Duchess, a vocal opponent of Janali's elevation. The accused? Janali's own servant. With the train hurtling towards the capital, Janali must navigate the murky waters of aristocratic politics to uncover the truth.

 

Trapped in a moving fortress with the murderer, Janali races against time to solve the crime. Every peer a suspect, every conversation a potential clue, the tension mounts as alliances form and secrets unravel. The solution to the murder is as unexpected as it is bizarre, challenging Janali's wit and ingenuity like never before.

"Murder in Transit" is a gripping tale of suspense, set against the backdrop of a steampunk empire. It's a story of loyalty, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Join Lady Janali as she confronts her most intricate puzzle yet – one that could seal her fate in the empire's elite or mark her downfall.

 

Join Leeland's community of readers, get access to his draft works in progress, and early access to the next published work find more details in the members area of his website.

 

What Others are Saying about the Endless Horizons

"Really fun book! Read it one sitting, can't wait to read the next one!" - Justin Johnson

 

"I really liked the characters and the world seems very intriguing. Can't wait to read the next in the series!" - Megan Vesel

 

 

"This is still a great read even the 2nd time thru. I grand hold and holds you. Well written. I truly love these books." - Pauline Hughes

 

"Like the first one, this book really sucked me in. The characters continue to be great, the fantasy world is rich, and there is always something exciting happening. I can't wait to read the next one!" - Purple Penguin

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leeland Artra Author
• Release date: Feb 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223794752

Leeland Artra

Leeland Artra is a science fiction and fantasy junkie turned author. He's also a Navy-trained computer scientist, an experienced table-top gamer, and a "code janitor" working virtually in the big three clouds. So yes, his work is to clean bits of imaginary systems running on simulated machines in pretend computer centers. So making up entirely imaginary worlds and adventures is not that much of a stretch. By day, he helps keep people healthy and secure. By night, he takes readers on fantastic trips of the imagination through the worlds of his books. He lives in the Emerald City (Seattle) with his indulging incredible wife and never-ending inspiration inspiring son. Join Leeland's Star Seeker community for free at https://reamstories.com/lartra where you can chat with other readers, Leeland himself, and get peeks at his works in progress!

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

FOR THE EMPIRE

Duchess Ellen Ramsbottom Mandruia sipped her afternoon tea compensating for the gentle rocking of the private train coach. Green silk drapes held open with jeweled silver clasps reflected the clear day's sunlight from the large windows they framed. Outside the green and brown sunlit forest scrolled past providing occasional bright blue glimpses of a mountain lake. The small tray of triangular crustless sandwiches sat in the center of the low table no longer needing the raised edges to stay in place as the tracks were almost level having finished descending out of the Nacitas mountains.

The soft regular thunk-thunk of the train's passage along the tracks gave a hypnotic heartbeat that matched the slight swaying. Ellen Mandruia imagined the train as a loving mother carrying her children safely in her warm arms. She'd long ago stopped noticing the trappings of her elevated status. Now that she was dead, she looked at the room as a child, proud of the elegantly appointed car. The fresh scents of linseed oil glistening from wood panels blended with the aromatic steam from the dark tea.

The current generation's young duchesses had replaced their houses' private cars with modern examples of Ventali fashion. Youthful minds thinking the current hard lines, polished brass, and sweeping white panels graceful. Duchess Mandruia appreciated the hundred years of engineering and artistry that produced her efficient and sophisticated private train car. House Mandruia's standard colors of green and white felt more majestic making the multipurpose office and sitting room perfect for focusing the mind.

In these last minutes of her life, she thanked the Star Empresses for all her blessings. Especially the Nacitas tea, undeniably the most luxurious flavored tea in the empire. Her butler, knowing her particular taste for the tea had taken advantage of the unexpected trip to Nacitas to secure a large supply.

For a moment she wondered if this was truly the right course. It seemed a shame it would leave the expensive tea for her scion to drink. Her daughter, like many of the younger nobility, preferred the bitter java drinks that swept into the empire in the last decade. Duchess Janali Jedalor-Galinos also preferred java, a small thing to be sure, but yet another mark against her.

The thought of a purple sash second daughter calling herself Duchess Galinos, made Ellen's hand tighten on the teacup and a frown appear on her reflection in the window. Ellen forced her hand to relax and smiled at her reflection, her resolve to finish this last task held in the forefront of her mind. Her House was as old as the imperial house. Ellen had tightly controlled her life and house for over six decades. Her life had always been and would forever be under her own control. Her daughter would understand. It would have been nice to hand the title over and spend a couple of decades watching her daughter's successes. The Star Empresses had made a different plan for her. She hadn't understood before, but when Empress Alsenna had elevated Janali, the path became clear. Ellen had one last duty to perform as the matriarch of House Mandruia to ensure her palace in Star Empress Duianna's Sky Domain.

The excellent tea finished, she set the gold and green cup decorated with the Mandruia fanciful winged horses standard on the dark wooden table. The train came out of a narrow canyon providing her a magnificent view of snow-packed peaks and green forests. The green of the forest matching the green walls with their golden chevrons outlined in narrow white piping.

It all seemed so new, so fresh. As her faithful old servant, Hindli, cleared tea service trying not to interrupt her reverie her muscles eased and the aches of age slowly faded. The constant pain in her chest she'd kept hidden for five months subsided as the medicines began to work. Ellen took a deep experimental breath without pain. She joyfully took in a slow long breath with the fresh clean citrus scents of the polishes that kept the leather supple and mixed well with the linseed oils used on the wood furnishings tickling her nose.

The loud knock didn't startle her, it was right on time. She exhaled and kept her face to the window. Beyond the edge of the train's tracks snow-covered peaks rolled by.

Ellen's eyes ignored the wondrous view to watch the reflection of Hindli cross the room to pull the hall isle door open. He spoke to whoever was there so softly Ellen couldn't hear the words.

Gi-out of the way. I was invited. Chief Oiler Wainli of House Jedalor's unique ship the Vibrius said in commoner twisted tones.

Ellen pushed the smile away and schooled her face in neutrality. She wasn't surprised he'd come; the man was a buffoon.

Her butler stepped back bowing as Wainli shoved past.

A tingle ran through Ellen's mind. She'd had feelings her whole life about people and her arm hairs prickled as Wainli approached. There was something not right about him, more than just dealing with a commoner.

Wainli spotted her and stopped taking his hat off revealing clean if uncombed gray and brown hair tied back into a workman's ponytail. You asked to see me ma'am? Why? You made it clear what you thought of Duchess Janali.

Ellen harrumphed at the title. It wouldn't last long, her plan was perfect.

Are you her creature? She said waving Hindli out.

Wainli watched the butler leave. Wainli's eyes narrowed, and he wrung his hat. I'll not betray her ag⁠—

He cut off the 'again' but Ellen as old as she was didn't miss it. She'd thought herself lucky growing so old without losing her faculties, sight, hearing, or any other sense. She'd destroyed many enemies by simply outliving them. Duchess Janali Jedalor-Galinos was the latest and she too would fall. Ellen pushed aside the pang of regret for not being there to see Janali's ruination, it was enough she'd fall.

Looking Wainli over again measuring her words she realized what bothered her. Wainli's eyes were green and when she'd first met the sailor she particularly noticed his eyes were the same golden brown as her favorite niece. Nothing else in the room seemed off-color, so her sight was not being affected by the drugs. Maybe, her memories were being affected. She pushed aside her concern; she'd sounded the race horns, and it was too late to change her lane now.

Come here. I have something to show you. She said indicating a wooden box on the side table. Take a look.

Wainli hesitated but stepped over and lifted the lid of the wooden box revealing two hundred golden crowns the Duchess had placed in it before the tea. She'd carefully counted them from her lockbox while the butler watched.

He let the top of the box fall closed. If I do anything against her, this wouldn't be worth a bent pence. You can't buy everyone, Your Grace. I won't betray her! He said angrily losing a little of his commoner drawl. He turned and marched towards the door.

You already have. The sensation of falling almost stole Ellen's voice. It reminded her of her youth when she'd dive from the cliffs of her estate into the warm waters of the ocean. It was a comforting feeling. She almost lost herself in the effect, a wide smile touched her face. It was time. The fool had come right on time. Ellen laughed, it was actually a little too close. Her arrangements were such she didn't need him present, but the Star Empresses were smiling on her. Everything was proceeding perfectly, just like the imperial train on its private tracks, unstoppable.

Wainli turned to face her. His eyes grew into large pools of evergreen waters with sparkling golden stars. What have you done? He asked his voice no longer the strange little man she'd met, his accent aristocratic.

Ellen ignored the changes in Wainli and grabbed the sides of her pearl necklace wrapped twice around her neck. With a deep breath, she screamed, Help! Before yanking both ends of the necklace with all her strength cutting off any more sounds. Lashing out with her leg she kicked the table making the box of gold bounce to the floor followed by her empty teacup. The lid broke dramatically spraying shining gold coins across the room. She didn't feel the fall, it was her iron will that allowed her to keep her eyes open and the necklace tight enough to hurt even with the