The Clockwork Crown

By Elara Quinn

In the sprawling, mechanical city of Cogspire, the streets hum with grinding gears, ley energy pulses, and secrets buried deep within its labyrinthine structure. Rex Wren, a mechanic with a mysterious connection to the city's pulse, lives a quiet life in the Rustways until a cryptic message tied to his brother's disappearance thrusts him into a high-stakes quest. The message speaks of The Crown, an artifact said to control Cogspire itself—if it truly exists.

Joined by the resourceful but enigmatic Lady Seraphine Valros, the rebellious tinkerer Sparks, and the charming rogue Ace Greaves, Rex must navigate shifting streets, ancient legends, and relentless enemies. Chief among them is Sentinel Marek and the powerful Order of Gilded Minds, who will stop at nothing to claim the Crown for themselves.

As the city shifts and tests their resolve, Rex and his unlikely crew face automaton battles, treacherous labyrinths, and dangerous alliances. But the deeper they delve, the more they realize the Crown isn't just a tool of power—it's a key to Cogspire's very essence. To find it, they must uncover truths about the city's creation and their own fates.

With time running out and the city growing increasingly volatile, Rex must decide whether to harness the Crown's power or risk losing everything to those who would use it to enslave Cogspire. The Clockwork Crown is a gripping steampunk adventure that weaves dystopian intrigue, found-family dynamics, and thrilling action into an unforgettable tale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trucky World Publishing
• Release date: Dec 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798230535973

Book preview

The Clockwork Crown

The Pulse of a City, the Burden of a Crown

Elara Quinn

Copyright © 2024 by Elara Quinn

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

First Edition: December 2024

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Mechanic’s Spark

Chapter 2 The Lady’s Bargain

Chapter 3 Forging the Crew

Chapter 4 The First Test

Chapter 5 The Sentinel’s Pursuit

Chapter 6 Trials of Trust

Chapter 7 Legends of the Crown

Chapter 8 Into the Labyrinth

Chapter 9 Truths Revealed

Chapter 10 The Order’s Shadow

Chapter 11 Labyrinth of Trials

Chapter 12 Sparks’ Brilliance

Chapter 13 The Burden of the Crown

Chapter 14 The City’s Will

Chapter 15 The Heart of the City

Epilogue A City Reborn

​Chapter 1

The Mechanic’s Spark

​Rex Wren tightened the last bolt on the automaton sprawled across his workbench, his calloused fingers moving with practiced ease. The grinding hum of gears and the sharp hiss of steam surrounded him like a symphony of chaos, Cogspire’s eternal soundtrack. His workshop was a cluttered sanctuary in the heart of the Rustways, its air thick with the tang of ley oil and burnt copper. The automaton on the bench—a rusted relic scavenged from the scrapyards—twitched to life with a stuttering whir. Its brass eyes flickered weakly, casting pale reflections against the walls.

Better than nothing, Rex muttered, stepping back to wipe his hands on a grease-streaked rag. He exhaled deeply, stretching his neck to ease the ache of hours spent bent over stubborn machinery. The city’s pulse thrummed faintly beneath his boots, a subtle vibration only he seemed to notice. Some called it a gift, others a curse. To Rex, it was just another reminder of how inextricably tied he was to Cogspire.

Outside, the Rustways buzzed with noise. Vendors shouted over the clatter of scrap, children darted between alleys with stolen goods, and the air hung heavy with the metallic scent of coal fires. Chaos was the city’s only constant. Rex glanced at the automaton, now motionless on the bench. Another relic for the pile, he murmured, grabbing a tin cup of lukewarm tea from a nearby shelf.

A sharp knock on the door startled him, the sound cutting through the cacophony outside. Rex frowned. Visitors were rare, and rarely welcome. Setting down the cup, he approached the door, wrench in hand, and cracked it open.

A boy stood on the threshold, no older than ten, his wiry frame wrapped in patched clothes too big for him. His face was smudged with soot, and his eyes darted nervously as if he were being watched. In his hands, he clutched a brass capsule engraved with intricate patterns.

Message for you, mister, the boy stammered, shoving the capsule into Rex’s hand before vanishing into the crowd without waiting for a reply.

Rex stared after him, then down at the capsule, its weight unfamiliar yet oddly compelling. The engravings resembled the mechanisms of Cogspire itself—spirals and gears etched with uncanny precision. What in the gears is this? he muttered, stepping back into the workshop and locking the door behind him.

With a careful twist, the capsule clicked open, revealing a tightly wound strip of parchment. Unrolling it, Rex’s breath hitched as he read the words scrawled in bold, angular script:

The Crown. He’s tied to the Crown.

The parchment trembled in his hands. A rush of memories surged forward—his brother Kale’s laughter, the fiery spark of his curiosity, and the haunting stillness of the day he disappeared. It had been years since Kale vanished in the chaos of a ley surge that tore through the Rustways, leaving more questions than answers. Rex clenched his jaw, his grip on the parchment tightening.

Kale... he murmured, the name a whisper lost in the din of the city outside. His chest tightened as a familiar ache settled deep within. The message was impossible, yet it reignited a hope he had long buried. Why now? And why this cryptic warning?

A sudden tremor rippled through the floor, jarring him from his thoughts. The tools on his workbench rattled, and the automaton flickered briefly before falling silent again. Rex froze, his gaze darting to the walls. The city’s pulse had changed. It wasn’t a subtle hum anymore—it was a deep, resonant thrum, like a heart beating out of rhythm.

What are you trying to tell me now, Cogspire? Rex muttered, stepping cautiously toward the door. But the ground beneath him shifted violently, throwing him off balance. Outside, the familiar street twisted unnaturally, cobblestones grinding against each other as the pathways warped and reformed before his eyes. Walls of brass and iron emerged where alleys once stood, and the distant clang of gears reverberated through the air.

Damn it, Rex growled, grabbing his wrench and bolting the door. The city wasn’t just alive—it was angry. He stepped to the window, peering out at the chaos. A labyrinth had formed, its spiraling paths stretching into impossibility.

The automaton on his bench emitted a weak sputter, its brass eyes glowing faintly. You’re as stubborn as this damned city, Rex muttered, shoving the message into his pocket. He couldn’t ignore the city’s warning, no matter how much he wanted to. Cogspire never acted without reason, and this felt deliberate, personal.

Grabbing his toolkit and wrench, Rex swung open the door and stepped into the chaos. The labyrinth loomed before him, its metallic walls glinting in the faint light. The city’s pulse quickened, matching the frantic rhythm of his heart.

Alright, Cogspire, he muttered under his breath. Let’s see what you’ve got for me this time.

​————

The grinding clamor of Cogspire's shifting streets had just begun to subside when a heavy knock rattled Rex Wren's workshop door. He froze, wrench in hand, his instincts prickling. Visitors were rare in the Rustways, and uninvited ones usually meant trouble.

Who is it? he called, his voice sharp, eyes darting to the window where the twisted shadows of the labyrinth loomed.

No answer.

The knock came again, firmer this time, deliberate. Rex exhaled, muttering a curse under his breath. Sliding the wrench into the holster at his side, he approached the door cautiously and cracked it open. The figures standing on the threshold made his stomach tighten—a trio cloaked in deep maroon, their hoods pulled low to conceal their faces. The insignia embroidered on their collars—a cog interlaced with a golden eye—left no doubt about their allegiance.

The Order of Gilded Minds.

We’re looking for Rex Wren, the tallest of the three said, his voice smooth but steely, like a blade wrapped in velvet.

You’ve got the wrong place, Rex replied coolly, keeping the door partially closed. His fingers twitched toward the wrench on his belt. No Wren here. Just a mechanic trying to get by.

The shortest of the trio stepped forward, her voice clipped and cold. Don’t waste our time. We know who you are, Rex. The city favors you. That makes you... interesting.

The city doesn’t favor anyone, Rex shot back, his heart hammering. It’s just metal and gears. Now, if you’ll excuse me—

The tall one shoved the door fully open, the force sending Rex stumbling back. Don’t play dumb, he said, stepping inside with an air of authority. We’re not here to debate Cogspire’s nature. We’re here for answers.

Rex straightened, gripping the edge of his workbench. Answers to what?

The Crown, the short one said, her eyes gleaming beneath her hood. The pulse. The connection. You know more than you let on.

I don’t know anything about a Crown, Rex said through gritted teeth. And I definitely don’t know anything about your pulse nonsense.

The third figure, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, his voice low and deliberate. Lying won’t save you. The city shifts for you, Wren. We’ve seen it. You’re tied to its pulse, and that means you’re tied to the Crown.

Rex let out a dry laugh, stepping back toward his bench. You’re giving me too much credit. Cogspire doesn’t shift for me—it shifts because it’s a temperamental beast. If you’ve got a problem with the city, take it up with whoever built the damn thing.

The tall one tilted his head, studying Rex. Deflection won’t work, either. We’re not leaving without answers.

Rex’s fingers brushed against a small tool on the workbench, his mind racing. His escape routes were limited, especially with the labyrinth outside. His only chance was to stall—and hope the city was on his side.

Alright, he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. Let’s say I do know something. What’s it worth to you?

The short one narrowed her eyes. This isn’t a negotiation.

Everything’s a negotiation, Rex countered, his voice calm despite the tension thickening the air. You’re here because you need something, and I’m the only one who can give it to you. So, tell me—what’s the Order’s interest in the Crown?

The tall one smirked faintly. You’re not in a position to bargain, Wren. But if it makes you feel better, the Crown is the key to Cogspire’s heart. Whoever controls it controls the city.

And you think I have it? Rex said, incredulous.

No, the third figure replied, his voice heavy with menace. But we think you know where to find it.

Rex saw his opening. In a swift motion, he grabbed the tool from the bench and hurled it at the nearest figure. The short one dodged, but the distraction was enough. Rex bolted for the back door, wrench in hand, as the trio shouted behind him.

Stop him! the tall one barked.

Rex threw open the door and sprinted into the labyrinth. The city shifted immediately, the walls grinding and twisting as if reacting to his movements. Cobblestones groaned beneath his boots, and a section of the path behind him collapsed with a deafening crash, cutting off his pursuers.

Thanks, Cogspire, Rex muttered under his breath, though his relief was short-lived. The labyrinth ahead stretched into impossible spirals, the city’s pulse vibrating through the air like a warning. He glanced back once, catching sight of the cloaked figures scrambling to navigate the shifting pathways.

You can’t run forever, Wren! the tall one shouted, his voice echoing through the maze.

Watch me, Rex muttered, tightening his grip on his wrench. The labyrinth twisted again, the city guiding him deeper into its heart. For now, it seemed, Cogspire was on his side. But Rex knew better than to trust its whims for long.

​————

The labyrinth was alive around him, its shifting walls groaning like a restless beast. Rex Wren pressed his back against a cool brass panel, breathing heavily as he tried to steady his racing heart. The wrench in his hand felt heavier than usual, and the message tucked inside his pocket burned like a brand against his chest.

The Crown, he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the city’s grinding symphony. Tied to the Crown... What does that even mean?

The city didn’t answer. It never did—not directly. Cogspire communicated in its own way, with shifting streets, trembling gears, and the occasional unnatural calm that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He glanced around, trying to map his surroundings. The pathways were unfamiliar, even to someone like him who had spent his entire life navigating the Rustways. Cogspire had reshaped itself again.

I don’t suppose you want to make this easy for me, do you? Rex asked aloud, his voice tinged with irritation. The only response was a faint hum beneath his boots, like the heartbeat of a creature too vast to comprehend.

He shook his head, muttering to himself. "You’re talking to