Chapter 6

Dustfinger, Farid and Meggie have found the captives and managed to set some of them free including the Black Prince. They have just told the Black Prince what has happened…..

!!!!!!!!!!!!I don't own any of the characters, etc!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Black Prince just shook his head in disbelief. "What the hell was that girl thinking?"

Meggie looked up. "It's not her fault."

"She shouldn't have left the castle."

"The castle was not safe anymore. The Adderhead and the Piper were both there. She probably just-"

"The guards were there. They would not have let anything happen to her," the Black Prince said curtly.

Dustfinger was staring out into the trees as though his daughter would just magically appear between them. He was only half-listening to the conversation. Where could he have taken her? Where?

They sat in silence for some time. The night had closed in around them and Meggie could hardly make out anything around her. Carefully she made her way to where she could just about see the outline of Dustfinger.

"Dustfinger?" It was the hesitance in her voice was what made him look round. She was scared; most likely for her parents. "Can we…erm….could we maybe….I need to……."

Dustfinger waited for her to get the words out. He wondered what she could want that would make her so scared to tell him.

"Can we go the Spelt-Mill?" Meggie held her breath and waited for him to say something. When he didn't, she continued. "Only I left a message for Fenoglio with Cloud-dancer and-"

"No."

"But-"

"No." He had absolutely no desire to find out what that old man had to say about anything. All he ever did was make things worse. Besides he already knew that the man would not be able to help Brianna and that was all he could care about right now.

"I think that you should go."

Dustfinger looked at the Black Prince as if he had lost his mind.

"I know what you're thinking but just listen to me. We have no idea where to even begin to look for Brianna. People pass through by the Mill all the time, there's a good chance that if anyone has heard anything or if Basta has gone through that way, the miller will know. It's worth a shot."

Dustfinger sighed. He did not like to admit it but the Black Prince was right. He didn't know where Brianna or Basta was and if he was honest with himself he had no better ideas.

"Fine."

"Good. Now you should really get going as soon as you can. From here it should at least a few days to get to the-"

"You're not coming with us?" Farid asked. It didn't surprise Dustfinger in the least; of course the Black Prince would have work to do.

"No I'm not going but promise me that you will send word as soon as you hear anything." The Black Prince was looking directly at Dustfinger as he said this and Dustfinger responded with a nod. Apparently this was good enough for the Prince because he wished them all good luck and left.

"Come on," mumbled Dustfinger as he set off in the direction of the Spelt-Mill.

I'm sorry about the shortness of the chapter but i think it was important to set the next one up properly. Once again let me know what you all think!