We found a moonlit meadow to read in, one in the forest of silence so we
wouldn't be heard and therefore less likely to be discovered. However, the
downside was that, if anyone crept up on us they could do it with an army
and we'd never hear them coming. I had two peach trees with me though, if
you've got even one good peach tree chances are no one will bother you. I
didn't have anything to worry about.
Business first. I opened the official record book. The war had ended in the third month, Issais's death had happened in the fifth.
'Attacked from the north using secondary force as a wedge to split their forces and surround.'
Nope, later than that.
'The war is over. Final orders declaring no prisoners was implemented, their forces were surrounded at dawn and destroyed by the second hour of light. Summoned to council hearing noon that day to receive official reward for aiding the war. Reward turns out to be the betrothal to Lady Issais of the Elvish clan, accepted. . . Lady Issais found dead with Lord Keaun. Kaeun awaiting trial for murder. . . Lady Issais buried in summer fields. . . Kaeun convicted, to be stripped of power and imprisoned in the following week. . . Kaeun imprisoned.'
I rolled back on my heels, it certainly hadn't sounded as if Issais had simply become mortal, especially if they had buried her body. Then again, there wasn't much written as far as details went. It was like each little statement represented much more or only a skeleton for what actually happened. Jareth must have one killer memory for this sort of stuff.
I dragged his diary out of the bag, it was much thicker than the record book. I plopped it onto the grass next to the record book and cracked it open halfway flipping back until I got back to the same day the war ended. . .
'Third month, day fifteen, 2197 The swift counter tactic effectively broke their last force and at my orders the third patrol advanced into their last stand, protected by the tenth division of mages all bearing iron. It wasn't a battle it was a slaughter, they could do nothing as my men ruthlessly cut them down. I purposely employed the tactic knowing they wouldn't be able to surrender before they were massacred. I don't know whether it is because of their cruelty to the peaceful creatures they encountered and that the taint would inevitably spread if they survived. Or because I wanted so dearly to prove that I was still one of the light fae, by destroying the remnants of the dark it would be some great proof of my own goodness. Either way once the act was done and our sides celebrated, I retreated to my personal tent under the pretense of exhaustion but really to throw my breakfast and cry over the person I had become in trying to gain respect. I swear I'll never do such again.
Third month, day twenty five, 2197 I was called before the court midday after the battle, the council, it seems, rewards such crude and merciless tactics. Ironically they rewarded me with an equally crude gesture, by offering to me the hand of Lady Issais, the elvish heir. Knowing Lady Issais I accepted, if only to prevent further trouble for her from other unwanted betrothals. This was a match neither of us wanted, but if we both lived betrothed it would eliminate the pretense of marriage in any other flirtatious endeavors. Any fae who would seriously consider marriage would be effectively dispelled by the pairing and any who weren't betrayed themselves as merely playing. I talked with Issais later, chaperoned, to both of our amusement by her childhood friend Keaun, and explained the matter to her. She agreed and thanked me for the courtesy. However it still feels like a dirty tactic, although in the end it will no doubt be a useful one. Her friend too, Kaeun brought about an acrid taste in my mouth, I cannot dispel the dislike I have for him, although it is unfounded it refuses to be quelled.
Fifth month, day seven, 2197 It is times like these when I sorely wish my instincts were not so correct. Lady Issais was found dead this morning, in her room with Kaeun standing at the windows with a magically signed confession to prove his innocence. He was accused of her murder naturally, evidence notwithstanding. Upon examination the healers noticed an anomaly with her body, apparently her soul was not within it at the moment of it's death. This means she was in magical trance or her soul was somehow drawn forth through magical means. . . Either way, I have no doubt of Kaeun's involvement, even though in all other aspects it appears that Issais suicide, members of the council visited the Seer whom condemned Kaeun, and that was all it took to accuse him.
Fifth month, day eleven, 2197 Issais was buried today, beneath a weeping willow in the summer lands at the center of the Elven realm. I attended, being her formerly betrothed husband. However her inheritance remains with the elvish line, her father I can tell is already well on his way to making another heir. I gave Issais's mother my condolences, for both and remained long after the last mourner as was my right. After they departed however I approached the simple stone alter that bore her name and using my own magic I scryed in its surface for her soul, something no one else had considered. The outcome was most unexpected, Issais's soul was alive, but her body was most assuredly dead. Unfortunately I could not locate where her soul was, or how it had come to be separated from her body. I returned to the Labyrinth late.
Sixth month, second day, 2197 Kaeun is convicted of the first murder of a light fae by a light fae. Underground creatures are seelie or unseelie, the Seelie being the light fae and the Unseelie the darker. Simply put Kaeun is the first to have killed another fae after this distinction was made. Due to Lady Issais's part in the splitting of worlds and formation of the underground they managed to give him the maximum punishment. To be bound his power and imprisoned in one of the many magically stripped crystals that now liter the countryside. I understand it is a complicated procedure to cast and a near impregnable one once achieved. It is my personal opinion that he should simply be killed. That would eliminate the threat once and for all. I believe the council fears his soul will go forth to and perhaps posses one of them, I harbor no such notions. If the opportunity arises I shall follow my instinct like I should have the first time and kill him.
Sixth month, day thirteen, summer solstice, 2197 Yesterday, and the day before were spent imprisoning Kaeun. He seemed remarkably calm for one who would spend eternity trapped in the Black Crystal Temple, as his prison has so aptly been named, created out of a single block of Black crystal. The procedure was actually relatively simple. He wore iron the entire time, but there were still too many opportunities for him to escape for me to be comfortable. I had Bryn wait just outside, since he would interfere with the magical, Kenst like usual is not recognized nor affected by magic and stood by my side during the entire procedure, unnoticed by the other council members. To shape the crystal it had to be rejuvenated with an incredible amount of power, the thirteen of us drained ourselves until the crystal was luminescent with pure blue light, Kaeun was then partially embedded by magical means and the crystal was once again drained. I lost no power, but I have never felt wearier in my entire existence. We left him, submerged at his shoulders and waist, apparently he had not fought at all during the procedure, odd. I was tense well after the ceremony, and doubtless will be for days. As the casters departed one called out that a girl had been his undoing. He had laughed and said that a girl would be his rise to ascension. The eerie laugh followed us out of that accursed place. I hope to never have to step foot in there again.'
I snapped off a piece of grass and lay it so it stuck above the pages before closing my copy of his journal and for the record book. I stuffed both back into my bag and put them to the side as I backed up against Kestrel. Reading the journal had been more than I had hoped, and less than I needed. Jareth had noticed that Lady Issais's soul was missing, but he hadn't gotten any farther than that. From that moment on the diary seemed too much like a scary story.
What worried me was that I could see Kaeun acting like that, standing by a window as the guards burst in. Going calmly. He seemed much to calm, even Jareth had noted it. I could understand his passivity now after centuries but then, on the days when his future was decided he acted as if he didn't care of the outcome. He seemed so. . . disconnected. It made me worry. But all the evidence was in his favor. If only I could get a hold of Lady Issais's diary. . .
I'd have to go see Toby about that. In the meantime though. . .
I pulled out the third book and flipped through until I saw Sarah's name then backtracked from there.
'The one thousand three hundredth runner of my labyrinth, this time in pursuit of a marvelously handsome looking baby boy. I'll never understand the incentive for mortals to throw their children away, such precious things and all it takes is a sentence for me to whisk them away. Sometimes I wish that all mortals would wish their children away so I could take the unwanted ones from those that aren't deserving of their love and devotion. That would wear on the Labyrinth though, and I would doubtlessly get not a wink of sleep. So in the best interests of the Goblin king and his kingdom things shall remain the way they are. The newest contender's name is Sarah, the one that I've watched in spare moments for amusement and purification. Her innocence brings certain warmth that gives me strength to continue with the tenacious and dangerous politics that being a king requires. I believe all kings should have a Sarah to watch. It is a pleasure to meet her at last.
Ha! I am impressed, she has managed to win over that dwarf that tends the gate gardens. I have faithfully guarded his little hut and protected the Labyrinth for millennia and all it takes to turn a subject against me is a few sweet words and a pretty trinket. I suppose it is to be expected, seeing how my kingdom is that of cunning and trickery. Naturally my citizens are of the more shady type but I do believe I have forbidden such behavior within my realm. I wonder if I should punish him for disobeying my laws or congratulate him for making perhaps the only source of my happiness, happy.
. . . I am impressed yet again, she is progressing rapidly through the labyrinth, now in company of some beast and the bog bridge guard, who has abandoned his post in light of escorting her to the castle. She is clever I'll give her that, however the fiery's are all roused because of her retaliatory actions and the bog shall be needing a new bridge.
. . . She kept a clear and straight focus for her goal, I suppose it is foolish of me to think she would be deterred by anything or anyone. Including myself. I would actually question my own judgment of people if she had accepted my offer as I had spoken it. However that does not make it hurt any less. I do believe this is a good time to see how many drinks it will take for me to become completely oblivious to this. I can already feel the labyrinth moving with my inner turmoil. I pity the citizens in these next few days but there is little I can do at this moment.
. . . I have emptied my whisky stock and not achieved one moment of forgetfulness. Perhaps brandy is a better beverage to try, I like the flavor more either way.'
Oh yeah, I felt much better now. It was just like reading one of those romance novels, only for real. He was in love, even I could tell. Although to be in love with such a young girl was entirely improper, not to mention the fact that she was a mortal. Love does not discriminate unfortunately, otherwise a lot more relationship would end up happier, and amongst the same species. I would really have to find Issais's diary to find out how to achieve that power and that ritual. Sarah deserved to be happy, almost as much as his majesty. It was poetic almost.
I snuggled up against Kestrel's roots and pulled the cloak over me my mind swimming with plans and romantic thoughts. I only hope the King has gotten himself in order enough to accept Sarah's feelings. He didn't look too self-assured when I saw him passed out on the castle floor. . .
Business first. I opened the official record book. The war had ended in the third month, Issais's death had happened in the fifth.
'Attacked from the north using secondary force as a wedge to split their forces and surround.'
Nope, later than that.
'The war is over. Final orders declaring no prisoners was implemented, their forces were surrounded at dawn and destroyed by the second hour of light. Summoned to council hearing noon that day to receive official reward for aiding the war. Reward turns out to be the betrothal to Lady Issais of the Elvish clan, accepted. . . Lady Issais found dead with Lord Keaun. Kaeun awaiting trial for murder. . . Lady Issais buried in summer fields. . . Kaeun convicted, to be stripped of power and imprisoned in the following week. . . Kaeun imprisoned.'
I rolled back on my heels, it certainly hadn't sounded as if Issais had simply become mortal, especially if they had buried her body. Then again, there wasn't much written as far as details went. It was like each little statement represented much more or only a skeleton for what actually happened. Jareth must have one killer memory for this sort of stuff.
I dragged his diary out of the bag, it was much thicker than the record book. I plopped it onto the grass next to the record book and cracked it open halfway flipping back until I got back to the same day the war ended. . .
'Third month, day fifteen, 2197 The swift counter tactic effectively broke their last force and at my orders the third patrol advanced into their last stand, protected by the tenth division of mages all bearing iron. It wasn't a battle it was a slaughter, they could do nothing as my men ruthlessly cut them down. I purposely employed the tactic knowing they wouldn't be able to surrender before they were massacred. I don't know whether it is because of their cruelty to the peaceful creatures they encountered and that the taint would inevitably spread if they survived. Or because I wanted so dearly to prove that I was still one of the light fae, by destroying the remnants of the dark it would be some great proof of my own goodness. Either way once the act was done and our sides celebrated, I retreated to my personal tent under the pretense of exhaustion but really to throw my breakfast and cry over the person I had become in trying to gain respect. I swear I'll never do such again.
Third month, day twenty five, 2197 I was called before the court midday after the battle, the council, it seems, rewards such crude and merciless tactics. Ironically they rewarded me with an equally crude gesture, by offering to me the hand of Lady Issais, the elvish heir. Knowing Lady Issais I accepted, if only to prevent further trouble for her from other unwanted betrothals. This was a match neither of us wanted, but if we both lived betrothed it would eliminate the pretense of marriage in any other flirtatious endeavors. Any fae who would seriously consider marriage would be effectively dispelled by the pairing and any who weren't betrayed themselves as merely playing. I talked with Issais later, chaperoned, to both of our amusement by her childhood friend Keaun, and explained the matter to her. She agreed and thanked me for the courtesy. However it still feels like a dirty tactic, although in the end it will no doubt be a useful one. Her friend too, Kaeun brought about an acrid taste in my mouth, I cannot dispel the dislike I have for him, although it is unfounded it refuses to be quelled.
Fifth month, day seven, 2197 It is times like these when I sorely wish my instincts were not so correct. Lady Issais was found dead this morning, in her room with Kaeun standing at the windows with a magically signed confession to prove his innocence. He was accused of her murder naturally, evidence notwithstanding. Upon examination the healers noticed an anomaly with her body, apparently her soul was not within it at the moment of it's death. This means she was in magical trance or her soul was somehow drawn forth through magical means. . . Either way, I have no doubt of Kaeun's involvement, even though in all other aspects it appears that Issais suicide, members of the council visited the Seer whom condemned Kaeun, and that was all it took to accuse him.
Fifth month, day eleven, 2197 Issais was buried today, beneath a weeping willow in the summer lands at the center of the Elven realm. I attended, being her formerly betrothed husband. However her inheritance remains with the elvish line, her father I can tell is already well on his way to making another heir. I gave Issais's mother my condolences, for both and remained long after the last mourner as was my right. After they departed however I approached the simple stone alter that bore her name and using my own magic I scryed in its surface for her soul, something no one else had considered. The outcome was most unexpected, Issais's soul was alive, but her body was most assuredly dead. Unfortunately I could not locate where her soul was, or how it had come to be separated from her body. I returned to the Labyrinth late.
Sixth month, second day, 2197 Kaeun is convicted of the first murder of a light fae by a light fae. Underground creatures are seelie or unseelie, the Seelie being the light fae and the Unseelie the darker. Simply put Kaeun is the first to have killed another fae after this distinction was made. Due to Lady Issais's part in the splitting of worlds and formation of the underground they managed to give him the maximum punishment. To be bound his power and imprisoned in one of the many magically stripped crystals that now liter the countryside. I understand it is a complicated procedure to cast and a near impregnable one once achieved. It is my personal opinion that he should simply be killed. That would eliminate the threat once and for all. I believe the council fears his soul will go forth to and perhaps posses one of them, I harbor no such notions. If the opportunity arises I shall follow my instinct like I should have the first time and kill him.
Sixth month, day thirteen, summer solstice, 2197 Yesterday, and the day before were spent imprisoning Kaeun. He seemed remarkably calm for one who would spend eternity trapped in the Black Crystal Temple, as his prison has so aptly been named, created out of a single block of Black crystal. The procedure was actually relatively simple. He wore iron the entire time, but there were still too many opportunities for him to escape for me to be comfortable. I had Bryn wait just outside, since he would interfere with the magical, Kenst like usual is not recognized nor affected by magic and stood by my side during the entire procedure, unnoticed by the other council members. To shape the crystal it had to be rejuvenated with an incredible amount of power, the thirteen of us drained ourselves until the crystal was luminescent with pure blue light, Kaeun was then partially embedded by magical means and the crystal was once again drained. I lost no power, but I have never felt wearier in my entire existence. We left him, submerged at his shoulders and waist, apparently he had not fought at all during the procedure, odd. I was tense well after the ceremony, and doubtless will be for days. As the casters departed one called out that a girl had been his undoing. He had laughed and said that a girl would be his rise to ascension. The eerie laugh followed us out of that accursed place. I hope to never have to step foot in there again.'
I snapped off a piece of grass and lay it so it stuck above the pages before closing my copy of his journal and for the record book. I stuffed both back into my bag and put them to the side as I backed up against Kestrel. Reading the journal had been more than I had hoped, and less than I needed. Jareth had noticed that Lady Issais's soul was missing, but he hadn't gotten any farther than that. From that moment on the diary seemed too much like a scary story.
What worried me was that I could see Kaeun acting like that, standing by a window as the guards burst in. Going calmly. He seemed much to calm, even Jareth had noted it. I could understand his passivity now after centuries but then, on the days when his future was decided he acted as if he didn't care of the outcome. He seemed so. . . disconnected. It made me worry. But all the evidence was in his favor. If only I could get a hold of Lady Issais's diary. . .
I'd have to go see Toby about that. In the meantime though. . .
I pulled out the third book and flipped through until I saw Sarah's name then backtracked from there.
'The one thousand three hundredth runner of my labyrinth, this time in pursuit of a marvelously handsome looking baby boy. I'll never understand the incentive for mortals to throw their children away, such precious things and all it takes is a sentence for me to whisk them away. Sometimes I wish that all mortals would wish their children away so I could take the unwanted ones from those that aren't deserving of their love and devotion. That would wear on the Labyrinth though, and I would doubtlessly get not a wink of sleep. So in the best interests of the Goblin king and his kingdom things shall remain the way they are. The newest contender's name is Sarah, the one that I've watched in spare moments for amusement and purification. Her innocence brings certain warmth that gives me strength to continue with the tenacious and dangerous politics that being a king requires. I believe all kings should have a Sarah to watch. It is a pleasure to meet her at last.
Ha! I am impressed, she has managed to win over that dwarf that tends the gate gardens. I have faithfully guarded his little hut and protected the Labyrinth for millennia and all it takes to turn a subject against me is a few sweet words and a pretty trinket. I suppose it is to be expected, seeing how my kingdom is that of cunning and trickery. Naturally my citizens are of the more shady type but I do believe I have forbidden such behavior within my realm. I wonder if I should punish him for disobeying my laws or congratulate him for making perhaps the only source of my happiness, happy.
. . . I am impressed yet again, she is progressing rapidly through the labyrinth, now in company of some beast and the bog bridge guard, who has abandoned his post in light of escorting her to the castle. She is clever I'll give her that, however the fiery's are all roused because of her retaliatory actions and the bog shall be needing a new bridge.
. . . She kept a clear and straight focus for her goal, I suppose it is foolish of me to think she would be deterred by anything or anyone. Including myself. I would actually question my own judgment of people if she had accepted my offer as I had spoken it. However that does not make it hurt any less. I do believe this is a good time to see how many drinks it will take for me to become completely oblivious to this. I can already feel the labyrinth moving with my inner turmoil. I pity the citizens in these next few days but there is little I can do at this moment.
. . . I have emptied my whisky stock and not achieved one moment of forgetfulness. Perhaps brandy is a better beverage to try, I like the flavor more either way.'
Oh yeah, I felt much better now. It was just like reading one of those romance novels, only for real. He was in love, even I could tell. Although to be in love with such a young girl was entirely improper, not to mention the fact that she was a mortal. Love does not discriminate unfortunately, otherwise a lot more relationship would end up happier, and amongst the same species. I would really have to find Issais's diary to find out how to achieve that power and that ritual. Sarah deserved to be happy, almost as much as his majesty. It was poetic almost.
I snuggled up against Kestrel's roots and pulled the cloak over me my mind swimming with plans and romantic thoughts. I only hope the King has gotten himself in order enough to accept Sarah's feelings. He didn't look too self-assured when I saw him passed out on the castle floor. . .