Nomad Khyrg al Wahid witnesses an airship crash in his arid highland home known as the Jashem. Two survivors emerge from the wreckage: an ethnographer and his assistant from Bogozechi, a dark industrial city rife with intrigue. Khyrg’s clan rival, Anwar ibn Masaud, having also followed the crash, arrives at the crash site moments later and demands the traditional punishment for trespassing in clan territory – execution. Khyrg is torn between his people’s ancient code and the compassion in his heart. Anwar forces his hand and attacks. Khyrg deals Anwar a mortal blow and flees with the Bogozechians to a defunct rail yard where he uses forbidden magic to coax an old engine to life. As they steam into the heart of the Jashem and beyond, Khyrg learns the true nature of his companions’ expedition. Too late he realizes his choice has placed him between the anvil of the Bedu – the people of his heart – and the hammer of Bogozechi’s grasping Magnate Lords.
Whew! Already in the thick of it! Leaves me wanting more. New terminology – switchyard. Por que? And forbidden magic! The elements I love!
Well, I changed it to rail yard, given the ambiguity of the engine thing. These summaries are great practice for distilling the story – or at least the hook. Thanks for stopping by!