Charpter 3
Dustfinger and Farid walked leisurely through the Wayless Woods, back towards home. It was almost dusk and Dustfinger had left his house early in the morning. Roxanne had stirred but not woken when he climbed out of bed,
"she will be fine," Dustfinger thought to himself "this isn't the first time you have been gone an entire day without telling her first." This was true, but he knew she usually became angry with him on these days. What he did not know is that she became so cross with him because she was so worried. Each time she woke to an empty bed, her day was filled with concern for him.
He had gone off to find some fire-honey from the fire elves. While doing that he was meet by Farid. He had done this for many, many years and had taught the young man. First he would go to the river-nymps so they could rub his arms with their slime. Then he talked to the fairies and discovered where the fire-elves nested. He went up into the tree was soon surrounded by tiny fire elves. They buzzed around him and left black sooty stains over the slime. He started to hum softly and they gently floated down and rested on his arms. Still humming, Dustfinger reached into their hive and pulled out a tiny piece of honey, so small they would hardly miss is. "this small piece," He thought "is what makes me so better then any other." In all his years of Fire eating in this world, or any other, no one he had ever seen could come close to his skill. Other than Farid that is and he was still not as good.
He had spent the day with Farid. That boy still couldn't let go of Dustfinger. He continued to come back and visit Dustfinger. He had gotten used to it over the years, the young man looked up to him as the only father figure he had ever had. Farid had followed in his footsteps and traveled around with the Motley Folk, coming back whenever he could. This time he had come back with some surprising news for Dustfinger. He told him he wanted to leave the Motley Crew.
"Why?" Dustfinger had asked him. "You love fire eating." Fairds response had reminded him even more of himself "Because Meggie is more important." Dustfinger had warned him that it might be to late, she was with Doria. Farid had wanted to run to her right then, but Dustfinger convinced him so stay with him for the day. When he went home he could go to Meggie, who lived right next to him.
They had practiced with fire and had taught each other a few things. Dustfinger grudgingly admitted that Faird had learned things about fire that he had not. "If im not careful," Dustfinger thought absently "He just might pass me some day." Luckily Dustfinger still had a few tricks up his sleeve that he wouldn't tell Farid. No matter how much Farid had begged.
The trees around Dustfinger started to thin, they was getting close to the edge. Close to home. Home was something that still seemed new to him. Even after years of staying with Roxanne and his family, it surprised him how much he loved it. Even thought Brianna was at the castle with Her Kindliness, baby Christiana and Roxanna's son were there with Roxanna and him. They neared the houses on the outskirts of the Wayless Woods. Faird was walking faster and looked pleadingly at Dustfinger. He nodded.
"Go see Meggie" He said "I'll be fine." Farid smiled and took off at a sprint. Dustfinger watched him go, and couldn't help but smile. He only hoped that Meggie would take him back. Farid would never be happy without her, and he believed that she would never be happy without him. Dustfinger considered going to see Mo…and Resa. Even though he loved Roxanne and Mo was closer to him then anyone else, he couldn't help but think about Resa. He had decided that for the most part staying away was for the best. Farid would be fine on his own. He had to go home, Roxanne was waiting.