Mrs. Rogers tugged at her short jacket. It was a little tight. But that couldn't be helped. She was grateful for any clothes that remotely fit her. She had spent most of the night, skulking through shadows, scouring out laundry lines looking for something that would make her blend in. After several hours, she finally found it. A short peplum jacket and a long flowing skirt. She had pinned her hair up. From what she could see she so far, she had stumbled into a world akin to the late 1800's with a technical twist.
Last night, under cover of the darkness, while she was foraging for clothing one of the flying machines had flown low over her head. She braced herself, fearing discovery. Then something struck her on the head, knocking her down. Fortunately, the object that struck her was a pocket book full of coins.
In the morning she started wandering the streets, looking for a restaurant. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted past her. Following the aroma to a bakery, she opened the door and a little bell rang overhead. She joined the queue. The aroma of the baked goods was wonderful. She took a deep breath. The bread smelled delicious but mixed with it was something else.
She looked around. She expected to see someone familiar, but all she saw were strangers. She took another deep breath. No doubt about it. Along with the aroma of fresh bread was the scent of Narnia. Leaning forward, she sniffed the hair of the young woman ahead of her. She was certain, the girl was Narnian. She tapped her shoulder.
"Excuse me, Miss. I was wondering if you could advise me," said Mrs. Rogers. "You see, I'm not from around here."
The blonde girl turned and looked at Mrs. Rogers. She stumbled back in amazement.
"Princess Rinora! What are you doing here?" asked Gizelle. "Have you come to rescue me?"
….
"I still don't quite understand, but I suppose we have to trust you," said Nob. "I do think it's high time you go to Queen Rajiisha."
"And you agree to help me?" asked Garin.
"Anything you need, son," said Resa.
"You'll need someone with our knowledge of the village and Cyan's acquaintances in order to pull this off," said Nob.
"Just come by the bakery, day or night," said Resa. "We live over the bakery. So just use the signal and we'll come down and open the door for you."
"Cyril, or Gar, as you call him, was always coming by so it won't be anything out of the ordinary," said Nob. "If you can, come tonight, after dusk."
"I will do my best," said Garin. "Now, we must leave you. Let's all exit the tunnel and then our ways must part."
"Make certain to use the code words we gave you," said Nob. "Then we will know it's you and not Cyril, I mean Gar."
"I'll remember," said Garin, stepping out of the tunnel. "Straight ahead through the bushes and you should avoid the guards."
"Yes, we know," said Nob. Soon Nob and Resa had disappeared into the bushes.
"Now, Alyndra, are you ready to meet your mother?" asked Garin.
"I have been ready all my life," answered Alyndra.
"Then let us proceed," said Garin. "And remember, I do all the talking. I have to convince her first."
The three of them nodded in agreement and Garin led them around the palace to the front entrance.
….
Jeremy leapt out of the pool, only to find Tumnus pacing about.
"Oh, I've done it!"
"What have you done?" asked Jeremy. Looking about he saw only a small pool and no large body of water.
"I've taken us to the wrong world…er, ah, I mean the wrong pool," said Tumnus.
"Did you say, 'the wrong world'?" asked Jeremy.
"I meant to the wrong pool…pool is what I meant," said Tumnus, trying to cover up another mistake. "I saw the pink roller and simply jumped in without looking closer at the pool."
"The pink roller?" asked Jeremy.
He looked at Tumnus. He was a fool to trust this man. What has he gotten himself into? He's taken him to some secret location and he didn't know how to return.
"Did you drug me?" asked Jeremy. "Was there something in that tea to make me hallucinate?" He reached out and felt the brick wall in front of him. It seemed real enough. But maybe that's how it is when one is drugged. Maybe it all seems real.
"I did not drug you," said Tumnus. "It will only take us a little longer." Tumnus began to talk to himself as he paced back and forth, between the brick walls. "What if Mrs. Rogers made the same mistake? What is Mrs. Rogers has come to this world instead of Nelirion?"
"There it is. You said it again, 'this world'." Now Jeremy began to wonder if Tumnus partook of hallucinogens. Or maybe he was mad. "I demand that you take me back to that flat. The deal is off. You can find another…"
There was a sudden whirling noise overhead. Jeremy looked up to see a man in a seat attached to a propeller flying above the buildings. He followed, trying to keep the man in sight. Then the alley opened up to a train yard. It was full of large beautiful locomotives made of lustrous metal. And all around them in the sky were individual people flying in contraptions consisting of little else than a seat and a propeller. Some sported plums.
Tumnus had followed him. They both stood gawking at the scene.
"I must be frank with you, Mr. Jameson," said Tumnus. "We have entered another world through a portal. And I have no idea where we are."