Note: I have to leave out several details that I already know, such as that Violante is going to play a large role in the book, or that there will be another boy, etc. So don't be too expectant for the story to be perfect. Thanks!

Chapter Eleven: The Adderhead Again

How long had they been going for? Where were they going? How had Basta come back?

Meggie's back felt numb where Basta's shoulder had been digging into her. Her head was pulsing from hanging upside down for far too long. The sack that was over her head smelled fouler than ever. But the worst thing of all was the fear. It was like an icy fist, curled around her abdomen, that was squeezing her tighter and tighter with every passing minute. Mo, Resa, Elinor, Darius... And Farid. How Meggie missed them all - how she wanted to see their faces, instead of the dark sack. She wanted to smell the fabric of Resa's dress, see Mo binding another book, hear Elinor muttering crossly to herself...

It seemed like years before Basta finally stopped. It could have been only a few hours, or it could have been centuries. But eventually, they stopped, and Basta set Meggie down on the ground, and whipped the sack off of her head.

Meggie blinked several times, trying to get used to the sudden brightness. She stared at the very ordinary inn that they had come to, an inn that was eerily like the one where Firefox had stopped by, while Resa, Mo and the other prisoners had been in the stables. But other than that, there was nothing special about it.

Basta wordlessly pushed Meggie forward, and motioned for her to get inside.

With shaking hands Meggie opened the door.

There was nothing but a few forlorn figures sipping at beer from dirty mugs at the tables. The innkeeper didn't even look up as Basta marched Meggie up the stairs, to where the rooms were.

"Well, open the door," Basta growled, stopping in front of a room.

Meggie felt her heart skip a beat with fear as she entered the room. For inside was the Adderhead, and beside him was the Magpie.

The Adder wasn't dressed in fancy clothes, like last time Meggie had seen him. It seemed to Meggie that the prince had wanted to go unnoticed. He was wrapped up in a travelling cloak, even though it was warm inside. He seemed more lively; obviously the book Mo bound for him had helped him. The Magpie was wearing her usual black dress and was sitting there with such hatred in her eyes that Meggie involuntarily flinched back from the piercing gaze.

"Why, isn't it the little witch again!" the Adderhead exclaimed in mock surprise. Mortola said nothing, her lips tightly pressed together.

"Her father was surrounded by those damned robbers," Basta said sullenly. "He's too strong; impossible to kidnap, unlike his daughter."

"At least we have one young guest," the Adder clapped his hands. "Forgive me for the poor acommodation, but the situation called for it."

"What do you want?" Meggie tried not to let her voice shake.

"Where is your father?" Mortola spoke very suddenly. "I hope you're not stupid enough to keep your mouth shut."

"Ah, yes, Mortola is a little impatient today," the Adderhead said silkily. "She says that she would like to know where the Bluejay is hiding with his fellow robbers. I'm sure you'd know, witch?"

Meggie clenched her fists, despite the fear that was making her weak at the knees. There was no way that she was betraying Mo and the others. Never.

"No. I'm not going to say another word." Meggie's trembling voice made the Adderhead's face harden.

"Well, well, well," he said coldly, "I suppose we'll have to resolve this situation in the hard way. Basta! Take her to the other room, and guard her. I have business to attend to. Mortola! Come with me!" the Adder looked back at Meggie. "You've made a regrettable decision, little witch. A very regrettable desicion, indeed."

INKINKINKINKINK

Meggie buried her face in her dress. How long she was sitting there, in the corner of the dusty room, she didn't know. She didn't look up, for Basta was standing right in front of her - Basta and his knife. Meggie didn't dare move. At least while Basta was still there.

After a while Meggie felt as if the silence was sufforcating her - slowly wrapping its cold fingers around her. At last Meggie looked up and spoke.

"How did you come back?"

Basta seemed momantarily surprised by the sudden question. But he quickly composed himself and glared at Meggie.

"How else, little witch? You must know very well."

"Yes, but who read you back?"

Basta's eyes bore holes into Meggie. But she tried not to look afraid. "That moon-faced bastard."

Meggie's eyes widened. "Orpheus? But- I thought-"

Basta's mouth curved into an unpleasant grin. "Ah, yes, he was getting tired of the boy's endless threats. He came to Mortola and she made him write." He seemed to relish Meggie's shock. Basta hummed as he stroked his knife, as if daring Meggie to say another word. She didn't. She knew Basta very well now. It was best not to talk when he was around.

Basta looked disappointed that Meggie didn't speak. "Not so talkative, eh, little Miss Silvertongue?" Again, no answer. Basta started grumbling to himself and kicked out at a mouse that was scurrying around on the cold wooden floor. Meggie bit her lip so hard that it hurt; she knew that this couldn't go on for much longer. She knew that she had to do something. But what? With Basta on guard all day long...

Another gruelling hour later, Meggie finally had a stroke of luck.

Muttering about being thirsty, Basta left the room. Meggie waited until he was outside, and feverishly took out her notebook and pencil. What? What am I going to do? Meggie finally decided on writing a message. There was a window in the room, a small and dusty window. Meggie scribbled on the paper - The Adderhead, Mortola, and Basta's here, in this inn. They're holding me captive as bait for the robbers! But Mo, please be careful, the Adder's going to kill you if he finds you - Footsteps were coming from outside. Basta was coming back.

With a racing heart Meggie folded her unfinished message into something resembling a paper airplane, pried open the window, and threw. The note sailed through the air and landed at the side of the road. Luckily there was no curious people around, and the note went untouched. Meggie quickly shut the window again and sat down on the hard ground, just as Basta came back in.

"Did you have a good drink?" Meggie asked politely. Basta seemed happy. That couldn't be good news.

"Ah, I got some news for you, witch," Basta grinned. "Apparently the Piper's men and Mortola met Silvertongue and those robbers... And your father lost something on the way... A finger, as I'm told..."

Meggie just stared at Basta. Was he lying? Mo, losing a finger? Meggie tried not to think about it. Basta's smile turned wider at her shock.

"Do you think I'm lying?" he drawled on. "Why should I? All I'm doing is telling you some news..."

Meggie curled up into a tight ball in the corner again, trying to hide all those tears from Basta - tears of despair, of fear, of hopelessness. She sincerely hoped that what Basta had just told her wasn't true. Hoped.

It was the longest night she had ever experienced.

Mo had never felt so restless.

He was so tired that he could hardly keep his eyes open, yet he couldn't sleep. The throbbing in his hand had become his constant companion; even the physician's ointment didn't help the pain much. Mo wondered whether he would be able to continue bookbinding. You needed to be dexterous to bind a book; it wouldn't be easy to be dexterous with a missing finger.

Shrugging to himself, Mo eased his arm from under Resa and stood. Absently he wandered through the quiet camp, looking for an escape from his dark thoughts.

Meggie.

Mo cursed himself for his stupidity. Wasn't it obvious that something would happen to his family while he was away? The Adderhead wasn't a man that would leave him alone, and it was apparent that the prince wanted Mo and the robbers more badly than he had shown the world so far. Great. Now he had to stay alive, and get Meggie back at the same time. This was one sticky situation.

Where was Meggie? The Prince had promised to start tracking Basta down from tomorrow, but what would they do after they find him? Basta was probably taking Meggie back to the Adderhead... And if that was the truth, there wasn't hope in defeating the Adder or setting Meggie free. Defeating an immortal enemy... It was a tremendous burden. Especially because Mo was the one who had made him immortal in the first place.

"Bluejay! Why aren't you asleep?" It was the Snapper, who had been ill with a fever for the last few days. The physician's medicine had obviously helped him a great deal. For the Snapper was as mocking and anoying as always.

"None of your business." Mo muttered as he turned to face the man.

"Taking out your bad mood on me, eh?" the Snapper mocked. "Well, I'll tell everyone to stay away from our favourite nine-fingered robber for a while -"

"Stop it, Snapper." Mo said through gritted teeth. He could feel the rage rising in his chest. "Before I make you."

The Snapper shrugged, apparently noticing Mo's unusual anger. "As you wish," he said carelessly, turning away. Mo took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. What was wrong with him?

He clenched his hands into fists, despite the pain that greeted him as he did so. He sincerely hoped that morning would come, and fast. I'm coming, Meggie, hang on. I swear I'll kill that damned king, too, and get us out of this world. I swear.