Skyblade's Gambit (The Skyblade Saga, Book 1) by Robert Dahlen

Release date: September 16, 2018

Subgenre: Steampunk

About Skyblade's Gambit:

 

Captain Annabel Skyblade commands the Peregrine, the most feared pirate airship to sail the skies of Aldarre, plundering the rich and powerful. The rulers of the great sky realms have had enough of her, and Victorie Brassfeld, Cerindel's top Navy intelligence agent, has a plan to capture the pirate, using a lure too strong to resist—a valuable, beautiful sapphire amulet.

But the amulet hides a great secret, and when it is stolen by sinister forces, Annabel and Victorie must join together to retrieve it. And as they face danger and adventure, they also have to face their feelings for each other, feelings they have never had before, when they discover...

Hearts can be stolen too.

 

 Excerpt:

 

The night was clear, and the moon was gloriously full, so the men stuck to the shadows. They were gathered by an abandoned warehouse near the docks, standing around a wooden crate, except for one who stood on the nearby corner, serving as a lookout. “Open her up, Bert,” one of the men said. “Show Master Wordyne the goods.”

Another man nodded and stuffed the prybar under the top of the box. He pushed down, and the top cracked open. “All set,” he said needlessly.

A man in a black greatcoat brushed aside the straw that covered the crate’s contents. “Mead?” he said with a sneer as he picked up a bottle. “Hardly worth the effort to smuggle out of Svendar, Letticutt.”

“Master Wordyne…” The man who had ordered the crate to be opened absently rubbed his hands. “Perhaps you should dig a bit deeper, as they say.”

Wordyne grunted as he bent over the crate. He removed several bottles and tossed straw aside. There was a more satisfied grunt as he pulled out a pistolere. “There you are,” he said as he held it up, examining it closely. “Splendid worksmanship. How were you able to get these?”

Letticutt coughed softly. “One does not question these things, Master Wordyne. After all, I don’t question what use your men will be putting these to.”

“And if you’re wise, smuggler, you’ll keep it that way. The shot is there?”

“A generous supply.”

“This’ll do. The agreed payment, then?”

“It depends. Are you expecting to take possession of the mead as well?”

Wordyne grinned. “Keep it. I may prefer Svendaran weaponry, but not their liquor.”

“A pity.” Letticutt smiled sadly. “I was hoping to offer it as a toast—”

“I’m afraid not. We’ll need that as evidence.”

The men all turned to see a woman striding down the street towards them. She was wearing a red tailcoat over a white blouse and black trousers; the coat had gold trim, and there were two stripes on each shoulder. She wore two overlapping belts; one had a scabbard that held her rapier, the other had a holster for her pistolere, though that weapon was in her hand. She was slender, with braided blond hair that went past her shoulder blades. Her eyes were gray and seemed to have the faintest twinkle, as if deep down, she found things endlessly amusing. “Navy,” Bert muttered half to himself, raising his prybar.

“You may want to think twice about that.” The woman pointed her pistolere at Bert. “Major Victorie Brassfeld. You are all under arrest for smuggling and purchasing smuggled goods.”

Wordyne glared at Letticutt. “What happened to your lookout?” he snapped.

“He had a slight accident.” Victorie smiled. The smuggler glanced past her and saw the lookout sprawled on the corner.

“Maybe it’s your turn for one.” Letticutt smiled. “You are rather outnumbered. Bert?”

The smuggler took a half step and waved his prybar. “I’ll teach you to mess with my pal—”

 

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About Robert Dahlen: 

Author bio: Fantasy novelist, all-around wisecracker and penguin aficionado, Robert Dahlen lives in Northern California with lots of penguins, a tablet stuffed with e-books and works in progress, a collection of Disney Infinity figures that is growing exponentially, and a very nice hat.. He is hopefully working on more Monkey Queen stories (and other projects) as you read this.

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