About the Story
Airovale is an epic steampunk fantasy, where every gift demands its price.
The story opens on a typical day of Life in the Village revealing the bustling capital of merchants, aeronauts, and families as zeppelins and hot-air balloons stitch trade across the South Sea archipelago. A caravan of miners makes a perilous trek to The Crescent Islands, rich in copper and secret gold. Armed with an ancient map obtained by chance, a hidden location promises untold riches—but at a deadly cost. They violate a sacred space, evoking the Curse of the Temple Gold, where an ageless guardian calls a storm that decimates the fleet. Survivors dump their fortunes, trading weight for lives to save those plunged into the sea. Coming Home empty-handed, they embrace their true wealth—life and family.
The great storm crushes many ships, but the winds take a single zeppelin and cast it into the forgotten blue horizon of the southern sea. Adrift for weeks without a map or direction, the ship sets down on the uncharted island of Canyon Myst. Despair turns to solace as the fae and human Mystics provide materials for repairs and return—while warning to take only what is needed. The fire-stone mines provide coal for fuel, but digging reveals massive gems and gold, shifting dreams of home into dreams of building kingdoms. Now beyond what was needed, The Law of Exchange keeps score in wages unknown, soon revealed in how Deceptive Time works on the fabled island. Hours on the island move differently than in Airovale, but a forbidden love between Aden, a crew member, and Kira, a betrothed fairy, blossoms as they explore a submerged ancient city. Testing the boundaries of human and fae magic, they encounter a Mystic Portal uncovering a time paradox on Canyon Myst.
Enlightened about the time shift, Aden rushes to inform the crew as his affair with Kira is revealed. A duel ensues, leaving him a castaway, marked for death while his jewel loaded airship escapes the wrath of the Mystics. The outcome is revealed in the book and videos on Airovale.com.
Airovale is both sweeping spectacle and intimate parable, inviting readers to ask: what is time worth, and what would you trade for more precious moments, while wasting the minutes at hand?
Airovale was written and produced by author Jef Gray from Orlando, Florida in 2025. Viewable as a video movie series on Airovale.com or on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and upcoming audiobook formats.