Chapter 29
Capricorn awoke after taking the potion with a new lease on life. He realized then that she had been what he needed all along. She had always inspired him, led him where he needed to be, and leaving his tent, he knew what his next move was. He rallied his forces, every man he had brought with him, and he set them loose on the Inkworld. Something he should have been doing since arriving, but Mortola had held him back. He promised himself he would let her do that no more as he prepared for the first pillaging he would do as his return. He saw the surprise on Mortola's face that night. He saw as she tried to take control, but this time he didn't let her.
"What are you all doing? Why are you all awake, get back to sleep. There will be no destruction this night, everyone go now" screamed Mortola, but Capricorn silenced her. She was no longer in control and from now on, she would know that. Capricorn let out his own scream, almost like a roar, a lions roar, when Mortola turned, she looked at him with a stare that would have killed any other man. They stared each other down though and after a moment, Capricorn saw the knowledge as it filled her eyes. She knew now that he wasn't afraid of her anymore.
"Any man who returns to his slumber will be cut down by me. The Magpie is not in charge anymore and tonight, we pillage. We let the Inkworld know we have returned" exclaimed Capricorn, part of him surprised at the roar of agreement that rose up among them.
As all the men gathered to saddle the horses, Capricorn and Mortola faced off standing toe to toe.
"Either your ego has swelled or you've just gotten stupid, which is it?" snapped Mortola that look in her eyes. There was a time when that look might have scared him. When the look in her eyes alone might have, but it didn't now. She looked as if she was casting a jinx on him, but somehow, Capricorn felt protected against her. As if Meggie had done that somehow and standing there, he didn't flinch as he stood up against her.
"Thanks to that potion you dreamed up, I spoke to Meggie to day. I'll admit you almost made me turn against her, but we're stronger then that. I spent only a few moments alone with her and she made me realize how strong I was. She inspired me as she always has" exclaimed Capricorn feeling stronger just at the very mention of the woman he loved. He didn't give her another glance then as Basta approached him. The look in Basta's eyes startled him, but only almost because they held pride. Pride that he had finally come to his senses, but Capricorn barely noticed it as he took his saddled horse from his hands.
"You are no longer in chargeā¦I am" said Capricorn, making it clear that this decision was final as he climbed into the saddle letting a wicked smile cross his lips as he led his forces out of the camp towards the nearest village. As they rode through the dark forest, Capricorn felt it as he began to get invigorated. He hadn't been atop a horse in too long and he hadn't pillaged since that weekend when he had left just before his plan to return had formed. He was also surprised though because everything somehow still felt familiar. Part of him had expected to find everything changed, but nothing was. The Inkworld was just as he remembered it. Capricorn wasn't sure how he felt about that as he rode through the trees, but he chose not to think about it as he rode on.
Capricorn just reveled in that feeling. That feeling of how right everything felt as they entered the village and the burning began. The sight of the flames invigorated him even more and as he watched them dance around him and the people ran attempting to take cover, he only had one thought that truly saddened him. He wished Meggie was there to see it. He knew she would have appreciated it as he sat atop his horse enjoying the sight around him. Once, this had just been a distant memory to him, this place, this life, but now as he found himself there again, he couldn't deny it. It felt right. Like this was where he was meant to be, except for one thing. Meggie, he was missing Meggie. She was always on his mind though, supporting him always, and as always she inspired him even as he sat there watching as destruction reigned all around him. She had inspired this moment, this destruction. Before, he had just let Mortola have all the power, but it was Meggie who set him straight. He loved her for that as he watched villagers running from death and the fire that burned around them. He wished Meggie could hear the screams, to watch with him as the people fled, but Smiling, he could tell her of it all when he returned. He found he was looking forward to doing it.
"It is all for you, my queen" thought Capricorn in that moment the image of her face in his mind making his heart ache even as it inspired him. He had been lost before, the scared boy cowering under his mother's gaze again, and he felt a longing for her. His whole life, his mother had made him weak, but then Meggie had come along. He knew that was why Mortola hated Meggie so much, because she had turned him against her, and made him realize what he was made of. She made him strong when Mortola made him weak. Meggie had taken his mother's power over him and for a moment, Mortola had gained it back for a moment until Meggie brought him back to his senses. He would always love her for that as he gazed into the flames all around him. It gave him one of many reasons to love her more then he already did.
"Meggie, this world will be ours, I swear it" whispered Capricorn in that moment before his men began to gather around him the villagers a pale illusion as they stood in the woods cowering in their fear.
"All of you, remember this day as the day I returned. Capricorn and his fire starters are back, in our rightful place. Remember yourselves lucky to have survived this day" called Capricorn that wicked grin on his face as his men then himself rode off into the darkness.
As he rode away, Capricorn felt stronger then he had felt since returning to the Inkworld. He knew then that Mortola would never have power over him again. He was back, he was king, and he would deliver this world to his queen, that was his thought as they returned to their camp, finding Mortola standing right where he'd left her. He stared at her again from atop his horse and he knew she knew. He wasn't someone to be controlled anymore or trifled with. He was once again a force to be reckoned with.
