Grain...

Johanna looked at Amaretto and then spoke in a monotone voice. "The Stone of Communication is a large red stone with which we are able to speak with the Ancients. It is because of these Ancients, that we are able to determine the parts of the future that we are able to use to our advantage."

Amaretto was surprised. It was the longest sentence that Johanna had ever uttered to Amaretto's knowledge. Katherine frowned as she looked at them all and then said, "So tell me what it is that we need to do then?"

Alice turned towards Katherine as she bit her lip. "The stone was supposed to help us. You see, we are using the stone to try to form an alliance of sorts. You see, we are in harsh times."

"Harsh times?" Amaretto looked a little lost.

Alice put a finger to her lips and then said, "We are part of a resistance here within the whole of the Empire. You begin from Indus means that you have not seen the true might of the Empire. You are too far away to see the repercussions."

Katherine's own mouth twitched at this revelation. "We are not here to fight in a war with you Alice," she said a little agitated. "We are only stopping here as a pause in our travels."

Johanna once again looked down the street and then said, "I think that there is an IronMan coming down the street. We need to get out of here now Alice. Because if we are still here, and they find us, they will take us to the Tower. We can't go to the Tower."

Alice shuddered and then looked at Katherine. "If the Watchmaker told you that we were to help you, then we shall, but we cannot stay here."

Katherine looked to Amaretto and then clutched her large purse to her side. "Where is it that you would like to take us then?"

Alice nodded her head and gathered her skirts up slightly. Amaretto thought that it made for a comical picture considering that she had a partial bustle. Amaretto would have giggled, but she did not think that it was the time, as she realized that Alice was going to make a run for it.

Johanna smoothed out her own skirt before picking up the sides and bunching it in her fists. "We have a small house on the other side of town. We can hide there while we figure out wha tit is that we need to do."

Katherine put her hand on one of her hips. "I told you that we are not fighting in your war."

Alice frowned and then said, "It is not a war. This is a bid from independence."

Katherine looked at Alice and then with menace in her eyes said, "I don't care if you want to burn the palace of the Monarch down to the ground. You may not simply use us as pawns as if we are a commodity." She turned on Johanna at that moment in time. "Don't think that you will be getting out of here without a lashing as well."

She wagged a finger at the tall expressionless girl. "We need a place to stay while we figure this out and you seemed to be taking advantage of this situation. Just because you do not show me any emotion, does not mean that I will not slap you to get a rise out of you."

At that, Johanna looked a little surprised.

"Alice shook her head and then said, "We have to go now."

Katherine looked around and then said, "All right then. Let's go."