The prince asked, Someone snatched Lady? Bemused, he muttered, I guess that was the whole point, else wed all be dead.

Thats my guess. Are they in for a surprise. Lets get moving. As they started walking, surrounded by the guards, Croaker asked, Where was your pet wizard while all this was happening?

Why? the Radisha demanded.

That little shit has been on the Shadowmasters payroll for weeks. Ask him about it.

The prince said, Id love to. But a demon tried to kill him and almost succeeded. Hes in a coma. Wont come back.

Croaker glanced back. Somebody ought to bring the prisoner. He might tell us something useful.

He would not. He had died while no one was looking.

Croaker was amazed at himself, taking charge the way he was. Maybe it was pressure from so many months of helplessness. Maybe it was urgency brought on by the certainty that he would not have long to grab hold of his destiny.

The prince had to be right. Lady had been the object of the attack. That meant the bad boys had lost track of her somehow and had thought Catcher was her. He smiled grimly. They would not be prepared for the tiger they had caught.

How long would Catcher toy with them before revealing herself? Long enough?

Count on nothing. Hurry.

He by damned had to grab for all he could get while the opportunity existed.

Croaker finished his story. The prince and his sister had listened agape. The Radisha recovered her poise first. Shed always had the harder edge. Way back, Smoke cautioned us that there might be more going on than met the eye. That there might be players in the game we didnt see.

All eyes turned to the unconscious wizard. Croaker said, Prince, you used that sticker pretty well tonight. Think youd have trouble pricking him if he asked for it?

No trouble at all. After what hes done the trouble Ill have is not sticking him before we get a story out of him.

Hes not all bad. He walked into a trap trying to do what he thought was right. His problem is, he gets an idea in his head and he cant get it out if its wrong, no matter what evidence you hit him with. He decided we were the bad guys come back for general mayhem and he just couldnt change his mind. Probably never will. If you execute him hell die thinking hes a hero and martyr who tried to save Taglios. I think I can waken him. When I do, you stand by to stick him if he tries any tricks. Even a puny wizard is deadly when he wants.

Croaker took an hour but did tease the wizard out of lifes twilight and got him to choke out his story.