Recently a Backer suggested that I should list all the rewards with their various “Stretch Rewards” to date as the list was getting a bit confusing to read. I think that is a great Idea so I have removed all previous updates from homepage and placed updated Backer levels with current achieved “Stretch Rewards” in place for various levels.

I cannot thank everyone enough for their great support and look forward to everyone reading my work in the near future (Feb 2013).

All of this would not be possible without your support!

~Phil

Updated – “Backer Levels” with Stretch Rewards:

Note: “E-Story“ is a digital short story.

Note: All E-Items will be delivered in (PDF, MOBI and KINDLE) formats, there is no need to choose.

Pledge $1

• Your name in the acknowledgments entitled “Friends of the Doctor”

Pledge $5

• The Previous Reward
• A signed copy PLMII's Limited Dark Poetry
• (Stretch Reward Gained) E-book version of my anthology,  "The Imaginist"
• (Stretch Reward Gained) The E-story,  “The Ghouls of War”(The story where Doctor Daedalus first meets, his former companion “Nasrin Kaur”)
• (Stretch Reward Gained) The E-story,  “Redcap Keep” (The story where “Grace Flynn”gains her infamous red scarf)
• (Stretch Reward Gained) The E-story called, "The Capture of Grace Flynn"
• (Stretch Reward Gained) The E-Anthology, “Bowstrings”
• (Stretch Reward Gained) The E-story called "The Demon Rider” a story about my newest character Ren-Toshi, a ninja in 11th century Japan.

Pledge $15

• All Previous Rewards and Stretch Rewards
• A DRM-free e-book of the finished novel, “Doctor Daedalus and the Devil’s Army”

Pledge $25

• All Previous Rewards and Stretch Rewards
• A signed trade paperback of “Doctor Daedalus and the Devil's Army” as soon as it's available
• (Stretch Reward Gained) E-book version of the new anthology "The Crimson Scarver". Which will be (4) short stories about Grace Flynn from Doctor Daedalus and the Devil's Army.

Pledge $50

• All Previous Rewards and Stretch Rewards
• A personal handwritten letter from “Doctor Daedalus” to you.
• Backer will also get a (Signed) Case Wrapped Hard Cover Edition of “Doctor Daedalus and the Devil's Army” as soon as it's available.
• Backer will also get a signed copy of "Ing the Viking" by PLMII as well.
• (Stretch Reward Gained) The hard cover edition of DDATDA will now contain a new short story called, "The Minotaur Incident". What is it about? It is concerns Nasrin Kaur, Doctor Daedalus’s previous companion who is referred to in “Chapter 3” of DDATDA.

Pledge $100

• All Previous Rewards and Stretch Rewards
• I name a character or something in the novel “after you”, It's also a great way: immortalize a loved one or yourself in print

Pledge $250

• All Previous Rewards and Stretch Rewards
• Backer will get signed copies of all PLMII's Current works: The Imaginist Volumes (1, 2 and 3). Almost 1000 pages of fiction combined

Pledge $500

• All Previous Rewards and Stretch Rewards
• PLMII will write a short story based in the Doctor Daedalus universe about the character you have named as part of the overall backing reward ladder
• This story will appear in The Imaginist, Volume 3
• Finally, Doctor Daedalus and the Devil's Army, will be dedicated to you

Shipping included on all Backings $15.00 or (Greater) - Domestic and International.

Note: $5.00 backers must add $2 for Domestic and $10 for International shipping.

What is left to gain...

If DDATDA reaches 300% funding on or before 10/31, All Backers "$5 and Up" will get a digital copy of my anthology called “The Knights of Albion” a collection of tales about the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table.

If DDATDA reaches $2500, All Backers "$5 and Up" will get a digital copy of "Ren-Toshi - The Kunoichi Tales" an anthology, Steve Lydic has been slated for both the cover and illustrations.  

If the DDATDA Project reaches $3000 on or before 10/31 “All Backers $25 and Up” will get a limited soft cover edition of “The Crimson Scarver” these editions will be signed and numbered.

If the DDATDA Project reaches $3500 on or before 10/31, I will commission "color" artwork for the limited soft cover edition of “The Crimson Scarver”.

Attention! -” $15 Backers” If we reach the goal of $4000 dollars, “All $15 Backers” will get a soft cover copy of DDATDA, signed. You will also get the Digital version of “The Crimson Scarver”.

And finally if this project if this project reaches $5000 on or before 10/31, I will upgrade the soft cover of “The Crimson Scarver” for “All Backers $25 and Up” to a limited hard cover edition, which shall be signed and numbered.

Also when the project reaches $5000 on or before 10/31, “All Backers $50.00 and up” will receive the "Grace Flynn Lives!" T-shirt.

See shirt here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2078676361/re-launched-doctor-daedalus-a-fantasy-novel/posts

__________________________________________________________

After six long years of publishing both my short fiction and poetry, Doctor Daedalus and the Devil's Army, represents the next logic step in my writing career.

I have always been fascinated with the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.G. Wells, this story pays tribute to their great works of fiction. I am also a huge fan of historical fiction and history in general. This novel takes place in an alternate universe where history had gone a bit differently and many things we know are not what we expect them to be. This book is guaranteed to be an adventure that no Fantasy or Sci-Fi fan shall ever forget!

All the funds received in support of this project will be used for the following:

· Licensing of cover art and digital cover design services.

· Manuscript editing and print file creation

· Advertising for completed novel

· Production of Kickstarter rewards.

I cannot thank everyone enough for supporting this project and allowing me to share this great story!

Doctor Daedalus and the Devil's Army

London 1888, Jack the Ripper is on the loose terrorizing the citizens of Whitechapel. The Queen of England sends a mysterious agent to uncover the truth about the vile monster hunting England’s streets. The trail of blood leads to an even bigger mystery and to a darker enemy of the Crown, itself.

While on Mont Orgueil, Grace Flynn, a prisoner of both England and France awaits her execution for a very long list of crimes. She is considered extremely dangerous and even the Holy See has proclaimed her an evil most foul. Her life of misdeeds and escapades appears to have drawn to a close. Until a living myth in the form of a man named Doctor Daedalus appears with an offer of freedom. Grace’s redemption will be found through a journey that will skirt the very bowels of Hell itself. She will face nightmares that one she thought only existed in legend and superstition.

The veil that hides things most supernatural from mortal eyes has been lifted by the hand of the man who hunts them. Yet does he pose a threat to Grace as well…only Doctor Daedalus knows for sure!

Want to know more? Then support this project!

Read Chapter 1 - Today !

Chapter 1: The Queen’s Request

 Buckingham Palace, Westminster

“Her Majesty awaits you in the Yellow Drawing Room.” The Queen’s guardsman held the palace door open for the stranger. He was dressed in a long brown frock coat. The man eyed the guardsman from underneath his hat and nodded in return. He entered the proffered door with an elegant stride and heard the door snick closed behind him.

Once inside, the man removed his bowler and straightened his brown hair by running his hand through it. A footman stood patiently before him, as the guest continued to prepare for meeting the Queen. He removed his frock coat and handed it to the footman, along with his hat. The servant took them both without any word.

“Has the Queen been waiting long?” the guest asked absently.

“I am sure the definition of a long wait would be different for Her Majesty, just know you did take some time to appear in response to her summons. She asked that I bring you to her the moment you arrived,” the footman said blankly.

“Well Paris is not exactly a hop, skip and jump away is it? Well lead on then, I should not keep Her Majesty waiting any longer,” the guest said with a lofty air, and sarcastic grin.

The pair moved through the low-lit palace. The staff did not even stop their late night duties to acknowledge the figures as they moved to their destination.

The footman moved at a brisk pace and the Queen’s guest had to uncomfortably stretch his stride to keep up. The pair soon arrived at their endpoint, and the footman turned to the man behind him. “I will announce you to Her Majesty. Please wait here.”

The man nodded in return, and nonchalantly leaned against the wall in the hallway. He seemed unconcerned that he was reclining in the opulent bowels of Buckingham palace. A passing maid snorted, and shot her nose up in disdain at his apparent lack of respect. The man raised his eyebrows in mirth, and heard the door to the room creak open. The footman stepped out into the hallway and gazed solemnly at the Queen’s guest.

“Her Majesty will see you know.”

“I am sure she will, since I will be standing before her, unless her eyesight has degraded since our last encounter.” The man could not resist the quip since he found these royal mannerisms rather boring.

The footman’s only response was a wave of his hand indicating that the man should enter. The lavish yellow themed room spread before him. Only two figures were in the candle lit room. One was a nervous young chambermaid, the other Queen Victoria herself. Her Majesty was dressed in a rather plain dress considering her status. She paced in front of the low burning fireplace, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

The chambermaid purposely cleared her throat to alert the distracted Queen that her guest had entered.

“Are you sick child?” the Queen asked suddenly.

“No your Majesty.” The maid pointedly looked his way, and then bowed.

“Then don’t clear your throat like that on my behalf, We can see he has arrived. Now leave us.” Her Majesty waved her hand away in dismissal.

The chambermaid bowed once more, and left glaring at the man suspiciously.

“It would seem your staff is not pleased to see me Your Majesty,” the man said with a smile. He stood, keeping his back completely straight.

“Spare me your observations of my staff, Doctor Daedalus; you know full well they are not pleased with you over that poltergeist incident.”

“I assure you, that monk needed to be swiftly dealt with. I am sure your staff did a fine job repairing that room, after my encounter with him.”

“Yes they did, and I cannot thank you enough for desposing of that horrid spirit. But I have not called you here to chat about past dealings.”

“I assumed as much.”

The Queen indicated a nearby sofa, and proceeded to sit upon it at one end. Doctor Daedalus bowed at the courtesy, and sat on the opposite side. The pair sat in silence for a moment, Daedalus could tell the Queen was gathering her thoughts, as they passed in twitches of worry across her face.

“What troubles Her Majesty this evening?”

“Have you heard of the Ripper?”

“Who in London has not? It is even spoken about on Parisian tongues as well.”

“Then perhaps you have also heard of the theorized suspects?”

“If the list is limited to that mentioned in the Daily Times, then I have.”

“It is not,” the Queen stated in a short tone.

“Then Your Majesty has information that I am not privy to.” He smiled, and said, “Knowledge I suspect I am most likely about to acquire.”

Moments of silence once more passed between the pair. Doctor Daedalus kindly allowed his host to impart her knowledge in a time, manner and pace as she saw fit.

Even in the flickering fire light, it was hard to miss the Queen’s face edged deeply with sorrow. Daedalus saw her stern countenance quiver with inner thoughts. She looked up, challenging him with her eyes, daring him to disagree. “My own grandson, Eddy, has been placed under scrutiny.”

He blinked a few times, feigning deep thought. Shaking his head, he said, “Prince Albert Victor is an interesting fellow, but no murderer.”

“You do not know the depravity my grandson is capable of, and how much of the royal coffers have been emptied to keep his indiscreet behavior from the public eye. Doctor, I know he is somehow connected with these appalling tragedies. I do not need public exposure of his involvement no matter how small it may be.”

“I understand Your Majesty.”
Quickly, she set her sails on a different tack. “Have you heard of a man named Montague Druitt?”

“Are you implying the Prince is slumming with a werewolf?”

She shuddered at the mear mention of the word. “Then you know of this foul creature? Yes, the Prince has been spotted entertaining this man at places some men frequent.” She looked away from him, whispering, “Places where men act upon their most unnatural desires.”

He waved his hands in the air, attempting to dismiss the Queen’s ill feelings. “The Prince’s odd sexual frolicing with a werewolf? That should not make him a suspect for the murder of prostitutes.”
She looked back at him, piercing him with her eyes. “At first glance, you are correct. Yet I personally have had to deal indirectly with several extortion attempts by ladies of the evening, claiming their bastards were the result of a union with my grandson. I dread the thought that these young woman of late, have died in a most horrific manner, perhaps covering the sexual abuses of my grandson.”

Daedalus gazed at a nearby painting of the queen’s family. It had been painted many years before, when the Queen herself was not as yet old. His eyes stopped to rest upon the face of a young boy. The very boy whom they discussed in low voices, now grown into a man and gallivanting about London with a werewolf in some kind of hedonistic spree. “I now see your concern. This Druitt fellow does require further examination, and I would also assume you want me to clear your grandson of these matters as well.”

“You have assumed correctly. I called you because you are the only man I know who can deal with these creatures of nightmare.”

“Nightmares some of them may be, but most live a life of simple existence.”

“Doctor, I appreciate your observation, but you would not be in such high demand if myth were not real,” The Queen said with a slight smirk.

He smiled haltingly. “I too could be classified as myth, yet here I am quite real, sitting before you.”

The Queen gazed upon her host, a well practiced stern demeanor returning to her face. “Please do not dander about good Doctor, and help the throne put this delicate matter to rest. As usual, you shall find no hindrance from the staff at the Yard, during your quiet investigation.”

Daedalus stood and with a bow took his exit from the Queen’s Counsel. “Good day, Your Majesty.”

Daedalus walked to the door, opened it and then standing, his back turned to his host. He whispered, “Once I knew a young princess who believed in magic and happy endings.”

“Happiness existed only in the fertile imagination of that young princess. Her life has come to an end, now that I know how dangerous magic really can be,” she sadly said.

He turned his head just a bit, one eye on the Queen. “I will find out the truth, Victoria. If there is one thing your old professor knows how to seek, it is the truth.”

Chapter 2: The Ripper

Whitechapel, London

“I would recommend surrender,” Doctor Daedalus stated through the handkerchief held over his mouth and nose. The smell of death hung heavily in the air. The room would never be large enough to hold the blood, and the stench. Flies buzzed about, seeking out the fresh carnage.

“This poor girl need not have died for your obsessions, Montague.” Daedalus made a mental note to burn his clothing adorned for this evening’s romp. The stench of decaying flesh and blood was hard to mask even with the finest of perfumes. He would never understand werewolves and their need to act upon the most carnal of wants. The devouring of a victim’s organ to sustain youth while affective for these creatures it did little for intellectual augmentation. One could not simply eat to gain knowledge.

The lycanthropic man named Montague John Druitt, but known to the world as Jack the Ripper laughed as he sat nude in a pool of his victim’s blood. “Obsessions, if anyone knows of the power of the great intellectual muse it should be you, dear doctor.” Druitt’s dark eyes burned with madness in the low candle light.

“There is no intellect in murder most foul; of this I can assure you. You have done well in covering your tracks to a point Montague, but you are but a novice in a very old game of hide and seek.”Doctor Daedalus knew his time for interrogation was running out, it would be only a matter of time before Inspector Abberline and his men would move in.“Five women dead. Quite a show you have put on for the city. A show that no one will soon forget, and yet your hunger I would assume is far from sated?”

“Are you calling me a glutton?”Montague growled.

“Well if the adjective is correct.”Doctor Daedalus did not have time for this feral beast’s tournament of dominance. “Tell me who holds your leash and I can see that you are not put down, like a rabid animal. Her Majesty’s police are not known for kindness in regards to a murderer’s treatment. There is no need for you to die foolishly.”

Montague giggled. His face was caked with dried blood and bits of flesh fell from his lips. “Did you think I would give up my master’s name so easily?” Another laugh boomed. “Now who is the fool?”

“You are the bigger fool. Do you not find it disappointing, that your master is not here to protect his most loyal servant? Your secrecy only ensures that his life is saved, but not yours.” The doctor lowered his handkerchief and glared at the creature before him.

“What does your master tell you? There is glory in death. Perhaps honor? Well if that were the case, why do they not give up their life as well, and prove it for the entire world to see? You see Montague, there is the great lie you have so willingly become a fool of. You suffer, and your master is better for it. Tomorrow he could very well retire from this subterfuge, and you will still be a dead dog.”

Montague quickly stood up, rage making his lithe muscles twitch. He growled, face twisted with a snarl. Even in human form, he was dangerously strong due to his most recent feeding. The lycanthrope was about to attack when he heard a small buzz and whine from an odd looking hand gun that appeared in Doctor Daedalus’ hand. “I hold a silver infused lightning gun that promises to be effective and very painful. I would sit back down if I were you.”

Montague did not like the doctor’s mention of silver and lightening in such close proximity to his naked form. He did not need to be a scientist to know that he had lost his tactical advantage.

“Varney,” the lycanthrope growled.

“So now the servant knows his master’s name. So where do I find, Varney, these days?”

“I do not know. I have only seen him once at my initiation to his order. His commands come by pigeon.”

“Pigeon, how inventive and most untraceable,” Daedalus deduced with wonder in his voice.

The sounds of the inspector and his men approaching were apparent to both men in the room. Time had run out, and soon the room would be crawling with Bobbies. “So you said you could get my life spared,” Montague suddenly pleaded. He steered his eyes away, like a cowering dog.

“I did. Yet now you are not just some marauding werewolf, you are an uncouth servant of a well known malignant narcissist. Something I cannot let the good inspector know of.” Before Montague could react, the crackling of silver lightning filled the air around him as the strange gun discharged. Its spidery effervescence ripped through Montague’s exposed flesh. The werewolf felt his heart burst inside his chest as death took him, a look of puzzlement frozen on his face forever.

The door to the small flat burst open and several of Scotland Yard’s finest armed with revolvers secured the area.

“Well the battalion has arrived at last,” Doctor Daedalus smirked and raised his hands to show that he was at present unarmed. The officers made no move to search him. They brandished their guns to make it clear he would not be leaving anytime soon. The small flat was alive with dismay, as the men of Scotland Yard took in the ghastly scene with anguished grunts and pale faces.

“Officers I assure you this crime is not of my doing. Hence there is no blood on my hands nor does any of my clothing, except for my shoes, much like yours, victims in passing alone. There is no way that I could have committed such atrocities and be so… impeccably clean.”

The men ignored the Doctor’s remarks and kept their weapons pointing at him. Then without warning, a young officer, leaning on a nearby wall, retched uncontrollably, the murder scene too much for his young eyes.

“Come now, surely the Yard’s finest have seen blood before? Granted there is quite a bit about.” The Doctor glared at the weak young man, and remarked, “And now thanks to your weak stomach, most of the scientific evidence contained in said blood, is now tainted.”

“Look who complains about tampering with evidence. A man I do not remember inviting to my crime scene.” The husky voice belonged to Inspector Abbreline who now stood in the doorway. The flat could not accommodate any more investigating visitors.

“Inspector, perhaps you can have your men be a bit friendlier to a scientific practitioner and agent of the Crown. There is more to this crime than meets the trained eye, and it involves things to which my services are required. If your men have the proper clearance, I would be happy to discuss the situation with them as well.”

Inspector Abberline frowned at Daedalus, but signaled for his men to stand down. “I want everyone to wait outside, except for you, Doctor. I expect you men to keep the area outside protected. I do not want any writers or cameras from the local rag snooping about.”

The inspector allowed his men to exit the small grisly flat, and proceeded to enter himself. He closed the door behind him.

“What exactly would require you to be involved with the Ripper case?” Inspector Abberline asked, as he looked about the room. Even though it was cold in the room, beads of sweat decorated his face. His cheeks had a decidedly bluish cast to them, and his adam’s apple bobbed a few times, as he convulsively swallowed.

“Why seeking out the true identity of the Ripper himself of course, a personal request from the Queen.”

“Doctor, do I need to waste time in sending one of my men over to Yard command to verify your statement?”

“Hindrance on your part for this matter does not in the slightest infuriate me; it will however bring the Queen some small displeasure.”

Inspector Abberline gazed back down at the corpse on the floor. “Well at least that rabid dog has finally been put down. The real question is, where his master is?”
“If you are referring to the Prince, he is long gone. Though I am not so sure that dog was his to control,” Daedalus stated flatly.

“Another fine mess you have left for the Yard to cleanup good doctor,” the inspector spat.

“I am quite sure this will be a most grateful mess to clean up. I believe your Ripper case has come to a gruesome close.” Doctor Daedalus smirked with audacity. “It took me one night to find the lycanthrope that has mocked your precious Yard for weeks now. Mind you this fellow’s imperial entanglements, they would have proven troublesome to say the least.”

“One does not simply question a member of The Royal family, even if he is known on the streets to travel with such filth.” Inspector Abberline grimaced.
The doctor pertly nodded. “Correct. Now if you require nothing further, I must take leave and continue my investigation, and I would defer any further inquires about my comings and goings, to the throne itself.”

The inspector gave the doctor a measuring glance. “Tell me truthfully, Doctor. Do you hunt these monsters because you are one of them, or does something else drive you?”

He grinned at the inspector. “My dear Inspector, there is one mystery the whole of the Yard will never unravel.” Doctor Daedalus tipped his bowler, and walked smartly away, leaving the Yard to clean up the Ripper’s bloody remains.

More to come...Pledge today!