Chapter 14: Group Tactics

Sarah sat in the Tavern which was filled with twenty-two of the Fae who called themselves 'The Resistance.' She could see why they hadn't acted before with so little of them being involved. Anastantia had called the group together to go through their plan of action to free themselves from Jareth's reign, and as she listened attentively, Sarah began to feel on edge. Hearing the Fae talking about her killing Jareth in the simplest of terms made Sarah's mind race and she was struggling to concentrate.

"Yes, Sarah?" Bellowed Anastantia bringing Sarah's focus back to the group who were all looking at her in annoyance.

"Sorry, what?" Asked Sarah, confused.

"You need to be listening! You are the most integral part to all of this!" Anastantia began to shout before falling silent. She paced up and down a few times before continuing. "Sorry, it's just that if we are not focused then the plan could go horribly wrong. I don't want any of our lives to be in danger."

Sarah apologised while the crowd began to whisper. Anastantia plaited her long hair down her back as she waited for silence. She wasn't dressed in her usual pretty dresses. Instead she wore all black and to Sarah she looked like the ultimate determined warrior. In fact, most the Fae had lost their usual charm and vibrancy to don depressing, yet army-like colours.

"So," Anastantia commanded the attention of the room. "We will all use whatever powers and weapons we may encompass to distract the Goblins so that Sarah can hopefully get through undetected and make her way to the castle to confront Jareth. Is everyone with me?"

A resounding 'yes' was chanted back. Anastantia glared at Sarah to make sure the answer also came out of her lips. Satisfied upon seeing Sarah's compliance to their plan she smiled to herself knowing that the day she had waited for had finally arrived.

"Our job is to distract the Goblin's enough to allow Sarah through but more importantly it is also to protect her. Without her, we will fail. She is the only one who has immunity to Jareth's power and the only one I believe he would allow near as he has her brother as bait. For the rest of us, confronting him would be certain death."

A huge roar broke out around the room and many of the Fae came and shook Sarah's hand, thanking her and promising that they would save her brother, whatever it took. Sarah was grateful for their support but the last couple of days had gone so quickly that her head wasn't sure what to think. She just wished she could remember how she'd gotten back into the Labyrinth. She needed to know why Jareth had taken Toby now for revenge. Why had he waited eight years?

A small box appeared in view as Anastantia turned. She lifted some small, black masks out from it and began to hand them around to people, one by one.

"We must wear these. We need to keep the identity of the members of the resistance as anonymous as possible in case Jareth is watching. Remember he can do a lot with those crystals. Do not let him fool you."

As everyone slid their masks over their faces, it brought Sarah's memory of the masked ball from eight years ago straight to the front of her mind. She remembered the beauty of the white gown that she had worn; she had felt like a fifteen year old princess. But most importantly she remembered The King and his strong gaze, both from across the ballroom and when they had danced. He had been intense, mesmerizing even and perhaps slightly intimidating, but she hadn't once felt threatened. If anything she had felt threatened by the other Fae. She was struggling to understand how or why the King was now so revengeful but she let her unease disappear as she focused upon rescuing Toby.

Meanwhile, Jareth was struggling to relax as neither himself, Hoggle, Sir Didymus or Ludo had come up with a foolproof way of saving Sarah. He had repeatedly scoured the Fae Village through his crystals but had found no signs of Sarah or anything suspicious; he knew that they must be blocking his magic. Frustrated he began to reason with the group again, arguing that he needed to go to the Village and seek Sarah out in person.

"That's what they want," barked Sir Didymus, fed up of continuously needing to remind Jareth of why going to the Village wasn't a good idea. "They'd be waiting for you. If we have to go then we would all need to go, that they might not expect. Undoubtedly they wish to use her to lure you in. It's a trap."

"If we take them by surprise they could harm Sarah," muttered Jareth. "If we all go, who is to say what they would do to her? If I go alone, I can offer a trade." The King wasn't sure why he seemed to be asking permission to use his plan when at the end of the day he was the King. He could do as he wished but a part of him knew that the group were right.

"Trade you for her?" Exclaimed Hoggle at the same time that Ludo gasped.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Sir Didymus growled so loud that Ambrosious cowered beneath his owner. "Now now Ambrosious," he added petting the poor dog that he sat atop of.

"Well we can't stand here and do nothing," Jareth shot back. "Who knows how long they'll keep Sarah. If they are planning for us to turn up to rescue her, how long will they wait before thinking that it hasn't worked and that they don't need her anymore?"

"I see your point," grumbled Sir Didymus in response. "However, 'nothing' is exactly what I suggest we do. They won't dispose of her anytime soon. They need her. We should wait for them to make first contact."

"Very well," Jareth agreed reluctantly. "But I still want everyone to keep their eyes and ears open for any news of anything going on in the Village. For now, please all depart."

Sir Didymus nodded his head in response and led the way out of the room, followed closely by Hoggle and Ludo.

Taking a seat on his throne, Jareth sighed and closed his eyes. He hated feeling like this. It wasn't like he hadn't argued with the Fae before but this time the game had changed. Never had he truly felt like they were a threat, but now they had something to use against him. He wondered how long he would have to wait before they took any action, but only moments later he began to hear a commotion from somewhere outside the castle. Rushing to the window, he peered out. At the edge of the city he could see what looked like a gathering of goblins, all loading up their cannons and grabbing their weapons though he was too far away to determine what was really happening. Were the Fae attacking the city?