Well, the fifth chapter's finally here: Ombra.

Thanks to Duckweed for reviewing! I hope the story's getting a little more interesting by now!

Chapter Five

Mo ignored the Prince's protests and rushed to the back of the line. He had enough of this, this uneasy relationship with Meggie and Resa. No. If he had to apologize to them both, that's what he was going to do. He'd do anything to get back his family, the family he loved.

He felt sharp stabbing pains in his chest. It just heightened his frustration. With clenched teeth, he spoke to a decent-looking young woman who had a child on her back.

"Have you seen my wife?" Everyone knew who he was; everyone also knew who Resa was.

The woman looked rather fearfully at him. "Yes, she passed this spot less than five minutes ago."

"Thanks," Mo said and strode in the direction the woman indicated.

There! Resa was sitting alone on a rock on the side of the road. It had been a while since the strolling players and robbers had stopped moving; they were taking a long time to unload and unpack everything. No wonder Resa saw this as an oppurtunity to brood by herself. Everyone was busy and tired. Clever Resa.

Cautiously Mo went over to his wife. Without a word he sat down beside her.

"Resa."

Resa looked up at the sound of his voice. With a grimace Mo saw that her face was tearstained. Was it anger, sorrow, or just plain hopelessness that was in her eyes? It could have been all or none of the above.

"Leave me alone, Mo." At least she was calling him by name, not 'Bluejay' like everyone else was.

"Resa... I'm sorry." That was all it took. Resa fell, sobbing, into his arms, and he held her close and stroked her hair, just like he used to. Closing his eyes, Mo breathed deeply.

"Mo... I'm sorry, too... I love you..." Resa cried into his shoulder. Mo tried to ignore the fact that it was his hurt shoulder. He rocked Resa back and forth; for a moment Mo forgot everything: what world he was in, why he was there, the sword at his belt, that half the world wanted him dead... Just Resa was on his mind right now.

Suddenly Mo felt that someone else was there, too. Opening his eyes, he found that Meggie was standing in front of her parents. Meggie. Mo had almost forgotten about her; he hadn't seen her since his argument with Resa.

"Meggie?" He said, startled. Resa looked up and saw her daughter. They were all silent for a split second - then Meggie came, crying as well, to her parents.

Mo felt more at peace than he had for a long, long while - he had gotten his family back.

The Black Prince had finally unpacked his bags and set up camp when the Bluejay came back. The man seemed more cheerful than he had been the last time the Prince had seen him.

"So, Bluejay, where have you been?" The Prince asked, spreading out the last blanket on the ground.

"Oh, nowhere important," the Bluejay replied, a little too carelessly. "Are we going to pay a visit to Ombra?"

The Prince sensed that his companion did not want to speak about where he had been for the last few minutes. "Yes, I think so. We need more provisions; perhaps a physician. You're injured."

"You are as well." The Bluejay shrugged. "But I agree. When should we head off?"

"We need a rest. Perhaps tomorrow morning." The Prince lay back on his blankets and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Yes." The Jay lay down beside the Prince. His long legs were streched over the blankets in a manner that showed just how tired he was. The Prince had a million questions on his tongue - so many questions. The Bluejay, however much time he spent with the Prince, was a mysterious man. No one knew where he came from; nor his daughter and wife. No one knew how he had survived his wound. The Prince knew that the Bluejay had claimed, many times, that he wasn't immortal. It was probably true, as well, but everyone doubted it. Even the Prince couldn't get much information out of his companion.

"Well," the Prince said, "will we hide out here for a while, or go on north?"

"Go on." the Jay replied almost immediately, not opening his eyes. "The Adder finds Ombra far too close to his castle. So do I."

"I agree."

The Prince didn't speak for a while. He gazed at his companion, who was almost certainly asleep - breathing deeply and peacefully. The Prince couldn't sleep. He couldn't sleep when half of Argenta was after his head. It had been the same, years ago, but the hunt died down when the Prince managed to elude the Adder for over six months. This time, though, it was far worse. The Black Prince had never had such a high price on his head - his own weight in silver! The Jay was a fine man, and as far as the Prince knew, he hadn't committed a single crime. Those accursed songs of the Inkweaver's! The Prince found himself regretting all of those petty crimes he had committed right under the Adder's nose. The Silver Prince probably thought it was all the Bluejay's doing. Typical of a tyrant.

The Prince sighed again. He thought about the Bluejay once more. Where was he from? Was he a robber before the Prince got to know him? No, he was a bookbinder. The Jay had told him many times. If he had been a robber he would have been far more scarred, perhaps have a missing finger or nose... In one word, unattractive. The Jay was good-looking - far better-looking than any robber the Prince had met before. Tall, dark-haired... Yes, exactly like the songs, so he wouldn't be an imposter like someone had once suggested. And married robbers, with children, were very rare.

Ombra. The Prince knew that it was very, very dangerous travelling so close to the town. Every robber here was wanted, and there would be lots of soldiers looking out for them. They would have to be very careful - one wrong move, and they would be at the gallows before they knew it.

The bear grunted from beside him. Gently the Prince stroked its ears, and found himself falling asleep as well.

Meggie smiled as Farid told her another humorous tale from his homeland. She felt better, much better - as if a weight had been removed from her shoulders. She was sure that Mo and Resa wouldn't be quarrelling again any time soon.

Meggie and Farid were sitting by a magnificent tree that shadowed the robbers' camp. That's when Meggie saw the Black Prince, the Snapper - and Mo.

"Mo?" Meggie called. He turned his head. Saying something to the Prince, Mo came over to Meggie and Farid.

"Where are you going?" Meggie asked, hugging him. She noticed how he felt rugged, more coarse... Perhaps that was just because of his new shirt. She hoped.

She looked into his eyes. It was harder for her to tell whether her father was lying to her or not. It wasn't any easier this time.

"Ombra." Mo replied heavily.

"Ombra?" Meggie let go of him in horror.

"But - the Adder's soldiers will be there! They'll kill you if they find you!" Farid exclaimed heatedly from beside Meggie.

"I have to go." Mo turned away and looked through the trees, where the castle of Cosimo was barely visible.

"Why? Why can't someone else go?" Meggie asked desperately.

"Because... Because of Dustfinger."

"Dustfinger?" Meggie stopped. She felt Farid stiffen. "What do you mean?"

"We have to go see Roxane. She still has his body, remember? Roxane agreed to let us see him one last time before she takes him away, but she wants him at her farmhouse. She wouldn't agree to anything else." Mo said with a strange look in his eyes.

"I want to come." Farid suddenly said. "I'm coming with you!"

"It'll be dangerous - " Mo glanced at Farid, and apparently seeing the expression in his face, he sighed. "Fine. But Meggie, you're going to stay."

"What are you talking about, Mo?" Meggie cried. "Of course I'm coming! I want to see him!"

Mo glanced at Meggie, then back to Omba. "Meggie..."

"Mo!" Meggie gazed fiercely back into Mo's blue eyes. Was it sorrow or pity, or something else that was written in them? Meggie couldn't tell.

"Meggie." Mo said quietly. "I don't want to lose you again."

Meggie looked back at her father. Mo. I don't want to lose you, either. That's why I'm coming. And I want to see Dustfinger. He brought back Farid for us.

"I'm coming. I'm thirteen!" Meggie said defiantly. Mo sighed and ran his hand through his dark hair. How tired he suddenly looked! When was the last time he had a good sleep? Wondered Meggie.

"Fine." He said in a resigned manner. "But promise that you'll do exactly as I tell you to do."

"I promise!" Meggie held Farid's hand tightly without realizing it. When Mo glanced at her she quickly let go, blushing a deep red. So did Farid.

"We're leaving right now." Mo didn't mention what he had just seen. "You'd better get ready. Go to Resa and Fenoglio. They've also agreed to come. I'll be with the Prince."

Meggie just nodded, and watched Mo stroll away to where the Prince was apprently waiting for him.

"Let's go, Meggie." Farid gently tugged her hand. Meggie let him guide her back to the tents. Ombra... Dustfinger's last resting place. Or would it be?