Forgetting the world, I dreamed machines . . . The Inwold is broken. Years have passed since the Rath invaded Naemia, and the 'holy' Celestri closed their doors to the world. Only Vorth, the lonely outland of the desert, remains a nation. But Rath are moving again. Desert forces have retreated to the fortress Antissa - seat of the Satrap and of high engineers - where, under constant threat of siege, the Chief Engineer holds order. Now, as last Naemian survivors take refuge at the fortress, Florian Flint is divided from his people in exile. A boy as wilful and broken as the Inwold realm itself, and astute beyond his years, he is thrown upon the mercy of the Engineering Guild. But he brings something more than his will to survive . . . . . . A strange piece of metal that may hold a new threat. Cover art by Natasa Ilincic Additional images, inc. maps:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/CdNo1rEjvR7RdVzD7 Pipes and Fusils is the 1st volume of Deep Mettle, a 2-volume fantasy fiction. The story concludes in the 2nd volume, Tools of War. AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON in hardcover, paperback & eBook formats. Find out more at https://www.voidstep.com/