Chapter 7
Zail moved quietly through the corridors of the Goblin Castle. Half in, half out of the shadows, it had been easy to slip past the goblin guards and make his way towards the throne room. He was a little on edge when the ground had rumbled. Earthquakes were rare in the Underground but they did happen. His thoughts quickly switched to other subjects. The gods only knew how meeting up with the Goblin King would affect everything. No doubt Jareth knew of the organisations that did not follow his laws, but he did now know details. And what had Sarah said? She had reliable on all accounts in the past but Jareth was manipulative and those two did have a history.
Zail's arm shot out and stopped a pixie from scurrying past him and the child gave a small squeak in surprise. He squatted down to eye level whispered hurriedly "Lila, it's me. Zail."
Lila's eyes opened in recognition then threw her arms around the older male.
Zail returned the embrace and gave a soft smile before rushing on. "Lila, you need to give a message to your mother for me. Tell Yula to head back to base as soon as possible and that it concerns Flick, Sarah and Becay."
Lila nodded, then "Sarah? The Goblin King sent me to attend to a Lady Sarah this morning."
"Short dark hair, mortal woman, fiery temper?" asked Zail. Lila nodded and Zail whispered further orders. "If I can't get Sarah out of here, I want you to keep an eye on her and get a report back to me." He winced inside at using a child but desperate times called for desperate measures. He gave the pixie a warm smile before making his way once more towards the throne room.
Pushing open the doors he stopped at the sight before him. The Goblin King sat straight in his throne, tension obvious from his tense features. Sarah paced back and forth and Zail took a double take. Since when did Sarah wear dresses? Also, how could he have failed to notice the beautiful women she had become over the years? 'You're becoming old' he reminded himself. He cringed when he saw Becay in chins surrounded by guards. What a mess.
Jareth looked away from the furious Sarah when the door opened and saw an unfamiliar elf walk in. Jareth almost snorted in disgust 'Note to self: throw old guards in the Bog of Eternal Stench and get some decent ones.'
Sarah and Becay looked up at the newcomer, and Zail saw the flicker of recognition in their eyes quickly covered up. He mentally nodded in satisfaction; at least these kids remembered some of their training. Seemingly ignoring them, Zail gave a sweeping bow to the Goblin King. "My Lord, please forgive my intrusion."
Jareth's icy tone sent shivers down everyone's spine. "State your business elf"
"My Lord, I have come to ask your permission to collect these two ladies in your presence. They are my responsibility. They have disobeyed my orders and I would like to claim the right to punish them."
Jareth leaned forward in his chair. "They were found trespassing on my land, elf. Do you not think that I should hold the right to punish them."
Zail looked up at Jareth, both knew they were playing a dangerous game of words, and both knew they didn't have the time. Zail gave a small smile, time to discard all niceties and play a much nastier game. Pulling out the crystal ball he found in Flicks room he threw it at Jareth. The Goblin King caught it with ease. Suddenly Zail found himself held flat against a wall by an invisible force. Jareth stalked over to him, held up the ball and demanded "where did you get this."
"It was stolen from your castle last night by one of my people."
The force around Zail became tighter as Jareth's anger increased. "Explain yourself elf."
"I am Zail, Thief Lord."
Jareth looked over at Sarah. He knew he had heard that name before, so did that mean that Sarah was a thief. By the gods, what was she mixed up in? Suddenly her previous actions made sense. He turned back to Zail and gave a cold smirk, "the Underground's underground."
Zail gave a smirk of his own in reply
Beneath them the ground rumbled again
***
Flick leaned against a wall. Every part of his body hurt and all he wanted to do was sleep.
//Do not give up yet Flick. You are doing so well// came the voice.
//What exactly am I doing again?// he thought to the Labyrinth. He couldn't seem to keep hold of any of his thoughts; they just keep slipping away. He had woken not long ago to hear the Labyrinth urging him to. Urging him to.
//Change my physical form. It must be so that the Goblin King cannot enter; yet Sarah can. We need Sarah. Use the power that I have given you to change the Labyrinth. To change me. //
//Why do we need Sarah?// asked Flick.
//Do not tax yourself with details Flick. Let me worry about them. Now use the power. //
Flick heaved himself from the wall and went back to work, the Labyrinth coaxing him on. //Your almost there Flick. Just a little bit further, a little bit more and then we'll be done. Then you can rest. Then I'll have Sarah. //
Zail moved quietly through the corridors of the Goblin Castle. Half in, half out of the shadows, it had been easy to slip past the goblin guards and make his way towards the throne room. He was a little on edge when the ground had rumbled. Earthquakes were rare in the Underground but they did happen. His thoughts quickly switched to other subjects. The gods only knew how meeting up with the Goblin King would affect everything. No doubt Jareth knew of the organisations that did not follow his laws, but he did now know details. And what had Sarah said? She had reliable on all accounts in the past but Jareth was manipulative and those two did have a history.
Zail's arm shot out and stopped a pixie from scurrying past him and the child gave a small squeak in surprise. He squatted down to eye level whispered hurriedly "Lila, it's me. Zail."
Lila's eyes opened in recognition then threw her arms around the older male.
Zail returned the embrace and gave a soft smile before rushing on. "Lila, you need to give a message to your mother for me. Tell Yula to head back to base as soon as possible and that it concerns Flick, Sarah and Becay."
Lila nodded, then "Sarah? The Goblin King sent me to attend to a Lady Sarah this morning."
"Short dark hair, mortal woman, fiery temper?" asked Zail. Lila nodded and Zail whispered further orders. "If I can't get Sarah out of here, I want you to keep an eye on her and get a report back to me." He winced inside at using a child but desperate times called for desperate measures. He gave the pixie a warm smile before making his way once more towards the throne room.
Pushing open the doors he stopped at the sight before him. The Goblin King sat straight in his throne, tension obvious from his tense features. Sarah paced back and forth and Zail took a double take. Since when did Sarah wear dresses? Also, how could he have failed to notice the beautiful women she had become over the years? 'You're becoming old' he reminded himself. He cringed when he saw Becay in chins surrounded by guards. What a mess.
Jareth looked away from the furious Sarah when the door opened and saw an unfamiliar elf walk in. Jareth almost snorted in disgust 'Note to self: throw old guards in the Bog of Eternal Stench and get some decent ones.'
Sarah and Becay looked up at the newcomer, and Zail saw the flicker of recognition in their eyes quickly covered up. He mentally nodded in satisfaction; at least these kids remembered some of their training. Seemingly ignoring them, Zail gave a sweeping bow to the Goblin King. "My Lord, please forgive my intrusion."
Jareth's icy tone sent shivers down everyone's spine. "State your business elf"
"My Lord, I have come to ask your permission to collect these two ladies in your presence. They are my responsibility. They have disobeyed my orders and I would like to claim the right to punish them."
Jareth leaned forward in his chair. "They were found trespassing on my land, elf. Do you not think that I should hold the right to punish them."
Zail looked up at Jareth, both knew they were playing a dangerous game of words, and both knew they didn't have the time. Zail gave a small smile, time to discard all niceties and play a much nastier game. Pulling out the crystal ball he found in Flicks room he threw it at Jareth. The Goblin King caught it with ease. Suddenly Zail found himself held flat against a wall by an invisible force. Jareth stalked over to him, held up the ball and demanded "where did you get this."
"It was stolen from your castle last night by one of my people."
The force around Zail became tighter as Jareth's anger increased. "Explain yourself elf."
"I am Zail, Thief Lord."
Jareth looked over at Sarah. He knew he had heard that name before, so did that mean that Sarah was a thief. By the gods, what was she mixed up in? Suddenly her previous actions made sense. He turned back to Zail and gave a cold smirk, "the Underground's underground."
Zail gave a smirk of his own in reply
Beneath them the ground rumbled again
***
Flick leaned against a wall. Every part of his body hurt and all he wanted to do was sleep.
//Do not give up yet Flick. You are doing so well// came the voice.
//What exactly am I doing again?// he thought to the Labyrinth. He couldn't seem to keep hold of any of his thoughts; they just keep slipping away. He had woken not long ago to hear the Labyrinth urging him to. Urging him to.
//Change my physical form. It must be so that the Goblin King cannot enter; yet Sarah can. We need Sarah. Use the power that I have given you to change the Labyrinth. To change me. //
//Why do we need Sarah?// asked Flick.
//Do not tax yourself with details Flick. Let me worry about them. Now use the power. //
Flick heaved himself from the wall and went back to work, the Labyrinth coaxing him on. //Your almost there Flick. Just a little bit further, a little bit more and then we'll be done. Then you can rest. Then I'll have Sarah. //