Chapter 21: This Means War!
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sarah shrieked. She grabbed a sword from a nearby guard and stood in between Taureth and Jareth. The guards ceased all activity and moved to block the door. Ione looked up weakly. Sarah would need her help in fencing... Weakly she tapped into Sarah's mind.
I'll help you in this battle, Sarah... Listen carefully.
Sarah acknowledged Ione's help as Taureth looked her over with a smile.
"You cannot intend to fight me for him..."
"I'll not allow you to kill him!" Taureth had begun to circle her slowly.
"Do you actually have feelings for him little mortal. Do you 'want his baby' as they put it?" Taureth grinned maliciously and tried an attack.
"That has absolutely nothing to do with it and get your mind out of the gutter!" Sarah said after defending herself.
"Oh, but Sarah..." He attacked again and grabbed her by the wrist with their arms above them. Sarah felt her body bump against his from the force of motion. She was disgusted by the thought. He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "I know something that Jareth doesn't..."
Sarah freed her wrist and slashed his cheek as her sword came down in fighting stance again. "You were saying," she replied with an arched brow much like Jareth's.
Taureth winced momentarily... Sarah's sword was iron as well! Drat those fool guards! He would have to play more carefully with this kitten least he be scratched again. "You still haven't found the father of your boys..."
Sarah gasped as Taureth attacked again. He was quick and she could just barely feel Ione's commands before she put them into use. "Well, I'm waiting," she gritted out through clenched teeth.
"Why it's Jareth of course!" Taureth said with a smirk. He cried out in surprise when one quick movement from Sarah caused a slice on his sword hand.
"You lie! Jareth could not be their father since the boys turn into hawks instead of owls."
"Did not your attacker use a mask? How can you be so sure Jareth didn't simply manipulate you with magic?" He tried a feint, but Sarah noticed he was moving more slowly. Ione expressed her own shock at this but reminded Sarah that he had been cut twice with iron.
"Jareth would've known better," Sarah said circling Taureth. "Jareth would've known that I would've recognized his eyes anyway. Jareth would've known that I couldn't tell anyone in Aboveworld either."
"I see you've thought the matter over..." Taureth said with a sneer.
"My boys look much like the Goblin King. Of course it crossed my mind."
"Let me assure you that it was Jareth..."
"Oh, Taureth, just tell her already!" a strained voice insisted.
"Wait your turn, Jareth! I'm not through with you yet either..."
"Well, you can at least have the decency to tell her and quit playing with mortals!"
Taureth laughed once more, "Since when did I have any decency?"
Jareth had given Sarah the opening she needed. "You can have some right now!" she cried slashing his exposed side with her sword. Taureth dropped his own sword as his hands went to his side. Slowly Sarah dragged the thrashing man towards the open wall and chained his hands as well. Taureth was howling in pain as the iron had burned him.
"Now you can tell me what you were about to say earlier..."
"Sarah!" Ione gasped quietly. Sarah suddenly remembered both of her friends. Slipping closer to Taureth she removed the key ring from his belt and proceeded to free Jareth and Ione. Jareth picked up the sword that Taureth had dropped.
"Now," he said holding the point of the sword to his brother's heart, "you may tell the Lady how evil you truly are!"
"No! I refuse to be forced of anything!" Taureth shrieked in anger.
Jareth smirked looking much more like his old self. "Ione... Hit him where it matters..."
The centauress bowed to her king. "With pleasure, Jareth," she said with an eager grin. She slowly advanced towards the chained Faye.
"No, no, no! Anything else brother and I swear I will tell!" Taureth begged. Taureth may have known Jareth's weakness, but Jareth knew Taureth's as well.
"Too late, Taureth! I thought about doing this every moment you had me chained to that wall!"
"Then you tell her you weakling!" Taureth spat angrily.
Ione marched up to Taureth and stood a mere hairsbreadth away from him. In one swift motion she raised her equine leg with every ounce of strength that remained in her body! Taureth crumpled immediately though held firmly by the chains. Ione stumbled but managed to go stand beside her king and her friend. Already her wounds were beginning to heal since the guards had ceased their abuse once Sarah had challenged Taureth.
"I don't care who tells me, but someone had better tell me soon!" Sarah demanded.
Jareth sighed turning to face her since his brother was rather incapacitated at the moment. "Taureth used me to get to you, Sarah..."
Both Ione and Sarah stood gaping at him. "So which one of you is the father?" Ione managed to question.
"Heavens! This is crazy!" Sarah exclaimed.
"That's why you didn't know about the Terrified Ones..."
"What are you talking about, Ione?" Jareth asked in confusion.
"Taureth has been getting his kicks through you, Jareth. The girls that wished away siblings since you went dark have all remained in the castle for... for your umm... pleasure..." Ione blushed.
Jareth turned a deep shade of red as well. "Taureth, you should be flayed alive!"
"Oh some of them are so good, Jareth! You should see what I've taught them!" Taureth said with a sneer. "Some of them were unbroken too! Like that pathetic mortal you like so much! She was such a joy to take!" Jareth strode firmly up to his brother and punched him square in the nose. "Try her then if you don't believe me! You had her once..." Jareth gave his brother a strong hook breaking the elder Faye's jaw.
"Maybe that will shut him up for a moment or two," Jareth said with a smirk brushing his hands of with satisfaction.
"Jareth, what will you do with the Terrified Ones?" Ione asked. Sarah was still trying to take this in.
"I will have to see if I can do right by them. If they wish to return to Aboveworld, I will grant their request. If they wish to stay in the Underground, I will do my best to see they are servants in only good homes..."
"I...I don't understand..." Sarah stuttered quietly.
Jareth was soon by her side. "Sarah, you need not fear me. I was not present in mind when Taureth hurt you. I remember nothing of it nor did I even know of it until he brought me here."
Sarah's eyes closed and her head tilted back. "Lord, why do you allow the road to be so confusing!"