"I have information for you." Lilith's cold hands moved up his back as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Something you may find very interesting."

Zero smiled at her teasing tone. "And what, pray tell, might that be."

"It seems," Her cool breath tickled his ear. "That the little heirs to the Ozian throne are taking a trip. Without Mommy and Daddy."

He turned quickly. "How do you know that?"

"Oh, I have my ways," she replied coyly. "I mean, even a man so clever as this Tin Man you obsess after doesn't see every creature as a threat to his charges."

"A spy." He loved it. "You have a spy in Finaqua."

"Indeed I do." Lilith said proudly. "And, you realize, of course, that your friend Cain will be accompanying the young princesses."

"I love it when everything falls into place." He pulled her closer. "What of the guards?"

"Mere mortals." She scoffed. "Easily handled."

"And it will be the youngest we take, right?"

"She is not yet as skilled in the Arts as her sister, but she will do nicely for what the Master needs. And she will be easier to control after we capture her."

"Even still," Zero said, "Any light of the House of Gayle will be able to overpower your magic."

"So little faith." She pouted.

"I'm being realistic."

"I didn't mean faith in my magical talents, love." She held up a glass urn, ornately scrolled with the mystical symbols of their kind. "I meant faith in my ability to plan."

"And the elder princess?"

"Oh, I thought perhaps you would like the honor of. . .dispatching her."

Zero thought back to his service to the Witch. How he had been made to feel a fool. Whipped like a dog. "With pleasure."

"That could have gone better."

Cain looked up from arranging the logs on the campfire,"That, friend, is the understatement of the year."

Actually, it hadn't been as bad as Cain had anticipated, but then he had planned for torches, pitchforks, and a possible attempt at lynching. As he had foreseen most of the settlers had been wiped out by the Witch in the Northern Guilds and were now trying their luck in the warmer climes of the south. When Azkadellia had stepped from the carriage, the faces of the crowd had turned to stone and Cain had wondered how he was going to avoid a mutiny.

As he settled down on his bedroll once more, he looked towards the tent that would serve as the Royal Quarters for the evening. The two princesses sat in front of it, already dressed for bed and wrapped up in blankets. DG was leaning forward and talking in quiet earnest. Azkadellia was silent and staring at her hands.

As bad as the mission had started, it was DG who had managed to salvage it. She had nearly fallen out of the carriage in her haste to get to her sister's side and immediately latched onto Azkadellia's hand. With just a hint of nerves, she announced herself and her sister in the formal greeting of the Ozian court. With Cain and the guards in tow, the sisters had toured the settlement, gotten Glitch's opinion on one or two things and wrapped it up.

It wasn't the most comfortable operation Cain had ever conducted, especially when Azkadellia had clammed up and let herself be led around for most of the day. But DG had done well. At least, she got them through it without a major incident.

He couldn't help but feel a little proud of the kid. She had taken a genuine interest in the concerns of her subjects. The settlers had still been wary of her, given that for the duration of her visit she hadn't let go of Azkadellia's hand which to them was a strong show of support for someone that had ruined their lives. But DG's warm and caring personality had soon started to win them over. She had a ways to go, but she was definitely growing into her role as a leader.

As he watched, Azkadellia stood and wiped her eyes before heading into the tent. DG seemed to slump a little bit as she looked after her. Then she stood and pulled her blanket more firmly around her, heading across the campsite towards them. Some things from the other side she refused to give up and "sweats and T's" were one of them. Cain could see the cuffs of the pants above her bare feet.

With and annoyed flop, she landed on the end of the log Glitch was occupying. The man pulled a face. "Hey, Honey, keep moving. This is Man Country."

"What are you going to do? Make armpit noises or pee on the fire?"

Cain closed his eyes and shook his head. The things that were coming out of royal mouths these days.

Glitch squirmed. "Is that what you all do on the other side? That's disgusting."

"Well, not me personally."

Cain decided to reroute the conversation. "How's Azkadellia?"

"Not good." DG replied somberly. "It was like this was a test or something. And she failed. She keeps saying that she might as well renounce her title."

"Maybe she should." Glitch poked the fire with a branch. "She made a lot of enemies."

"The Witch made enemies for her." DG contradicted gently. "There's a difference. Look, I can't imagine what it's like for you . . . any of you." She looked to Cain and Raw as well. "But Azkadellia is my sister. She needs me just as much as I need her."

"Sorry, DG." Glitch muttered quietly, not looking at her. "It's just. . ."

"It's okay." DG unwound an arm from the blanket and put it around Glitch. "I don't know how I'd feel if I were in your shoes."

Glitch, apparently done with the heavy mood, grinned. "Well, I know how I'd feel in yours. Cramped. Your Highness has very small feet."

Cain smiled a bit as DG laughed and Raw considered his friend. "Glitch not very funny."

"What do you know about comedy, furry-lips?"

"Enough to know Glitch not funny."

DG calmed down and looked over at Cain. "What's with the sleeping bag? You're not sleeping out here are you? You have quarters with Glitch and Raw."

"Raw snores." Cain ignored the Viewer's indignant expression. "Besides, I can keep a better eye on things out here."

Her gaze was steady. "You're not going to sleep again, are you?"

The middle of a mission did not seem the appropriate time to be discussing his sleeping habits. "I'll catch some sleep if I can."

"There are guards all around the camp. I don't think anything's getting in." DG said. "You've gotta take a break some time."

"Look, kid," This was a little ridiculous. Glitch and Raw were watching them go back and forth. "I can look after myself."

"Apparently, you can't." DG replied, not the least bit put off by his surliness. "You didn't sleep the night Azkadellia was attacked, you've been up to all hours getting ready for this trip, you have barely slept since we left. . ."

"Are you my keeper now, Highness?" He spat the last word as a reminder of how much he hated it when she "pulled rank".

"No, but I am your friend, bonehead." She shot back before softening. "I'm worried about you. What's up?"

He glared into the fire for a few seconds before standing and grabbing his hat and duster. "I've got a post on the first watch. I'll see you all in the morning."

And with that, he stalked away from the campfire, feeling their eyes on his back. Thankfully, he moved into the bush and was swallowed up by the darkness.

You're not hiding it well, Cain. He moved around the perimeter of the camp, checking to make sure each man was at his post. He gave a nod to the two men on the north side. Both looked alert and attentive. They nodded their greetings in return as he moved on.

What was DG trying to say? That he was having trouble sleeping? Yeah, well, sure he was. He had family to protect, guards to whip into shape, and was trying to rebuild a respectable force of Tin Men. It didn't leave a lot of time for catnaps.

It wasn't like he was afraid to go to sleep. Or that the things going on between him and Jeb were keeping him awake anyway . . .

He walked faster. Why talk about it? It wasn't as if any of his friends were going to understand. So he was having some weird dreams. So what if he liked to work to the point of exhaustion just to avoid that unpleasantness? So what if his transfer had very little to do with chasing Long Coats and everything to do with outrunning old memories and vast shortcomings?

He wasn't afraid to go to sleep. He wasn't going to admit that. Not to anybody.

No matter how true it was.

The two guards had been easy. With a touch of her cold hand, Lilith had quickly frozen the blood in their veins and stopped their once warm and beating hearts. Quietly, they had pulled them off into the bushes so their bodies would not be seen.

She had entered first carrying the glass urn with Zero behind her. With untold stealth, she slipped across the small camp towards the purple tent that surely held the sleeping heirs to the Ozian throne. With a whisper of cloth, she slipped inside.

Zero made to follow her when something near the smoldering campfire caught his eye; a simple bedroll with a form sleeping quietly beneath it. On it rested a very familiar object. It was the ever- present hat of one Wyatt Cain. Sleeping, unprotected and unaware.

A feverish delight gripped him. It was so easy. His Master's words were lost as he pulled the knife from his belt. "You have one objective. Do not stray from it."

He had been told Cain's time would come, but it didn't matter. Gone were the thoughts of torture and pain that he had planned so deliciously in prison. He wanted the Tin Man's blood. Now. He would take his revenge and be done with it. With feverish delight he fell upon the bedroll ripping back the cover and raising his weapon.

It was the Tin Man's coat and a blanket beneath.

A set of boots entered Zero's line of vision as the unmistakable click of a revolver being cocked resounded in the stillness. "Are you lookin' for me?"

Just then a shrill scream split the night. The next thing he knew, Cain's foot connected with his chin and Zero saw stars.

For the second time in a week, Azkadellia was wrenched from sleep by her sister's cry. Throwing back her blankets, she sat up and looked to where DG had set up her cot.

In the light cast by what remained of the fire in the small stove near the tent's center, she could see there was a woman standing over DG holding a glowing glass bottle. Recognition flashed, but Azkadellia did not dwell on it. With fear in her heart, she threw out a hand and released her magic. The pale woman screamed and fell over DG.

The tent flaps rustled as Cain ripped through them, gun drawn. Following Azkadellia's gaze, he turned the weapon towards the threat and immediately pulled the muzzle back when he saw that DG was still in his line of fire. The woman took advantage of his indecision and hurled a ball of magical light at him. Before the Tin Man could move, it caught him full in the chest, sending him sprawling back through the tent wall. Through the hole his body made, Azkadellia could see Glitch and Raw running and hear the sounds of the perimeter guards shouting at each other.

Jumping from her own cot, Azkadellia ran to DG. The woman was gone. Apparently, she had rolled under the canvas and made her escape. There was another burst of light as she fended off the oncoming guards and fled into the woods. Two men shouted and were off after her in an instant.

Any thought of pursuing the attacker herself dissipated when Azkadellia caught sight of her sister. DG was still in her cot and unconscious, her breath coming in short gasps that fogged when she exhaled. Azkadellia fell to her knees beside her and put a hand on her forehead. It was cold as ice.

"DG?" Please, please, please, she pleaded silently, I just got her back.

Raw was beside her now. "So cold."

"Please, Raw. You have to do something."

The Viewer closed his eyes and put his hands on DG's head. Azkadellia felt the tent warm as he used his gift.

"DG!" Glitch squawked as he entered the tent, supporting Cain.

The Tin Man broke away and staggered to the other side of DG's cot. "What happened?"

"I don't know." Azkadellia tried to keep the panic out of her voice. She was nearly successful. "The woman was standing over DG, holding something."

There was a slight groan from the cot and they all looked back to DG. Her color was better but she was still pale. "DG?" Azkadellia called softly.

" 'm freezing." She managed.

"Glitch, get those blankets." Cain pointed to Azkadellia's cot before turning his attention back to DG, rubbing her arms vigorously through the blankets in order to build heat. "C'mon, kiddo, time to wake up."

Glitch returned and piled on the blankets. "Yeah, Princess. Let's see those baby-blues."

There was a weak smile as she opened her eyes. "Geez, feels like the freezer at the diner."

The noise of general commotion outside drew Cain's attention and he lurched clumsily to his feet. "I'll be back."

DG looked up, apparently taking a head count. "Is everyone all right? Az?"

She smiled, smoothing back DG's unruly dark hair. "We're okay. Cain took a hit." The sound of the Tin Man's voice barking orders came through the canvas walls, "but I think he'll live."

"What about you, DG?" Glitch knelt down, for once not noticing his proximity to Azkadellia. "How do you feel?"

"Tired," she answered. "Really tired."

There was something wrong. Really wrong. Azkadellia couldn't put her finger on it. "What happened?"

"I don't know. It got so cold." DG shivered as if the mere memory were freezing her. "I woke up and there was someone over me and she had her hand over my mouth. And it. . .it felt like she was sucking the life right out of me."

Azkadellia felt her concern mount as Raw said. "But DG scream."

"Yeah, I think I bit her. Hard, too." DG half-smiled. "And then I felt this intense cold in my chest, than nothing."

Suddenly, it hit Azkadellia what was out of place.

Quickly, she fell on her hands and rummaged through DG's bag beneath her cot. Her sister always had it. She took it everywhere.

"Yes," she said quietly as she pulled the small wooden figure clad in silk from the bag. She stuck the spinning doll in DG's hand. "Deej, make it float."

"Do you think now is the best time for a magic lesson?" It was said with uncharacteristic heat for Glitch.

Azkadellia ignored him. "I know you're tired. But please, just try."

DG looked confused, but complied. She opened her hand and let the little doll stand on her palm. This was easy for her now. Even if she was tired it should still come as naturally as breathing.

It didn't.

After a minute, DG opened her eyes and said softly, "I can't."

"Well, no wonder!" Glitch started again. "She's exhausted."

Still ignoring him, Azkadellia grabbed her sister's hand. There was no warmth, no wonderful familiar hum that always ran up her arm to her heart whenever she connected with her sister's magic. From the look on her face, DG was missing it, too.

"How is she?" Cain had returned, absently holding injured ribs.

"She took it." Came a small scared voice from the cot.

"Took what?"

A sob escaped DG. "My magic."