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try it on, but she was too dirty and in need of a bath.
    “That’s a special occasion long-jacket,” said Mireya, still in awe of the piece.
    “It could possibly be the nicest piece of clothing I’ve ever owned.” The last package included a long sleeved sweater, with a jumper looking item. It had one button in the front to hold it together, and then the rest was open.
    “It’s kind of a stylish apron,” said Mireya. “Not many Svoda women like them. They prefer the front to be closed, then they don’t have to wear skirts or pants underneath.” 17
    Meghan loved it. As she put her new things away, Colin dove into his own packages.
    “How old are you?” Meghan asked Mireya, trying to think up conversation.
    “Eleven and a half.” Meghan was not sure what to talk about with a giggly eleven-year-old.
    Meghan had never been one to enjoy giggling. Mireya continued explaining the clothes.
    “Those long shirts, with ties down the sides, they help keep things clean and out of the way, which is good, ‘cause sometimes magic can be messy,” she twittered.
    “I won’t be practicing any magic in them, but thanks.” Meghan decided she needed a bath.
    Mireya showed her how the bath worked and had Jae do the water-heating spell.
    Before Mireya and Jae left her to bathe, Colin slumped around the corner. Meghan did her best not to break out laughing, although the urge bubbled up easily in her stressed-out mind.
    Finally, she gave up and laughed, forcefully. Colin was dressed in a long man’s coat; it was thin and maroon in color, with long sleeves. It was also so big on him that it hit the floor, and then some.
    “It’s not funny,” he sighed, looking downhearted.
    “Sorry,” replied Meghan, biting her lip.
    “I think it looks wonderful, Colin,” said Mireya, trying to be nice. “I do hope you will help him,” she chirped to her brother, leaving the bath room.
    Colin scowled.
    “I look stupid, don’t I?”
    “Don’t worry. My mother can fix it. All the boys’ suits come extra long, so we can grow into them.”
    “Oh,” answered Colin, taking off the coat.
    “I’ll give it to my mother later,” said Jae, peeking out of the bath room to see if they were alone. He closed the door, rolling his eyes. “I’ve been dying for a moment that we could talk privately. What happened at the Viancourt?”
    The twins described what had taken place.
    “They didn’t bring up you using magic, did they?” he asked Colin.
    “No, not at all. I don’t think they saw anything.”
    “That’s such a relief. I was afraid you’d be in there for hours.” Meghan got up the courage to confirm her and Colin’s worst fear.
    “So, we really are stuck here, aren’t we?”
    “Yes, I’m afraid there’s no way, not until the next blue moon. I’m sorry. This time it’s my fault, plus you’ll be stuck away from home much longer than I was,” said Jae, his voice apologetic. “If there were any way of finding out anything, even if it broke a hundred rules, I’d tell you in an instant.”
    “We have no option, then,” said Colin, beginning to come to grips with their plight.
    Jae shook his head.
    The twins knew he spoke the truth, and that it was time to accept it.
    “We may be stuck here, Jae, but it’s in no way your fault,” consoled Meghan. “We made the choice not to heed your warning.”
    “Still…”
    She cut him off.
    18
    “Nope! Won’t hear it, Jae. We’re here. There is nothing that can change that now!” She put on a brave face. Colin could sense her fear underneath, ready to overtake the braveness.
    “Since we are stuck here,” said Colin, “tell us about this place. How does it work exactly? An entire village inside a wagon.”
    “Kind of like the wagon back in Cobbscott, only on a much larger scale. We collect energy to create this place. Although the village has actually shrunk a great deal in recent years, as we find our magic getting weaker the longer we travel.”
    Colin took out Magicante