Dellen stopped writing and stared at Eliza, then at the paper in her hands.

“I was trying to prevent the disaster.”

Eliza’s face flushed with a mix of shock and anger. “Why didn’t you come forward sooner? Why did you send an anonymous letter instead of taking action? So many lives could have been saved if you had just spoken up!”

Dellen raised his hands defensively, keeping his voice quiet. “I understand your frustration, but it wasn’t that simple. I didn’t have any evidence, just suspicions. I couldn’t risk causing a panic without being sure. I sent the letters in the hopes that someone would investigate.”

“Look at that; you almost told the truth,” Gilgamesh said.

“The truth.” Eliza said, “Is that a lot of people are dead or suffering, and we still don’t know who’s responsible.”

“Let’s pretend I had come here a week ago and announced my suspicions,” Dellen said. “Do you think anyone would have heard about it?”

“Yes,” Eliza said, a hint of irritability in her voice.

“Do you think, maybe, they would have set the bombs off early?”

“Early?”

“I don’t think they were all placed just last night,” Dellen said. “Something like that takes planning and access.”

“I was hoping that the broadsheets would make inquiries that were less likely to make waves than Lord Northcote making a sensational headline.”

“I think you were just lazy,” Gilgamesh said.

Dellen could have swatted him.

“Do you at least know who did this?” Eliza said.

“I don’t have the faintest idea. I couldn’t get under the city before it all happened, and the inspections I did yesterday were incidental to my rescue efforts.”

“That’s why you were helping,” Eliza murmured. “You felt guilty.”

Dellen flushed. “I didn’t want anyone to get hurt that I could save.”

“Not the best motivation.” She said, “But not the worst either.”

“Help me find out who did this.” Dellen said, “And I’ll go back and fix it.”

Eliza stared at him again, “Excuse me?”

“Brilliant plan. You’ve convinced her that you’re crazy. I’m sure she’ll want to help you now.”

“Sorry,” Dellen said, “Exhaustion got the better of me. What I meant was that we don’t know who did this, even with all the information we have now. What could I have done a week ago to prevent it?” He rubbed his forehead. “Even with the benefit of hindsight, I don’t know what I should have done.”

Eliza gave him a frown, her eyes narrow. “You have an odd way of saying things.”

“Perhaps I do. Would you be willing to accompany me to visit the Thorne Estate to see what we can learn?”

Eliza’s look of suspicion didn’t abate much, but she did look thoughtful as she considered his request. She glanced around her cramped office, then back at Dellen, her eyes determined. “Yes,” she agreed. “I’ve been working on this story too long to let it slip through my fingers now. I’ll accompany you to the Thorne Estate and the Lockridge Estate. Maybe we can learn something useful.”

Dellen nodded in appreciation. “Thank you, Eliza. Your expertise will be invaluable; I don’t even know the right questions to ask.” He shook his head helplessly, “It’s not my area of expertise at all.”

“What is your area of expertise, Dellen? My research didn’t turn up much at all; you used to be known for drinking too much and earning too little. None of my research indicated you’d forged your hands.”

“Well, I suppose, compared to most of our citizens, my expertise would lie in aetherforging. If I succeed at that, there will be time enough for everything else.”

“Even I know there’s never time enough for everything else,” Gilgamesh said.

“None of my research even hinted that you had an interest in that.” She said, “In fact, most of what I learned about you indicated that I could find you at the bottom of a bottle.”

Dellen winced, but did not comment, “Maybe I’ll do something else that surprises you too. Speaking of which, can you help me put an ad in the sheets.” His face turned grave. “A friend, Miranda Gallows, I believe she fell with her cog. Can you put an ad in the paper for her to contact me if she survived?”

“You are full of surprises,” Eliza said. “Write what you want it to say; we’ll attend to it on our way out.” She handed him a piece of paper and gave him a minute to comport a short note.

Walking to the stairwell, Eliza handed the letter to someone who Dellen took to be a junior staffer. “We’re going up,” Dellen said.

“Up? Why up?”

Dellen shrugged again. “I came by carriage.”

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“You’re not supposed to land on the roof here, even if your name does begin with ‘Lord,’” she said.

“Well then, we’d best move quickly so that I can stay in compliance with the rules.”

Eliza looked at him with no small amount of asperity but picked up her pace.

On the roof, Dellen led her to Edmund’s carriage and held the door. “Edmund, this is Eliza Montgomery. She will be accompanying us to the Thorne Estate.”

Edmund gave him a quizzical look but nodded.

“No crest on the side.” She said, “You hired him for the day?”

“Edmund was central to my efforts to save people yesterday.”

Eliza looked at Edmund with renewed interest. “Well done. Lord Northcote tells me that you saved dozens.”

For his part, Edmund, nodded quickly, opened his mouth to speak, then shut it and closed the door behind them. “Could’na left those people.”

The carriage lifted off, and Dellen was reminded again of the devastation below. Buildings lay in ruins, smoke still rising from some of the wreckage.

Animals were starting to emerge from hiding; a few small mechanical squids darted about the sky, their tentacles whirring and clinking as they swam through the air.

They approached the Thorne Estate, and it was apparent that even the wealthiest of the city had not been spared. Part of the grand manor was damaged, with broken windows and scorched walls. Gardens that had surely been immaculate as recently as the day before were marred with fallen debris, one notable airship panel stuck out of the ground at an angle. Dellen estimated that it was twice as long as he was tall.

The carriage touched down on the grounds, and Dellen exchanged a glance with Eliza. “I can probably get you in the door, but you’ll have to supply the questions.”

“Probably?” Eliza hissed at him in a whisper.

Gilgamesh let out an unhelpful laugh. “You don’t know how well you know these people, do you?”

A footman came out to greet them. “Good afternoon,” he hesitated and evaluated Dellen’s clothes, then his face, “My lord and lady.”

“Ms. Montgomery,” Eliza said.

“Ms. Montgomery.” The footman said. “May I ask the purpose of your visit today?”

“We’re here to see Lord Thorne,” Dellen said, attempting to keep his tone both regal and polite.

“Very good, my lord.” The footman said, “And who shall I say has come calling?”

“Dellen Northcote.”

“Just this way, Lord Northcote.” He said with a slight bow, his hand pointing the way.

Upon entering the estate, Dellen and Eliza were welcomed by a well-dressed butler who guided them to a tastefully decorated sitting room. The room was filled with plush, comfortable chairs and a variety of intriguing curiosities. A series of beautifully crafted, mechanical birds in glass cases adorned the walls, their delicate engravings and precious stones shimmering in the light. An assortment of peculiar and exotic plants was displayed on a nearby table, each housed in its own miniature greenhouse.

They were offered refreshments and asked to wait as Lord Thorne was informed of their arrival.

A short while later, Lord Thorne entered the room, his presence filling the space with a refined air. The man was tall and well-built. He wore a tailored suit made from luxurious fabrics, accented with subtle yet elegant embroidery. He crossed the room with a confident stride, a man comfortable in his skin and the responsibilities of his station.

Upon reaching Dellen, Lord Thorne extended a hand and clasped Dellen’s firmly, offering a warm handshake that conveyed strength and sincerity. The lines around his eyes deepened as he genuinely expressed concern for his well-being, “Dellen, it’s been too long, my friend. I heard about your father and grandfather, and I cannot express how deeply sorry I am for your loss.”

“Hmm, I guess you do know him reasonably well,” Gilgamesh said.

Dellen accepted the handshake, his expression mirroring Lord Thorne’s concern. “Thank you, Harold, it has been a difficult time, but we’re managing as best we can.”

Lord Thorne then turned to Eliza, offering her a polite nod and a warm smile. “And you must be Ms. Montgomery. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Eliza looked confused, her eyebrows bunched together, her mouth half-frown, but she replied politely, “Thank you, my lord, it’s an honor to meet you as well.”

Their host gestured for them to sit, and they settled in the plush chairs. A servant brought in a tray of refreshments, including a steaming pot of tea and a collection of day-old pastries.

“I don’t mean to be rude.” He said to Dellen, “But I must ask, when did you forge your hands? Quite impressive. I hear that it takes years and years of practice. Was that what you were up to while you were about the city, or did you always have an interest even while we were drinking port and playing cards?”

“Ah, these?” Dellen held up his hands. “I forged them about a week ago.” He fingered his collar near his fresh scars, “It didn’t go as smoothly as I’d like, but I’ve no doubt that it will be useful the next time I have an occasion to work a forge.”

Harold raised a single eyebrow. “Work a forge? You? Do you have any other secret hobbies you want to tell me about? Here you are with those hands and an unexpected, still unexplained, lady friend, all while taking over the family business.”

Dellen leaped at the chance to deflect the conversation. “Ah yes, the family business,” he said, “It’s been a steep learning curve, but I’m doing my best.”

Harold’s expression became more serious, “I’m curious; what brings you here today? Is there anything in particular that you need my assistance with?”

At this point, Eliza, who had been listening intently with an increasingly confused expression, decided to chime in. “We’ve been investigating the recent bombings in Copperopolis. We wanted to get your perspective on the events and see if you had any insights to share.”

Harold’s brow furrowed as he considered the question while maintaining a polite and respectful demeanor. “Ah, I see. Of course, I’ll answer any questions to the best of my ability.”

“Lord Thorne,” she began, “Where were you when the explosions occurred, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I was at a charity event on the other side of the city. When we heard the blasts, we rushed back here to assess the damage.”

Eliza nodded and continued, “And had you noticed anything unusual or suspicious in the days leading up to the disaster? Any strange visitors or unusual activity around your estate?”

Lord Thorne’s eyes went up and to the right. “Nothing out of the ordinary. Until yesterday, it was business as usual.”

Pressing further, Eliza asked, “Have you had any disputes or disagreements with other noble houses recently? Any conflicts that might have escalated to such an extreme act of violence?”

“No, not at all. We’ve always maintained cordial relations with the other noble families; I cannot fathom why anyone would commit an attack like this. Who stands to gain anything from it?”

Harold shifted the conversation back to Dellen. “I’ve been meaning to ask, how is the alloy business?”

“We haven’t done as well lately as I would have hoped, but I suspect this disaster will create a lot of demand for our products,” Dellen said.

“No doubt, you’re correct. If you have a chance, could you push one of my requests to the top of your agenda? I’ve been trying to find a source for an ultra-light alloy that we think will improve a few key ships in our transportation network.”

“I think I can move some paper around for an old friend,” Dellen said.

Harold clapped his hands together lightly. “Excellent. That is just what I wanted to hear. Unfortunately, unless there’s something else, I really do have far too many responsibilities vying for my attention today.”

“Of course,” Dellen said. “Thank you for your time. I will be in touch.”

“You have maybe a minute before you’re out of earshot, and Eliza demands some answers from you,” Gilgamesh said. “What are you going to tell her?”