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Movies » Labyrinth » The Thief, The King, and The Son
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Author of 4 Stories |
A/N: Thanks to Marumae for reading the chapter over early on and encouraging me to let things flow. Thanks goes to Eamaneshu and JerricaRyan for also helping with this chapter and keeping me in line! People, this chapter is NOTHING like what I thought it would be. Let’s just say that 75 of the plot in this chapter was not even conceived before it was written. It just sort of created itself. I don’t know where it came from, but certainly not me. Strangely, I loved what came about. I hope you do too. Remember to refer to the dictionary/glossary I’ve created for explanation to places and things of the Underground. You can find the address and info on what’s been going on with me in my profile.
The fisherman joined Phaedra on the edge of the deck and nodded to her, “Yep, that’s the llech blodeuyn alright. There are many rafts. The person must be pretty important to have so many in mourning.”
“I wonder if it is someone I knew?” Phaedra said aloud to no one.
Sarah leaned into Jareth, seeing their reactions, “Is he coming? What did they say?”
It took Jareth a moment to respond, having been caught up watching the other two. “They confirmed that the flag on the rafts bear Orin’s mark. There’s also an unusual number of people in the funeral party, indicating the person’s importance.”
Though Fae magic had certainly left him, Jareth still had an inner gut instinct that helped sway his decisions and right now it was pulling him to abandon this path and search for someone else to teach Sarah her magic. There was also no telling if Orin would help them, unless some how he had forgiven past misdeeds, which was unlikely. But desperation kept Jareth stationary. There was no guarantee they would find someone else in enough time.
At first it seemed as if those on the rafts were going to ignore them since not a single person aboard acknowledged them. But just as Phaedra began to frantically wave her hands about to summon the attention of the last few rafts, Jareth called out to her.
“Wait.”
Startled by his shout, Phaedra turned but her injured leg didn’t quite follow and she fell hard on her rump to the deck. Her eyes glared up at him, “What is your problem?”
He moved forward and crouched down to be level with her but did not move to help her get up, “You must take care of Sarah.”
Hearing Jareth speak to the woman again in the language she didn’t understand, Sarah shot her head towards him. “What did you just say to her about me?”
He blinked but did not respond, staying focused on Phaedra. “You said you were part of the Liberation, an Emissary under Orin. Is this true?”
“Yes, before I was taken...”
“Then you were in his confidence. Regardless of what he does with me, Sarah must be taught or the Labyrinth will continue to destroy. I need someone to make sure Sarah is taught properly. Will you help her save my son?”
Phaedra’s eyes widened at the seriousness of what he was asking of her, “Orin’s bound to want to take some kind of revenge now that you’re defenseless and…”
“Will you?” Jareth barked abruptly.
Phaedra sighed and nodded her agreement. She lifted her arm, showing him she needed help to stand. He did so briefly then moved to stand over Sarah.
Sarah looked between the two of them, annoyed that she didn’t know what was going on or why Jareth sounded so earnest. She put a hand on Jareth’s leg and shook him to get his attention. “What just happened? What did you say? Are these people dangerous or something? Are you just now going to tell me that I should be on my guard with this Orin? You said his name.”
Jareth moved to grab the sweater that had been hanging on the railing to dry and did his best to put it back on with some dignity. He folded his arms over his chest and stared out at the oncoming rafts, debating whether or not to tell Sarah the reason Orin was a threat.
Sarah rose and stared at the back of Jareth’s head, willing for him to talk to her. “You might as well tell me now so that I’m ready.”
He breathed in, but didn’t turn to her, “I had to save the life of my companion. Orin knows that and that is all you need to know.”
“Saved a friend? Who? Why?” When he didn’t answer, she moved in front of him, forcing him to look at her, “What does that have to do with anything? I don’t understand.”
“You aren’t meant to.” He moved around her to the railing beside Phaedra and also began signaling for the rafts to draw near.
Finding it futile to try to get any sort of comprehensible answer out of him, Sarah followed Jareth to meet the oncoming rafts. Only when the leading craft was a good distance up stream did the last one begin to veer off toward the shanty boat, and what she saw did not help lift her spirits. In fact, it quite depleted them. She heard the fisherman scuffle quickly and glanced behind her to see him rush into his house and lock the door behind him. She didn’t blame him; theses people did not appear to be a welcoming committee. If those in this raft were just coming back from a funeral, they sure didn’t look like they were in mourning. They looked like they were prepared for a battle. There were seven men and three women, each with a weapon or bow at the ready.
When close enough to be within earshot, Phaedra held up her hands in peace, then threw over her shoulder to Sarah, “They are going to make sure we are safe before allowing us to journey with them. They don’t trust those with magic. Do not resist them. Everything should be fine.”
Sarah involuntarily found herself clutching Jareth’s arm. Everything was so confusing and happening in a whirlwind. No sooner had Phaedra instructed this than the raft was off the bow. The tension in the air was thick as each group waited for the other to speak. Sarah caught Phaedra looking out of the corner of her eye at them and Jareth nodded for her to go ahead and speak to those who approached, but she didn’t get a chance. As soon as she drew in a breath, they were addressed.
“Why did you summon us?” The man who spoke darted his keen azure eyes on all three of them, his arms taut with bow and arrow ready for release.
“Good day, Orin,” Phaedra spoke in her native tongue, “Do you not remember me?”
“I can’t remember one who looks like a drowned rat without receiving a name.” Was his curt reply.
“I am Phaedra.”
“Phaedra of Cagin Manor, Phaedra daughter of Rahn? It’s not an uncommon name. Who are your kin?”
“Do any of you know of Hagen, son of Farren?”
“Hagen? The one who manages the workers at the mine?” One of the women aboard clarified.
At Phaedra’s eager nod, Orin’s eyes showed he pondered how she would know the name of one of his people. “Yes, we know of him.”
The red head was obviously relieved as her shoulders relaxed at hearing this news. “I’m his fiancé. You had once placed me as an emissary to find humans in Moiraech and lead them to the path of freedom. But I was captured.”
“That mission was four years ago, if memory serves me.”
“Phaedra?” Another man moved forward and squinted against the sun to see her better, then his face broadened into a smile. “Damn, girl, it is you! How did you manage to escape Troy?”
Phaedra gave a laugh mixed with a sigh of relief that someone remembered her and that she knew them. “Hey there, Boin. It’s been a while. You grew a beard.”
When Boin started to laugh along with her, Orin cleared his throat to get things back in order. He did not relax his aim. “Yes, how did you escape? Troy is not known for mercy. How can we be sure you aren’t a spy? There is magic within you. I sense it.”
“It happens when a non-magic is forced to bed a Fae or kill one. I can’t change that. But I would slit my own throat before I allow that bastard to use me as a puppet.”
Orin nodded. “So you escaped Troy, how?”
Phaedra swallowed when he still didn’t lower his bow. He may have believed her hatred for Troy, but she had to prove to him that she wouldn’t be a threat to his people. “There is a festival in Sendai celebrating Tsojin’s rule, Troy went and I took advantage of his absence, not without a little mishap with a gumhound, though.” She indicated to the gaping wound on her thigh.
“And you attempted escape now, four years after your capture. Why now? Why so long?”
Anger filled Phaedra at his questions. “I have attempted previous escapes but didn’t find that seeking my own freedom was worth my life. But the freedom of my people made me risk everything for this escape. Troy tends to talk when seeking…pleasurable company. He said there was a meeting of the Threotlne and that they all had been buzzing about how the one who is to change the Underground is to come during the festival, by the next harvest moon. Since that is in twelve days, I wanted to make sure our people were aware of the coming of the Liberator.”
Orin’s eyes registered surprise. “I have not heard of this. Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He then indicated to Jareth and Sarah with the tip of his arrow, blue eyes never wavering. “Who are they?”
“They seek your help, Orin. Their kin have been kidnapped. She has to learn to use magic to…” When Jareth feigned clearing his throat, Phaedra rethought her words. “She’s recently come into magic and needs to learn how to use it to pay the ransom.”
Sarah watched the body language of this man Orin, the one who was to teach her. He didn’t dress differently from those he traveled with and hadn’t any sort of emblem to indicate his leadership or station, though he was obviously from a run of the mill tall dark and handsome variety. The only thing that tipped her off that he wasn’t human were his eyes. Their blueness had a crystal clarity that made the human iris seem murky in comparison. For the brief moment he looked her directly in the eye, she felt him probing her, connecting to something within her that triggered an inner acknowledgement. Something in her wanted him to see that she too was of magic. And it gave her hope that it would work; he would be able to teach her.
“Did they also escape? She’s lovely enough for Troy’s tastes, but I don’t sense magic from him. I suppose he could have been in the kitchens.” A sly smirk momentarily graced his lips before he continued on. “Yet I sense that they are connected. Lovers?”
“They’re married.” Phaedra answered, “And they’re not slaves. I met them on the way here and they told me of their quest.”
“We have twelve days until the ransom must be paid in full or the lives of my son and my wife’s brother are forfeit.” Jareth interjected. “We ask only that she be taught magic. The rest is our concern.”
“Taught? The magic with her is strong…” Orin began.
“And she does not know how to use it.”
Orin squinted slightly in thought, “And what will you give in return should I decide to assist you?”
Jareth showed no outward change, but inside his heart burned; if Orin required immediate compensation, there would be nothing they could say to change his mind. “Payment cannot be obtained until after. Name your price and you will get it.”
“Well, then you won’t mind if I validate your story, will you?” The bow that was in his hand disappeared, a light blue conch shell lay there instead, “There have been convincing spies sent to us in the past; we can’t be sure of anyone.”
“Do it.”
Orin nodded his head and vaguely twitched his lips in something like a grin.
Jareth grabbed hold of Sarah’s hand and whispered, “Hold still. Do not resist.”
As if a feather caught in the wind, the shell rose from Orin’s palm and floated first to Jareth’s ear. Sarah’s eyes rose in curiosity as she could hear whispers coming from inside the shell, although she could not tell what was being said. Jareth’s grip in her hand tightened, almost painfully, but when the shell moved away from him he relaxed. Her heart beating faster, Sarah nearly jumped when she felt the first breath escape the shell as it placed itself over her ear. The shell spoke not with a whisper but with the sound of a thousand rushing voices speaking quickly at once. At first she thought it was because of the intensity of the noise that she was unable to make out what they were saying, but once she focused, she realized they were speaking the other language.
“Great. This is going to be pointless for you if you can’t understand me.” She heard her voice as though she were speaking aloud, but her lips and her vocal chords were not used.
“Is it true you do not know the magic within you?”
“Yes.”
“Did you acquire the magic from another?”
“Yes.”
“The smell of death does not linger with you, so you did not kill. You wear the ring of Coniurimus and it shows you to be faithful. How did you come by this magic if not by birth?”
“I don’t know, not exactly. I think it was from sleeping with my husband.”
“And so he confirms. He was once of magic; you are not, and yet now you have all and he has none.”
“What does this have to do with anything?”
“Indeed. Is all the woman Phaedra said about your quest true?”
“I don’t know what she told you. My son and brother have been taken and I don’t have much time to learn magic and pay the ransom.”
“Which is?”
“To tame the Labyrinth.”
“You to tame…?” The voices paused, making Sarah think it was over, but then, “Where do you come from?”
“Earth.”
“You are not of this world? And yet you obtained magic from your husband, who is. Perplexing.” The voices delayed again, to the relief of Sarah’s ears. But they weren’t finished with her yet. “ Is this your first journey into the Underground?”
“No. I have been here once…no, twice before. About seven years ago, and then once when I was a little girl, but I can’t remember it.”
“Only those who wish away others and win may return to your world. How did you escape the Goblin King twice?”
“My mom wished me away when I was three and she got me back because Jar…the Goblin King didn’t want me to change. And then I wished my bother away but didn’t know the story was real until the king came. I… got my brother back, I guess, because I didn’t stop trying, that or the king… I was too naïve to see that he was offering me something wonderful, too focused on the story. I believed I was right when I had been so utterly wrong. He did what I asked and I destroyed him.”
“So that is how you have the magic and must now control the Labyrinth. You conquered the Goblin King.”
“What does that matter? I have it now, I need to be taught, let’s get on with it.”
“What was his offer?”
“Again, do you really need to know this?” Sarah felt a twisting in her gut, as though someone had reached within her and was pulling her insides out. “Okay! I’ll tell you.” When the pain subsided, Sarah mumbled, “I have what he offered me. Him.”
“The Goblin King gave himself to you?”
Sarah was offended by the suspicion in the tone of the rushing voices. “Yeah. Is it so hard to believe that someone could love me?”
“Love?” There was a pregnant silence before the final words. “We shall see.”
Sarah felt herself opening her eyes and relaxing her death grip on Jareth’s arm. She clutched her hand to her abdomen; it ached like she had done a thousand sit-ups. Seeing her pain, Jareth held fast to her, but within seconds it subsided and she nodded to him that she was okay.
The shell returned to Orin and his eyes changed from confusion to amusement as he listened to its discoveries. When finished, his gaze almost seemed mocking as it landed on Jareth.
Sarah turned her head into his shoulder, guilt tugging at her soul. “I told it everything. He knows who you are. I’m sorry.”
Tightening his embrace, Jareth breathed into her hair. “He already knew.”
“We have an agreement. I have twelve days to decide your payment.” Orin made the shell disappear. “Although I will have to know the details of your plight. Magic cannot be learned in full with so little time. I will have to know what to specifically teach such a beautiful pupil.”
It did not surprise Sarah that Orin spoke in her own language. She had no doubt that he had many abilities or there would have been no reason for Jareth to allow him to teach her.
“There is not much room on this raft. You’ll have to leave most of your belongings.”
“Don’t worry, we already did that.” Phaedra stated, grabbing the only things she had salvaged from Jareth and Sarah’s sacks, a dagger and short sword, and the small pouch in which she kept the Ihum stone. She held them up so Orin could see. “All we have are weapons. Can we bring them aboard?”
Orin grinned. “You are well out numbered if you did try anything. Bring what you feel you must.”
Sarah looked around for Joey’s backpack, not wanting to leave it behind as it had their supplies and because was one of the only things that was a tie to home. She did her best to gather what she could of the weapons they had kept, but as she was filling her hands, she felt someone rub against her leg, mewing softly as if to say ‘don’t leave me.’
She whispered, “Jareth, do we really need all these knives and things? These people look like they have enough weapons to go around, now that they’ve stopped pointing them at us.”
Nodding in agreement, Jareth selected a sheathed dagger and the single rapier sword with the round crystal at the hilt that Sarah remembered she had seen him inspect when she first woke up in the Labyrinth. He handed the dagger to Sarah, then looked to Orin. “We’re ready.”
Sarah tucked the dagger under her arm and bent down to gather Smyrna into her arms. The cat meowed her reluctance. Sarah cradled her and whispered, “I know, I’m not sure of this either.”
Removing herself from Corbin’s sleeping form, she went to the adjacent bathing room.
It had been a few hours since she had left Fen Lear; Yanic should have contacted an Aeslin Sage by now. An Aeslin would be the only way to find where precisely the Goblin Queen was in the Underground and was also the only means of communicating with Sarah.
Gelyna approached the mirror hanging above the wash basin and concentrated on connecting with Yanic. Soon his image appeared with him sitting in the chair while the two boys were laughing on the bed as they played with their new pet. The old man jumped when he heard his mistress call.
“My lady, did you arrive safely?”
“I’m fine. But the boy?”
“He’s regained his color and is quite pleased with your gift.”
Gelyna grinned briefly. “I see that. Did you contact an Aeslin Sage as I ordered?”
Her servant stuttered, “Y-Yes your majesty.”
“Well, what did they find out? Where is she?”
“I…I don’t know, I…they could not tell where she was when she was contacted. She was asleep at the time herself. But she did know what was wrong with the boy. He has had a bad heart since birth. In his home world he took medication to adjust to his condition. She said it is the only thing that can save him.”
“That can’t be right. Only kin can save him. That is what I was told. Have the sage contact her again. There has to be something else. I’ll check back with you when I can.”
She saw him hesitate; rarely did he pause to contemplate her orders, and when he did, it was usually for an intelligent reason. “Tell me, Yanic, what is on your mind.”
“I do not know how contacting her again would draw a different solution from her. When she was informed he was not well, she panicked. She does not have the means with her to help him. If the medication to aid him is in his world, there may be nothing to be done.”
Agitated, Gelyna nodded in comprehension to where her servant was leading her thoughts; they could not return to the boy’s world again for some time, therefore there may be no way for a cure. “Fine then, don’t contact anyone else. Fate knows I can’t risk it. Just keep him well and keep him a secret.”
Gelyna breathed out as the mirror returned to its normal state. No solution, only something worse. She felt helpless from saving the boy from this wretched fate.
As she stared at her reflection, Gelyna noticed the hollowness under her eyes and that her skin looked a shade too pale. She had not slept this entire time nor had anything much for nourishment; it surprised her that she had been so focused on her task that she had neglected herself. She sighed at her condition as she turned to return to the bedchamber.
Something made Gelyna immediately pause as she entered the room; the air was different. She looked around but saw no sign of Corbin. Shadows seemed to flutter through the room, spirits that she was familiar with. She couldn’t see them, not unless catching them out of the corner of her eye, but she could feel them watching her. She had felt these phantoms of the murdered queens for as long as she could remember and knew to the deepest part of her soul that these specters regretted that she was the heir to the Underground. She hated the influence they had over her mother. Her affairs weren’t the only things that these spirits interfered with; they also tended to want to manage the affairs of all the kingdoms. They were conservative and didn’t like the changes going on in the Underground. Most of the time they left Gelyna alone, but as they were the eyes and ears of the Empress, they would not let certain transgressions go unnoticed. How they found out about her activities, Gelyna didn’t know, but she was quite thankful that they didn’t find out about everything--or at least they didn’t act on all they discovered. And until this very moment, she was sure they couldn’t know of the kidnapping.
And there the Empress was now, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at her daughter with condemnation. Gelyna swallowed and forced herself to take a steady breath, reading for the worst.
“Did Corbin run off?”
“I sent him away.” Malora paused, grinning slightly. “I don’t know how you’ve stayed with him this long. Do you love him?”
She stared, confused by the question. “I am fond of him. He comforts my soul…”
“He will never marry you. Besides, you would never be faithful. Why do you torture the boy?”
“I…ah…”
“Never mind.” Malora sighed, “Well, you look in no state to attend the festivities. The heir to the Underground should never appear less than dignified. Did you not call for servants to attend you when you arrived?”
“I was tired. I wanted to rest first.”
“And why should you be tired, dear heart?” There was a laugh in her voice, “You are gravely tardy. What kept you?”
She stuttered as her mind tried to quickly forge an answer, “I..had to have new dresses made for this wonderful occasion. I designed them and supervised their creation...and humans work so slowly…”
“What did you do with the Gudgells?”
“Gudgells?” Gelyna’s heart jumped into her throat; she did not expect her mother to be so direct so soon.
“Don’t be foolish. Corbin told me he gave them to you.”
“I…uh…”
“We needed them and you go and waste them on your petty desires. You made the King of Denobrega embarrass himself before the Council when he was asked for them. He is not just your plaything, he has duties, as do you. Is there no end to your selfishness?” Malora rose from the bed and stalked her daughter, lowering her voice so low, it rumbled, “Tell me what you’ve done. Do not make me force the truth from you. You are my flesh, but such ill use of magic cannot go unpunished. Do not test my hand.”
Fear struck Gelyna’s soul, not from the woman before her being her mother but because this woman with fire in her eyes was the Empress and held powers that no other in the Underground possessed. Among those gifts was mind probing, which for the victim was an extremely painful process. Never would Malora have threatened to exercise full force if she did not intend to use it.
“I did it for you.” Gelyna squeaked out. “For everyone. The Labyrinth has been destroying everything; the crops, small towns, my palace…I was there with the Council when that girl refused to come three days ago. Well, I’ve made sure she’s here now.”
“You brought her…on your own…without the Council? Without informing me?”
Gelyna could just see the confusion and plotting developing her mother’s thoughts. She didn’t know.
“You brought the one person who could bring down our known way of life, who could replace me, to this realm without even consulting…”
“I thought you would be happy she’s here at all. The Labyrinth can be fixed and when it is…”
“Someone had to have forseen her coming. I can’t be destroyed so soon.” Malora gasped in recognition, “They saw the humans will rebel. Could they be connected…?”
Gelyna sighed. Did she not hear a thing she was saying? “She is naïve, mother. She is not yet strong enough to do those things. You can get to her before….”
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know where exactly.”
A cruel laugh escaped Malora’s throat, “You let her roam free? The threat to our civilization is gallivanting the Underground? I did not know I produced such a dim-witted child. I must speak with Tsojin. He should know how to find her.” She took a step to leave but then turned back. “Does anyone else know about this?”
“I didn’t intend anyone to.” Gelyna said pointedly.
At hearing her daughter’s retort, Malora snapped, “This will not go unpunished. You are not to step a foot outside this palace nor shall you use magic of any kind.”
Before she could take her next breath, Gelyna felt something wind around her throat. She traced her fingers up to her neck to feel a silken ribbon with something cold and smooth dangling at the center of her throat; a pendant. Only when she looked to a mirror did she see the putrid haze of an Ihum gem encased in glass set within the necklace. Though the stone was deadly to the touch, it could do no more than prevent the use of magic when covered by the glass. She felt the mood of the spirits surrounding her mother lift in approval to this punishment.
The pendant was well designed but Gelyna knew the stone would not go unnoticed by the rest of Court. Her eyes widened in repulsion and she tried to remove it but it remained in place. “Mother, I can’t wear this! Others will see, they’ll suspect…”
“They’ll assume that you have done something to displease me and are being punished. Be glad they won’t know what you have done or there could be widespread panic. You can survive a little humiliation. You might not survive their rage when they discover you’ve put things into motion that Fate may not have yet deemed time. Fate is not to be meddled with.”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing, mother? Meddling? I’ve heard you were going to have the seers gather to decide how the Labyrinth can be stopped. What’s different in what I’ve done?”
For once, Gelyna saw her mother’s mouth gape open, bereft of an answer. She continued out of the room, just saying, “Tsojin must know. She must be stopped.”
Gelyna felt the spirits rush after Malora and she was glad for it. She couldn’t stand being in their oppressive presence. They appeared to be in just as much shock as the Empress, which was a momentary relief.
Just as he found himself nodding off, he heard the door open and saw the Empress disappear as if into a dark mist. He sighed in relief at seeing her go and pushed himself off the wall to return to bed. He found Gelyna sitting on the edge of the bed, staring into space. She was often in a fowl mood after receiving visits from her mother, so he approached her lightly.
“That bad, was it?”
She looked up at him and it was if he was looking at someone he didn’t know. Never had he seen tears in her eyes, or regret.
“What’s happened?”
“Corbin, I’ve done something. I may have ruined everything.” She lowered her head to her hands and began weeping.
It didn’t occur to Corbin, at first, that he should go to her and comfort her. The Gelyna he knew would never care about right or wrong. The Gelyna he knew would laugh it off and place blame on something obscure. But this Gelyna cried.
He lowered himself beside her. “What have you done?”
“I.” The moment she started to speak of her acts, the ribbon around her neck tightened. “I can’t tell you. I’m forbidden.”
“It must be bad if you cannot speak of it…and if it’s made you cry.”
Gelyna cried even more and curled herself around him. “I wish I could change what I’ve done.”
“You invoke a wish. Then it must truly be horrid,” Corbin teased, not believing that the princess could possibly do something so bad as to make her cry.
“I think wishing will be the only way to save two lives. My mother doesn’t know of the one, so I can speak of him with you.” Gelyna sniffled as she straightened herself, “I don’t know how to go about telling you. Where to start I mean.”
Corbin sighed, “Just get it out in the open.”
“Okay. Here goes. I took a boy, I can’t tell you from who or why, but I’ve given him a room in your castle and have my manservant watching over him.” When she noticed Corbin’s eyes rise, she went on hurriedly, “He’s been given every comfort; I even brought his…a friend with him. But the little one is sick. He has a bad heart.”
“Is this him?” Corbin conjured a crystal with the vision Cestral had forseen.
Gelyna stared dumbfounded into the crystal. “How did you know of him?”
“The Troll Queen has been plagued with visions of this boy dieing in my kingdom.”
“Her too?”
Corbin looked at her carefully. “Who else has seen this boy will die? My seer?”
Gelyna couldn’t look him in the eye, but she nodded.
“Holt told me that Fastred had come to him warning of a boys death; now the entire castle is searching for him.”
Taking a deep breath, Gelyna took the information in. So Fastred had betrayed her by telling Holt.
Corbin gently grasped her shoulders. “Where is he? If his life can be saved…”
Gelyna pulled herself from him and stood, visibly shaking. “The boy is fine now. I saw him through a crystal myself not five minutes ago. I’m sure he won’t die.”
“Unless he is given proper attention, he will parish. This Fate has shown us.” Corbin interrupted.
“We can’t help him. He’s from Earth. He needs medication from there to make him right. But we can’t get back there soon enough, that’s the problem.”
“Has he seen a healer?”
“No...I..I didn’t...” She couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it. Could the fix be as simple as getting the child to a healer? Rashly, Gelyna grabbed Corbin’s arm. “Form a crystal for me. I need to speak with Yanic.” When he hesitated, she shook him, grabbing the pendant around her neck to emphasize her problem, “I can’t do it. I don’t want the child to die.”
Corbin sighed but did as she asked, concentrating on who she knew to be her manservant, then giving her the crystal.
The old man’s image appeared within the crystal looking most startled when he heard his mistress’s voice. “Yanic, have a healer look at the boy to see if his heart can be mended.”
“I’ve already had the Royal physician see him, my lady. They said he did not have an illness they could detect; they could do nothing for it was the way he was born.”
“Well find somebody who can!”
Corbin put a hand over the crystal, making her lower her hand, stopping the connection. “Gelyna, you know there is no one stronger.”
“Unless you…you.” Gelyna’s eyes went wide and she nearly jumped on him. “You! You have to go, you have to heal him.”
“Gelyna, what could I possibly do that my physician can’t? Besides, it would be rude to leave the festivities.”
“But you have to go to him. You have to.” She pleaded.
Her persistence for a human child baffled him. “Why?”
“He’s.” The ribbon of the necklace tightened again. A tear slipped down Gelyna’s cheek. Why couldn’t she tell him that he was the boys kin? “Doesn’t he look familiar to you?”
“Frokna and I have tried to place him. He looks familiar, but if he’s from Earth than he can’t be, can he.”
“Please, just go to him. See what you can do.”
Corbin was sure he had never heard that word fall from her lips. Her behavior truly surprised him. “Troy is wanting to do a hunt in my kingdom day after tomorrow. I’ve been invited along, but I suppose that would be a good of time as any to slip back to Fen Lear.”
Gelyna hugged him. “Thank you. Oh, my love, thank you.”
Shivers went down his spine when she called him that, and at hearing the genuine gratitude in her voice. He knew leaving her was the right thing to do, but she was making it very hard to keep that in mind.
He felt the pendant rough against his neck as she released him and brought his hand to the chord about her throat. “Ihum. Why do you have to wear the stone?”
“My punishment. I can’t do magic until who knows when. And I can’t leave the palace.”
“That seems a harsh punishment for taking a human.” Corbin chided.
“Like I said, my mother doesn’t know about the boy. I’ve done something else that could threaten the entire realm.”
“Well, since you can’t tell me of this thing you’ve done to receive such restrictions, I’m sure to find out what it is in time.” Corbin made to lay down on the bed and return to the sleep he had been interrupted from.
Gelyna lowered her eyes to him. “Mother doesn’t want anyone to suspect anything. I’ve already been absent too long. I might as well make an appearance.” She blushed, “Could you summon some servants to assist me? I can’t.”
He smiled softly up at her. “What can servants do that I can’t?”
“Do hair, put on rouge, polish my nails…”
“You know you are beautiful without those things.”
“They make me look better. Besides, I have to find some way to distract the others from this damn necklace. The ribbon is orange. Who wears orange this time of year? I’ll be a laughing stock.”
“Did you not say that you had no one to impress when you arrived?”
“Yes, but I’m in enough trouble as it is with my mother. If I didn’t look as people expect…no one is to know of why I was late. Not a hint.”
Corbin nodded and lifted his arm up to her, holding out a crystal. “I’ll send this to find someone for you then, and also find out where your rooms are to be.”
“Thank you.”
She watched as he released the crystal into the air and it float away. She lay back down with him; a servant would come to the door when her things were ready.
Though tired, Corbin’s thoughts keep him awake a while longer. Gelyna was just full of surprises. The Please and Thank You along with the genuineness incorporated into her demeanor made Corbin take a glance at her. She was facing him but her eyes were staring at nothing, lost in her thoughts. Only then did he read in her eyes that she was afraid.
What ever this thing might be that she had done other than removing a child from Earth, she was afraid of its outcome. She had mentioned two lives being in danger, the boy being one, and he doubted the other she spoke of was herself. Who it could possibly be was beyond him. Never had Gelyna gotten involved with anything political outside of when she was her mother’s proxy in Council, and even then her decisions were not her own, so he doubted that what she had done had anything to do with someone of State. From his private audience with the Empress, he knew there was resentment in Malora’s heart for not being very nurturing or motherly to her daughter, so for her part, punishing Gelyna in private was a generous as she could allow. But, whatever the crime might be, he could not concern himself with what he didn’t know. At least now that the child of the vision’s whereabouts was known, perhaps Fate could be turned for the better.
Yanic heard a deep thrumming over the playful laughter coming from the young boys as they played with their new gift. At first he thought that it was his heart beat sounding in his old ears, but then his eyes fell upon the stone that the others of his mistress’s slaves used to let him know when his meals were ready or the very youngest used when she had something he requested. It wasn’t quiet yet time for dinner; he wondered why his fellow servant was calling him. He looked at the children a moment; all other times he had left them, they had been asleep. Now that they were frolicking quite energetically, he wasn’t so sure about leaving them alone. Yes, the room had enchantments to keep them in, but it did not keep them from harming themselves while within. A cut, a break…well, those weren’t life threatening injuries. He supposed he could spare a few moments.
Reaching the door to the room, Yanic placed a hand to the frame, sensing if there was anyone present in the hallway outside. Satisfied it was unoccupied, he turned the handle and went out. He headed to the designated meeting spot and was surprised to find all three of his mistress’s female slaves waiting for him. The older of the two knew to meet him here to give him his meals, but the youngest was the only one who had been assisting him with obtaining supplies for the boys and the only one to know to summon him through the stone. Why they would be all together at once he could not fathom.
“Ladies.” He nodded his head once to them all, then let his eyes land on the youngest, who immediately averted her eyes.
The eldest of the woman held out a crystal for him to take. “Here. You’re to have this.”
Looking inside, he was confused as to why an image of the young prince was within. “Who gave you this?”
“The seer of this castle. He said others know the boy is here. They’re looking for him so he doesn’t die.” The middle slave answered.
“He said he’d take the boy and care for him. You won’t get in trouble if he has him.” The youngest piped in.
They waited for him to answer, but he didn’t know what to say. He had been in Gelyna’s service for as long as he could remember and always done as she commanded, no matter how he felt about the task. But in this instance, with the child’s life being in danger, and his mistress being so very out of sorts with her ill organized plan, it was prudent that her orders not be followed this time. Even if it cost him his blood. He had lived long enough to know the order of the world; he was a servant, the child was a prince. The boy’s life was of more value than his own.
Without a word the old slave turned and walked down the hallway, not turning to see if the women followed as his eyes still looked at the image within the crystal. But they did, of course, whispering amongst themselves on where he was taking them and why he hadn’t said anything. When he reached the door, which was not too far from the King’s chambers, he bid them to open it. The eldest touched her fingers to the handle but jumped back as if burned.
“Our mistress has placed enchantments around this room so that no one goes in or out save her and myself. I cannot break this spell, therefore the boys will remain within until her return or until the master of this castle overrides her spell.”
“We’ll just tell King Corbin then.” The middle chimed.
“We can’t. He’s at the same party Mistress is at.” The eldest stated.
The youngest frowned. “Either way, we have to tell the seer we know where the boy is. We promised.”
“You do not have to tell me anything, so as to not cause you penance with your Mistress.” Fastred said while emerging from around a corner not too far behind them. He stood a moment, looking at the door before stating. “How strange that the room the Princess has chosen is right under the king’s nose. She’s cunning, I give her that.”
Yanic nodded his head in respect to the seer. “You heard all that we said?”
“I know quiet a bit more than your Mistress would like. She will be in much trouble should the prince of Denobrega die.” At seeing the old man’s eyes widen, Fastred continued, “Yes, I know who the child is. But you, I and Gelyna are the only ones who presently do. Whether or not any others will find out is not up to me. I am not bold enough to disgrace your mistress. But my King is the one who ordered for this child to be found, and I must be obedient.”
“So you are the one who told my Mistress the child would die.” Yanic stated.
“Sadly, it was I. But now that others have seen it, I can only hope that the path of Fate will be changed in enough time to save the boy. Right now, however, I don’t sense that anything has been altered. He is still in danger.” Fastred sighed, “I will go to the Captain and see if he can inform our king that the boy has been found. This celebration in Sendai is not something he can easily remove himself from.”
“What should I do in the meantime?” Yanic asked.
“Continue as you were. It is best for your mistress to continue to assume no one knows of her deed. Pray that Fate is in the boys favor.”
The seer took his leave, leaving three bewildered slaves and one slave disheartened.
“Yanic?” The middle servant tugged on his sleeve to get his attention, “Please, tell us what is going on.”
He shook his head, “You heard the man. We are to keep doing as we were. He has made it so that we are still loyal to our Mistress. He came upon the boy himself and therefore what happens from now on is not our affair.”
“Of course it is. We know the child is here.” The eldest said. “We can at least make him as safe as we can.”
“That we can.” Yanic agreed. “But as I can enter the room and you cannot, there is little for you three to do. I’ll let you know when there is something I need help with.”
The three women left to return to their quarters. He had lied to them about the boys not being able to leave the room but he thought it best that they did not know. Should they coax him into letting the boys leave the room, they would truly be going against their Mistresses orders. The seer had made it so that none of them would be disobeying her, giving her no cause to punish them. Though Yanic wished his fellow servants could help him, now that they knew of the kidnapping. He was old and not used to caring for children, having none of his own. But he had survived the past three days, he supposed he was managing well enough.
Reentering the room, he found Toby to be on the bed with the furzaes, trying to teach it to speak. The boy must have found that the creature can mimic sounds. What surprised the old slave was that the young prince was sitting on the floor, playing with the black reing crystal his mistress had tried to get the boy to play with earlier. Now left alone with them to explore at his own leisure, Brendon’s eyes showed his fascination for the ball. The crystal was used to help young ones focus their magic. Occasionally the surface of the crystal would ripple, proving that the boy was sometimes connecting to it.
“Would you like me to show you how it works?”
Brendon looked up at the old man and at first didn’t say anything. He rolled the crystal between his palms a moment before nodding. “Okay.”
Yanic approached the boy and began to bend to sit on the floor with him but his ancient muscles refused to cooperate. He went to his customary chair and motioned for the boy to come to him. Brendon got up and stood beside the old slave, handing him the crystal.
“This is a reing crystal. It will show you when you’ve found your magic.”
“I don’t have magic.” Brendon stated, matter-of-fact.
“No, child, you do or you could not hold it. If you did not, it would sting and give you a terrible burn.”
Brendon’s eyes widened at this news. “I didn’t know I was magic. I thought magic wasn’t real.”
“It is very much real. It is in your blood. I have a little magic myself.” Yanic laid out his hand flat and placed the ball atop it, directing his energy to the center of the orb. It responded by lifting a few inches above his palm and going from a solid black to that of an ever changing whirlwind of colors.
“You’re doing that?” Brendon asked, taking a step closer so that his eyes could be right up against the sphere.
“Yes.”
“And I can do that too?”
“Once you learn how, you’ll be able to do much more fascinating things. Things that not even I can do.”
“But your old. Can’t you do everything?”
Yanic would have laughed but he was tired so it came out as a sigh, “I am not of Fae blood. But you are through your father.”
Brendon grabbed the ball from the air and stared at it, a frown clouding his face seeing the color turn back to black. “Jareth…my dad can do this too?”
“Most certainly.”
The boy held out his hand with the crystal and squinted, trying to make something happen, but the crystal remained black., “Will he teach me how to make it work?”
“I’m sure he will once he’s found you.” Yanic answered quietly. “But in the mean time, I’ll show you what I can.”
“Can you show me how to work this?”
“I can try. But it might take a while. You’ll have to do everything I say. Can you do that?”
Brendon nodded eagerly.
She felt numb about it all. Not being privy to seeing her own fate, she didn’t know what to think. She’d always tried to be rational about things, knowing when to ward people from following a dangerous path or when to be bold and take a leap of faith. But being told what to do with no way out; it wasn’t fair. Never in her life had there been a need to induce her visions; she was plagued with them quiet regularly. Because of this, she was known as the one of the greatest of seers, but there were others more experienced then her, or more significant. She knew that had she not married a king she would have been forgotten like many of her other brothers and sisters, no matter how many visions she might have. So what made a new mother such as herself so privileged to have to do something that might separate her from her child? Damn that she had been raised to follow her duties over all else or she might have allowed herself to put her foot down.
“Daughter?”
Cestral looked to her father in embarrassment, unsure of how long she had allowed her thoughts to wonder. “Yes, father. I’m sorry, I was thinking.”
“I am aware that this task is a large request, that you are uneasy due to your new borne babe, but the stability of the kingdoms is vastly more important.”
“I know that father. I just would like to know…why me? Did someone else see something? Did a vision indicate that I would see the answer to solve our problems?”
“Would the task be easier to accept if they had?”
Cestral looked away but nodded. It would be easier to know that she was destined to do this, but her father gave her the answer she needed to know. No one had seen that she would or even should do it. “Then why was I chosen? Why not Lumus? He taught me as a child in these very walls and sees so much more than I can.”
“Yet his visions are not as numerous. Your husband told me that you had an episode just last night with no less than twelve possible outcomes. That seems to be a larger number of visions than you normally have, isn’t it?”
“I can’t help what I see. I can’t make more or less of the visions come. But I have never made them happen.”
He raised a brow at her annoyed tone, “Yet one of them is always the true final result, is it not?”
“That may be, but how are we to determine which is the right path of Fate until the event occurs?”
“We can look at the possible outcomes and help Fate along.”
Cestral looked at him in shock, “Father, that is not right. To manipulate Fate…we have always been taught of the dangers of willfully changing the future. Who has the right to decide which is the correct outcome?”
Tsojin nodded, “Which is why the council will be made aware of all the possibilities and decide together. Arrangements have been made to ensure that all shall only receive benefits from whatever path is chosen.”
“But you can’t guarantee it. No one can.”
Cestral and Tsojin rose at hearing the voice of the Empress behind them.
“You want to know why you were chosen? You are the only one not to report seeing the end of the Labyrinth’s destruction. I want to know why.” Malora leisurely walked to them, then rested her hands on the back of an empty chair. “Cestral, you have been a queen of the Underground for six hundred years and have been to Council with your husband on countless occasions. Has there ever been a time you can remember that you did not already know what at least one of the subjects of discussion would be about?”
Cestral shook her head, “No, your majesty.”
“Then it makes me wonder why you, of all the seers, haven’t had one vision about the Labyrinth. Doubt begins to creep into my mind about your honesty.”
“But I haven’t seen anything, my lady.”
Malora picked up the bag of dried maculatum leaves and tossed it on Cestral’s lap. “Then tomorrow, I expect that you will.”
“Your majesty, please.” Cestral gasped, realizing she had just refused to accepted an order from the highest being in the Underground. She forced herself to remain silent.
Malora narrowed her eyes, “Did you have something more to say?”
Taking a hiccupping breath, Cestral nodded. She knew she had to present her case in a manner that would not challenge the Empress’s order. “I have never taken maculatum before. I know it can kill or injure if not taken with caution. How should I do it?”
Malora softened her harsh expression. She had no idea that the visions, so frequent in their numbers and accuracy, had come naturally to the elf. She looked at the fear in Cestral’s eyes, not a fear for herself, but fear for the future well being of her only child. Did she have the right to force this position on someone who was just beginning to bond with her baby? There had been other seers with the vision; was time so short that they couldn’t wait to see where Fate naturally led them? No, there wasn’t time for such allowances. The sooner she knew how the humans would strike the more aptly she would be ready to stop them. And Malora felt that the heart of the matter would be to locate this human Sarah and destroy her before she could stoke the flame of the rebellion. No, the Troll Queen was the key to revealing the accurate future.
“I suggest you take the smallest dose possible and increase it until you observe some effect.”
“Should it not be the desired outcome, what then?” Tsojin asked.
“It is then we shall have to think of another solution.” Malora flicked her wrist in Cestral’s direction. “Now, child, I need to speak with your father in private. Go enjoy the festivities. Rest your mind and forget about what shall come tomorrow.”
Cestral was obedient and bowed politely to the Empress then her father, but she left with a knot ripping in her heart. She knew it had been foolhardy for her to hope that there was a chance she would not have to invoke a vision, but that her father only saw her as a vessel was a blow. Even the Empress treated her as lowly. She tried to keep the tears back so they would not see them as she left the room.
Malora took Cestral’s seat and made well sure that the Troll Queen was gone before addressing Tsojin. “The daughter has not had visions of near future events, but I wonder if her father has?”
Tsojin gave a single nod, as if in contemplation. “What event could peek your curiosity?”
“Many have seen the human rebellion will commence near the Harvest, but have you seen who is to lead this uprising?”
“Not I. That it will happen is certain, but who leads has not come to me. Has someone else seen it? Is this why you ask me?”
“No. That’s my concern. The Harvest being so soon, I want everyone on their guard. I think it good all the royal households are in this palace. We can combine our efforts if the time comes. It is unfortunate that this interferes with your celebration.”
“True, but I intend to continue enjoying myself. The human’s haven’t peeked their heads just yet, and until they do, the festivities will continue.”
“Of course.” Malora respected his decision. “Why worry everyone when nothing has happened yet. The seers will meet tomorrow, and hopefully that will be the only interruption to your party.” She cocked her head at him. “Will you be joining those gathering tomorrow?”
Tsojin gave a single nod. “It would not be fair for my daughter to be asked to do something so important if one with the same abilities is excluded.”
“I want to know everything they see. Every detail, especially if there is a young woman.” She stood, lowering her head slightly in thanks. “You should return so no one suspects anything is amiss. I will not be joining the festivities this evening. I do hope you don’t mind.”
“It is your discretion. Perhaps I’ll celebrate enough for the both of us.”
The Empress smiled faintly. “You should. You’ve ruled longer than even I. That is something to be proud of.”
Tsojin rose from his chair, taking her hand in his. “Malora, you and have been companions far too long; something is troubling you.”
Malora sighed, nodding. “This is my problem, at the moment. I hope to stop it before it’s even begun. As always, I will come to you if needed.”
Out of respect, he kissed her hand before she took her leave.
“Come on brother, we must keep going. We don’t have much time before the sun sets.”
Ludo blinked and looked to see Didymus ahead of him, riding Ambrosias a bit quicker. Realizing his brother wanted to go fast, Ludo took three quick strides to catch up with Didymus and took his large hands and picked up the dog and rider. He separated the two and placed Didymus upon his back and tucked Ambrosias under one arm.
“What are you doing? Put us down at once!”
“Ludo go fast.”
And no sooner had he said this than he was off and moving at great speed across the sand. His legs were not shaped for upright walking; he had been only been taught to do so during his life in the Labyrinth to fit more with the other creatures that resided within. Instead, his kind was built to live among treetops and cliffs, moving quite easily among branches with great upper body strength. He used such strength now to journey more swiftly over the desert, even with one arm carrying Ambrocias.
“Good thinking, my brother! We should find our lady in no time.” Didymus shouted as he clung onto the beast’s horns.
However, when they reached the marsh where the waters were dead to magic, following Sarah’s trail was impossible.
Always the optimist, Sir Didymus did not let that fact bring his spirits down. “We will rest here for the night and then continue our quest refreshed.”
Ludo groaned his agreement half-heartedly due to the fact that although his brother was warm, comfortable and dry upon his shoulder, he was partially submerged in the dank waters of this swamp. And there were unknown smells and sounds surrounding him; he wouldn’t get a wink of sleep if he tried. But he loved Sarah and wanted to help her and would do his best to keep going.
At her son’s outburst, Irene looked up from the pan of goulash she was stirring on the stove. He had been reading that book all day, even though he said he’d come to the end of what was written a few times. But every hour or so new pages would appear; the old pages remained and yet the book never got any thicker.
“What’s that Joey?” Robert asked, having glued himself to his nephews side ever since he’d announced he could see what Sarah was doing.
The boy removed himself from the kitchen table and flopped the book down on the counter beside his mother, who was cooking. “Didymus can’t smell Sarah’s magic any more. Something about the dead water in that dingy swamp she went through. They are going to keep going, but I don’t think they’ll have much luck. Sarah and Jareth are on a boat going up some river now. They found the guy who’s supposed to teach her.”
Irene gave a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
“I’m not sure, mom. This guy seems to really hate Jareth. The book says so.”
“That doesn’t mean he won’t teach Sarah. I’m sure this guy realizes how important saving the boys is. It’s only for a few days anyways.” Robert added.
“There’s something funny though.” Joey said, slamming the book shut. “It hasn’t gotten dark yet where they are. They’ve been gone from here for nearly three days but they’re only on their second.”
“Well, it’s a magical world Joey. It’s bound to have differences.” Irene switched the heat of the stove off. “Could you let your father and Linda know food is ready.”
“Sure.” Joey took up the book and flipped through its pages again as he left the room.
With her son gone, Irene looked at her brother as he sat at the table. He seemed to have been in much better spirits once Joey started reading the book and telling them what he saw. But she could tell there was something going on inside his head as he frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.
He sighed, “Iri, why do you suppose that doesn’t show what’s happening to Toby and Brendon? It’s shown that talking dog even, but nothing of the boys.”
“I wish I knew. But at least we get to know about Sarah. That’s more than most people get when things like this happen.”
Averting her eyes, Sarah focused her attention on the other rafts and those on them. From where she was sitting she could just catch glimpses of them through the cracks in the railing whenever they passed into her line of sight. These people were definitely mourning; most were in dark clothing and all had downcast glances. She then noticed the beasts pulling the rafts along through the water. With the water being quiet clear, she could tell that they were mammals of some sort, not smooth like a dolphin for its skin was gangrene, but not scaled like a reptile either. The tail was flat and ovular and its snout was that of a tapir. Their bodies moved against the current easily, showing them to be quiet powerful creatures. Unlike most beasts of burden Sarah had seen, these didn’t need to be coaxed to move on but were happily enjoying their journey. She couldn’t blame them for being happy in such cool and clean waters.
The landscape was beautiful as mountainous cliffs began to rise on the left side of the river while to the right the marsh turned into a lush green plain. The sun still shown just as brightly as it had since they had left the desert, but it did not seem as intense with the development of clouds and so much moisture around.
“Do you know where it is they are taking us?” Sarah whispered.
“Somewhere in the Rhyte Mountains, I wager. I’m not familiar with this settlement, so I’m not certain.”
Since he hadn’t whispered his response, Sarah saved her throat the trouble and spoke normally. “How long will it take us to get there, get this started?”
“Not more than half an hour.”
“Really? How can you tell if you don’t know where we’re going?”
“These people did not bring the supplies needed for a long journey, so I can only presume.” Jareth his hand from Sarah’s shoulder and pointed to the distance. “The sun will be going behind the mountains within the hour and they would not want to be out when it happens.”
“What, more creepy crawly things that go bump in the night?”
“That could swallow the rafts whole.”
“Oh.” Sarah cringed at the thought that something so huge could exist.
A few minutes later those on the other rafts could be heard talking a bit more amongst themselves and moving about. As soon as Sarah noticed this, she heard Orin bark an order for them to get ready to disembark. Silently Jareth helped her rise, the feline still wrapped in her arms.
The first thing that Sarah noticed was not the people gathered on the docks along the bottom of the mountain or the houses that seems impossibly held against the cliffs; what she noticed were the dozens of crystal topped staffs scattered in the water. The rafts floated through them; there were so many that Sarah wondered how the rafts could steer through without knocking into them. Each crystal was held at eye height, and as they passed close to one, Sarah could see an image of someone inside. She would have asked Jareth what these baubles meant, but they had reached the dock and everyone was leaving the raft.
They joined the multitudes of people lining the docks. The whole settlement must have arrived. Since Orin was their leader, the people made way for him to pass to the platform. Those that had been on the raft with him followed closely behind, and since Jareth and Sarah where in the mix, they had little choice but to follow. In all the commotion, Smyrna mewed and wriggled her self out of Sarah’s arms, try as much as Sarah might to stop her. But Sarah had no time to try to find the cat amongst the multitude crowding the dock as she was pushed along to follow Orin.
Orin stopped at a platform where the apparent family of the deceased was waiting. A middle age couple together held a crystal sphere in their hands and when Orin approached them, they handed it to him. He raised it to the air for all to see and spoke.
“Those are the parents of the girl that died. They say her name was Ismene.”
Sarah hadn’t realized that Phaedra was right behind her until she spoke. She whispered back, “So what killed her?”
“I haven’t heard. She seems to have been well liked for this many people to be here, but I didn’t know her.”
When Orin was finished giving his speech, the crystal was handed on to a very old woman. Another person handed her an extremely long metal staff. Though her body was frail, her eyes were keen and bright. The staff gave a solid thud every time it connected with the wooden dock as this elder made her way to the edge. The small boat was decorated with carvings of flowers and there were lavender ribbons on the ends of the oars. The shells in her skirt clinked as the elder was assisted into the boat by the young man. The young man then took the oars and rowed a few yards out.
An anchor was thrown to still the boat. The woman said a few words while placing the end of the metal staff she held to the crystal. There was a small spark of light to show that the items had fused at her words. Then with the help of the young man, she thrust the poll into the water to stick in the sediment below.
At precisely that moment the other crystals dotted across the water began to glow and above them images of the people they commemorated appeared. The one newly joined was of a young woman not much younger than Sarah in appearance. She too had flowing raven hair and piercing green eyes. It made Sarah wonder how someone so beautiful could have died so young.
“It’s over.” Phaedra announced.
During the ceremony, no one had taken notice of the new comers who traveled with Orin, but now that every one was free to go about their business, the disheveled appearance of Sarah and Phaedra’s tattered clothes and injuries were beginning to turn heads. Jareth wasn’t as bad off as the sweater he wore had not been damaged in their journey.
Orin approached them. “Come with me. I’ll show you where you can stay.”
When he noticed Phaedra moved to go with them, he paused. “I’m sure your fiancé would be happy to know of your arrival.”
She looked startled. “Of course.”
Sarah saw the disappointment in the woman’s eyes at not being allowed to go with them. She felt sorry for her. Phaedra had, after all, spent the last ten hours with them and had brought them to this place. “Phae, I mean Phaedra. Thanks for your help.”
Phaedra gave a small smile and nodded her head, then looked to the buildings before her as though she didn’t know where to go next. But she moved on and was soon lost in the crowd.
Jareth took Sarah’s hand and led her to follow Orin. With her arms free of the fickle cat, Sarah grasped Jareth’s arm fully; her anchor as they ventured into this foreign community.
