I'm updating again! Sorry I jsut had to continue! Wait why am I apologizing!? This is a pretty good chappie I think! Enjoy!

I was dozing on Fengolio's couch that afternoon. Dustfinger and Farid had run off after Mo had told Fengolio about Dustfinger. Dustfinger ran off to who knows where. As it turns out he died at the end of the book. Well that's life for you.

I was pondering all of this when Mo walked in looking troubled.

"Something the matter?" I yawned.

"Yes" Mo sighed "Elinore. She went back to her house and found all of her books burned. All that was left in her library was a dead rooster."

Um... ok then kind of random. "And the rooster matters because?" I looked at him questioningly.

"It's Capricorn's symbol" Fengolio said entering the room. He had a face like a toad and was relativly old. Old enough to have grand children at least.

"Crap" I muttered "They don't give up do they?"

"No they don't" Fengolio sounded almost proud "They are persistantly evil. No exceptions."

"Persistantly annoying if you ask me." I muttered. "Anyway my mom should be here today and I can't wait to get home."

Fengolio studied me "Why were you kidnapped?"

Here we go again "I can write things to life."

Fengolio looked at me jealous "Why you create characters that could become real! You could-"

"No offense or anything" I sighed "But after seeing Basta and Cockerell and the rest of them I don't really want to do that."

"As you like" Fengolio shrugged "I must be the luckiest author in the world to have my characters come to life"

I silently questioned this guys sanity.

"I'm going to the air port to pick Elinore up" Mo announced. He kissed Meggie good bye and left.

The girl looked longingly after her father with that annoying innocent look again.

I stood "I'm going for a walk." No one tried to tell me other wise so I strode out the door.

The air was cool and pleasent that afternoon. There was a layer of clouds over the sky but that didn't bother me.

Meggie was in her room last time I checked. I walked slowly down the path allowing my feet to drag on the ground. I couldn't wait for my mom to get here.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here" I heard a voice like that of a rasping cat from behind me. Before I could turn around there was an arm wrapped around my waist and a hand over my mouth.

"Basta" I the word was muffled by my captors hand.

"Hello sweetheart" Basta purred in my ear dragging me backwards into an alleyway.

I struggled against his firm grip but he pushed me against a wall and held a switchblade under my chin. "I don't think trying to escape is going to do you much good princess."

"Can you blame me for trying?" I shot back. This was just perfect. I was so close to getting to see my mom again and he comes in and mutilates that chance.

Basta's eyes narrowed when he smiled then he called "Hey Flatnose. Look who I found!"

The giant rounded the corner. He had one of Fengolios grand children (What was his name? Pippo?) by the neck.

I glared viciously at Basta "What are you ruining more people's lives now" I growled.

He smirked and pressed the edge of his blade harder to my neck "Watch it sweet heart"

Flatnose was looking at me with obvious diistaste. Why? What did I do to him?

"Do you have any idea we lay in that filthy hovel?" Basta growled at me "In those incredibly tight knots?"

"Witch" Flatnose spat.

"Um, yeah about that..." I began but Basta cut me off.

"An incredibly long time" His face was so close to mine that I could smell his peppermint breath.

I bit my lip and looked away. What was I supposed to say? Sorry? That would be a lie. I wasn't sorry at all.

"Do you have any idea how long I was locked in a fricken cow shed" I finally retorted "A very very long time"

Basta studied me for a moment then siezed my arm and dragged me in front of him so that my back was pressed against his chest. He rested the blade of his knife on my cheek. "Now what I want you to do princess" Basta hissed in my ear. "Is show us were Silvertounge and his little witch of a daughter are hiding."

Meggie is the last person in the world I would think to call a witch, but all righty then. "What makes you think I know?"

By Basta's voice I knew he was smirking "That little boy over there said you guys came here together. He also told us some intresting stories about his grandfather too. But we'll get to that later."

I shot a glare at the frightened little boy in Flatnose's grip before replying "I don't think I'll tell you."

Basta's fingers knotted in my hair and forced my head back. He ran the steel of the knife down my face almost tenderly "Oh I think you will. Remember an old saying of ours sweetheart. I doubt a few scars on your face will affect your ability to write. Well I'm just dieing to use my knife on your pretty little skin so I wouldn't tempt me."

I wanted very badly to be strong but a didn't doubt a word of his threat. After a moment of silence I finally said "Fine. I'll show you."

I led them to where Meggie, Mo and I were staying. Basta kept the edge of his knife pressed to my back at all times. When we reached the door of the room Basta ordered Pippo to knock.

The little boy did and called for Meggie. A few moments later the door opened. There was Meggie's innocent little horror struck face. She looked from Basta, to me, to Pippo, to Flatnose, and back to me.

I felt a little guilty "Um... sorry Meggie"

Basta laughed and shoved me ahead of him into the room. Meggie backed away and ended up pressed against the wall.

"Hello little witch" Basta sneered at her.

"You know I find it kind of funny that you call me sweet heart and princess and her witch. Last time I checked I was the one who helped tied you up. She was just watching innocently from the side lines with her little horror struck innocent face that she potrays so innocently!"

Basts stared at me for a minute before turning back to Meggie "Where's Silvertounge princess"

Meggie looked like she was going to faint.

"He's not here" I rolled my eyes "He's... out"

"Really. Out where?"

"Somewhere on this planet."

"Don't push your luck sweetheart."

"What luck? I have no luck!"

This was a very true statement. If I had luck I wouldn't be here!

Basta narrowed his eyes before siezing my arm. "We're going to see this little boys grandfather now. Maybe he'll be a bit more open." He began to drag me out the door, Flatnose close behind him with Meggie and Pippo.

Hmm, we're going to see Fengolio.

This ought to be good.

Yeah! Basta's back!

Callypso: Are you trying to get me killed?

Well now that you mention it...

Callypso: Never mind. R&R!