Phew. My updates are slower than ever, eh? Sorry, but I'm really busy. But I promise you that I'll finish this fic, no matter what... news flash I'm planning a sequel, too! Yay! Anyways, here we go. Thank you for reviewing, dear faithful readers! I wouldn't have come this far without you guys. Really. Thanks so much.

Chapter Sixteen: The Fire-Eater's Quest

"Dustfinger!" Farid's voice made Dustfinger look up. There was the Castle of Night - looming above the countryside like a giant beast, ready to pounce.

"When we get up Mount Adder you have to stay as quiet as a mouse, understand?" Dustfinger whispered, even though he knew Farid didn't need to be told such obvious things. "Don't summon fire until I tell you to." Farid nodded.

"But what does fire have to do with the plan?" Farid inquired.

Dustfinger sighed. "Everything, Farid, everything." he replied, glancing up at the castle as if expecting someone to be looking down at them. "We don't have much time, but I suppose you need to know." In a low voice, Dustfinger told Farid his plan, ignoring the boy's wide eyes and constant gasping.

"Dustfinger!" Farid cried. "It'll be impossible! We don't even know where the book is! And the Castle's huge, even the fire won't be able to devour it all!"

"Farid." Dustfinger said. "Do you trust me?"

Farid glanced at his master. "Yes."

"Then just do as I say. Meggie and her father's lives are at stake."

"I know that," Farid grumbled. "But - "

"No buts. Let's go." Dustfinger said curtly.

The pair hiked their way up Mount Adder. Farid looked pale with fright. Dustfinger himself didn't feel much better, but he was good at hiding pain, fear, and every other emotion. And he needed to stay calm. For Farid.

Dustfinger kept a close watch out for soldiers and guards. Once he and Farid had to hide in the trees when a small group of soldiers went marching by. Farid had been eager to toast the soldiers, but Dustfinger had held him back. The fire needed to rest. And if they fed it too much people too early, the fire wouldn't bite when it needed to. Even fire had feelings, sometimes. Not many people understood that. At times even Dustfinger didn't understand fire completely.

They were very close, now. This time there had been no time to make themselves invisible like last time, but both Dustfinger and Farid were wearing dark colours. It wouldn't be hard to stay unseen. Just as Dustfinger was about to sneak forward for a quick look on the guards Farid pulled him back.

"What is it?" Dustfinger said, irritated.

"Look!" Farid said in a barely audible whisper.

Dustfinger looked. Four horses were coming up the road. Dustfinger sucked in his breath as he saw that it was the Adderhead leading those horses. On two of them rode Silvertongue, and Mortola. On the last one rode Basta. With Meggie in his arms. As they came closer Dustfinger could see their expressions. The Adderhead looked smug. And happy. That was not good news. Mortola, judging by her expression, didn't like riding. As for Silvertongue his face was so hard and full of hatred that even Dustfinger was surprised. Meggie... looked simply terrified - pale as a sheet and her lips quivering. Couldn't blame her, for Basta's face was so close to hers that Dustfinger just knew Meggie was enduring his peppermint breath.

Farid was clutching onto Dustfinger's arm so tightly that it hurt, but Dustfinger stayed put. He held his breath as the horses trotted past and prayed that the martens would stay in their packs. The great gates of the Castle of Night opened for the horses. Dustfinger saw Meggie glance up at the looming castle with raw fear in her eyes. Farid was chewing his lip furiously. Dustfinger almost laughed at that expression.

Finally the gates closed shut again. Nudging Farid, Dustfinger stood, and quietly, as silently as an owl, made his way to the shadows of the shining walls of the Castle of Night. Farid followed his example as he inched along the castle walls. Once Gwin attempted to escape from his master's backpack, but Farid shoved him back inside just in time. Dustfinger was relieved that Jink was a little more obedient than his fellow marten friend Gwin. If the martens popped out and attracted attention... Dustfinger shuddered at the thought.

There were only two sentries on guard. Breathing deeply, Dustfinger called on Farid.

"Are you sure you can slit their throats easily?"

"Yes!" Farid suddenly sounded so excited. "Before they can even make a sound!"

"Well, get to it, then," Dustfinger sighed. "But be quick."

Farid drew his knife, and scampered over to the guards, nimble as one of the martens. He went impossibly close to the sentry before slashing the knife into his throat with incredible speed. Dustfinger closed his eyes as the man dropped without a sound. A moment later Farid was back at his side, wiping his blade clean with his trousers. For a minute Dustfinger was reminded of Basta.

"Good." said Dustfinger. "Let's get inside before anyone notices." Farid didn't need more urging. The two slipped inside the back gates of the castle without a sound.

"Damn it, the Bluejay's more of a fool than I thought!" the Snapper groaned as they trudged on.

"Be quiet, Snapper," the Prince growled. "He did what he had to do."

Resa tried to keep from sobbing again. Elinor and Darius were holding her close; that did make her feel a little better. Fenoglio, meanwhile, was walking on with a distant look in his eyes. Resa had to ask him one thing.

"Why did you do it?"

"Do what?" the old man rubbed his impressive nose.

"Create the... Bluejay."

Fenoglio blinked. "Well... my world did need a heroic robber... And - "

"Why did you have to turn Mo into the Jay?" Resa looked straight into Fenoglio's eyes.

The writer hesitated. "He was the perfect model." he said at last. "Tall, good-looking, a prominent scar... Yes, he was the perfect robber in my imagination."

Resa tried to imagine Mo as the robber, with not much success. Elinor spoke to her that very moment. "Resa, where in the world are we going?"

Resa had to sigh again. "I told you, Elinor, to the Castle of Night. We're following Mo and Meggie."

"What for? We'll just all get killed!" Elinor exclaimed. Darius nodded vigorously.

"No, we won't," the Prince said from the front, startling everyone. Elinor eyed his bear nervously. "We have a plan. Or at least, Dustfinger does."

"That matchstick-eater has a plan?" Elinor said. "What, is he going to set the Adderhead on fire?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not," the Prince replied. "You seemed to have many questions." he said, glancing back at Elinor. She went red and lowered her gaze. Resa supressed a smile.

"Are we still on their trail?" the Snapper inquired from the back.

"Yes, yes." the Prince faced the front again, patting his bear. "We are. It's impossible to lose them. They're on their way to the Castle of Night."

The Castle of Night. Resa suddenly felt cold again. She tried not to think about Meggie or Mo, being shut up in the dungeon... Or the gallows at the castle... She sincerely hoped that everything would be all right.

From beside Resa Elinor muttered, "I don't think I'll ever walk again!"

At least her aunt still seemed to feel all right.