Chapter 1:
"It'll be a hit!" exclaimed Fenolgio excitedly to Meggie, who was only half listening. Meggie was staring out the window of the room which Fenolgio had resided in, she remembered how he first took place in that room, when he wrote Cosimo his beautiful words. The view was beautiful, the sun cast a bright glow on the castle garden bathing it in gold. Meggie had never seen a more beautiful garden, there were many flowers in the Inkworld which would never have been found in her own world.
"Meggie?" Fenolgio tapped Meggie's shoulder. She jumped, startled. "Aren't you also excited for it?" he asked inquiringly, as if he didn't already know her answer. "Of course I am." Meggie replied, shifting her gaze towards Fenolgio. "And you know it." "Perhaps," replied Fenolgio. "But you don't seem so." Meggie glanced at the garden again before continuing. "You only just finished writing it." she said as she turned to Fenolgio again. "And Violante still needs to approve it." "Maybe so," started Fenolgio. "But I'm the inkweaver. The one that a prince, brought up from my words and your beautiful voice, once so desperately called for words." Words of anger, rage. One's that would cause the people to rebel against the Adderhead. Cosimo's voice echoed in his mind. Things would've been so much better if he was still alive, but things were going better than before, he had to admit. He looked up and saw Meggie staring blankly at him, so he continued. "The one that the Strolling Players have come to for songs, The one whose words rescued prisoners from the Adderhead's dungeons, killed Capricorn. The one…" Meggie cut him off, "I think I get it." she said. "And Violante will most probably approve it," Meggie assured Fenolgio. "Don't you want to take a look at it?" Fenolgio questioned Meggie. "That would take out the excitement when I watch the play won't it?" Meggie responded. She didn't wait for his answer. "I have to go to my Mo and Resa's room said Meggie. "We're going to the market today." Fenolgio nodded. "Be careful not to get trampled over by one of those guards or the fat horses they ride. Don't forget that today is market day in Ombra." Meggie chuckled. "I'm sure I won't." she replied sliding herself down from the windowsill and walked briskly towards the door.
The Castle of Ombra was still the same as it was before, Cosimo's statues lined up side by side, but their eyes seemed to be whispering something now. Whispering death. Whispering it as if the death Cosimo went through was now clung onto the statues. But Meggie took no notice of the statues, she was thinking about Elinor's house. She, Resa, Mo, Aunt Elinor and Darius were all paying a visit to the Inkworld, It wasn't as dangerous as it used to be, so it was easy to visit. They had also come just in time for Fenolgio's play, how happy he was when he first saw them. They were staying at the castle, too, they had spent about a week there.
It was a long walk to the room where Mo and Resa stayed, the Castle of Ombra was much bigger then it seemed the first time she walked in with Fenolgio to see the Prince of Sighs. Even if it wasn't as big as the Castle of Night, it had a more comforting smell, the Castle of Ombra was far more inviting and it seemed like the only trace of death was the icy gaze of the Cosimo Statues.
Finally she reached the floor where her parents' room was. It would've been much easier if this castle had elevators, like in her own world. The floor where Violante put her and her parents was truly magnificent. The carpet was so soft it would've made a wonderful bed, about 10 sparkling chandeliers were hung onto the ceiling. The chandeliers were so bright that during the darkest of nights, you would be able to read under them. "The finest diamonds and rubies," she remembered Violante saying. "Were put onto the chandeliers along with gold, silver and a few platinum jewels. All one of a kind found from a forgotten mine dug by the Adderhead in a deeper part of the Wayless Woods. A part where Night-Mares were so vicious they might even scare the Adderhead himself!" The wallpaper was made of leather, with bright gold jewels forming patterns around the wall. And for a final elegant touch some of Balbulus' finest illuminations were on the walls. "This floor is the most magnificent place in the entire castle!" Violante had said. "Not even the best room in the Castle of Night could compete with this one! This was where Cosimo stayed, and he was very particulate about staying in a place so wonderful angels couldn't have done it!" Violante continued, "He spent too much money on this place and now he's dead." she had said annoyed.
Meggie was excited to go to the Ombra Market, the last time she was there she was almost run over by the Piper and his horse. Perhaps Fenolgio still remembers that. she thought. Maybe the warning he gave wasn't meant as a joke. But what had happened made her more excited to go, this time she couldn't have any fear of being trampled over, for the Black Prince was ruling Ombra now. "I don't know how this could've happened." Fenolgio told her the first day they had arrived. "By all the letters in the alphabet the Black Prince is a strolling player! No one cares for them, yet one is now ruling over Ombra, he isn't even of true royal blood! This story really is spinning differently, not the way I planned." Fenolgio said.
Meggie had reached her parent's room now. She didn't even bother to knock, she opened the door only to find someone who brought back memories, horrible memories. Is it Basta? Meggie first thought. This wouldn't have been the first time Basta had appeared at the most unlikely time, No it wouldn't. He's done that once too many. No, Mo killed him. Meggie remembered. She gave a scrutinizing glance at the figure and finally realized who was before her: Mortola.