Thanks again, to all reviewers. I hope you're all enjoying my fic... Well, then, here's the next chapter.

Chapter Ten: Kidnapped

It was quiet at the camp.

Meggie felt fear in her heart as soon as Mo and Dustfinger, as well as the Prince, left for Ombra. And Farid. Why had he gone? He could have just stayed here... Here with everyone else. Suddenly Meggie realized that it was a selfish thought. The strolling players and robbers needed provisions. There were a few sick people, too, and that called for a physician. It was only right that they were going to Ombra.

"Meggie? Are you all right?" That was Resa.

"Yes," whispered Meggie. "I'm just... afraid."

"Me, too," grumbled Elinor from beside her. "Heavens, what's Mortimer and that fire-eater thinking? From what I've heard it's not a safe trip." she was obviously trying to hide her fear and anxiety.

"I'm sure nothing will happen to them, Meggie," Darius's gentle voice broke the silence. "They'll be all right."

"I hope so," Meggie murmured and buried her face in Resa's shoulder. For the hundredth time, she wanted to go home. But it was better, this time, for Elinor and Darius had finally joined them. Resa and Meggie had spent hours telling them of all their adventures, both good and bad. It was to restore those lost weeks - to restore them with words. Elinor and Darius listened without interrupting; soon they knew nearly everything there was to know about the Inkworld.

"Let's go back to the tents." said Resa, stroking Meggie's hair.

"Yes, we should. It's getting dark." Elinor agreed, standing and shaking the dirt from her dress.

"I'd like to stay out here for a little while," Meggie said to Resa and the others. "I think I want some fresh air."

"If you'd like." Resa nodded understandingly. She, Elinor and Darius disappeared into one of the tents.

Meggie gazed up at the sky, thinking. She knew that they would have to leave the Inkworld soon. It tore at her heart to think of it, but a part of her knew that it was obvious. They didn't belong here. They would have to go back to their own world. What about Farid? Thought Meggie. Farid and Dustfinger? She didn't want to think about parting with them. Would she be able to live through such a loss? Perhaps, perhaps not...

She didn't know for how long she was just sitting there, in the increasing darkness, in silence. Most of the remaining robbers and strolling players had went back to their tents. Yet Meggie still didn't feel like sleeping. She assumed Resa, Elinor and Darius were asleep, for no one had called her back in. Maybe I should go to sleep, too, thought Meggie.

Suddenly, just as she was about to get up, a rough hand had grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth so that she couldn't scream. Meggie kicked out at whoever was holding her; but he was far too strong. The world gave an ominous lurch; then Meggie was gagged, with a foul-smelling sack over her head. She was helpless - the kidnapper swung Meggie over his shoulder like a rag doll, and ran.

Meggie tried to scream; to kick, to break free; but it wasn't possible to get away, any more than it was possible that the Adder could be killed. There were shouts and yells - then the kidnapper was going much faster - much, much faster - so Meggie could only guess that they were on a horse, now. Then, Meggie heard Mo's voice, shouting her name. Mo! You made it! Meggie thought. Mo! Help me, Mo! Please... There was a terrifying roar that could only be the Black Prince's bear. Then all of those sounds faded away into nothingness - now all Meggie could hear was the steady cloppety-clop of a horse's hoofs. Meggie was too afraid to even cry, and as if he knew, the kidnapper whispered into her ear - "Hello again, little witch! The Adderhead will be very pleased to meet you again..."

It was none other than Basta.

Just as Mo was about to follow Dustfinger into the camp, someone burst out of the bushes, nearly knocking Dustfinger over.

Mo was horrified to see that it was Basta - the man he had most definately killed, more than two weeks ago.

And Basta had a squirming bundle slung over his shoulder. Mo felt a cold shiver creep up his spine as he realized what it was.

Meggie.

Before Mo could even draw his sword, Basta had leapt on one of the robbers' horses, and was galloping out of sight.

"Meggie!" Mo ran, ran with all his strength, after Basta and his daughter. But he was tired; the heavy sword at his belt, and his throbbing hand and chest didn't help the fact, either. He couldn't think; he just ran. The distant figure that was Basta went farther and farther away until, at last, it disappeared at a bend of the road. Mo stopped, breathing hard, his good hand at his chest. He was shaking all over; from anger, frustration, and terror.

Mo didn't know how long he had been standing there, at the middle of the road. Then there was a hand at his shoulder. It was the Black Prince.

"Bluejay." Mo turned; almost angrily, but the rage ebbed away at once, as he saw the Prince's eyes, where all his own emotions seemed to be reflected in.

"I have to go after him. I have to get Meggie back..."

"Let's go back to camp, Jay." The Prince said gently. "You're tired. We're all tired. And the man has a horse; we don't. It would be wiser to track him down than to chase after him in this state. Did you see who he was?"

"Basta." the name was like poison on Mo's tongue. Suddenly the question struck him - How had he come back? How? I killed him, he was dead as a doornail! But here he is again! And he has Meggie!

"Basta?" the Black Prince looked astounded. "But- I thought-"

"Yes, I thought so, too," Mo said wearily, dimly aware of his burning hand. "But everyone's coming back from the dead these days, don't you think so?"

Elinor was still sniffling.

Resa didn't feel much better, herself. Meggie. They had lost her, again. For the second time. Resa had no more tears left to shed. Darius was trying to comfort Elinor, who had been sobbing for what seemed like years.

Resa was leaning against Mo's shoulder. He had his arm around her, and was staring into the darkness with an intense light in his eyes. Resa and the others had been horrified when they saw his mutilated hand. He had just quietly told Resa that he was all right; that it was nothing worse than what he had been through so far. Nevertheless Resa had cried into his shirt until she was so exhausted that she couldn't shed any more tears. She wondered dimly about Basta. Hadn't Mo killed him? Why did he, of all people, have to come back from the dead? Where was he taking Meggie? Probably to the Adderhead. Resa felt her heart contract as she thought about her poor daughter, who was going to be in the tyrant's clutches once more. Once was enough for Resa. But Meggie...

The night never seemed so long. It felt even longer than the night Dustfinger died - so much longer. Resa longed to stroke Meggie's hair again, to tell her stories, to have her close...

Thoughts of Meggie and Mo followed Resa into her dark, dark dreams.

Dustfinger sighed for the hundredth time that day. Farid, who was asleep beside him, murmured Meggie's name in his sleep.

"So where do you think Basta took Meggie?"

"To the Adder." the Prince said in a low voice.

"What makes you so sure, Prince?" Dustfinger asked, although he had an unpleasant idea of the reason of the kidnapping.

"Obviously the Adder wants the Jay far more than he shows." the Prince rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "He knows the Jay will come after his daughter - he knows how much he loves her. And that's what the Jay seems to be planning to do."

"That's what's going to happen." Dustfinger replied. "Silvertongue's not going to leave his daughter to rot in the Adder's castle. I know him very well, Prince."

"I know. That's the problem." sighed the Prince. "And I don't think we're going to be able to stop him, either."

"Then we'll go with him, Prince." Dustfinger said, standing up. "We'll go with him, help him rescue Meggie, and destroy the Adderhead, once and for all."

"You've changed, Dustfinger," the Prince said, smiling sadly. "You're suddenly so much braver than I am."

"I want to do what's right, Prince." Dustfinger looked into his friend's dark eyes. "I'm not going to run away from danger, not this time."

"Whatever you say." the Prince lay back, closing his eyes. "But I think I'm going to catch some sleep."

Dustfinger didn't feel like sleeping. Not at all. Across from him he saw Silvertongue, with Resa by his side. Dustfinger pushed aside the jealousy he felt in his heart.

You're a fool, Dustfinger, he thought, being jealous for someone else's wife when there's an immortal tyrant to kill, and a girl to save. You should learn to get your mind into the situation.

Sighing, Dustfinger leaned against a tree, and gazed up at the twinkling stars.