Steam, Spice, and Saurians

In a city ruled by brass, steam, and punitive guild regulations, even food has become a tool of control. Lyra's cooking skills and carefully guarded supplies become essential as the pair navigate confiscations, industrial hazards, political intrigue, and the growing threat posed by powerful officials. Richard must improvise with damaged technology and incomplete information, while Lyra reads the people and pressures around them with the instincts of a seasoned chef.

Their struggle draws them into a conflict involving the Palatability Tax, a private escape route, and a dangerous crystalline core. When the core is damaged and the full map is lost, the surviving detector can offer only a rough bearing toward the mysterious Dead Sea depression. With limited supplies and no guarantee that their destination—or their route—is safe, Richard and Lyra must rely on each other to keep moving.

Steam, Spice, and Saurians is a science-fiction adventure featuring steampunk machinery, culinary ingenuity, saurian encounters, survival under pressure, political absurdity, and the growing trust between an engineer and a chef.