Meggie looked over Fenoglio's shoulder watching him write.
"Hurry Fenoglio! It's almost sunset!" Meggie said. And indeed time was running out.
"I know that! I'm writing as fast as I can." Fenoglio snapped. "I'm sorry Meggie, I'm under a lot of pressure and I have to think fast."
Meggie nodded. Of course she understood. Just then they heard footsteps outside the door. Fenoglio quickly hid the sheet of paper he was writing on under his mattress. The door opened and Mortola and a young serving maid came in. With them they had food, a dress, a comb, and a wash basin.
"Wash your face and comb your hair. This is the dress you'll be wearing to the festivities." Mortola said. Then she led the young maid out. Meggie sat at the table and picked at her food.
"I'm not very hungry," Meggie said as she pushed the plate away.
"You must eat. You're going to need your strength for what we're planning," Fenoglio replied. Meggie got up and walked over to the dress. Fenoglio had gotten out the sheet of paper to write again.
"I don't like to wear white things, death has white hounds," Meggie whispered, thinking about a story Mo had once told her. She avoided wearing white things as often as she could after that.
"White is also the color of beginnings," Fenoglio muttered without looking up. Meggie put on the dress anyway. It was miles too big.
Mortola came back a half hour later. Fenoglio hadn't finished. Mortola came with a different maid this time.
"You haven't combed your hair!" She exclaimed. The other maid pulled the comb roughly through Meggie's hair. When that was done Mortola roughly hauled Meggie out of the chair and pulled down the stairs. She led Meggie to where the festivities were to be held. There were long rows of benches set up and a rostrum as well. On the other end of the stadium there was a cage set up where the prisoners to be executed were to be led. Slowly the stadium began to fill up with Capricorn's men and maids. Then the prisoners were led forward. Meggie got a nasty surprise when she saw Elinor being led behind Basta. Finally Capricorn himself came forward. He went and sat in the big chair awaiting him. He stood and held his hands up for silence. Just then shots were heard echoing over the stadium. He signaled to Flatnose to go check it out. Then Capricorn started to speak.
"We all know why we are here, but for those of you who don't it is to witness an execution." That was all Capricorn got out before Flatnose came back pushing ahead Mo.
"This is the one causing all the trouble, our old friend Silvertounge!" Flatnose had a huge smile on his face as he pushed Mo foward. He glanced up at Meggie, relishing the look of horror plastered on her face.
"Ah, Silvertounge. Glad you could make it!" Capricorn was very pleased. Now he wouldn't have much to worry about. Meggie turned even paler then she already was. Mo was put in the cage with Elinor and the other prisoners. He embraced Resa. Capricorn looked surprised but said nothing. Then he went on with his speech.
"Now the reason for this execution is loose talk, treachery and stupidity. Many of you wonder if stupidity is worthy of an execution, but I believe it is. Now let us hear something read aloud to us." Capricorn finished, signalling to Meggie to being reading.
Oh why couldn't Fenoglio finish? Meggie thought. Then she started to read. She read out the Shadow, and stopped when he arrived. Meggie heard Capricorn give the order to kill the three people she loved the most. When she saw the Shadow move toward the cage Meggie closed her eyes and covered her ears so she wouldn't hear the screams, or see the struggles. When Meggie was sure it was over she looked up. She saw the Shadow licking his muzzle. Capricorn slowly got up and told the men to go eat in the church. Then he went over to Meggie and put his hand on her shoulder. Her vision was blurred with tears. Then she remembered Fenoglio. She looked for him and didn't see him. What if the Shadow ate him too?
"Where is Fenoglio?" Meggie asked. Where was the friend that had helped her through the whole ordeal? Surely he hadn't gone into the book. But the instant she thought it, Meggie knew that was exactly what had happened. Fenoglio was gone.
"I don't know. He was here a second ago." Capricorn looked around for the old man who knew so much about him. He was glad that he was gone, another thing that he didn't have to worry about.
"He went into the book. Poor Fenoglio." Meggie whispered, feeling tears in her eyes once again, no matter how much she didn't want them there. She hated crying in front of Capricorn or his men.
"So I guess you really can't control it." Capricorn had really suspected it all along, what with Silvertongue's wild protestations. He just didn't want to believe it. But that was fine with him, the girl would be getting a lot of practice under his watchful eye.
"No, I can't. If I could you would have gone." Meggie wished it had been Capricorn who had disappeared back into his own story. She wanted him gone, him and his men.
"I know." There was no need to say more than that.
"How come you aren't celebrating with your men?" Meggie had thought that Capricorn would be celebrating the demise of his enemies with the rest of his loyal lackies.
"I never eat with them, Even if it is a celebration." Capricorn looked over at the girl and saw she still had the book clutched to her chest. He reached over and grabbed it, taking it away from her. "So you don't get any ideas."
Meggie nodded and didn't put up a fuss. She knew that she had been defeated, and that evil had triumphed. Dustfinger had been completely right, life was always different from what books contained in their usually safe pages. But even books weren't safe any more.
"I have one question though. Why did your father hug Resa?" Capricorn had been wondering about that for some time. He had his suspicions, but wanted to know if they were correct.
"Resa was my mother." Meggie had now lost all her family, and was in the presence of one of the most evil men living on the planet. She knew life wasn't going to get any better.
"Ah. So now you're an orphan. That works well for me. Now no one can come to fetch you." Capricorn was satisfied that his theory had been correct. He took Meggie back to the room where she was locked before. But now she was all alone. Meggie went and got up on the top bunk. Now she wished she had eaten something. She lay on the bed and went to sleep.
When she woke up the sun was shining brightly through the window. Meggie got up and stretched. For a moment she forgot where she was. She got a nasty reminder when Capricorn came in.
"Come with me." He spoke softly, with a somewhat kind voice. But when Meggie didn't move he came and yanked her off the bed. "When I tell you to do something you do it! Understand?!" Capricorn yelled, all pretense of kindness gone. When Meggie nodded fearfully, the villian was satisfied. "Good." He then proceeded to drag her outside. Meggie went without a fight. Capricorn took her to the church. Mortola was overseeing the maids cleaning.
"Mortola, the girl needs to be fitted for a dress. Do that for me will you?" Capricorn called, still leading Meggie with his hand on her shoulder, gripping tightly. It was almost enough to hurt, but not quite.
Mortola nodded. Then she beckoned Meggie over. Meggie hurried over, afraid of the consequences if she didn't.
"You there, go get me a measuring tape!" Mortola called to one of the many maids. The girl nodded and hurried off.
Capricorn went to sit in his chair, watching over his church, a smile of satisfaction on his lips. "So, now that you're mine, you can sometimes help the other maids. Is that understood?" Capricorn knew the girl would say yes, he was impossible to refuse. He smiled as Meggie nodded. "Good. Cockerel, call for Darius. Tell him to bring some books." He watched as Cockerel nodded and went to get the old reader. Just then the maid came back with a measuring tape. Mortola measured Meggie then stalked out the door to make her a dress. Meggie stood in the nave staring at the floor. Capricorn didn't say anything either. Then Cockerel came back with Darius. Just like the first time Meggie saw him he had his arms filled with books. He came up to her and laid the books on the floor. Meggie kneeled down in front of them and looked at the titles. Peter Pan was one of them. "Now, I want you to read out some men for me. Start with that book there." Capricorn said. He was pointing at Peter Pan.
"Who do you want me to read out? Poor Peter who has lost his fairy? Captain Hook who wants to be rid of Peter? Or perhaps Wendy, who would be lost without Peter?" Meggie asked, a slight cynical tone to her voice. She knew who would be the most use to Capricorn.
"Why would I want a boy? I want a pirate." Capricorn knew a pirate's love of treasure would be useful. But he saw that the girl had something else in mind.
"Those pirates are wimps. Peter kills them all the time in the book, and has a good time of it too." Meggie hoped that if she read out Peter, he would want to kill Capricorn and his men, thinking them pirates.
Capricorn thought for a minute. "Yes, read him out. I daresay I could use a boy like that." Just as predicted, the girl had a trick up her sleeve. But Capricorn knew he could handle anything Meggie threw at him.
Meggie started reading. She read about a page and half when Peter came out. But he wasn't alone; Wendy was with him, holding his hand. Oh no, not Wendy! What will happen to John and Michael? This was not the plan, Meggie had messed up.
Capricorn raised his eyebrows when he saw Wendy with Peter. "Well, well it seems you won't need to help the maids after all. We have a new girl." Capricorn remarked. He had become short-handed after having to kill Resa, but now it appeared that it wouldn't be a problem.
"Where are we Peter?" Wendy asked the boy standing next to her. She was somewhat frightened, but she was ready for an adventure.
"I don't know Wendy, this isn't Neverland." Peter answered, extremely confused. But like Wendy, he was ready for a new adventure in a new place.
"I'm so sorry Wendy; I only meant to read Peter out. I swear." Meggie wished she hadn't read Peter out. She should have known that wherever Peter went, Wendy was sure to follow.
"Take her to Mortola. And take the boy to Flatnose." Capricorn ordered. Two men came up, one grabbed Wendy, and the other grabbed Peter. The two children were so bewildered they didn't know what to do; so they let the men lead them away.
"Now pick up the next book. How about that one." Capricorn said. He was pointing to one of the books Mo read the first time, Treasure Island. Meggie picked it up and read about all the men on board the Hispaniola. But no one came out. Meggie was relieved.
"Ah well, that's all we'll get out of you today. But we'll try again tomorrow. After all you are younger than Silvertounge." Capricorn sighed. Meggie looked down at the floor. Darius came and took the books. He cast Meggie a sympathetic glance as he got up to walk away.
"Come up here by me." Capricorn wanted the girl close by, in case she tried to be stupid. Young people were often stupid. So, Meggie went. Capricorn had her sit on the steps beside his chair. He would watch her like a hawk. After all he couldn't let her get away. He really wasn't sure if Dustfinger was still alive, and the last thing he needed was for someone to kidnap his new toy.
Dustfinger was still in Basta's old house. He had watched the execution from the roof. They had caught Silvertounge. Now there would be no one to rescue Meggie, except him. He could, but it would be very dangerous for both of them. And besides, where would he take her? She was an orphan now. He couldn't take her everywhere. He could drop her off at a town and she could find a new family. She deserved to be rescued. Besides he wanted revenge on Capricorn. So it was settled, that night Dustfinger would rescue Meggie.
Capricorn had decided to move Meggie's room closer to his. In fact there was an empty room right next to his. So that was where Meggie was moved. It didn't take much effort all they had to do was grab her backpack. There was already a bed in the other room. Later that night when Capricorn escorted Meggie to her room, there was already a guard posted at the door. His face looked familiar, so Capricorn thought that his men finally started to think ahead. He opened the door and ushered Meggie inside.
"Get lot's of sleep little Miss Silvertounge, you're going to need it." Capricorn said as he shut the door. Then he went to his room next door. Great, just what I need Capricorn right next door. He isn't exactly known for being the heaviest of sleepers. Dustfinger thought. Oh well, he could still get Meggie without too much difficulty. It was just a matter if she could manage to keep quiet enough. Dustfinger knew she could. She was a very clever girl. Then Dustfinger picked the lock. He walked in. Meggie had her back turned to him. He came up behind her and put his hand over her mouth to stifle her scream of surprise.
"Hush, it's only me." He whispered. Meggie nodded. When he let go she remained quiet. "Now, we must be quiet, you know what will happen if we make noise. Don't forget to take your shoes off." Meggie nodded, bending down to take off her shoes. When that was done they took off. They ran over the roof tops so as not to be seen by Capricorn's men. It worked well. Meggie only slipped once. But Dustfinger was right there to catch her.
When the reached the outskirts Dustfinger lowered Meggie off the roof and climbed down himself.
"Now, we have to be quieter than ever. Even the tiniest of noises could give us away. Farid is waiting for us behind that tree." Dustfinger whispered. Meggie nodded. She understood perfectly well. Then they crept off. But Capricorn was waiting for them.
A/N: And so there is a revision of the revision. But this one is much better, and since my writing style has evolved and matured, so has the story. Please enjoy, and I'm so very sorry it's taking so long. Senior year of high school is chaotic, and muy busy.
