Chapter 2

Although Sarah had doubted trying to swim across the giant lake was a good idea, she was surprised to find that it wasn't what she expected. They had gone out until the shore was barely visible and the water was up to their necks, but after that, it slowly started to get shallower. By the time they had doubled their distance, it was barely up to their ankles. She looked down around them and had to immediately look back up. Her eyes were telling her a far different story than her feet were. She could see things moving through the water beneath them as the sun glistened against silver. She hoped it was just fish. Though that couldn't explain how they were practically walking on water.

When she looked back up again, She finally asked what had been on her mind. "Are we really walking on water? How is that possible?"

Crow looked back for a second and frowned before she faced forward again and said, "It would be better not to question. Look forward, and don't falter."

"What? Why?"

Sarah's voice held a note of panic, and Crow turned to face her, but she continued walking backward. "Did you not notice that you are starting to sink?"

Sarah looked down and started to feel panic overwhelming her. However, Crow's hand shot out and grabbed her arm, forcing her to stumble after her. It was then that Sarah noticed that as long as they kept moving, the water stayed below them. She looked back up with awe only to see Crow was still frowning.

The odd woman turned around again but started talking once more. "I have never seen this much magic in one place. The very land and sky seem to leach it as though it were a living thing of its own. Not even Lord Portico or my father could match a fraction of this combined. The closest I have ever come to feeling this level of energy was when I followed my father to Down Street. Still, that was not this wild magic that dances around us like mad fairies."

Sarah looked around and tried to see what Crow was talking about but couldn't see anything other than the water around them and the sky that had not changed since she first arrived. That was also when she noticed something else and tried to keep the tremor from her voice as she said, "Does it seem like the castle is as far away as it was when we first started? I can't see the shoreline behind us anymore."

Crow looked over her shoulder with a frown that she tried to erase as she said, "Don't worry about it. Right now, we need to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. I'm sure there is a trick here that has yet to show itself. When it does, we'll handle it."

Sarah wasn't sure if she liked the sound of that, but there was little she could do about it. For one, they had come so far already, and she didn't want to start over. Plus, she didn't want to leave Crow's side while they were in the water. She had a feeling she wouldn't be able to stay afloat if she were on her own—quite literally.

After that, silence fell for long enough that Sarah was focused on moving her feet and had almost forgotten Crow's prediction. Unfortunately, she was reminded in the worst way when more than a dozen heads popped out of the water around them. It was hard to see them clearly because their skin was made of the purest silver and reflected even the weak sun with dazzling results. It took her vision a moment to clear enough for her to tell that they weren't actually silver but covered in scales across every inch of their skin.

She was drawn from her wonder when she heard Crow call out, "Keep walking! Walk in place if you have to." It was only then that she realized the water was up to her knees. She immediately started lifting her feet in a semblance of walking and breathed a sigh of relief when she was finally almost out of the water.

She looked up when she heard cackling laughter come from all around them. The merpeople were all looking at them with smiles that caused a chill to go down Sarah's spine. Her first instinct was to try and back away, but there was nowhere to go. Instead, she looked over to see Crow was frowning at the group around them. However, before she could even think to ask what they should do, the beings around them all spoke at once. The effect was eerie and caused another shiver to go through her. "If an audience you seek, then first you must prove your resolve."

More cackling came from them, but Crow's voice was firm as she called out. "What task is it you ask from us?"

Sarah's eyes widened. A task? What could they possibly do? However, the beings started speaking again. "Simple, so simple, daughter of eons."

Sarah wasn't sure why Crow stiffened slightly, but that was the only indication of the other woman's discomfort as she said, "Then state it so we may be done."

The whispers issued from each of their scally lips gathered to make a sound like the wind through cracking branches and made Sarah cringe. She barely remembered to keep her feet moving. Thankfully, the sound did not last long before they all said at once, "Three lives, have I—one gentle enough to soothe the skin, and another light enough to caress the sky. Yet the last is hard enough to crack stone. What am I?"

Sarah blinked several times as she tried to wrap her head around what was just said. She looked over when she heard Crow mutter, "A riddle. I hate riddles."

That statement had Sarah's eyes widening again. Though her heart sank a moment later. What could possibly be light enough to touch the sky and still able to break stones? Her mind seemed to go blank as she tried to figure it out, and her near panic wasn't helped when she noticed the beings were undulating through the water as they got closer.

She did her best not to focus on them as she turned to Crow and said, "What could it be? I know a lot of things that crack stone, but none of them would be light enough to touch the sky."

The other woman shot her a frown and shook her head, but she didn't speak. Sarah was ready to ask again, but she noticed a laugh right behind her and nearly jumped. Several of the things were within arms reach, and their smiles were filled with teeth reminiscent of sharks. Sarah suddenly had an idea, though she wasn't sure. She turned back to Crow and said, "What about light? I mean, it's in the sky, and the sun soothes the skin. Plus, lasers can crack rocks. Right?"

One of Crow's brows rose in interest, but the laughter that cut through the air around them had the other woman looking around with a frown. Sarah wasn't sure what she was looking for, but she wasn't given time to worry long. She felt a cold hand slip around her ankle as it yanked. The unexpected motion sent her tumbling back into the water with a scream. However, the sound turned into a choked thing when she finally caught sight of what was below them in the water.

There were not multiple merpeople. Instead, each one was attached to a tendril that extended down into something out of a nightmare. It was nothing but gnashing teeth and shadow, and Sarah had no doubt that she was about to be its next meal.

However, before that could happen, the water seemed to pull back into itself and pushed her back to the surface before she had even been engulfed by it. As soon as that happened, Crow grabbed her arm and hauled her back up. The other woman was panting as though she had just run a marathon and had started to sink as well, but she didn't seem to pay it any mind. Instead, she yelled, "Run!"

Sarah had no idea where they could go or how they could pass the tentacles in disguise, but she didn't want to stick around either. She shot past Crow and headed toward the castle in the distance as fast as the water would allow her. Behind her, she heard the splashing footsteps of her companion following. Though she nearly stumbled when she heard Crow yell again. "Water! The answer is water!"

As soon as those words left Crow's mouth, a keening wail came from each of the tentacle people, and the water started to froth. It took all Sarah had to stay on her feet as it felt like she was trying to run across a trampoline while someone was jumping on it. However, Crow grabbed her arm as she passed and helped keep her on her feet as they both ran. "Don't look back; just keep running."

Sarah didn't need to be told twice. The two women ran as fast as the water would allow. However, before they made it far, a void suddenly appeared in the water in front of them. It was upon them before either had a chance to turn away, and it wasn't until they were falling that Sarah realized it was a whirlpool. At least it wasn't a gaping maw filled with teeth waiting at the bottom, but the swirling shadows were not much comfort as they swallowed the two women whole.

Somehow, both Sarah and Crow were practically spat from the water near a shore. Both women somehow managed to crawl at least part way onto the beach before stopping. Sarah was still on her hands and knees while she tried to catch her breath, while Crow had flopped over on her back and stared at the sky. Several moments passed before the woman finally said, "I would kill for some food. That took more out of me than I expected, but water is always such a pain in the arse."

Sarah had to take a few more breaths before she could find the voice to ask, "What do you mean? What was that about? Where are we?"

Crow rolled her head to face Sarah as she smirked and said, "If you're asking about that beast, and the whirlpool, then I'd say they were the trick to getting past the lake." She then paused and pointed up and further inland.

Sarah gasped when she saw the castle was much closer. Somehow, they had made it through the lake and were at least two-thirds of the way to their destination. Although, when she looked past the beach, she saw a dense forest between them and the cliff the castle was perched on. She almost groaned when she thought about what else might be waiting for them on the way. She ended up turning to sit as she hit the ground out of frustration. "It's not fair. It's not as though the labyrinth isn't enough to deal with without all this other stuff added in."

Crow scoffed as she rolled over and pushed herself to her feet as she said, "Life isn't fair, but you have two choices. Deal with it and move on, or give up and let it kill you."

A shiver crawled up Sarah's spine at the morbid sentiment, but after what they had just gone through, she couldn't argue. Instead, she also stood with a sigh and joined Crow at the edge of the woods. She tried to peer into the darkness and was unable to see much. When it started giving her the creeps, she turned to her companion and asked, "Now what?"

The other woman looked at her with a wry smile as she pointed to the woods. "I don't see much choice. We find a way through." Sarah had been afraid that was the answer. Though she didn't say anything as she followed the other woman through the brush that lined the edge of the forest.

They had only gone a short distance into the forest, and already, the light changed from the pink and golds of the shore to a muted air of greens and purples. Although, Sarah was glad to see that the trees were not as dense as they had appeared. There was no path to follow, but thankfully, the way between the roots was relatively clear. She was sure it was because each of the trees around them rose like solemn monarchs that blocked out the sun and made an eerie arbor below.

After traveling in silence for nearly half an hour, Sarah began to wonder if they were going in circles. Everything was starting to look the same, and without a view of the sky, there was no telling if they were still headed in the right direction. All she could see through the gaps was the pinkish hue of the strange sky overhead. Plus, there was a distinct lack of sound that put her on edge, as though the very forest was waiting with held breath to see what would happen next.

Despite the lack of anything else but trees around them, Sarah quickened her pace to walk directly next to Crow so she could whisper, "Um, do you—do you think we are going the right way? I could have sworn we passed that tree before."

Instead of answering, Crow stopped and looked around before she looked back. Sarah could see worry in her eyes, but her voice only held confidence as she said, "Well, I can't really say if this is the right direction, but we haven't changed course. The only way to check for sure would be for one of us to climb a tree."

Sarah looked at the giants around them with a wary eye. Yes, some limbs were low enough that it would be possible, but the trees were tall enough that she got dizzy just thinking about it. However, before she could respond, another hauntingly familiar voice cut in, "I wouldn't advise that if I were you. There is no telling what might be waiting."

Sarah felt cold sweat drip down her spine as she turned slowly to face the goblin king in all his glory, leaning against one of the trees they had just passed. She couldn't find the words to say anything, but Crow did not seem to be similarly affected. The other woman stepped forward with a frown and said, "Oh? So you are trying to convince me that the lake was one of many such horrors?"

Sarah immediately grabbed her arm and pulled as she harshly whispered, "Don't! That's the goblin king."

Jareth stood and took a step closer. His gloved hands were on his hips, and he gave them both a confident smirk. He ignored Crow's question and instead focused on Sarah as he said, "I had thought to ask how you liked my labyrinth, but you haven't experienced much of it. What a naughty girl to cheat and go around."

Sarah was flabbergasted and infuriated by the accusation. Her mouth opened and closed several times while she tried to think of what to say. Crow didn't seem to have the same problem. "Cheat, my arse. I've known this girl for less than a day, and I can already see she doesn't have a deceptive bone in her body. Naive, yes, but a cheater, no."

Sarah felt the word naive was a little harsh, but she still shot Crow a grateful smile. However, their attention was back on Jareth as he frowned at the other woman and said, "Why are you here? You are not one of my subjects."

Crow took that opportunity to step forward, and her whole demeanor changed. She gave Jareth a slight bow as she said, "I am a citizen of the Below and have come here seeking asylum."

Jareth's frown deepened for a moment before his smirk was back in place as he chuckled and said, "This is the goblin kingdom. People fear us—they do not seek sanctuary here. You should go back to where you belong."

Crow's jaw clenched, but her voice was even when she said, "There is no such place. I would not be in this land of wild magic if I had another choice."

Jareth's smirk was wiped away again, but he only sighed at her insistence before he said, "I will deal with you later. For now, I have much better things to focus on."

When Jareth raised his hand, Crow tensed, so as soon as the ground beneath her began to crumble, she jumped up and grabbed the nearest branch. Sarah felt her heart stop for a moment when she saw that it was barely more than a twig. However, almost as soon as Crow's fingers were around it, the limb suddenly grew thick enough to not only support Crow's weight but also gave her the leverage she needed to swing to a nearby branch and haul herself up into the tree.

By the time Crow let the brach go, it was once again thin and fragile. Sarah had to blink a few times to make sure she hadn't been seeing things. However, there was no mistake that Crow was in the tree and no longer on the ground.

Any lingering shock Sarah had was erased when Jareth tilted his head to the side and looked up at the other woman. Instead of anger, he showed open curiosity as he asked, "Who are you?"

Crow easily balanced on the limb as she smirked and gave him a flourishing bow as she said, "The Lady Anachronism Aeonic at your service, your majesty."

The silence held for no more than a few heartbeats as Jareth looked up at her. However, both women gasped when he suddenly disappeared and then reappeared on the branch behind Crow. She spun to face him and nearly lost her balance. However, his hand shot out to grab her before she fell.

She frowned at his interference, but he only smirked as he said, "Aeonic? So you are from London Below. It has been a long time since I have heard that name."

Sarah could tell that Crow was stiffer than usual, and she didn't blame her. Having the goblin king that close was off-putting. However, the other woman's voice did not waver as she said, "Then you have an advantage. I have never heard of the goblin kingdom."

Something strange passed through Jareth's eyes before his smirk was back in place, and he said, "As it should be."

He then grabbed the other woman and disappeared again before reappearing next to Sarah. Crow looked like she had been about to scream but cut off as he let her go, and she stumbled. The woman shot him a heated glare, but he paid it no mind as he looked between the two women and said, "I have a proposition. Since the two of you are determined to travel together, I will consider your request for asylum if you can make it to my castle. However, your remaining time will be halved. I think that is fair since there are two of you now."

Sarah immediately opened her mouth to protest, but he continued before she could. "Ah, yes. I must also insist that if you are going to navigate my labyrinth, that there be no more cheating."

That was the last straw. Sarah stomped one foot as she said, "That's not fair! We're almost there. You can't make us start over."

He only lifted one brow as he said, "You say that so often. I wonder what is your basis for comparison?"

Sarah glared at him, but before she could yell again, Crow stepped forward and put a hand on her arm as she said, "I won't complain about fairness, but she does have a point. We have already gone through enough to warrant at least a partial headstart. Besides, there was no marking to tell us this was no longer part of the labyrinth. Even if I had been aware of that rule, we couldn't have known."

Jareth scoffed as he said, "Your ignorance is not my concern."

Instead of becoming indignant, Crow straightened her shoulders and seemed to look down her nose at him as she countered, "Not your business? Is this not your kingdom? What self-respecting ruler would leave such things to chance. Unless you are admitting that you are the one who is cheating, and you are unwilling to give us a true opportunity to achieve success on our own merit and not chicanery?"

Sarah's eyes widened in disbelief when Jareth seemed to visibly bristle for a moment before he smirked once more. "You will start from the middle, and I will even be generous enough to give you five hours. Between the two of you, that is more time than what you had left."

Crow frowned but didn't argue, so Sarah stepped forward. "I have at least eight hours left. You can't do that. Besides, we are almost there! It's just on top of that cliff."

Jareth smirked as he twisted his wrist, and a bubble formed at his fingertips. He blew it toward them, and before either could move, it enveloped them both. His mocking voice could be heard echoing through the enclosed space as he said, "This is my kingdom. I didn't have to give you a chance at all. Do not mock my generosity, or the next time I will not be so considerate."

Neither woman had a chance to respond before the bubble moved and jostled them both from their feet. Sarah had no idea where they were being taken, but her stomach felt like it was filled with lead when she considered the possibilities. The only hope she had was that Crow was now intertwined in this to the point that there was no way the other woman could leave her to face the labyrinth alone.

A/N: So what do you think of Jareth's reaction? Things should only get more interesting from here. Plus, we have to wonder where they will land, who they might meet, and if they will have any other misadventures, lol. By the way, we will be learning more about what Crow's talent is in the next chapter, but I would love to hear what you think. I believe there have been enough clues already. Let me know if you have a guess! Anyway, thanks for reading, and cheers!