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Adrenalin filled my veins. My heart was thudding against my cheast but I didn't really care. If this didn't work I knew some how that even Kat wouldn't be able to help. Everything was depending on what I had writen on paper earlier that day. I was being sat in a chair by Capricorn which was definetly not my first choice of a seat.

The execution had become alot more exciting since I had last checked. First of all Elinor had somehow been caught so she was in the cage with Meggie's mother, Resa. I wondered how Meggie was feeling about this whole change. I guess she was feeling ok since she had faith in my words. More faith than I did anyway.

Another new addtion the execution was one I totally hadn't expected. I had to rub my eyes to make sure I was seeing clearly. But my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. Basta was sitting in the cage his face pale and vacant like a dead mans. I would've thought he was dead if he hadn't lifted his head just a bit when Capricorn walked by the cages.

He looked so different then how I had seen him, threatening and smirking. I knew that he had been left in the crypt but I just thought that was temporary. I didn't think that Capricorn would go so far as to kill Basta.

But whatever. He would die anyway at the end of tonight. I guess that was sort of satisfying knowing he would die either way.

Cockerell was positoned right behind where I sat. I think that he was Capricorn's right hand man now. No improvement in Capricorn's taste I must say.

Capricorn came up to the platform and stood to address all the black jackets and maids that had gathered "There is no need for me to explain to most of you why the three prisoners you see there are to be punished. I think it is enough for me to say that it is for treachery, loose talk and stupidity. Some of you may argue whether stupidity is a crime worthy of death. I believe it is for it can have the same consequences as treachery."

Hmm, I guess Elinor's crime was loose talk. No suprise there. Resa was treachery since she had been, according to Farid, communicating with Dustfinger. Which left stupidity for Basta. Now, I never really considered Basta to be stupid. He wasn't really. It's just that Dustfinger happened to be extremley clever and quick and Basta fell for his tricks. I guess that losing Dustfinger had a serious penalty. They must really hate him.

Meggie was standing up on the platform where the book was set on a stand. Her eyes connected with mine for a brief second and I gave her a reassuring smile.

Suddenly the bell tolled through the night. I looked off into the distants at the village and saw the smoke. They had done it. I knew that Kat must be watching now for the blue bird just as I was.

Capricorn sent several men with Flatnose to go see to the fire and then continued on with the ceremony "Now for those who got away." he held up a piece of torn and red stained fabric "They are dead!" He said triumphantly. Meggie reacted in suprise but I knew it was acting. She knew that Farid and Mo had started the fire.

"Oh please!" rolled my eyes "They aren't dead. That was obviosly used as a bandage!"

Capricorn studied me "What makes you say that?"

"Because he" I pointed to Basta "Hit my friend Kat in the arm with one of his knives. Obviously that must have been used to bandage her arm."

I wasn't about to say 'Hey guess what! I've been communicating with them over walki talki. That wouldn't be very effective."

"Ahh, but the old woman told us they were dead." Capricorn sighed pitylessly.

I leaned back in my chair "What ever."

"That's enough talk" Capricorn called "Let's here something read allowed to us!"

The Magpie handed Meggie the book then began talking to her in a low voice but I caught every word "If you should fail to read well tonight and you stumble over the words or something goes wrong then Cockerell will cut the little writers throat. Capricorn may not give this order but I will and Cockerell will do what I say. I don't trust her gift and I don't mind her being eliminated." Meggie looked at me a little worried. I felt Cockerell slip up behind me and slide a finger across my throat.

I tried to slap his hand away. He wasn't near as menacing as Basta was really. Not at all. Cockerell siezed my wrist and hissed in my ear "I think I'm hoping something goes wrong princess" I ground my teeth at Cockerell's nick name "Because I've been wanting to kill you for a while now."

"What you mean ever since I punched you in the face" I shot back.

"Watch it" he growled and he re positioned himself behind my chair again.

Oh she'll read alright I thought You have no idea Cockerell.

The fire was getting worse now and Flatnose came back and whispered something in his ear. Capricorn sent him off again "And don't come back till you've found the fire raiser!"

"Dustfinger" a few voices murmered.

"There is no more Dustfinger" Capricorn said sharply "He is dead."

"Yeah ok" I rolled my eyes "And the marten set the fire. Seriously, if all of our friends are dead and Dustfinger is dead who do you think started it? You need a better cover story."

The Magpie came over and slapped me across the face. It stung but then I just kind've stared at her "Wow, that was the best you could do? Basta hit harder." Why not? A joke at both of there expence. I hated them both.

A few snigers could be heard and Mortola looked like she would like to hit me again but Capricorn's voice rang out.

"Enough! Let us get on with this execution." he snapped.

It was then that I saw a flash of blue feathers. The blue bird flew up and perched on the roof twitering a bit. I felt releaf flood through me. This was going to work.

So Meggie began to read. She read strond and beautifully not a syllable missed and in no time there he was. The shadow. He was awful and huge with pits of fire for eyes but Meggie looked at himalmost pleadingly just how I wrote it and he suddenly didn't turn to the prisoners.

"Destroy them" Capricorn commanded but the Shadow didn't seem to here him.

"Yeah good luck with that" I muttered and then I jumped to my feet and jamed my elbows into Cockerell's gut.

Suddenly Kat was there too swinging down from the roof tops and knocking down a few blackjackets "Call me dead huh? I'll show you!"

The Shadow was certinly taking his time going to where Capricorn was so I was a little preoccupied with dodging Cockerell and his knife (Was he trying to be like Basta? He was failing)

Capricorn was frozen and I think it was safe to say that he was terrified.

I jumped out of reach of Cockerell again but then he managed to catch my wrist with his hand and pull me back. He had the knife raised over me "I guess this is you're end sweetheart" he hissed.

I saw a blur of something knock into him yelling and cursing.

Oh, that was Kat.

"Go to Hell" she snarled punching him in the face so hard that his nose broke. "And your hair is stupid by the way." Then she was off again to beat up more people.

Cockerell looked up at me, blood pouring from his nose, his face twisted in anger and pain... and then he was gone. Blown away. I looked over and saw that Capricorn had dissapeared too and saw the Shadow crumple to the ground before he dissapeared like ashes in the wind.

Just like I had written.

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