The 7th of London (32 page)

The entire gathered audience erupted into cheers. Even Faraday clapped his hands jovially. Midnight clapped with reserve. Rat was whooping and jumping around as Annie giggled. After returning Prometheus to his hangar, the pilots disembarked to renewed cheers. Rat was the first to run up and introduced himself to the other young boys. The entire crowd was engaged, discussing the revolution, the queen, and the giant steam-powered man.

Sev admired the three young men, but he didn’t rush forward like the others. He lingered at the edge of the crowd, unable to really join in the merriment. The import of the task that lay ahead of these people loomed darkly in Sev’s mind. Good for them, but he didn’t feel like a true part of this odd family. As usual he felt more like a hired hand, someone who was here to perform a service and then go off again on his own, never truly fitting in. He watched as Kettlebent conversed easily with the rest of those gathered. On the streets Kettlebent projected an air of dangerous aloofness, but down here where he trusted his acquaintances, he showed an easy and relaxed demeanor. Sev envied him that ability.

“Cozy, isn’t it?” Midnight’s voice startled Sev. He hadn’t heard the villain’s approach. Sev shouldn’t have been surprised. If there was anyone who avoided mingling with the crowd, it was Midnight. Not for the first time, Sev’s skin crawled a bit at the traits he shared with the criminal mastermind. “They think they’ve won already.”

“They have a good chance, I’d say.” Sev amended his statement, saying, “
We
have a good chance.”

“Yes, well. That big metal monster is impressive, to say the least, but I’d wager there’s going to be more than a little bloodshed before this is all said and done,” Midnight observed sagely. Sev had no argument for that. In fact he agreed completely, so he remained silent. “All their laughing and congratulating may turn too quickly to weeping and mourning.”

“Ye’re a ray o’sunshine, Jack,” Sev said with a sniff.

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

“Ye may not be wrong, but where does that leave hope?”

“Hope?” Midnight chuckled sadly. “Ah, Seven. The idealism of youth. But, yes, why not hope? I’m sure we will prevail with minimum violence, no death or injury, and maybe a rainbow or two thrown in for good measure.”

“Ye’re an ass, Jack Midnight,” Sev said as he pushed off his perch.

“There’s that legendary pluck,” Midnight said sarcastically, patting Sev’s shoulder. “The children are dispersing.” Midnight pointed.

The duke was speaking as Sev and Jack joined the smaller crowd. “This is all very reassuring and incredibly inventive, but we’ve not won the battle yet. We’ve barely begun to fight. It may be slightly premature to breathe a sigh of relief.”

“Finally, a bit of common sense,” Midnight stated dramatically.

“Make no mistake, Sutherland,” Heph announced. “We are well aware of the road ahead, but finally there is a light at the end of our tunnel. I think it’s healthy to keep a hopeful outlook.”

“I agree,” Kettlebent said, offering his support. Sev smiled, not just at his friend’s loyalty to his mentor but also at the irony of that mentor’s positive attitude even after being dismembered. Although the fact that the man not only survived but overcame his adversity with the help of mechanical limbs was an argument that hope could very possibly be found in any situation.

“Our next obstacle is locating the Tear of Purity,” Heph said as they walked back toward the city center.

“And finishing Prometheus,” Carrington added.

“Someone will have to join our team in the ruins and search for the Tear,” Muriel said, “while the rest stay here and help Tesla and Faraday finish Prometheus.”

“I know I wanted to go after the Tear but my expertise might be more useful with Prometheus. I’ll stay,” Carrington offered. “I think you should remain as well, Hephaestus.”

“I agree,” Muriel said, nodding. “And Mr. Kettlebent. I’ll lead the excavation team.”

“I’ll volunteer for that,” Annie chimed in.

“Me too,” Rat spoke up.

“We have no idea what lies within,” Heph said. “I’m not sure you and a bunch of children venturing into the unknown is the most prudent course of action.”

“I have to agree with Mr. Kildeggan,” Sutherland commented.

“I’m not a helpless little woman,” Muriel growled. “I can take care of myself.”

“Hear, hear,” the Duchess of Inverness stated approvingly.

“It would still ease my mind if you took along some help,” Heph told Muriel.

“I’ll go,” Sev and Midnight answered in unison.

“Midnight volunteered earlier,” Muriel stated.

“I hardly think it advisable that you accompany a woman and children into a secluded portion of this underground city,” the duchess tutted.

“I assure you, Your Grace, that I see absolutely no profit in allowing harm to come to Miss Muriel and her charges, nor would I entertain the notion of harming them myself,” Jack responded coolly.

“I’ll keep him in line, my lady,” Sev offered. “And whatever we find down those tunnels, there’s an even chance it’s not more dangerous than Mr. Midnight.”

“Why, Seven, I think I’m tearing up. You sweet, sweet young man.” Jack sniffed, pretending to wipe a tear from his cheek. The duchess snorted but remained silent.

“Then it’s settled,” Sutherland concluded. “The duchess, Madame Beauchamps, and I will return to London and maintain appearances. I trust you’ll send word when we’re ready to proceed?”

“Of course,” Heph reassured him as they shook hands.

“Take care of yourself, Seven,” the duke said, shaking Sev’s hand, then turned to include Midnight. “You as well, Jack.”

“You can be sure, William.” Midnight grasped Sutherland’s hand and squeezed. It didn’t quite manage to pass as a handshake.

The aristocrats of Fairside and the madam of Blackside took their leave then. Muriel sent Annie and Rat to gather a few of the older, levelheaded children to join them in the ruins, while she dashed off to prepare provisions. Kildeggan offered to have a meal with Carrington and Midnight, who both gladly accepted and headed off to Heph’s tower rooms. Sev wasn’t sure when, but Tesla and Faraday had already slipped off to return to Prometheus and their work. Kettlebent and Sev found themselves alone on the street.

Silas removed his false beard and lifted his goggles to rest on the brim of his stovepipe hat. “Would you like to join me for dinner?” he asked.

“Aye, that sounds good.” Sev walked fast to keep pace with Kettlebent’s long strides.

“You really should be careful down there, Seven. There’s a reason the people who built this place sealed off those ruins.”

“I’m sure me and Jack can manage,” Sev answered.

“Hmph. I’m still not convinced he’s totally on our side,” Kettlebent said, suspicion thick in his voice. “He may be even more of a threat.”

“Silas, ye really don’t have t’worry about Midnight. Fer whatever reason, he’s taken a shine t’me.” Sev thought he knew why, though. Because Midnight saw something familiar in Sev, something he might recognize from within himself. “He won’t hurt me. Not any time soon, anyway.”

“I hope you’re right,” Kettlebent answered with a small sigh. “For now, let’s just enjoy the night. Your team will have an early start tomorrow.” Sev nodded with a smile, found the mechanical fingers of Kettlebent’s outer-skeleton hand, and traced the appendage until he clung to the crook of Silas’s flesh and bone elbow. Their conversation turned to lighter subjects as they headed for Silas’s apartment, where they shared a simple dinner that Sev prepared while Silas removed his outer-skeleton. After eating, they drank brandy and discussed the tasks before them. Sev curled into the crook of Silas’s arm and promptly fell asleep in the larger boy’s embrace. Silas pressed a kiss in Sev’s hair and leaned back, allowing his sleeping friend’s rhythmic breathing to lull him into slumber as well.

S
ILAS
walked Sev to the entrance to the ruins where Muriel, Annie, Rat, and several other children awaited them. Silas had left his Kettlebent disguise behind since no outside eyes were present. Muriel busied herself packing provisions and weapons onto a small cart with excavation tools. Annie and Rat were filling lanterns with oil.

“Be careful in there,” Silas told Sev. “We honestly can’t predict what you’ll find in addition to what you’re looking for.”

“I’ll say.” Sev walked up to the enormous hinged door, not unlike that of a bank vault, and ran his hand along the complex locking mechanism. “Judging by the size o’this door, we might be in fer quite a challenge.”

Most of the gathered party wore simple traveling clothes. Sev had opted to wear his metal-reinforced waistcoat and a pair of gloves. Rat, of course, had on his tatty top hat. Sev inspected the weapons, mostly swords and pistols. Nothing fancy, but definitely functional and in good repair. A whistle drew his attention, and he turned to see Midnight arrive with Kildeggan. The villain walked right up to Silas and grasped his upper arm, testing the firmness of the muscle. “My, my, my, and who is this fine specimen?” he asked. Silas shrugged out of Midnight’s grip with a dark scowl.

“Mr. Midnight, don’t you recognize our Mr. Kettlebent?” Heph asked, smirking at the surprise evident on Jack Midnight’s face.

“It isn’t even,” Jack gasped and closed one eye and then the other, examining Silas.

“I assure you it is, Mr. Midnight,” Silas confirmed snidely.

“Well, it’s certainly the same cantankerous attitude,” Midnight agreed. “But where’s the, ah—” The sound he made was strange and growly in an attempt to mimic Kettlebent’s vocalizer. “—voice?” he finished.

“I left it on my bedside table.”

“Ah. Interesting.” Jack clapped his gloved hands together, and Sev finally took a good look at the man. His clothes were crisp and pressed. He’d abandoned his topcoat, and his collar was open with no cravat. He wore a leather waistcoat similar to Sev’s and a pair of thick black leather gloves that reached nearly to his elbows. The rest of his attire was the same as usual: pressed black pinstriped pants and his shiny hobnails. The only other addition—and Sev guessed it was always there, but he just hadn’t seen it—was a harness holding the villain’s knives. Sev wasn’t surprised to see that Jack’s hair was impeccably coiffed, though he was a little surprised that the villain had refreshed his eye makeup. Sev wondered if Midnight always carried it.

“Are we ready?” Sev interrupted the tension materializing between Silas and Jack.

The latter turned merrily toward Sev. “I think we are, Seven.” Midnight patted Sev’s shoulder as he strode past.

“Hold on a moment,” Carrington called as he ran toward them. He clung to a sheaf of paper. “Wait there. Wait!”

“What is it, old boy?” Heph asked. Carrington heaved great gulps of air. “What’s this?” Heph removed the paper and unfolded it.

“Map,” Carrington gasped. “I’ve done a bit of research, and I’ve found this map of the ruins.”

“It’s not very detailed,” Midnight observed as he regarded the map over Heph’s shoulder.

“It’s the best I could do,” Carrington told him. “Lay it out here. See this?” He pointed to what appeared to be a main tunnel running up the center of the map. “When you enter, this is where you’ll be. By my research and calculations, if you follow it to the third tunnel on the left and follow that until it terminates, you should find yourself in the L’amurean armory. The Tear of Purity will most likely be in an ebony chest with blood sigils on the outside. Its nature should ensure that nothing has disturbed it and most likely the armory itself. What happens in between is anyone’s guess.”

“There’s nothing in your research that might give us some clue what to expect?” Muriel asked.

“There are mentions of
things
.” Carrington said the last word with trepidation. “Beasts. Monsters. Lost souls. The translations are unclear. But something calls the ruins home. The area used to be, for lack of a better term, the religious district. There were houses of worship to various elder deities until something of an indeterminate nature happened.”

“Things. Unclear translations. Indeterminate nature?” Midnight groaned. “Delightful. Why can’t these awful old civilizations just come out and say, ‘It’s a great big bloody lion-man-squid, and you need to stab it in the face with silver and then light the remains on fire’? It’s always vagaries and nonsense.”

“There’s nothin’ for it,” Sev stated pragmatically. “It is what it is, and we have t’make do. So let’s get on with it.”

“Oh, very well.” Midnight waved a dismissive hand.

“Good luck, my friends,” Heph offered as he bid them farewell. “Open it up, Carrington.”

The old man obeyed, twisting dials until various pictograms were aligned in the proper order. The company lined up, bearing their lanterns and waiting for the portal to open. When Carrington finished his ministrations, a grinding of gears sounded from within.

“We’re going to seal the door behind you,” Heph informed them, “but there will be a watch posted round the clock waiting for your return.”

They heard an ominous grinding clang as the door finally unlocked and the round portal rolled into a recess carved in the black stone. Warm air poured out of the portal, carrying the stench of carrion. Sev hadn’t smelled anything so awful even at the slaughterhouses and tanneries of Blackside.