Okay, so before we start this, I would just like to point out the obvious—I am not Cornelia Funke. I don't own Dustfinger (sadly). Or the Prince. Or Cloud Dancer. Or the Adderhead. Or any other character in this book other than my original characters (Miranda and Angelina). I wish I owned them, but I don't. So there. Now, enjoy the story! :D
Prologue
"So, Miranda, are you going to read for me or not?" The Adderhead's voice was sharp, the voice of a man who was losing his patience. Miranda had been denying him what he wanted for hours, despite the bribes, despite the physical and verbal abuse, despite all of his efforts. She had refused to read to him through all of this, telling him that she'd forgotten how, that she was blind. All lies to keep away the pain, all seen through as false. He still kept on.
"No, sir, I don't think I will. All this screaming has done me no good, and I'm hoarse," Miranda replied. The Adderhead turned around, reaching out and slapping her. She had to swallow a yelp, and blood rose to her mouth, giving the Adderhead great pleasure.
"You know, the more you hit me, the harder it is for me to talk," Miranda gasped when she'd recovered her speech.
"Is that so?" The Adderhead's eyebrows rose over his lizard-like eyes. "Well, maybe we should hit your daughter instead." A little girl with porcelain features and dark curly hair was dragged in by her wrist. Her eyes were wide, and she looked at her mother in terror. The Adderhead smiled in a twisted way, taking in Miranda's horrified expression. She looked at him with wide eyes.
"You… don't you dare touch her…" she whispered in a trembling voice.
"Why not? It's obviously the only way that you'll read." The Adderhead's voice was dangerously calm. "Then we can prove that you're a Silvertongue, right?"
"I will never read for you. If you lay a hand on my daughter, I'll cut my tongue out so that I can't read for you." Miranda's voice was still trembling, but it was louder. The guard had let go of the little girl, and she was standing there, shaking, eyes darting nervously. Miranda was looking around, too, gauging distances. Her daughter was fast, but could she make it to the entrance? There was only one way to find out…
"Angel, front entrance, NOW!" she yelled. Without a second thought, her daughter ran, and Miranda dropped to her knees in pain. The Adderhead had grabbed her by the hair, and was shaking her in anger. Despite the pain, she laughed. She'd seen her daughter running; she'd seen her get away. She knew Angelina Bryte was smart, knew she'd stay out of the Adderhead's grasp. Her baby was safe.
"You'll pay for that move," the Adderhead snarled at her. She winced as he jerked her around, but the physical pain couldn't drown out her joy. Yes, I may pay for it, she thought grimly, but my daughter won't. My baby won't.