I've decided that a new little bit to this chapter is necessary. For those new to the story, please read:
I checked this story's status and noticed that there are so many more hits than reviews. Literally, there's over a thousand hits, but only twenty-something reviews. Why? I wondered. Well, I've come up with several unspoken reasons:
-The story's too slow. Can't do anything 'bout that. It's just my writing style. And a story can't reveal all of its glory in the first chapter, can it?
-You only write about Mo. I have to admit, yes, that is partly true. It's because he's my favourite character, for one thing, and I understand him the best. Also it's fun to write about him – he was in the most interesting emotional state by the end of the second book, in my opinion. And Inkdeath's supposed to revolve around the Bluejay, a.k.a. Mo, as well as Meggie and Farid. I write about other characters, too, so don't get too worked up about it.
-There's no romance. Yes, there is. Read on and you'll find tons of stuff going on between Meggie and Farid. There's a bit going on between Mo and Resa, too.
-It's got nothing on Meggie, Farid, and Dustfinger. Yes, yes, I know they're everyone's favourite characters, but honestly, Inkdeath isn't going to be all about just them. As I said before, Mo has a much bigger part in the plot. And Meggie, Farid and Dusty aren't the only main characters in the trilogy. Go on, accept it. I do write about the trio, too, so don't go nuts.
If you have any more complaints/comments, go on and review the fic. Please, just give the story a chance.
Note: For those of you who've read the second chapter preview of Inkdeath, sorry, but I'll have to ignore it. I can't copy it exactly, because I don't have it here, and it just wouldn't be right, don't you think so? Just so you know.
Chapter One: Sunrise
The sun was rising already. The skies were still overcast from the dark clouds, but Mo could tell that it was getting light.He was terribly tired. Since the strolling players had escaped from the Adderhead's dungeons, they had been on the run. Mo and the Black Prince were in charge of protecting the exhausted prisoners. No one chose them to do so; but no one else seemed capable for the dangerous job of fighting and killing any soldiers that were after them, or planning how they could cross the road without notice, and sometimes even raiding farmhouses for food and drink. Mo hadn't slept properly for days.
He felt the reassuring weight of Firefox's - no, his- sword at his waist. Mo often practiced sparring with the Prince, sometimes with the Snapper. They were always amazed at Mo's skill with a sword - no matter how often he told them that he hadn't wielded a sword properly ever before, they never believed him. They were firmly convinced that he had come from a country where everyone fought as well as he did.
Sighing, Mo turned back and looked at Meggie - how big she had grown! She was asleep with Resa and Farid. Mo knew that Meggie was treating him differently, ever since he had killed Basta, ever since Farid, and Dustfinger had died... Meggie always stared at his sword as if it was going to bite her. She didn't act naturally in front of him anymore - Mo understood her, but it still hurt. Well, what would you think if your father turned into a killer overnight? Thought Mo bitterly. It was a surprise that Meggie didn't run away from her parents all over again.
Mo climbed down from the hill and went down to where the Black Prince, his bear, and the others were sleeping. He winced as his chest gave another painful throb. Whenever the wound hurt, he felt hatred in his heart - hatred of Mortola, hatred of the Adder, hatred of Inkheart itself. It scared him, to tell the truth. Yet he managed to keep it hidden. Another one of his new skills - keeping secrets. Lying. He could lie much more easily than before. Mo had managed to fool Meggie once. Now look at yourself. Lying to your family. How wonderful!
Mo gently shook the Prince awake. "Prince! It's time to leave. The sun's rising."
The Prince awoke with a grunt. "The days seem to get shorter and shorter." he grumbled as he stood, shaking the dust off of his clothes. The bear stirred from beside its master.
The robber that Mo was closest to was the Prince. Quiet, serious and mysterious, the Prince was a fine friend and companion, especially in the midst of battle. The two had saved each other's lives at least a dozen times already. The Prince with his bear, Mo with his sword.
"Do you think we can get to the village by evening?" Mo asked the Prince.
"If we hurry, yes." The Prince replied. "I think the soldiers are on our trail. If we don't arrive by tonight..."
"Let's not think of that." Mo said as he experimentally drew his sword. The blade glinted brightly in the growing light of the day. Mo saw the Prince's glance going to the sword.
"You planning to behead me?" the Prince said dryly.
"No, just seeing if the blade's clean," said Mo tonelessly. To tell the truth, Mo no longer felt safe anywhere without his blade. Every shadow seemed dangerous, every face hostile. After all, half the Inkworld wanted him dead. That meant that anyone could attempt to kill him, anywhere.
The Prince's bear was also awake, now. It lumbered towards where its master and Mo were standing. Mo sheathed his sword quickly. He knew the bear didn't like weapons.
The animal came over and gave Mo a few friendly sniffs and nuzzled the Prince. Pushing the bear's muzzle away from his face, the Prince spoke.
"Shall we wake the others, then?"
"Yes. We should set off soon."
The two first got a fire going. Then the pair woke all of the robbers, women, children and even a few animals that were asleep in the camp. Mo went to his family last. He wanted them to catch at least a few more minutes of precious sleep.
"Wake up, Resa," he said quietly. Resa opened her eyes.
"Good morning," she said with a smile. Then she looked in concern at his exhausted face, and his still bloodstained shirt. "Are you feeling all right?"
"Don't worry about me," Mo just said, shaking his head. Even though he'd love nothing more than a warm shower, a soft bed, a long sleep... But none of those things were possible in the Inkworld - at least, not for him...
"Meggie! Wake up!" His thoughts were interrupted by Resa's voice. It was the voice he hadn't heard for ten years. Now it was back. Mo had always loved her voice... He liked to listen to his wife, rather than watching her hands move through the air.He saw Meggie and Farid, sleepily sitting up. Meggie saw her father, and she stood up quickly. She came and gave Mo a hug. It felt good to have someone hug you, especially when you were the most wanted robber between Ombra and the sea...
"Did you sleep all right?" Meggie murmured.
"Of course," Mo lied. He stroked her nose with his forefinger, and she smiled.
"We must be setting off!" came a voice from behind them. Mo turned around. As he expected, it was Snapper.
"Good morning, Bluejay," he said, rather mockingly. Mo rolled his eyes.
"Is everyone ready?" Mo said instead. "Are the tents and blankets packed?"
"Obviously," Snapper replied. "We're starting to head off. The Prince wants to talk to you, by the way."
"Thanks," Mo answered. Then he turned to his family. Plus Farid. "You three can stay near the other women and children... I must go to the Prince."
"Mo..." Meggie whispered, "please be careful."
He smiled. "I will."
Meggie felt as if her feet were made of lead. She was very tired, even though she didn't remember doing anything more than walking. Farid was beside her; he had his arm around her shoulders. It felt good.
"Farid," she said, "Where's Orpheus?"
"I don't know," he shrugged. "I thought he was with the robbers?" Meggie craned her neck forward, trying to see through all of the other women and children. Then she saw a space in the long, long, line - Orpheus.
"There!" she whispered, pointing. Meggie saw hate in Farid's eyes.
"That bastard!" he growled, clenching his fists. "He said he would write today... but of course, he's just walking along like the rest of us."
"He will, I promise you..." Meggie murmured. "After all, he can't do nothing forever, can he?"
"I hope you're right," Farid sighed, running his brown fingers through her fair hair.
Meggie fell silent. Her thoughts went to Mo, who was leading the strolling players and robbers, along with the Prince. Mo. How scared Meggie had first been when she saw his sword flashing through Basta's body... Why? She had thought. Why did he have to turn into a killer?
Now she was a little more used to seeing her father kill soldiers that were after them - after all, they were trying to kill him. But still... just over a year ago, Mo couldn't even kill a rabbit. Now he was the Bluejay...
Mo was spending much less time with Resa and Meggie. He was often called away to another discussion with the Prince and the other robbers, and he had to help protect all of he Motley Folk and robbers. Other children often looked fearfully at Meggie - the daughter of the Bluejay, legendary robber of the Inkworld...
Resa treated Mo the same as before, but Meggie found it hard to do so. Her gaze was always drawn to the sword at his belt, or the bloodstains on his shirt. She knew one thing - she would never see Mo like before.
A little girl from beside Meggie was crying; another boy was complaining about his sore feet. Meggie soothingly stroked the girl's hair, although she didn't feel much better herself. Farid murmured to her - "We're almost there, Meggie... just a little farther..."
The prisoners and robbers went through another gruelling half-hour on the road. Meggie was already exhausted; so was Resa and Farid, she could tell. Were they even close to the village they were heading to?
That's when there was a shout from up ahead.
"Run! We're under attack!"