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"We don't know," I say.
"We haven't been . . . imagined the rest," Ann says.
Miss Moore offers the plate of crumpets. "Who lives in these realms?"
"Spirits and creatures. Some of them aren't very nice," Ann says.
"They want control of the magic," I explain.
"Magic?'' Miss Moore repeats.
"Oh, yes. There is magic. Lots of it!" Felicity exclaims."The creatures would do anything to get it."
"Anything?" "Yes, anything," Ann says, with a dramatic flair.
"Can they get to it?" Miss Moore asks.
"Now they can. The magic used to be protected inside the runes," Ann continues, between bites."But the runes are gone and the magic is wild, there for anyone to use as they like."
Miss Moore looks as if she wants to ask a question, but Felicity rushes in."And Pippa's there, beautiful as ever," she says.
"You must miss her terribly," Miss Moore says. She turns the pocket watch over and over between her fingers."These stories are a lovely way of remembering her."
"Yes," I say, hoping my guilt does not show.
"And now that the magic is free, as you say, what is it like? Do you commune with the other members of the Order there and work your hocus-pocus?"
"No. They've all been killed or gone into hiding," Felicity says. "And it isn't good at all that the magic has been unleashed."
"Really? Why not?"
"Some of the spirits can use it for dark purposes. They could use it to break through to this world or to bring Circe in," Felicity explains."That is why we must find the Temple."
Miss Moore is confused."I fear I shall have to take notes to keep up. What, pray tell, is the Temple?"
"That is the secret source of the magic inside the realms," I say.
"A secret source?" Miss Moore repeats. "And where is this place, this Temple?"
"We don't know. We've not discovered it yet," I say."But once we do, we can bind the magic again and form a new Order."
"Son courage, then. What a fascinating story," Miss Moore says. The mantel clock chimes four o'clock. Miss Moore checks the time on her watch against it."Ah, unfailingly accurate." "Is it four already?" Felicity says, leaping up. "We're to meet Mother at half past."
"What a shame," Miss Moore says."You must come back for another visit. As a matter of fact, there is an excellent exhibit at a private gallery in Chelsea on Thursday. Shall we go?"
"Oh, yes!" we exclaim.
"Very well," she says, rising. She helps us into our coats. We don our gloves and secure our hats.
"So there is nothing further you can tell us about the Order?" I ask tentatively.
"Have you an aversion to reading, ladies? If I wanted to learn more about any subject, I should find a good book or two," she says, ushering us down the stairs, where Mrs. Porter is waiting for us.
"Where are yer luv'ly drawings?" the landlady asks, inspecting us for paper or chalk."Don't be shy, now. Show old Por'er."
"We've nothing to show, I'm afraid," Ann says.
Mrs. Porter's face darkens. " 'Ere now, I run a respec'able establishment, Miss Moore. You said the admiral was payin' fer lessons. Whatchoo been abou' up there all this time, then?"
