The gnome pattered off. "This way, please. I will take you to the battlefront."

"I've been sent by the siren queen." The siren announces flatly. She sounds bored and disinterested.

She followed the gnome.

"Yes, and?"


Soon, they could see where the Summer and Winter armies were camped.

"And she has your husband. So, you should probably go get him."

She stared at the camp sites.

The temperature in the room dropped quite a few degrees. "Say that again."


Tents were set up in a loose, haphazard pattern, looking like a small city of colored cloth and muddy streets. Even from this distance, they could see the distinction between the Seelie and Unseelie: the Seelie preferred lighter, summercolored tents of brown and green and yellow, while the Unseelie camp was marked by shades of black, blue, and dark red. Even though they were on the same side, Summer and Winter did not mingle, did not share the same space or even the same side of the valley. In the center, however, where the two camps seemed to converge, a larger structure rose into the air, flying the banners of the two courts side by side. At least Mab and Oberon were trying to get along. For now, anyway.

Beyond the camps, a twisted forest of glimmering steel marked the entrance into the realm of the Iron King.

"She's got your husband. You should probably go get him."

She stared out into the realm. She wondered if the boys would be alright going into there. They wouldn't be able to be in for long, unaffected by the iron.

"Yes, yes. I heard you the first time."


Ash scanned the battlefront with narrowed eyes, taking everything in. "Theyve had to fall back several times," he murmured, his voice low and grave. "The entire camp looks ready to get up and move at a word. I wonder how fast the Iron Realm is spreading."

"Guess were about to find out," Puck added, as the gnome emissary beckoned them forward.