“It is, Cora. What possible reason would Prue and Edwin have to make up something this huge?” said Agapantha.

“Honestly, you three really need to get a life.” With a flick of her hair she left the room.

There was a tense silence in the room before Edwin asked, “Do you think Cora will say anything?”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about whatever she thinks.” Prue sighed. “Let’s focus on reconfiguring the machine to transmit the reversal signal.”

*

Later, Agapantha managed to sneak into one of the labs and take one of the many GODAR machines gathered ready for the harnessing.

“Strictly speaking, it’s not theft, just borrowing. And this one was in the spares box, so I’m sure they won’t miss it immediately.”

Prue nodded. “Good work. We’ve found an old parabolic reflector in one of the boxes. It’s a bit dented. Edwin, do you think you can fix it?”

“I’ll do my best,” he said.

Prue pointed to a page in her journal. “I’ve sketched out the area and made a few calculations for range. Ag, if you could check them over.”

It was dark by the time they’d finished.

“Let’s go over the plan. We hide the equipment in here until the last minute because we don’t want the messengers in the tower getting suspicious. At nine-thirty p.m., when all the personifates, craftsman, masters and members of the Sovereign Chancellery are gathered in the atrium pre-harnessing, Ag slips away to get the equipment from the memory lab. Then Ag exits the room by the fire escape. You’ll need a big back pack, maybe one of the garden sacks and rope to haul it down.”

“Yes, that should work.” Ag nodded.

Prue noticed that Agapantha looked pale and clammy just thinking about the ladder.

“You can do it,” Prue said, putting a hand on her arm. “Then Ag takes the equipment around to the tower for nine forty-five. Craftsman Primrose aims for his army to arrive at ten, so it should be time enough to set the equipment up ready for the arrival of the stag-men.”

“What could possibly go wrong?” said Edwin.

“Cora,” both Prue and Agapantha said together.

“If she doesn’t believe us, she won’t say anything,” said Edwin.

“Let’s hope you’re right,” said Prue.

By the time they’d got back to the house they’d missed tea. Thankfully, Lavender had set some aside for them.

“Do you mind if I take mine up? I’ve got some work to finish,” Prue asked.

“That’s fine, dear,” said Lavender. “My, you are working hard!”

“I’m going to speak to Cora,” Prue whispered to Agapantha and Edwin.

Upstairs, Cora was lying on her bed looking at the ceiling.

Prue laid on her own and did the same. “We’re not making it up,” she said.