Dustfinger was extremely uneasy. Betraying Silvertounge to Capricorn would be easy, but his daughter was young. She couldn't stay by herself. Basta had just arrived and was heading to Silvertounge's room. They were opening every door to see where he was. They soon came across Meggie's room. She was sleeping peacefully. Basta just moved on.
"Come on Silvertounge, up you get." Basta said quietly hauling Mo up off the bed. Mo looked sleepy as Basta pulled him to his feet. "You know what we came for." Basta said.
"Well, you're not getting it." Mo replied. He would rather die than give them what they were after. He had protected it for five years, he wasn't about to give it up now. But Basta had other plans.
"Oh, would you rather us get your little daughter to tell us where it is instead?" Basta inquired. Mo grew pale.
"Leave her alone. I'll give you the book, just don't hurt Meggie." Mo sighed. He reached into his bedside drawer and pulled out a book. It had a willow green binding that was somewhat plain. Basta just had to trust it was the right book.
"What about the girl? She's too young to stay here by herself." Dustfinger said.
"You stay with her. If Capricorn needs her, we'll come back." Basta said.
"What do you mean? She won't be by herself. I thought Capricorn only wanted the book!" Mo said.
"Oh no Silvertounge. Capricorn told us to bring you along, you're coming with us." Basta said seizing Mo's arm. He dragged Mo out to his car and drove off leaving Dustfinger with Meggie.
Dustfinger crept quietly to Meggie's room. He really didn't want to stay, but he knew that Capricorn would need her soon. Silvertounge wouldn't read for Capricorn without persuasion, and Meggie was the perfect persuasion. He just wished this wasn't so. No child deserved to be taken prisoner by Capricorn.
Meggie woke up early the next morning. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and wandered out to the living room. Dustfinger was sitting on the sofa staring at the floor.
"Where's Mo?" Meggie asked. Mo was always up before her, no matter how early Meggie got up.
"He had to go out for a while. He told me to look after you." Dustfinger replied. He hated lying to her, but it had to be done. What would happen if he told her the truth? Dustfinger just couldn't live with that guilt.
"Oh, ok." Meggie said. At least she wasn't alone. She wished Mo was there, she had had a bad dream and no one could make her forget it like Mo. She had a dream where a man was standing over her bed looking at her. He was no more than a shadow, but Meggie was afraid of him. He soon moved on and left.
Dustfinger was extremely nervous. He didn't know how to take care of little children. He had no idea what to say to her. Dustfinger sighed and before he knew it Meggie was up on his lap. Did Dustfinger say anything? No, she just got up and sat on his lap. Dustfinger stared down at her surprised.
"What are you doing?" Dustfinger asked quietly.
"Sitting on your lap. Do you want me to get down?" Meggie replied innocently. Dustfinger just shook his head no. So Meggie stayed on his lap for a while, but then hunger came to be too great so Meggie went and made a couple pancakes.
Dustfinger really did like Meggie. She was so trusting, and sweet. She was really a good little girl. It was a shame she would probably never see her father again. But there was nothing for it. Dustfinger didn't want to stay here forever. Eventually someone might come from her school asking about her. Dustfinger wasn't willing to be around when they came calling.
Meggie wondered why Mo had left so suddenly. She hoped he would be back soon. Dustfinger was a great guy and everything; it's just that she wanted Mo.
Later that night when Meggie was asleep and Dustfinger was sitting on the sofa figuring out what to do about Meggie, Basta came strolling in.
"Where's the girl?" Basta asked quietly. Dustfinger merely pointed down the hall stunned.
"What do you want her for?" Dustfinger asked. Basta just kept walking. He opened Meggie's door and crept to the bed's side. He put his hand over her mouth and picked her up off the bed. Meggie looked into Dustfinger's eyes frightened. But there wasn't anything Dustfinger could do.
Basta put Meggie in the back of his car, and Dustfinger got in beside her. Meggie rested her head on his shoulder, and Dustfinger stroked her hair. He wondered what Capricorn would want with her.
Well, he was about to find out.