A/N: Sorry I have too many unfinished longer-ish stories here. I may indeed finish one some day, but it really depends where the interest is - mine and my readers. Anyway, enjoy! Also, Labyrinth and its characters are not mine.
"Who are you?" A stern and lofty voice demanded without compunction.
"I am the Owl Rogue, and I seek your assistance," I uttered, hand twitching with nothing to grasp. They had taken my blade and several smaller precious companions.
His long boots clicked and crossed above me on his leaf embroidered dais. Curling the hem of his green robe over his gloved fingers, his eyes drilled down into my forehead, sizing me up, discernment oozing like liquid fire from baited breath.
"I've heard of you," he uttered at length, "It seems you've made a name for yourself."
Knowing now the game of lords and leaders, I bowed my head, keeping silent until he addressed me with a specific question.
"However, it is rather rash to assume that having won some infamy you would be well served to present yourself in my court."
I clenched my jaw and kept my head down. All was not lost, Entrinar must assert his power in a display of dominance befitting his reputation. My task was simply not to let him shake my nerves. If he saw any sign of weakness, I knew I would quickly regret it. My eyes snuck a glance at the armed guards lining each side of his throne room. Palms sweating, I bit my tongue and waited.
"Well, don't just sit there like a mute mule, state your business. What do you hope to gain by barging through my wooded hills and being a nuisance?"
I slowly drew my breath. This would have to come out right or I'd lose serious ground, "There are members of your kingdom who seek employment. I come on their behalf."
My head was still bowed, so I could only hear the gasp and the resettling of finely tailored cloth on the dais at my statement.
"You act on behalf of my subjects, then? Really, now who would have suspected this! Tell me, to what gain? And what sort of employment do these renegades desire that they have to use some dark horse like you to get their business done?!" While he scoffed, the images and voices of my friends returned to me. I thought of Lotti and Scabbard. Dink and Bunyon. It was a silly occupation considering who I was and where I came from, and yet, I took courage with the knowledge there was nothing else I'd rather do. I raised my head, swallowing hard. His eyes caught mine. I noticed the elegant symmetry of his cheekbones, the strong jaw, and piercing eyes.
"How do I know you're not a spy?" He drawled, tone replete with menace.
I had waited too long to respond. He'd already charged me with an accusation. Not yet dispirited, I dared to meet the challenge.
"If you would but meet the subjects on whose behalf I speak, my Lord, you would understand that they pose no threat to your lofty reign."
"Name them." He gritted darkly.
"They are nobodies. Jobless, but talented. Good hearts. Give them a chance," pausing I realized I must name them. Praying he would not retaliate against my friends before hearing me out, I answered, "Lotti the Little, Scabbard the Scrub, Dink the Dormouse, and Bunyon the Yarbriggle." A smile crept up my lips at Scrub's awkward loping gait, Dink's hopeful quivering nose and Bunyon's dirt bedraggled muzzle. The memory of Lotti's sweet eyes flashed for a split second—she had begged me to reconsider the present misadventure. Perhaps she had been the wiser of the two of us.
"Riffraff? That is what you thrust upon me? You must be joking. And to think I am to believe that you do this out of the goodness of your little scrawny human heart!"
I winced. I hadn't thought he'd recognize my race. But then, I lacked the luster of most of the royal fae, and certainly lacked a kingdom, so I should have guessed I made an obvious spectacle. Anyway, Entrinar's displeasure was spreading to the guards. I had to act fast.
Before anyone could stop me, I ripped the leather cord from my throat and threw it down on the ground between us. A large ruby, rough and set in silver shimmered in the torchlight.
"It is a kindness stone."
"I know what it is," he spat. Though the venom in his tone had retreated an inch or two.
"Then you know that my intentions must be pure if I hope to make proper use of its particular powers." I stood, ignoring one sore knee, and approached where the amulet lay. Entrinar seemed to percolate on the edge of his seat.
"How did you get it?"
"I found it."
"I'm afraid I'll have a hard time believing that."
"A dragon lent it to me."
"That sounds even less likely." Entrinar clenched the arm of his chair.
"It's true enough. If you don't believe me, ask the dragon yourself. His name is Hark. You may have heard of him." I pulled out another leather cord from my shirt; on it were strung two scintillating scales.
Entrinar paled, but checked his expression so as not to betray excessive surprise. His twitching jaw intimated the effort it took to keep a straight face. Long strands of brown, escaped from the royal braids, now stuck to the sweat moistening his temples.
A darkly robed figure stepped softly up from behind the dais. Immediately I recognized the face of Cortune, the current favorite among the clan of royal advisors. He eyed me silently and I searched for a hint that Dirk's connection might have worked. Had Cortune been expecting me as we'd hoped? Would he take my side?