The cook stepped forward, her hand darting out, and grabbed Valara by the ear too.  Then, pinching both protesting youngsters firmly, she dragged them out of the pantry.  Aidan yelped and squirmed, but the cook's grip only got tighter the more he tried to get away.<br/><br/>"You'll be coming with me, young sir, and you too young lady.  I'll not tolerate such behavior in my kitchen!"<br/><br/>She dragged them both down the hall outside, and up a flight of stairs, then down another hall, to a half open door.   She pushed inside it, still towing her squirming charges, into a well-appointed study, where a young man sat behind an antique desk.<br/><br/>"I caught these two troublemakers raiding the kitchen, sir," she said, pushing Aidan and Valara forward.