Grain...

Alice clapped her hands together She turned to Johanna and said, “Did you hear that? We come highly recommended.”

Amaretto looked to Johanna and saw the woman nod her head but the blank look that was in place never seemed to change. Alice turned to face Amaretto and then allowed her face to turn into a serious look. “Our first stop should be the Tower Clock.”

Amaretto had a spark of recognition to what Alice said, but quirked her eyebrow. “You mean the Big Ben? I've always wanted to see it.”

Alice stopped and frowned at Amaretto and then turned a look to Johanna. Johanna shrugged and then Alice turned back to face Amaretto and then said, “What is Big Ben?”

Amaretto blinked and bit her lip for a moment and then looked at Johanna who stared back with an equally blank stare. She had not really expected anything from the woman but when she looked back at Alice, the blond still had the questioning look on her face. “Isn't that the name of the clock?”

Alice turned back to Johanna and then stared blankly back at Amaretto again. “Do you mean Ol' Henry?” I don't think I have ever heard it called Big Ben before.” Alice frowned and then put a single hand on her hip. “Where did you say you were visiting from again?”

Katherine spoke up almost instantly in order to smoothly cover up suspicion. “We never said. We lived in Indus for most of her life. While there, we might have not heard some of the things that they told us correctly.”

Alice nodded and smiled as if that explained everything. “Well then, you are in for a treat then. I am almost sure that you will love all the new amenities that Johanna and I will show to you. You cannot leave here without seeing Buckton Palace. It's where the current Queen resides.”

Amaretto listened, amazed at how different everything was. She knew some of the facts of England, but this was not the same place that she grew up with across the Atlantic ocean. This was a different place altogether, with a different history and a different destiny. She was not sure if she could stomach the difference. The oddness of it all was the most disconcerting part. Talking with Tempus most certainly did not help her at all. Amaretto took a deep breath. Here they were in a place that looked like old England, acted like old England, but was not in fact old England.

At that moment, there was a hiss and a clanking sound. Johanna turned around and looked behind them all down the lane. The sky was no longer pelting rain, and the humidity was now causing the cobblestones to steam just a little. With a voice that was just above a whisper, “they are coming. I would suggest that we adjourn away from the street. This way the Iron Men will not see us.”

Alice nodded her head vigorously in agreement. “I don't think we should go into the clock shop though. We have to make sure that no one is found.”

Amaretto looked at Alice with confusion. “What do you mean?”

Katherine cut in, “Perhaps in the alley way?”

Alice looked over at the alley way and then grabbed Amaretto and hustled towards the thin space in between the buildings across the street with Johanna and Katherine following closely behind. As they bustled into the alley Johanna paused and looked around the side. “They are coming down the lane.”

Amaretto still looked concerned. “What's coming down the lane? What are you so worried about?”

Alice turned to Amaretto. “you've never heard of the Iron Men? How have you never heard of them?” Alice looked sternly and rather confused.

Katherine smoothly answered again. “We come from Indus. There is no need for them there.” Katherine spoke with a reserve and a hesitancy however when she said it. Amaretto suddenly realized that her aunt was trying to lie. Alice did not seem to notice.

Johanna spoke softly to Alice. “Not all of the colonies have them Alice. I know that Indus does not have them.”

Alice seemed to accept this and turned back to Amaretto and said, “Iron Men are the policing force here. They have been up in arms for days now because someone tried to kill the Chancellor.”

Amaretto looked to her aunt and Katherine and her aunt mouthed 'Prime Minister'. Amaretto nodded her understanding. She turned to ask her next question.