"What happened?"
"The Order happened," the gorgon says, and I cannot tell whether her tone is one of anger or relief.
"Hadn't the Order always existed?"
"In a fashion. They were one of the tribes. Priestesses. Healers, mystics, seers. They ferried spirits across to the world beyond. They were the master makers of illusion. Their power was always great, but it grew stronger over time. It was rumored that they had found the source of all magic inside the realms."
"The Temple?"
"Yesss," comes the gorgon's slithery reply. "The Temple. It was said the Order drank of its waters, and thus the magic became part of them. It lived in them, getting stronger with each generation. Now, they had more power than anyone else. What they did not like they sought to correct. They began to limit the creatures' visits to your world. No one could enter without their permission."
"Is that when they built the runes?"
"No," the gorgon replies."That was their revenge."
"I don't understand." "Several creatures from every tribe banded together. They resented the power the Order held over them. They did not want to ask permission. One day, they struck back. As several of the Order's young initiates played in the garden, they caught them unaware, carrying them off to the Winterlands, where they slaughtered them all. And that was when the creatures discovered a horrible secret."
My mouth has gone dry with the tale."What secret was that?"
"The sacrifice of another granted enormous power."
Water rushes under us in a whoosh-whooshing, carrying us forward.
"In their rage and grief, the Order built the runes as a seal on the magic. They closed the border between worlds so that only they could enter. Whatever remained on either side of the border remained imprisoned there forever."
I think of the marble columns of Spence, the creatures caught in stone there.
"It remained thus for many years. Until one of your own betrayed the Order."
"Circe," I say.
"Yesss. She offered a sacrifice and gave power to the dark spirits of the Winterlands once more. The more spirits they brought to their side, the more powerful they became, the more the seal of the runes began to weaken."
"So that is why I was able to shatter them?" I ask.
"Perhaps." The gorgon's answer is like a sigh. "Perhaps, Most High.''
"Why do you call me Most High?"
"That is who you are."
The others are leaning against the side of the boat. They take turns holding on to the ropes of the sails, letting their bodies push against the force of the wind. Pippa's merry laugh drifts above the shooshing of the water. I have a question I want to ask, but I am afraid to say it aloud, afraid of what the answer might be. "Gorgon," I start."Is it true that the spirits of those from our world must cross over?"
"That is the way it has always been."
"But are there some spirits who remain forever?"
"I know of none who did not become corrupted and go to live in the Winterlands."
The wind's caught Pippa's garland. She chases it, laughing, before clutching it tightly in her hands.
"But everything is different now, isn't it?"
"Yesss," the gorgon hisses."Different."
"So perhaps there is a way to change things."
"Perhaps."
"Gemma!" Pippa calls."How are you feeling?"
"Much better!" I shout back.
"Come back, then!"
I leave my perch beside the gorgon and join the others.
"Isn't the river beautiful?" Pippa says, grinning widely. Indeed, it is a glorious teal blue here."Oh, I've missed you all so very much. Did you miss me terribly?"
Felicity runs to embrace her. She holds Pip fiercely. "I thought I should never see you again."
"You saw us not two days ago," I remind her.
"But I can scarcely bear it. It is nearly Christmas," she says wistfully."Have you been to any dances yet?"
"No," Ann reports. "But Felicity's mother and father will have their Christmas ball."
"I suppose it will be very grand," Pippa says, pouting. "I'm to wear my first gown." Ann continues. She describes the gown in detail. Pippa asks us questions about the ball. It is as if we are back at Spence, sitting in the great hall in Felicity's tent, gossiping, making plans.
Smiling, Pippa twirls Felicity around as the boat creaks slowly down the river. "We are together. And we never have to part."