Godstone Mage

Liam and Orlagh Quinn are brother and sister puma changelings traveling from the Grand Lakes to the west coast to find a cure for a curse put on their Family by a dark mage. On their way back through the Arizona Territory, they befriend the family of Master Mage Heather Richards and her Master Tinker brother Fallon, who is the victim of another dark mage's curse. When Heather and Fallon's parents are murdered, their farm burned down, and their wealth in godstone stolen, Liam and Orlagh pledge to help the two track down the murderers to gain Justice and reclaim the magical godstone. The four set off in the chaos of the years after the Civil War, to find Justice western style in the age of steam, magic, and changelings. Starved for such quests after years of brother killing brother, the war-weary country extols the first successes of the four and those they encounter on their search for Justice. Before long, dime novels spread their fame to those they pursue. But those with power don't like to be thwarted and the rails are closed to them. Then Heather combines her magery with Fallon's tinkering and their railcar goes airborne beneath a balloon of foamed steam as they resume their search for just vengeance on murderers, thieves, and dark mages.