Chapter Fifteen: At the Adder's Feet

The Prince glanced around.

"Coast is clear," he mouthed.

The Bluejay, the other robbers, Fenoglio, Resa, Elinor, and Darius emerged from behind the bushes. The Prince's bear gave an uneasy growl, and he put his hand on the animal's thick coat.

"Quickly, now," the Bluejay muttered, ushering everyone to the other side of the road.

"There!" pointed Resa.

An inn stood at the side of the road. It looked unremarkably dingy and run-down, but the Prince knew that that wans't the point. This was it. This was where the Adder was keeping the Jay's daughter prisoner.

"Now what?" the woman, Elinor, said. The Prince looked at her. He was still puzzling over where she had come from. The Bluejay wouldn't say a word, no matter how the Prince pestered him with questions. In the end, he had given up on asking any more questions.

Suddenly Resa gave an exclamation of surprise. She had bent down to the ground, and straightened with something in her hand. It was a piece of pure, white paper, folded into a strange shape. The Bluejay took a step towards his wife. "What is it?"

"Meggie." Resa unfolded the paper. "She made a paper airplane..."

"She'll be all right, Mortimer," Fenoglio said, seeing the expression on the Bluejay's face. "She's a clever girl."

The Prince still puzzled over why everyone seemed to call the Jay Mortimer, or Mo. He had never heard those names, and they meant nothing to him.

"What does it say?" the Prince asked uneasily, although he had no idea what a paper airplane was. The Jay bent over the paper. His eyes swept over the words so fast that the Prince couldn't believe he was actually reading them. After a while, he sighed.

"Just as I expected. Meggie's being held captive, as bait for me. Basta, Mortola, and the Adder's in there, also." the Jay said bluntly.

"Basta..." Snapper murmured. "I thought you'd killed him."

"I did." the Bluejay said. "But he came back." There were hushed whispers in the midst of the robbers.

"Now we go in there." the Snapper said from behind the Prince after a moment of grim silence. There were murmurs of agreement from the others.

The Prince began to move forward, but suddenly a hand pulled him back. The Bluejay.

"No." he said sharply. "No. I will go inside, me and no one else. It's me the Adder wants."

"You can't!" It was Resa. She was clinging onto the Jay's arm with a desperate expression on her face. "Mo, you can't just walk in there - he'll kill you-"

"I'll be fine." the Jay said firmly, gently removing himself from his wife's grip.

"No, you won't!" Elinor said hotly. "From what I've heard, this Adderhead is a bloodthirsty man! A bloodthirsty and immortal man!"

"All the more reason for you and the others to stay here." the Bluejay said heavily, looking around at the terrified faces surrounding him. "Prince, your men can't just follow me in there. It's an inn, for heaven's sake. You'll have time. I have a feeling he's not going to try and kill me right away. When the time is right-" he looked straight into the Prince's eyes- "you can strike."

"Jay..." the Prince trailed off. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

The Bluejay gave him a small smile. "Of course I'm sure. My daughter's in there."

Resa was crying, now. "I don't want to lose you again, Mo, not again..."

"You won't, Resa." the Jay said gently, giving her a kiss on her forehead. "I promise you, I'll be back with Meggie. I swear."

"Please, don't get killed, Mortimer!" Elinor sniffled. The Jay replied with a nod and a smile, although he couldn't have been feeling much like it.

"Well, then," the Prince said, "good luck." The two shook hands. The bear gave a low growl as the Jay straightened, looked back one last time, and then, walked towards the inn.

Meggie was slumbering again when Basta dragged her upright. Even though Meggie was barely awake, Basta shoved her into the room the Adder was staying in with Mortola and the Wildcat.

When Meggie saw Mo, she was more awake than ever. Pure joy and terror took over her at once. Breaking free of Basta, Meggie ran to Mo and hugged him. For a moment Meggie felt safe again - she always felt safe when she was in her father's arms. But then the two were pried apart by Basta once more, and all Meggie could do was look at Mo. He looked tired, but the relief was plain in his face. Then Meggie's eyes traveled down to his hand. She nearly gave a cry of horror. His hand was wrapped in dirty and bloodied bandages, but Meggie could clearly see the space where his small finger should have been.

"Mo! Your hand-"

"Silence!" growled Basta, shaking her.

"It's a pleasure to have you joining us, Bluejay," the Adderhead said pleasantly, not taking the slightest notice of Meggie, Basta, or Mortola. Just then Meggie realized, with a jolt, that the Wildcat was not here.

Mo said nothing, but Meggie could see his eyes burning with rage and hatred. He was also shaking, ever so slightly. Meggie had never seen him like this before, and it almost frightened her as much as the Adderhead.

"I hope you enjoy your time with your daughter," Mortola said hoarsely, "because it will be the last hours of your life!"

Meggie felt her heart hammering against her ribs. No, no, no... This can't be happening... But it was. It couldn't have been more real.

"You're taking us back to your castle, aren't you?" Mo spoke. His voice sounded so different to Meggie's ears - harsh, bitter, full of hatred and rage. "So that your subjects can enjoy my magnificent execution?"

"You're just as clever as I thought you would be!" the Adder exclaimed with mock surprise. "Of course I am! We are going to set off right now, in fact!"

Before anyone could say anything else Basta had forced Mo and Meggie through the open doorway and down the stairs of the inn. The people in the bar barely looked up as the small company marched to the door.

"I would have liked to let Basta sling your daughter over his back like he did before, but he can't do the same with you. We will be travelling by horse." the Adderhead said to Mo, who, again, did not reply. "Basta will be taking the witch on his horse, and believe me, he will always have his knife ready if you attempt anything stupid. You will ride between Mortola and me, Bluejay."

Meggie felt cold with fear as Basta climbed up on a horse, and dragged Meggie onto the saddle, as well. The Adderhead, Mortola, and Mo each took a horse. Mo gave Meggie a look that said: I'm sorry, Meggie. So very sorry. Meggie bit her lip to keep the tears from running down her cheeks as Basta held her tight.

It was going to be a long ride.

What? What are you going to do? How are you going to save Meggie? How will you save yourself?

Mo asked himself the same questions dozens of times as he rode between the Adder and Mortola. He couldn't keep his gaze from Meggie, looking pale and terrified in Basta's arms.

But he had to concentrate on riding, as well. He didn't want to fall from his horse and be trampled to death. It was difficult, so very difficult - his wounded hand burned with agony every time he tried to get a better grip on the reins. He clenched his teeth to keep from gasping in pain. The Adderhead obviously saw this, and his eyes sparkled with wicked glee. Mortola, however, didn't even look at him.

Last time he had been on this road, Mo remembered being in the cart with the wounded strolling player. Only this time the only prisoners were him and Meggie. Mo hoped that the Prince and his men were keeping up with them. He would need their help. Yes. He would need help. Lots of help.

Please. Let everything be all right. Please. Mo thought as the Castle of Night came into view.