I do not own the Inkworld, all rights belong to Cornelia Funke.
The journey was longer than Dustfinger had previously imagined, he never even realised just how far he'd travelled, to get away. He knew now, as he looked on at the very same path he should have taken years back that he could never truly escape.
The road look barely worn since the last time he'd strode down it, like it had been waiting for just a deep breath he removed his eyes from the gravel and levelled to that of the castle, pushing his hair out of his eyes. He couldn't believe it was the same castle, what had once been a beautiful medieval styled and white-walled castle now resembled a dank fortress which he couldn't hope to penetrate.
Covered in ivy, the castle looked to have aged a hundred years since he left, yet it had only been five, something bad had happened and with guilt gripping his stomach he took a deep breath and began to walk. He began to take the path of a good man, at least he hoped that this would all lead to, the truth was Dustfinger was as terrified as that very same day he abandoned his only friends in this world and with a burst of self-loathing he realised he wanted to turn back again.
Gulping down the saliva which had gathered in his throat he balled his fists and with determination ploughed on, the image of Meggie being the only thing stopping his cowardice from making a reappearance. Once he got to the walls of the castle he found the gate to be wide open, giving Dustfinger suspicion instantly as he knew something was very wrong. The last time he'd been here the streets had been patrolled from dawn to dusk by Capricorns men, but now all security was gone.
Dustfinger weighed his options, most likely he would be caught, it was either a trap or the security would come later, he shook his head and carried on, he could work out an escape plan but first he needed to see that they were all safe and well, he needed to know. But as Dustfinger walked through the village he found it to be devoid of all inhabitants, his anxiety grew with every step. What if they had left the castle, found another base? The appearance of the exterior of the castle would explain this.
Once Dustfinger had reached the entrance to the grand doors of the castle he paused, listening for any sounds...there. Right there, there had been a sound, talking, he was positive of it. Ludicrous as it was he was relieved that Capricorn had not left, if he had finding Meggie again would be next to impossible. He cracked the door open to see what lay inside to be greeted by the image of non other than Capricorn himself. He bit on his lip to conceal the cry of hatred that wished to rip from his mouth.
He had not changed, Capricorn still had his thick set of blonde hair and his eyes undoubtable shone with the maniac glint they always had contained, his face pale however as he looked to be arguing with the man beside him.
The other man was tall, taller than Capricorn, at least over 6ft with contrasting features of Jet black hair and tan skin, and though Dustfinger couldn't make them out he half-expected his eyes to be as dark as capricrons were fair. Unlike Capricorn however he lacked the eerie quality that the former possessed, he stood instead to be begrudgingly handsome and what Dusfinger guessed to be no more than twenty five, though to be sure he was unaware of any of this as his hair hung to his shoulders messily with a clear shadow across his jaw, distinguishing him from Capricorns neatness. Dustfinger couldn't hear their conversation but they nonetheless seemed to be passionate over it as their cheeks grew red with anger, one word he could hear however was "Meggie".
At her name he was drawn back to the image of the innocent little girl he'd left venerable, Dustfinger roamed the possibilities of where she could be, the dungeons seemed the most likely place but nonetheless the key to get there was strapped to the trousers of the stranger next to Capricorn. Silently cursing Dustfinger did something unexpected, something unlike him.
He acted without thinking, he pushed the heavy door open and walked through, greeted by two shocked and angry expressions. However Capricorn recovered quickly as Dustfinger had suspected he would, "Nice to have you back old greet" he sneered, a smirk twisting his face, turning to the stranger he had seemingly forgotten their argument and instead continued "son, meet Dustfinger, why I believe that Meggie may indeed hate someone more than yourself you will be pleased to hear".
Dustfinger was confused immediately, since when did Capricorn have a son, and one so dissimilar to himself? Nonetheless the remark of Meggie and her hatred for him stung so deeply he felt his heart quiver at the very thought of her loathing for him, he wasn't however surprised by this revelation as her hatred was of course imminent to his treatment of her.
The son looked from Capricorn to Dustfinger and a smile graced his handsome features, rubbing his shadow he looked thoughtfully at Dustfinger "Well it's settled then, bring Meggie in to meet her old friend, im sure they have a lot of catching up to do..."