"I wonder how Solomon would react if I told him practically every person in this room just called him a child," was Ravel's retort to Vex. "Leaving you out of it, of course."

China shook her head as she drew. She'd said it before, and she'd no doubt say it again - this Council of Elders would be the best Council of Elders Ireland ever had. Efficient, determined, persistent, hard-working. And to top it all off, war didn't so much as scratch any of the strong heart they seemed to have, both in regard for each other and for their country.

"Fletcher's on his way," Ghastly reported, clicking his phone closed. A moment later, Fletcher appeared, looking faintly bewildered as he gazed around at the large group of people in the relatively tiny office.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think something really important was going on," he said with a weak smile. "Like, oh, I dunno, an attack on the Sanctuary. What do you need me for?"

China quietly finished the drawing and handed the paper to Ravel. "Precise, remember," she murmured to him. "Precise and accurate."

"Gotcha. Do I need a scalpel?"

"Just a pen will do. Temporary and unbreakable. As subtle as I could manage, but I can't guarantee he won't notice them."