She thought the Warren kid was suspicious. and weird, but didn't say anything about it.

Neither of the boys trusted him, either, but left.

She watched him to make sure he didn't try anything suspicious.

Once he was sure that the others were gone, he stepped in farther, pulling his hand out of his jacket. The lights gleamed along the black barrel of a gun as he raised the muzzle and pointed it at her. Warren glanced over his shoulder. "Okay," he called, "coast is clear."

The door swung open, and a half-dozen redcaps poured into the room behind him. The one with the fishhook in his nose, Razor Dan, stepped forward and leered at her with a mouthful of jagged teeth.

"You sure this is the one, half-breed?"

Warren smirked. "I'm sure," he replied, never taking the gun, or his eyes, off her. "The Iron King will reward us handsomely for this, you have my word."

- - -




A birdlike shadow flashes over one of the iron fields. Usually, Dealkeeper simply teleports a few miles away from who she plans to give a prophecy to, but she doesn't actually know how to get to most places in the Iron Kingdom. So, she's resorted to flying around, occasionally landing to speak to the locals, to find her way to the main castle.

Lise didn't move and glared at Warren, and cursed under her breath.

Rowan was there, Thornguards by his side


"By the time Leanansidhe gets back, we'll be long gone," Warren interrupted. "And the rest of Dans crew is taking care of Goodfellow and the iron monster, so theyre a little busy at the moment. Im afraid that no one is coming to your rescue, Princess."

"Warren," snapped Razor Dan with an impatient glare. "We dont have time to gloat, you idiot. Shoot the crazy and lets get out of here before Leanansidhe comes back."

" Jokes on you, I don't need anyone to come to my rescue. " When in reality, she did.

She examines him calmly, neatly folding her wings behind her.

The redcap closest to her snarled and lunged. Charles (Who we'll say was playing one of the pianos) suddenly stepped between them. Before the redcap could dodge, he grabbed a cello off the wall and smashed it down over its head. The instrument let out a shriek, as if in pain, and the redcap crumpled the floor.

Razor Dan sighed.

"All right, lads," he growled. "All together now. Get them!"




Rowan was made aware of the Dealkeepers presence, and he smiled.