Authors: Gareth K Pengelly

Stone Rising (38 page)

Rather, its architects.

“This is where we begin, my friends,” he told them. “This is where our journey has led us. And this is where our work will start. Welcome to London.”

It was long moments of gazing out at the scene, still soaking in the sights, the sounds of distant traffic, the roars of the planes overhead muted by unfathomable distance, before anyone answered him.

It was Iain that ventured first, breaking the stillness of the night air.

“My lord,” he enquired. “This is a world of miracles. A race that can build such a city, that can build birds of steel that soar through the sky; how can any such civilisation fall, even against the foe we know is coming? Surely they have weapons of unimaginable power?”

Before Stone could even reply, Arbistrath took a step forwards, resting one plated foot on an air-conditioning duct. He took a long, lingering drag on his cigar, before exhaling and turning to the Forester.

“It truly is a world of wonders, you’re right in that respect, my friend. But it’s also a world divided. Nations at each other’s throats. Mistrust and fear abound. And you can rest assured that Those Beyond the Veil will try their damndest to stir that paranoia up before they invade.”

“Then we must try to unite this world,” came the soft tones of Gwenna as she strode forth, brushing red ringlets from her pale face as the breeze played with her hair. “Only by standing together can mankind win the war to come. The only question is, how do we unite such disparate countries? We cannot impose our will on them with force. That would go against everything we stand for.”

“No.” It was the Woodsman that answered her. He stood slightly apart from the rest, looking out to the city beyond as he thought, before nodding. “We do it by winning the hearts of the people. We do it,” he turned to the crowd and to Stone, “by becoming an example to others. We do it by becoming a shining beacon of humanity’s potential. If we do that, then we won’t need to force anything on anyone; they will come to us.”

A chorus of nods and murmurs of approval, the conversation continuing as the groups merged and mingled, each beginning to feel a mounting excitement as they elaborated on what had been aired already.

All of this, Stone watched, a smile on his face and arms crossed as he leant against a gently humming air-conditioning unit. A shape appeared by his side, a young man, clad in silver plate. One arm was missing from the elbow down, bandaged up tightly. His face, though youthful, bore the lines of endured agony. From his back, his cannon hung on its leather harness.

The titan looked down at the newcomer and smiled. Yet the smile didn’t seem to reach his eyes; there, instead, a sadness, as he took in the extent of the boy’s injuries.

The Baron’s axe had taken a piece of Marlyn that even Stone’s power could never restore.

“My Lord,” the Tulador voiced, as the hubbub continued in the background. “Where is the dragon?”

Green eyes glanced upwards to heaven, piercing the clouds with ease and raking the sky. After a second, Stone smiled.

“He’s up there, nine miles above us at the moment. Cloaked against any attempts at detection. Quite content to wait for us.”

“I’d quite like to see it up close, if I could,” the Guard told him. “I… I can’t quite work out whether he’s a creature or a construct. Is he made of stone? Metal? Flesh?”

The titan laughed.

“You’ve got an inquisitive mind, lad. You always did. Perhaps he’s one, perhaps he’s the other. Maybe his kind transcend easy definition.” He gave a shrug of his massive shoulders. “Who knows? As for getting a closer look at him. Well… I’m sure that can be arranged.”

Marlyn smiled, then paused for a moment, as if he had something on his mind but hesitated to voice it.

“Speak, lad. You’ve earned the right.”

The youth nodded, then, with his one good arm, unslung the intricate Tulador Cannon from his back, hefting it before him. His eyes roamed the sleek, polished metal that seemed to glow and hum with barely contained power, knowing every detail, every lever, every control as though it were part of his very own body.

He looked up at his lord, eyes serious.

“I have a favour to ask…”