Here is another chapter. My last one only got one review so lets pick up the pace people.

Kat: My you're demanding!

Shut up! At least I don't have anger management issues!

Kat: I don't have anger management issues. NOW TAKE IT BACK BEFORE I SHOVE THIS STICK DOWN YOUR THROAT!

BRING IT ON!

Callypso: I've got the popcorn!

Meggie: Do you think we should stop them?

Callypso: Nah.

Dustfinger: I put money on the authoress!

Callypso: While they're settling this here's the next chapter!

Dustfinger: R&R!

Basta led us across the village and to the all too familier red church. I wondered if they would kill me if I painted it pink with purple poka dots! Most likely.

Anyway...

Once in the church we saw Capricorn talking to Cockerell in a low voice "Soak them until they're dripping out with gasoline then hand them by the childrens bedroom windows. Then he'll know my patients is at its end."

When impatient resort to rags soaked in gasoline? Haven't heard that one before.

Cockerell walked by us on his way out of the church and stopped in front of Meggie. "Your father hasn't turned up yet?" He mocked. "Doesn't seem to keen to see you does he?"

Meggie flushed.

Without a second thought I drew back my fist and punched Cockerell in the face.

He stumbled back in suprise as blood ran from his nose.

I grinned in spite of myself. Basta covered up a laugh with a cough. He didn't seem to angry that I had just punched Cockerell.

"You little-" Cockerell stalked forward but Capricorn's voice rang out.

"Go Cockerell. Do what I have told you."

Cockerell cast a final glance of pure loathing at me and strode out the door. The doors slammed shut.

"Ok, that felt really good." I could hardly keep myself from cheering.

Basta pushed us to stand in front of Capricorn's "throne". Mortola looked kind of triumphant which isn't really a very good sign.

"Finally" Capricorn said "What kept you so long."

Mortola sneered.

"The gaurd couldn't find the right key" Basta muttered soundin irritated. "And, I had to catch this." He put his hand in his jacket and drew out Tinkerbell by her wing. She fluttered franticly.

"Where did that come from" Capricorn demanded.

Basta set the book Peter Pan at his feet "This. And guess who read her out."

His hand rested on Meggie's shoulder.

"The girl?" Capricorn's eyebrows raised.

"Yes and it seems she is just as good as her father."

Capricorn studied Meggie for a few more seconds then said "I'm assuming Basta told you why we brought you here?"

"To meet some old aquaintances." I said my voice irritated.

Capricorn smiled a pityless smile and looked up.

I followed his gaze and saw-

"Dustfinger?" I asked in suprise. Him and another woman were in huge nets suspeneded from the celing.

"Hello Callypso. Meggie." he seemed to be trying to keep his voice calm.

"If you don't mind me asking" I said "What the Hell are you doing in a net?"

"Enjoying the view" Dustfinger said sarcasticly.

"Oh well in that case" I rolled my eyes.

Meggie was deathly pale as she looked up at Dustfinger.

"Oh and Meggie!" He called down "I'm supposed to give you love from your father! He'll be here soon to get you."

Basta laughed scornfully "You'll have to do better than that. She won't believe you."

Dustfinger ignored him "And Callypso, I think that one of your friends is here with them."

My heart rose and fell at the same time "Kat?"

"Yeah" Dustfinger nodded "Brown hair, black eyes, short, she curses alot and she kept throwing pinecones at me."

"That sounds exactly like Kat." I nodded.

Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a flicker of recognition in Basta's eye but I must've been imagining things.

"Your friend?" Capricorn asked his eye brows raised.

"Mm hmm" I nodded smiling brightly "She wants to wring all of yalls necks. If it was anyone other than Kat I would say it was an empty threat. But Kat never makes empty threats. She's crazy." I said in a matter of fact voice.

"Damn right" Dustfinger muttered.

Meggie was now looking at the woman in the net almost longingly and confused.

Capricorn's eyes lingered on me for a few more moments then went back to Meggie. "In any case I suppose we don't need your father now. Now you can read out my old friend. You remember him Dustfinger?"

"How could I forget him?" Dustfinger murmered.

"Why are we only talking about Dustfinger's death?" Mortola asked impatiently "Have you forgoten our little mute pidgeon Resa? It's her death to."

"Ah yes, I suppose" Capricorn looked almost regretful. Almost but not quite.

Meggie's eyes widened a bit as she looked up at the woman.

"In two days" Capricorn said "Little Silvertounge will read. That should give us enough time to summon the men from the other bases. Now take them back to their room."

As Basta began to force us out the door Meggie turned and against all odds started shouting at them "I'll never read! Never! I won't read out any executioner. I swear I won't."

"Don't make promises you can't keep." Basta hissed.

"Why not?' I muttered "Then there aren't any possibilities. I wouldn't be suprised if Kat came in and killed you all.

There it was, that flicker of recognition again. But why?

"Will you just untie us!" Elinore demanded for the 50th time.

"Yes please do" Kat muttered "So she'll stop shouting so much."

"If I do then you'll run away" Farid said uncertinly.

"Look Farid" Mo sighed "Dustfinger has been gone way to long. He should've been back by now. Something's probably happened."

Farid didn't answer.

"Look untie us and I'm sure we can figure something out" Mo continued. I can help you find Dustfinger."

"I'll untie you." Farid finally said "But I should go alone."

He untied Mo and Elinore and Kat jumped down from the trees "They may not be coming with you but I am."

Farid looked uncertain "I don't think you should. It's dangerous and-"

"If you finish that sentence I'll teach you the meaning of danger buddy." Kat snarled looking so vicious that Farid took a step back.

"Ok, ok fine." he stuttered.

"Will you two find away to get this note to Meggie?" Mo asked.

Kat took the paper "I'm sorry either you have really bad hand writing or your fluent in another language cause I can't read a word this says."

"It's a secret lettering system that me and Meggie use." Mo explained "From Lord of the Rings"

"Wow, you guys are book nerds." Kat raised an eyebrow. "Let's go Farid." they scampered off into the night.

Callypso: Please Review!

(Kallypso finaly tackles Kat to the ground and knocks her out) Victory!

(Dustfinger and Meggie exchange money) REVIEW!