Doing head gaskets, valve stem seals, yadda yadda yadda, so head is completely removed from the block, thankfully.

While pulling one of the exhaust valve springs off of #5, I dropped one of the valve keepers (cotters) somewhere into the top of the head. It looks like it's not underneath the camshaft, and I really don't feel like pulling it out of the head. It didn't get sucked into any other valve springs.
I'm just wondering, could it have dropped into a hidden blind oil or coolant passage that inevitably leads into the short block? B/c it looks like they're all a straight shot down into the block.

I'm hoping it's the latter and it dropped onto my dirty-ass basement floor or work table. I might try shaking the head, see if I hear any rattling sound.
New ones just got delivered today so I don't NEED it to reinstall it, just want to make sure it's not going to make it's way into the rotating assembly or valve train.

 

try using a magnet pen to reach down into small places.