Airman

Set on the Saltee Islands in the late nineteenth century, the story follows Conor Broekhart, a polymath born in a hot air balloon. After witnessing a political assassination, Conor is framed for the crime by the traitorous Hugo Bonvilain and sentenced to a brutal life of forced labor in the deep salt mines. He survives his incarceration by applying his scientific knowledge to design a glider, intending to flee the island and protect the princess from a coup. The narrative focuses on the engineering of flight, the mechanics of prison escapes, and the physics of early aviation.

This adventure is suited for readers who enjoy historical fiction blended with technical detail. It appeals to those interested in the transition from steam power to aerodynamics and the practical constraints of Victorian-era technology. Readers gain a clear perspective on the grit required for survival under duress and the intellectual process of building a functional flying machine from scavenged materials. It provides a grounded look at how scientific principles can be used to overcome physical confinement and political corruption.