Since Princess Danielle wasn't interested in the meal that he had kindly provided, Stephen stepped forward and grabbed the chain between the cuffs on her wrists, locking it to the chain from the ceiling.<br/><br/>"You probably should have had something to eat, while you had a chance.  After all, who knows when your rescuer will arrive."  He laughed as he went over to the crank and raised the chain, lifting her off the floor.  As her feet kicked around uselessly in the air, he disappeared into a side room.<br/><br/>He knew Princess Crystal was coming.  His spies had signaled to him that she was.  But she seemed to take forever to make her appearance.  But even in a whisper, her voice could be heard from his hiding place.<br/><br/>"Finally!" Stephen exclaimed, his voice echoing in the chamber as he walked out of the shadows.  His sword made a hissing sound as he slid it from the scabbard.  "I was beginning to wonder if you had turned back, realizing you needed some men to help you."  There was a taunting tone to his voice.  As if he wanted to see if he could provoke her into a fight.<br/><br/>He could see that she was tired.  He let her come this far because he knew climbing the castle wall would wear her out, making her easy prey once she had arrived.