Revolutionary Magic (with Bonus Content) (16 page)

Why again was my skirt charred along the bottom as if I'd been standing in a fire? I examined myself, finding fresh bruises and burns. I wanted to collapse onto the ground.

The circumstances of the events eluded me. I turned back and forth, expecting the glimmer of recognition to spark the appropriate memory. Maybe I was exhausted from travel, or something...something else...

My gaze fell upon a letter with Ben's seal on it and the address written on the outside. It was Ben's handwriting. The crisp parchment snapped open after I ripped the wax away. Placing my nose to the paper, I smelled the fresh ink. It wasn't but a few days old at best.

Beloved Ekaterina,

I hope you will enjoy your continued stay in Philadelphia. This home will serve you well and I've taken the liberty of setting up your printing shop, the Patriot Letters, within walking distance.

I know you wish not to receive my charity, so the loans that were taken from the Bank of North America are solely in your name, though I have vouched for them. It is all I can do until you are a full member of the Society.

After my impending trip, I hope to continue our investigations. These finds trouble me and I believe we stand at greater thresholds. Please keep your gaze wary and your guard impregnable until I return.

Concordia parvae crefount
.

Small things grow great by concord.

Your indomitable friend,

Benjamin Franklin

It seemed I was a printer now. An appropriate profession for my new life in the Americas. With no connections other than my friend Ben, who would be absent for a time, I would have to survive on my industry alone. Fitting.

I stepped back outside, letter in hand.

Philadelphia. The capital of the United States.

Though I was new here, having only arrived a few months ago, it felt like the home I'd never had.

The springtime air was fresh with accents of coal fires. A transcontinental airship was lowering itself at the Camden Yards, immigrants ready to make their way in the States about to burst from its hold.

Though my exhaustion was bone deep, I was refreshed by the restless outline of the city. Its industry called to me, revealing previously unknown aspects of my desires.

Though I'd been born a Russian Princess, founded an empire, and spent the majority of my life traveling through the palaces of Europe, I'd never truly been ready to settle in one place until now.

This was my home. Philadelphia.

###

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Also
by Thomas K. Carpenter

THE DIGITAL SEA TRILOGY

The Digital Sea

The Godhead Machine

Neochrome Aurora

GAMERS TRILOGY

GAMERS

FRAGS

CODERS

ALEXANDRIAN SAGA

Fires of Alexandria

Heirs of Alexandria

Legacy of Alexandria

Warmachines of Alexandria

Empire of Alexandria

Voyage of Alexandria

Goddess of Alexandria

MIRROR SHARDS ANTHOLOGY

Mirror Shards: Volume One

Mirror Shards: Volume Two

THE DASHKOVA MEMOIRS

Revolutionary Magic

A Cauldron of Secrets

Birds of Prophecy

The Franklin Deception

Nightfell Games

The Queen of Dreams

Dragons of Siberia

Shadows of an Empire

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas K. Carpenter resides near St. Louis with his wife Rachel and their two children. When he’s not busy writing his next book, he’s playing soccer in the yard with his kids or getting beat by his wife at cards. He keeps a regular
blog
and can be found on twitter under
@thomaskcarpente
.

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