Everyone rode flying brooms toward Compiègne.
Reaching Compiègne meant reaching France. Although Belgium had already been ceded to France under the treaty, Napoleon seemed to remember that it was "foreign territory," which was why he reminded her to settle those captives as exiles and even said they could "return home voluntarily."
The snow had stopped. Though the sun had not come out, visibility had improved considerably. From high above, they could see the Oise River running through the city, as well as the palace built along its banks.
For Pomona, who had lived in the twentieth century, Compiègne brought to mind World War I and World War II. One compartment on the Grand Magic Express had been decorated in imitation of the carriage where the World War I armistice was signed.
During World War II, Hitler had deliberately chosen the Forest of Compiègne to accept France's surrender. He had specifically ordered the museum housing the carriage demolished, had the train carriage from that year hauled out and placed on the clearing where the signing had taken place, then sat in the very seat Marshal Foch had once occupied and had the French representatives brought in.
When Georgiana saw the geometric garden like the one at the Palace of Versailles, she thought of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. It was said that they had first met here.
It had been a "Diplomatic Revolution." If all went well, years of conflict between the two nations would be replaced by peace.
Georgiana raised a hand, signaling everyone to land. Then she chose a forest some distance from the city and descended.
"What is it?" Carolan came over and asked.
"I can't meet him looking like this." Georgiana walked to the riverside, where the water had not yet frozen completely. She was wearing men's