Maisie ran off. Neje didn't wait to watch but slipped through the halls to find a secret panel that she had played with as a child. The passage led to the bottom of the stairs to her mother's chambers. Neje waited and listened for the signal.

Jordon flew through the courtyard and called his challenge to the other crows. They had been waiting for him and immediately surrounded him. The prince led them through an open window in the castle then sent them off to cause whatever mischief ...