Gerard was worried. No, not worried, terrified was a better word for it. His mistress had disappeared near the beginning of the battle, presumably to watch the outcome from a better vantage point. Gerard, however, had remained in his castle and watched the war through a scrying pool. He knew war protocol demanded he lead his armies to battle, but he had never been one to follow the rules, why risk your own life when you had so many others to risk theirs instead? So he had remained behind, watching for a safe distance. For a while his heart had soared as his army gained ground over the enemy. He could almost taste victory, it seemed so assured. Then suddenly, disaster. He replayed the scene over and over, but still could not understand how it had gone so horribly wrong. Not one soldier he had sent out had survived, those not killed in the final assault were too wounded to survive and had been granted death by Jareth's orders. Gerard spat at the thought. Mercy, such weakness from one with so much power. He felt his fear turn to anger at the injustice of it all, that he should be without power yet so strong, and one so weak be High King of the Underground. Still, there was time for victory yet.
As the thought passed through his mind, his mistress appeared. He expected anger, magic, danger, instead he beheld the dangerous calm once more. His terror returned, he had no idea how his mistress would react to the defeat. However, she did not even acknowledge his presence, simply walked slowly over to the boy chained to the wall and knelt before him. Placing her hand under Toby's chin she slowly raised his head so he gazed at her face. The hatred burning in his eyes would have made Gerard pause, but his mistress did not react, merely looked at him in silence for a few seconds before speaking.
"Do you know why I want your sister dead?" The words were quiet with no emotion behind them, she could have been asking for the time of day by the tone she used. There was no reaction from Toby other than a slight hardening of the mouth.
The move was so quick Gerard almost missed it, only the harsh crack of sound and the tears that appeared in Toby's eyes gave evidence to the slap she had given him.
"Do you know why I want you sister dead?" Once again there was no emotion in her voice, and no response from Toby, but after the second slap, Gerard finally heard a timid "No." from the boy.
"It's because she's weak. She's human, mortal, she can never be great, never be worthy of Fae Royalty. She has infected him with her weakness, and he in turn will infect the Kingdom. The Goblin Kingdom will fall, then the Underground. The once proud race of Fae will become no better than mortals, and that magnificent land will fall into chaos. This is why your Sarah must die."
Slowly she let go of Toby's chin and stood, turning to face Gerard.
"You wonder why I did not send the Creatures on the first attack."
It took all Gerard's strength just to nod.
"I wanted to give him one last chance. One chance to show that he is still strong, still Fae. A true King. Had he denounced Sarah, the Fae would have gladly fought by his side, this war would have been over in minutes. The Goblin Kingdom is mine by right, but I would have let him keep it. If he had proved he was worthy, I would have been happy for him to remain its ruler. Instead he still protects the mortal whore, and so he must be destroyed. There will be no more chances, no more mercy. It is time for the full horror of this war to be unleashed. Dispatch what remains of your army, the Creatures of the Land of Arnagoth will lead them. Destruction will rain down on the Underground, Jareth and those loyal to him with be destroyed, those lands will become mine and under my rule they shall return to their full glory..."
Her eyes moved past Gerard, to a space far away. A grin spread across her face and her mind was lost as she spoke her final words.
"And Sarah will die such a death that never again will a subject of the Underground dare to love a mortal."
Gerard could think of nothing to say. He had lost control long ago, if he'd ever had it in the first place. He would dispatch his army, many would no doubt die, his mistress would gain the Underground, and he would be left alone in the Caves, to rule what few subjects remained to him. Sorrow filled his soul as silence filled the room, broken eventually only by soft sobs from the boy in the corner, weeping for his beloved sister.
A/N I go away for a few days but I make it up to you by giving you two chapters. See, aren't I nice? Thank you for reading and please do review!!!