Shadowlands

Lestat: There comes a time for every vampire when the idea of eternity becomes momentarily unbearable. Living in the shadows, feeding in the darkness with only your own company to keep, rots into a solitary, hollow existence. Immortality seems like a good idea, until you realize you're going to spend it alone. Anne Rice - Queen of the Damned

Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality Edgar Allan Poe


The ladies of the Circle of the Pendant were amazed at how quickly and far Arma had come in her ability to mimic behavior befitting her form. Yes, it wasn't perfect since Arma was the Dragon of War after all, but she had come a long way.

First of all she had stopped trying to solve every problem with total annihilation of the enemy (which to her was anyone who disagreed with her) and she had also stopped being quite as curt and arrogant….while she was still stone faced and not charming by any stretch of the imagination she at least did not make others feel quite so out of sorts in her presence.

The ladies were also impressed that for the most part Arma had done much of it by herself….since that first night several days ago Arma had read the entire library of Ubian Castle and absorbed the information regarding the beings around her.

While the women were pleased with Arma's progress from Arma's viewpoint learning and taking on the behaviors of one of these beings was pure torture. The more she consciously acted as one of these creatures that would "make her fit in" the less she liked it….it went against all her nature. As her parent before her, all she wanted to do was make war and vanquish the enemy…that was her calling…that was the core of her being. She merely tolerated these puny annoying creatures called women…she only continued her education and attempted to learn their ways because the Silver One told her to….and in her opinion that was asking a lot.

With each day that passed she grew more restless, more agitated and longed for the Day of Waxing when she could fight….ahhhh yes, fight and destroy Turnin and take her rightful place as the Aboveground Dragon of War!


Jareth closed the book in disgust then paced the library with his gloved hands on hips; it did not provide any further information than any of the others he had selectively scanned over the past several days. When none of the books in his library gave him much information on the Shadowlands or the origin of crystals he had used his powers to summon and procure several more from the Great Library.

Beyond telling him (what he already knew) that the Shadowlands and the origins of crystals were a mystery he did learn one interesting tidbit - that crystals and dreams had always been connected…that he didn't know.

He had always believed that the dream gift he could convey in exchange for a babe was his alone – he could offer their dreams – their visions of wonder in exchange for the real prize – a new member of the Goblin Kingdom. It was a bit unsettling to learn that beyond him crystals may have held that power all along…

One other interesting side note came along with the "dream" connotation in the books…that folklore and tradition associated Dragons with dreaming….and although that was interesting he felt it irrelevant since he wasn't dealing with any mythical Dragons – although a colorful tale everyone knew these creatures did not exist.

Frustrated and uneasy the Goblin King produced a crystal to see Sarah as he had already done several times this morning and quite frequently since his visit to the Ubian Kingdom…upon his command the smooth orb cleared and showed him Sarah along with the other ladies seated quietly in the Day Room embroidering Sarah's trousseau….a peaceful scene….so why did he feel disquiet?


…In the Ubian Kingdom the pendants around the women's necks glowed brightly letting them know the Goblin King was again scrying….it was a blessing that Arma could control the pictures produced in his crystal so Jareth could not see what they were really doing….Arma was teaching Sarah the power of what she called "Obliterate Concentration." Dressed in an ancient warrior costume of Arma's design Sarah was slowly, and struggling with effort, stepping across a bare room with her arms in front of her holding a crystal as though she were physically pushing something large. With all the will of her mind she was focusing the power of the crystal and picturing that the force of what she was moving would crush the enemy on contact.

"My my," breathed Falette looking down at her glowing pendant, "he must be really concerned about what is going on over here…this has to be the third time this morning he has been scrying…."

The remark about Jareth broke Sarah's concentration and she dropped her arms to her sides….until Falette spoke she had been almost in a trancelike state with all of her mind on one point pushing forward…and for the first time she felt that she had actually connected with something tangible that she was moving. In her surprise it had solidified her concentration even more….creating its own momentum which completely broke upon the queen's observation about Jareth….

"No..no..no," Arma puffed smoke as she swaggered up to Falette…"I told you…no sound while Sarah concentrates…what do you not understand?"

Falette was a soft matronly queen…she was much more into domestic matters than all this war and concentration business…but she was well aware that although none of this interested her it was very important that she not cause it to fail and looked down at the floor abashed.

Melody strode up to Arma….giving a side glance to Falette…."You are right Arma…Falette needs to remain silent…but you are smoking again…you also have to be careful."

Arma quickly glanced at both queens in frustration – what she would not give for one good roar….just one….as she bit back her impatience with this woman telling her about her smoke. What this puny queen did not understand was the restraint it took not to breathe torches of fire…never mind a little smoke.

In the pause that followed Margot voiced what all of them had been thinking, "Seeing that the Goblin King's scrying has increased over the past couple of days I would not be surprised if he visited us soon…unannounced."

Melody chuckled, "Oh, he won't be unannounced….Solin has seen to that…"


Turnin was having his long white hair braided by one of his subjects "Changeling" style…various portions of hair were intertwined seemingly randomly but the result would be what he considered abstract art. He was doing this to calm his mind of impatience….he had believed that all he had to do was get in league with the Black Serpent and immediately the enemy would be out of the way. But no, it had not happened that way….for some reason the dark Dragon could not "see" who to defeat…never mind destroy them.

Although the Dark One had assured him this impasse was temporary that did little to soothe Turnin's growing hunger for power NOW. When one becomes a god one does not wait.

The wizard's ego had grown so large he wondered secretly if perhaps he were already more powerful and intelligent than who he had chosen to serve….he wondered if he could do what the black one was unable….if he could then he would know that ultimately he would conquer all…and take the Black Dragon's place.

Impatiently he shoved the stylist's hands away, "Enough, go away." The girl was horrified to watch as her Lord quickly ripped at her carefully half finished creation. Stunned her feet would not move – she stood watching with eyes wide until the wizard turned on her with his eyes blazing. "If you value your pitiful life get out now!" Self preservation took over and the girl fled crying.

Turnin summoned his trusted first guard, "Bring the Changeling "Melody" to me."


To understate the obvious Jareth was not a patient person….unwilling to wait to find out more information some other way he decided to pay a personal visit to the Shadowlands and see what he could learn about Arma. As always – once the Goblin King had decided upon a course of action there was no delay…..he immediately changed into owl form and left the castle.

Forgetting it was high noon his owl form winched in the sunlight….owls were not fond of daylight hours…so he sought shade whenever he could along the way.

After flying for a couple of hours straight ahead of him he could clearly see the boundary of the Shadowlands and why it was named so. Before him was a steamy fog rising from the ground of a dense forest that would not allow but for the smallest amount of sunlight to penetrate the ground. Whether it was because of the lack of sunlight or some other devious source Jareth could not say but the trees were gnarled and misshapen – so much so that some of them snaked along the ground.

Landing in a tree just outside the grey steaming forest the owl cocked his head….this did not look inviting at all….but Jareth did not come this far to back away from challenge and the answers he sought…..cautiously he flew into the forest.

The first thing he noticed upon entering the thicket was a absence of sound in his honed owl ears….normally birds chattered and animals scurried…but there was no sound….nothing at all.

Not seeing anything of a threatening nature he landed in a tree….and instantly he felt it….a tired feeling as though he just wanted to yawn and sleep. Wisely he flapped off and immediately felt rejuvenated and realized the forest somehow drained energy of anything that it contacted. Flapping and gliding careful not to touch anything else he was deciding what to do when he heard a voice call out from overhead, "Over here."

Flapping himself higher he saw a hut cleverly built into the branches of a tree….a feeble old wizard was leaning out a window beckoning to him…..

Jareth gracefully glided to the hut perching on the windowsill and noticed he did not become instantly drowsy or feel tired.

The old man babbled quickly, "Oh what a treat…a visitor….and such a fine owl you are too! Good thing you did not first land on the ground little one…that might have been the end of you." Putting on his glasses the mage leaned forward, "Don't be afraid friend, I speak owl as well as other animal languages"….with this introduction the mage began to hoot and twill.

Jareth could have immediately stopped the mage but devilishly paused – he was so enjoying watching this strange wizard strain his facial features and throat muscles to perfectly imitate the owl language…when he was finished inwardly chuckling and having his fun he cocked his head and politely said, "No need wizard…I speak English."

The mage looked shocked…then chuckled, "Ahhhh….a fellow wizard in disguise…very clever…I never would have known. Feel free sir to change into your normal form so that I may offer you my humble hospitality….if you prefer."

The Goblin King hopped into the hut changing in mid air then bowed gracefully, "I am Jareth, King of the Goblins."

The mage bowed in kind, "I am Mazar, Wizard of the Shadowlands, at your service." Then he stroked his beard in thought. "King of the Goblins you say….hmmm…ahhh, yes….I know who you are now….you are Lord of the Crystal and the formidable Labyrinth are you not?"

The Goblin King slightly bowed in agreement.

The mage rubbed his hands excitedly, "Tell me truly….Is the Labyrinth as amazing a structure as written about….ending in a room that no man can conquer?"

Jareth slightly frowned…it would do this kind mage no good to know the absolute truth that the Labyrinth…his Labyrinth was defeated by a girl and a couple of errant subjects…..so he slyly answered, "It has never been defeated by man."

Misdirection was part of Jareth's bag of tricks so before the wizard could ask any more questions he skillfully changed the subject, "Tell me Wise One, why when I stood on a branch in this forest I felt tired but do not feel so now in your home?"

The wizard frowned, "Unfortunately, my young friend, my magic is only strong enough to secure this small place of the Shadowlands from the vampire drain of the Lost Ones."

"Lost Ones?"

"Yes," the mage shook his head sadly, "the ones who finished their life refusing to accept the Gift of the Higher Wisdom…. Love."

Jareth raised his nose and snorted in disbelief, "Surely you don't believe that nonsense do you? A learned mage such as you cannot believe that souls are held in bondage for not accepting….love."

The wizard became animated, "Oh yes, yes….I do believe it. You may be too young to understand this…or accept it…but without Love there is nothing…nothing at all."

Perhaps it was the conviction of the mage….perhaps it was his words….but Jareth replied with a little less arrogance, "You make the Shadowlands sound like Hell."

"Oh, no, no, no…..not Hell….but I suspect this cursed land may lie on top of Hell."

Jareth's piercing eyes looked in the wizard's, "Why then do you stay in this desolate place? Obviously you are not prisoner here – why not move elsewhere? "

The old man looked down in sadness, "Call it a fool's errand but I keep thinking if I can just produce a strong enough spell – if I can just work a little harder – I just might be able to open a little light to this land and help the Lost Ones…even if only for a brief time."

The Goblin King was deeply moved by the old wizard's quest – as impossible as it seemed. Producing a crystal Jareth stared into it and said an incantation under his breath – when he had finished he tossed it to the old man, "Take this gift Wise One – you will know when to use it ….it may help you with your dream."

After the mage accepted the crystal with many thanks Jareth inquired, "I am here to ask about a girl who claims to be from the Shadowlands…her name is Arma."

The wizard thought and then shook his head, "No, I have not heard of her…but there are a few small pockets of original Shadownites that use their own form of ancient magic to exist here….I'm sorry but I don't know all of them."

The Goblin King and the mage exchanged a few more pleasantries with the Goblin King inviting Mazar to visit the Labyrinth before they bid farewell. Changing back into owl form Jareth flew out of the forest and lit on a tree from which he could again see the Shadowlands. While he could not prove Arma did not come from here he still suspected that story to be false….so who was she really? There had to be clues…he went over what he knew…she was oriental….she wore a dress embroidered with a dragon….she was obviously a warrior….

"Wait…" Jareth said to himself, "She wore a dragon…." While he had dismissed dragons earlier it seemed too coincidental now that they had come up twice in connection with his searching for answers - maybe they might provide a clue…he resolved to find out more about the fabled creatures when he returned to the Goblin Castle.

But now he was heading straight to the Ubian Kingdom to see what he could get out of Sarah.