Martinus
Synopsis
The 3rd volume of the "Fantasy Western" saga! In 19th century America, where magic and technology exist side by side, Ron Grimes is a deputy in the growing Nevada town of Selwood. Following tragedy and political upheaval in the town, this middle-aged dwarf finds himself caught up amongst various controversies. As pawns and powerbrokers jockey for position, a conflicted lawman must decide what is more important, his job or his heart. All the while, elven deputy Joella Talus must brave the ridicule of her estranged clan to save her sister from a sinister fate. All this and Thomas Edison in "Six-Gun Conjurer."
Excerpt
The stagecoach was packed. The deluxe carriage wasn't all that spacious, and a dozen passengers and all of their luggage was enough to reach its maximum capacity. It was only about ten miles from the Yucca Junction train station to Selwood, so the ride was tolerable for those determined to make the trip.
Clarence Davison was used to cramped accommodations. The past years had seen him traveling in all sorts of tight spaces. Steamboat cabins, railcar sleeper compartments, and various holes in the wall had been his on many occasions. Such was the life of a circuit preacher, spreading the good word to the populace.
This latest trip was a break from that hectic life, as he came to see an old friend.
It had been many years since Clarence had seen his old mentor, the right and moral pastor, Matthew Jameson, and he was hoping for a warm homecoming. The man was as close to a father as Clarence had in this world, and he hoped to make him proud. Though, that might prove difficult on some fronts. Doctrine was a tricky thing, and biblical interpretations had made many a good man split from friends and family.
Clarence hoped it would not be an issue. There was no need for his mentor to know he held different views. So long as he kept his mouth shut and didn't make any rash moves, the old man need never know of his views on magic.
Looking around inside the coach, Clarence examined the faces of his fellow passengers. They were a well groomed bunch, though they all had the scent of their own humanity upon them. Most of them had been traveling for days, no doubt, and trains weren't noted for their baths. Clarence wouldn't have noticed had he not spent the night at Yucca Junction's new hotel that provided cleaning services. A good scrubbing and a freshly laundered suit took the stink off his own body, and let him sense it on others.
There was something familiar about the man sitting beside him. The sandy-haired fellow had a stern, serious look on his face, and didn't seem the kind to crack a smile often. The relatively youthful look of his body placed him somewhere around thirty, and the smooth hands revealed he wasn't one for manual labor. That, and the quality suit he wore revealed him to be something of a businessman or educated professional.
Clarence let his curiosity get the better of him, and he felt the urge to introduce himself. With a slight adjustment of his body, he managed to present a hand for the other man to shake, which he did with a strong grip, but no words.
"So, what brings you out to Selwood?" Clarence asked, hoping to get some information out of the silent man.
"Business, and an old friend," the man said.
"What a coincidence. It happens I'm traveling to see an old friend, myself," Clarence said.
"Really?" the man said.
"Well, more than a friend, actually. The man practically raised me after my mother died. It'll be good to be back."
"Not your first trip to Selwood, then?" the man asked.
"No, I've been here a few times," Clarence replied. "Though, I mostly grew up in Kansas. We didn't move out to Nevada until seventy-six. I only spent a year in Selwood before going back east to college, and haven't been back since."
"College? You wouldn't happen to be wrangling for a job offer, would you?" the man asked suspiciously.
"No," Clarence said. "Why ever would you think that?"
The mustached man sitting across from him cleared his throat and caught his attention. "Hey, buddy, don't you know who this guy is?"
"No, who is he?" Clarence asked, adding a questioning look.
"That's Thomas Edison."
