Chapter 25.

Cairbre turned to glare at Morea. "Where would Timmus get Arrows of Diana?"

The Dryad had the decency to look astonished. Cairbre suspected that she was shocked. "You knew nothing of this?"

"I swear I did not." She looked at him, then at Solea. "I would never sanction such a thing."

Solea felt no pity for the other woman. "You stupid creature, what have you unloosed this time?"

Morea sat down and fretted. "This is not the way it was planned."

The Keeper of the Pool, covered by his hood felt little for the Dryad. "Bard, keep watch."

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Sarah and Anne were both overjoyed at the clear cut win. "I've never seen anything like it!" Cried Sarah. "I didn't know Giles was that good!"

"I did." Anne confessed. "I saw him do a demo at a SCA event last summer."

Sarah looked at the state dining hall, all that she'd requested had been done. She motioned Mycroft over. "The banners tonight are Labyrinthia." She beamed.

Mycroft nodded and smiles. "I am sure the King is pleased."

Goblins began to hang banners and danced around the room merrily proclaiming the victory.

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Giles looked closer at the arrow, "So this is a Arrow of Diana?"

"Don't touch it, Giles." Warned Quinn. "You are human and it can harm you."

Giles raised a brow, "Thanks for the warning, my Lord."

Jareth frowned, "It's one thing for you and I to bicker. But when others start sticking their nose in it…"

Quinn nodded. "This all has to have a common thread, not just the change at making fools of you and I." He began to tap his chin at the same instant his brother did. "Someone wants me to win, and badly. Badly enough to tamper with the tower."

"That in it's self is a mystery." Jareth tapped his chin. "No one knows about the tower."

Quinn shook his head. "Someone knew enough to get in and out without detection. And tamper with our book."

Giles stood up. "What would anyone want with a spell book written by children?"

"I told Giles and Ryan some of the background on the tower." Jareth said.

Quinn looked at the Archer. "Who ever it was must have known Jareth would allow Sarah the use of the tower. The attack was aimed at her, and no one else."

"Why attack Sarah?" Giles asked.

Quinn and Jareth both stopped tapping. "The attack was aimed at Sarah." They said in unison.

Giles shuddered. "Don't do that…it's too creepy…like stereo Fae."

They looked at the Archer, mirrors of each other.

Quinn placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "You and I know every secret here. Who else has had access to the tower?"

Jareth closed his eyes. "Robin."

"Perhaps we should make sure that canary is still within his cage." Quinn suggested.

Giles groaned. "Not Robin…not again."

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Cairbre looked to the Keeper, he shook his head, and the Bard went back to his notes.

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Mycroft looked at the banners; it was not hard to feel pride in a good win. He looked to Lusha and nodded. She too was looking at the banners.

"It was a good win…Fair." He said.

"And acknowledged." Lusha answered.

Mycroft touched the chair the King would sit in shortly. "They are both showing…"

"What is written is written." Lusha whispered in a wise voice. "We must see it out."

"The cost, woman, the cost." There was regret in the voice.

"Come, they draw near. We must not be seen." She moved into the shadows followed by the butler.

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Everyone had changed for the evening meal, and taken their places. Timmus still was glowering down at his end of the table. In addition, the Mystic looked, disquieted. Jareth toasted both Archers and his brother.

Quinn leaned toward Sarah. "Did you enjoy the display?"

Sarah shivered as his breath touched her ear. It was so like Jareth's. "Yes, I did." She said without looking at him.

"Good." Quinn crooned.

Jareth looked over at his brother and frowned. He placed a hand over Sarah's to draw her attention back his way. "You have done a wonderful job with the arrangements my dear." He praised as his fingers intertwined with hers.

Sarah wondered to herself how long this side would be shown. Was it just being displayed to ward off his brother, could it be he was pleased with her efforts on behalf of the kingdom. "I'm glad you…approve, Sire."

Quinn observed the King's movements and mused. 'Two can play this game, brother.' He leaned toward her again. "I too, wish to offer you my thanks on your efforts to make the Tourney…memorable."

Sarah shivered again, "So glad you are…having a good time." She turned to look at the Fae Lord. Quietly she said under her breath, "Back off."

Quinn's eyes flashed, "Make me." He teased.

"I'm warring you, Lord Quinn. You are barking up the wrong tree." Her voice shook.

"We shall see about that, shan't we." He turned back to his diner.

Goblins came running into the middle of the horseshoe tables, tumbling, juggling, and they delighted everyone making merry, even Quinn. The evening seemed to be going along quite well.

The Mystic of Tarsi rose to his feet. "Tomorrow will be a long day for me, I beg you to excuse me."

Both Quinn and Jareth excused the old man; he snapped his fingers expecting his daughter to hop to. Quinn glared at the man. Celestia, having lived her life for many years, stood gracefully and bid all a good night. One by one the Tarsi representatives made their exit. Quinn rose to his feet.

"Again, brother, I thank you for this evening." He clicked his heels, then swiftly grabbed up Sarah's hand to kiss it. "And You, my Lady. Thank you." Having placed his lips to her hand, he quickly sped off.

"I'm going to have him boiled in oil." Sarah growled.

Giles had gone up, and Anne and Ryan were saying good night when Sarah went to the Kings side. He looked down at her with gratification that they were at last alone.

"Sarah, may I have a word with you?"

"Of course, Sire." Sarah said dutifully. "Your war room or the library?"

Taking hold of her arm, and moving out the terrace door, he said. "The garden."

His long legs moved quickly in the direction of the arbor. Once there he looked around to be sure, they were alone. "Be seated."

Sarah looked up at him; "This sounds serious."

Jareth took a seat beside her and covered his eyes with gloved fingers. "It is…I've done something terribly stupid…I…" He began to shudder. "Not again!" He muttered loudly.

Sarah looked at him, "A summons?"

He nodded and closed his eyes painfully. "Yes."

"Go…take care of what ever it is…" She placed a hand on his arm. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here at the castle when you get back. You can talk to me when ever you wish…Jareth."

Jareth looked at her. "Be careful, there are snakes in our garden." He warned and rushed off to join the horde of goblins who were making a mad dash for him. "Come on, boys…"

Sarah watched them vanish. His comings and goings were becoming second nature to her, and she smiled. She sat in the arbor for a time, enjoying the changes Hoggle had made to the garden. She saw Didymus mustering up a few guards and waved to him. The sly old Knight winked at her then returned to his duties.

Sarah left the arbor, and began to walk. The night garden was where she was headed, hoping to see the Will-o-wisps dance again. The night garden was empty, and she thought she must have missed the show. She looked at the castle, and decided to go to her own chambers and await the King.

Entering the lower level at the garden door, she took a passage that would take her toward the throne room. Just past the throne was the stairs that lead to the royal apartment and the other passage to the Escher room. Hearing a voice she turned and looked in the direction of the stairs. She moved quietly toward the sound to investigate. Passing one of the arches into the Escher room a hand shot out of the dark, covered her mouth and pulled her into the shadows.

"Be still." A voice at her ear urged.

Sarah knew the voice, and the scent. This was Quinn, and he was serious. She went quiet, and listened.

"Did you report?" A voice asked.

"Yes, our benefactor is not pleased." Another voice answered.

"Tomorrow is another day," the first voice quipped. "A good day to die."

The second voice was stern. "Don't get cocky."

"It will look like an accident, I assure you." Then it laughed again. "Besides the only one who can receive blame will be that old fool…his hate for Humans is well known."

The hand over her lips eased up, and moved to her shoulder. The breath was still at her ear.

"Once this sham is over, we will be rewarded." The first voice said. "We must go now. We've been here too long as it is."

They heard two sets of footsteps leave the echoing Escher room. The hands, one at her waist, one at her shoulder had not moved. Nor had the lips at her ear. Sarah took a deep breath. "They mean to kill me, don't they?" she asked.

"So it would seem…you are but one of their targets, fair Sarah." Quinn pulled her closer.

Sarah gasped. "Can I faint now?"

"Yes, my dear, if you must…however… do you think that a wise move?" he teased and slid the hand from her shoulder to her waist. "I mean, can you really trust me to be…gallant?"

Sarah took long steady breaths. "Good point, Quinn."

"Free pass number two, Sarah…Congratulations." He snickered. Sure there was no one else in the room, he led her toward one of the sets of stairs. "Sit, and stay calm."

"Stay calm…someone is trying to kill me and you say stay calm?" she looked at him with more questions then she could ask.

Quinn sat down beside her, just as Jareth often did, "What can I say? I'm captivated by you." He looked up and called out. "Meep where the hell are you?"

The Pixie appeared. "Now what? I was…detained." He looked at the Dark Fae sitting quite casually with the girl. "What are you doing with my Sarah?"

"Saving her neck for you." Quinn teased.

"Oh really?" Meep looked at Sarah. "Really?"

Nodding she sighed. "Go figure."

Quinn stood up, "Come on, I'll walk you to your door. Your duenna here can chaperon."

Meep howled. "I'm not a duenna you trouble maker!"

Quinn snickered.