Chapter One – Court of The Knights
Dusk. Goblin City was roused with noise and the smells of food. The constant bout of travelers and tradesmen filled the air with elven songs played on low-toned goblin instruments.
The sound of yelling and the hurried steps of horses turned heads, but were not enough to stall the cities fun. It only took minutes before a rider raced through the crowd; a cloaked rider in black followed him closely.
The cloaked rider pulled out a white hunter's horn and let out a loud resonating call. The horn was dropped from the rider's hand, falling back amongst the folds of the cape.
"Move!" The cloaked rider yelled. The crowd parted almost biblically. The black stallion sped up until the rider was nearly side-by-side to the other rider. The rider's hand made a sharp arch upward. There was a flash of white and a painful crack before the other rider hit the ground.
The rider in black slowed down the stallion and turned around. The crowed watched as the rider dismounted and pushed the dark hood back. Revealed was Sir Jessie Cardemus, elder knight (or General) for the Goblin City division of the knights. She bent down and picked up a piece of her shattered horn.
"Damn" Jessie whispered to herself in a slight British accent. "That was a good horn too." She dropped the piece of the horn and pulled out a pair of shackles. The young light elf was unconscious and bleeding from the nose and mouth. Jessie cuffed him and hoisted him onto her horse.
The crowd seemed to enclose around her. She mounted her horse and looked out among the crowd.
"I am Sir Jessie Cardemus of the Knights of the Labyrinth" Jessie said loudly. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
"Bah!" An old lady yelled from the crowd. Jessie narrowed her eyes at the old junkyard crone. "You…'knights'…are a joke!"
"Explain yourself or shut your trap" Jessie said.
"You locked my son, Agmen, away you whore!" The crone yelled.
"Agmen" Jessie said through clenched teeth. "Destroyed Magilla's Pub and caught two houses on fire." Jessie turned around in a circle. "We don't choose sides. We uphold the law." The crowd just stared back. "Be safe and just, or I will be back."
The crowd separated as Jessie rode off towards the jailhouse.
When the light of dawn peeked down onto the Labyrinth, Jessie rode back to the Court of the Knights. The Court, as it was called, was the turf of the Knights. Their buildings and training fields were there, along with the jailhouse.
The night had brought out thieves and drunkards, even a small gang of hobgoblins who had been spooked by Jessie's very presence. Jessie put her black stallion, Aftiel, in the stables and headed towards the food hall.
The food hall could barely be considered full, but with the shift change the half dozen knights were considered a full bunch. Jessie ordered eggs and toast. She took off her cape and found a seat while her food was cooking. A few of the knights stared at her as she pulled a pair of sunglasses from a pocket inside her coat.
Noticing, Jessie smiled flashing her fangs for show.
"Stop causing a fuss, girl" Verde, the hefty cook, said. He put her tray of food before her and set a small wooden cage to her left.
"Thank you, Verde" Jessie said. It was the same routine she had been doing since day one. She took her empty glass, opened the small wooden cage, and with a flick of the wrist, pulled the head off of the rodent. Every time the others always watched, some sickened, some strangely fascinated. But every time…
"You're so disgusting, London" Sir Alexa said. She threw a chuck of fried potato at London, Jessie's personal nickname. Jessie put the rodent back into the cage and picked up her glass of blood. "Why don't you do that outside?"
"I hear your Sergeant quit last night" Jessie said before taking a long drink of her blood.
"Half Ama'sovai" Alexa scoffed. Ama'sovai, an almost extinct race of vampires. "You're barely human, freak."
"Sir Alexa, please hold your temper" Giallo, the thin chef, called from the kitchen.
"Fuck you, Giallo" Alexa said while standing up. From the kitchen Verde tried to make noise while Giallo said something about spitting in Alexa's food. The door to the food hall opened and Aulus Firewolfe plopped down across from Jessie.
"You going to eat that toast?" Aulus asked. He took a piece before Jessie even answered.
"Ew!" Alexa shrieked. "He is a shape-shifter. You're letting him eat your food!"
Jessie stood up and turned towards Alexa. Alexa flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms.
"First off, you bigoted bitch, we're all knights here. It shouldn't matter who is what." Jessie said. "Secondly, it sounds like you need a nap."
"You know" Aulus said in between bites of toast. "If she doesn't shut you up, Alexa, I will."
"I'm leaving. You two sicken me" Alexa replied. She gave a small 'hmph' sound and stormed out of the food hall. Jessie lifted her right hand towards the others in the food hall. Eyes widened when they saw the small knife in her hand.
"Does anyone else have a problem?" Jessie asked. Heads shook 'no' and turned back towards their food. Jessie stuck the knife in the table and sat down. "Aulus?"
"Yep" Aulus said.
"Get your own damned toast" Jessie said.
The evening shift for the Goblin City was handled by Sir Mirya Rayn, Lieutenant. Standing at six-feet, her elven beauty was rumored to be inspiration for poets. Underneath her outer appearance, though, was the true heart of a noble warrior.
She sat atop her horse while going through the Goblin City. The people seemed quiet. Almost too quiet. Making her way over towards the traveler's campground she saw why. Only a few tradesmen were left.
"Excuse me" A young dark elf called to her. Mirya turned to her left and found the young man atop a small pinto pony. "Excuse me. Are you one of those knights?"
"I am" Mirya replied. "Who are you?"
"My name is Marcus Ghivae" The young man said. "I just got into the Goblin City this morning."
"Welcome to our city" Mirya said. "I am patrolling. You may ride along, but understand that I am at work here."
"Oh" Marcus said. "Hey, no problem. I was wondering if you guys were looking for any new people. I mean. I'm looking to become a knight."
"Really?" Mirya said with a smile. "You'll need to go to the Great Hall at The Court. They can sign you up, Mr. Ghivae."
"Where is that?" Marcus asked.
"Follow this main road east" Mirya said. "There are signs."
"Thank you, Sir" Marcus replied. He rode off in the direction of The Court.
"I hope he has friends" Mirya said under her breath before continuing her patrol.
Pounding at the heavy front door woke Sir Jessie from her sleep. She sat up and ran a finger through her tousled hair which was looking like something from Earth's 1980s. She slid off of her couch and straightened the robe she was wearing. She groaned and stumbled over to her door.
"Yes?" Jessie growled. A goblin held out two pieces of mail for her. Jessie took the two letters. "Why didn't you just put these in my box?"
"One is from the king" The goblin said before turning and scampering down the path. Jessie shut the door and went back to the couch. She lit two giant oil lamps before looking at her mail.
Jessie broke the seal with her finger and opened the heavy parchment. It read: Sir Jessie Cardemus, Elder; I require your attendance at 4:00PM sharp. –Jareth
Jessie looked at the large clock that hung over her fireplace. It was 3:30pm. Jessie groaned and stumbled into her bedroom. She didn't need the lights on to see properly. Being half Ama'sovai had its advantages.
She quickly dressed in black tights, her black riding boots, and after being slightly indecisive, picked out a crimson poet shirt and black vest. Jessie pulled on her usual equipment and armor before leaving her room. She turned out the lamps and collected her letter from the king. She pulled on her long cloak, slid her sunglasses on, and headed out to get her horse.
"You're late" Jareth said immediately. Jessie walked over to the long dining table that was laid out with an entire feast. The six other elder knights were sitting at the table.
"My apologies" Jessie said. "I only just received the letter."
"Sit" Jareth commanded. Jessie took the only empty chair that was left. Jareth stood up and looked at everyone. "If you have not noticed, over the past long while my kingdom has been struck with a significant amount of crime and danger." Goblins with pitchers of peach wine filled everyone's glass. "I want this fixed."
"How do you propose to do that, your majesty?" Sir Zill Raa, a pan, asked.
"By increasing your numbers" Jareth said. "I want my army trained as well. It would be nice to have a safer way into the Labyrinth, too."
"We can't even get respect from most of the citizens in Goblin City" Jessie piped up. "How do you expect us to increase our numbers?" Jessie looked at the entire group of knights, then back at Jareth. "Your majesty, if I may speak freely for a minute." Jareth nodded. "If you're so worried about the crime, then why are we all here right now about to drink and dine? Three elders here are supposed to be on duty right now."
"I have it worked out, Sir Cardemus" Jareth said. He rubbed the bridge of his nose only as a show of displeasure. He picked up his wine glass. "My idea to gain respect for you, to increase your numbers, and to keep the citizens happy, is simply to hold a festival." Jareth sipped his wine. "It will be a three day festival. I want you to hold a competition. The prize will be becoming a squire. You will train them and gain more knights. The citizens of Goblin City will enjoy the competitions and will learn what your squires are capable of doing."
"When do you propose to have this competition?" Alexa asked. "We won't be able to patrol if we have to hold a competition."
"I'll have my men take over for the three days" Jareth replied. Zill choked on his wine and quickly wiped his mouth.
"Sorry, Sire" Zill whispered.
Jareth rolled his eyes and continued. "If you all agree to this, I will send out notices tomorrow. We will hold the competition in a month, 30 days. Are we all agreed?"
"Yes" Everyone said. The knights had all been working without a break for longer then anyone should in an entire lifetime. Any help would be more then appreciated and they all could agree on that.
"Perfect" Jareth replied. "Please, help yourselves to dinner." Jareth took his seat and everyone started to slowly pile food onto their plates. "I would like to thank you all for serving the kingdom so loyally. You are all greatly appreciated."
"I'm sorry, your highness" Jessie said. She stood up. "I can't sit here while I know that I should be out there."
"You will sit here and eat" Jareth ordered. "Milady."
"Maybe she just needs one of her rodents to eat" Alexa said. The other knights turned to glare at her.
"That was uncalled for, Alexa" Sir Pheon'a Cha said in a singsong voice. Out of all the elders, she was the most unique as she was a Fiery, one of the larger pixies in the area with the ability to dismember herself and put herself back together.
"My apologies, but I agree with Sir Jessie" Sir Aulus replied. "I have duties to tend to, but I will stay."
"I'm sorry you both feel this way" Jareth said. He gestured for Jessie to sit which she did. "As you all know, I don't do this often, so forgive my intrusion on your duties for tonight." Jessie gave a small snarl and picked up her wine glass. The lack of sleep was already a burden. Receiving only four hours was enough to make her overly grouchy. "Sir Jessie, my dear, please stay once we are done here. I think we need to have a discussion."
The other knights remained silent as a classroom of children might when the teacher scorns one classmate. Jessie finished her glass of wine and loudly slammed her glass on the table.
"Yes, Sire" Jessie grumbled. Everyone looked over at Jareth to see what his reaction would be. He gave a feral smile. They all knew that the king and Jessie had a special relationship, but how far he'd allow her to push him was never fully understood.
The meal was short and full of high tension. Everyone was quick to leave before the king requested anyone else to stay for a discussion. Sir Jessie followed the king into his personal study.
When the doors were shut, Jareth turned to her and started the discussion.
"Never interrupt me" Jareth said through clenched teeth. "You may be in charge of your small division in The Court, but I am still the king." Jessie tightened her jaw muscles. "What the hell has happened to you anyway?" He walked in circles around her. "Not enough sleep? Not eating enough?"
"I have been working non-stop for the last ten years" Jessie said coldly.
"Great" Jareth said. "I have been king ten times longer then you have been alive. I am king twenty-six hours a day for every single day."
"I believe we all just need a break, sire" Jessie said. Jareth stopped behind her. From thin air, he produced a magic crystal and allowed it to float in front of her.
"You simply have to say when" Jareth said. He leaned forward, close to her ear. "You know that."
"I cannot" Jessie said. "I have duties to deal with. I can't just leave."
"Your perseverance is admirable" Jareth replied. He flicked his wrist and the bubble disappeared. He stepped around her and moved to lean against his desk. "When do you go on duty?"
"One hour" Jessie said. A sudden, impatient knock sounded from the door.
"Come" Jareth said loudly. A goblin rushed in. "What is it?"
"Yer highness! There's trouble!" The goblin said. Jessie quickly moved to the window.
"Where? What kind of trouble?" Jareth asked.
"The travelers" The goblin said. "They've all gone mad!"
"There's a fire" Jessie said. The loud low tone of a bell could be heard as well as sirens from the firefighters.
"How have these travelers gone mad?" Jareth asked.
"They started brawling and setting fires!" The goblin replied.
"Then get out there and stop it!" Jareth yelled. The goblin nodded and ran out of the room.
"I need to go" Jessie said running to the door. The doors closed before Jessie could get to them.
"We are not done" Jareth said angrily. "My men can handle it."
"Are you crazy!" Jessie yelled. She turned around to find Jareth mere inches from her. "You're going to get people killed."
"How would you like a small vacation?" Jareth growled. "I know of a few good oubliettes that you may like."
"You wouldn't" Jessie said. "There's been too much trouble for you to do such a thing."
"Where is that cute, spunky girl who I helped raise?" Jareth whispered. He raised his hands and produced a crystal once again. "Don't worry. I'll let the others know."
The crystal burst producing a blinding light. When the light disappeared, Jessie was gone and Jareth sighed.
"How unruly" Jareth said to himself.