A/N:This chapter is fairly short. Basically Dustfinger is just proving to Capricorn what he can do. Which reminds me of something Capricorn said in the movie. "Go into the kitchen and get something for your burns or else we'll have to cancel our weekly juggle night. You know how much I look forward to juggle night." Or something like that.

Disclaimer: Inkheart is not mine...unfortunately.

Chapter Four

Putting on a show

"I think his meaning was pretty clear," Flatnose growled impatiently.

Dustfinger glared at Flatnose. Only when Capricorn continued did he fully understand.

"My men have been having certain problems controlling fire, and I've heard that you are a superb fire-eater. Some people even say that you can talk to it, but I'm not interested in that. No, I only want to know how to control it."

Dustfinger's mind went back what the Strong Man had said a few days earlier. …Three of Capricorn's men have died already.

"But first, your're going to have to prove your skills to me. You are going to perform for myself and my men. If you are as talented as everyone says then you'll stay here to teach me how to play with fire, but if it appears that your talents were exaggerated, well, then..."

"Then?" Dustfinger asked tentatively.

Capricorn smiled unpleasantly and answered, "Then we'll get rid of you like we do all useless things." Dustfinger shifted nervously from foot to foot. Capricorn then signaled to the three men surrounding Dustfinger."Take him to the courtyard and give him everything he needs."

He gulped as he was carried away; he didn't like some of the nasty sneers he was receiving.

Dustfinger felt sick with anxiety as he stood in the courtyard. If I don't do well, I die, and if I do perform well I still might die.

It looked like almost all of Capricorn's bloodhounds were there to see him perform. Even his maidservants were there. Capricorn was in the very front of them all.

"Alright, Dustfinger, let's see what you can do."

Dustfinger lit one of the torches they had given him. He ran over his bare arms and let it lick up at his face. He whispered a few well chosen words and a fiery tongue shot out over the audience. Dustfinger normally would have lit more torches and juggled them but knew that Capricorn would be more impressed with some of his other tricks. He spat out a fireball, causing everyone to back up. Fiery flowers sprang up at his feet and grew until they were level with his knees. Dustfinger clapped his hands and the flowers burst into sparks.

More out of habit then of courtesy, he bowed at Capricorn's men and then straightened up to look around.

Some faces were utterly amazed, and others seemed frightened.

"It seems," Capricorn said, "That everyone was right about you. Your arms and face aren't even red."

He turned to the two men he was with when Dustfinger arrived. "Take him to the tower."

Without a word they seized him by the arms. The crowd parted as the two men led Capricorn's prisoner away.

The next chapter might take a while I still have to type it up along with another story I'm working on. R&R