A very fast update! I really like this one. Especially the part in which Markla tells Jareth what she has heard. ( if ya wanna know what: read the story!). The kidnapping and searching part is about to begin now. And I am giving Markla a sort of Mother role for Jareth. Kranlar is by the way making big plans and he is not who he seems to be! But you will find that out later. Have fun reading!
Thanx Etre-loup de madame! One little question though: what does your name mean? My French isn't that good! .
Chapter 4 "They have taken her Sire!"
Kranlar had been a fool, he knew that, but there was no way back. Besides, a great plan was already forming in his mind. All he needed now were a couple of strong Goblins. He walked out of the castle, hooded and cloaked, and to the bar in the Goblin city. It was a small and dirty house and it looked like it had been made out of junk. The bar was filled with small tables and a bar and it was a dark and damp place, filled with robbers, thieves and others, who's job had no name. The place was crowded and Kranlar carefully had to slip through the crowd. Even he didn't want to make these guys angry. Kranlar stepped over a sleeping body and called the barkeeper.
"I need a couple of strong Goblins," Kranlar whispered. He was familiar with the ways of these man. The barkeeper came closer to Kranlar until they where nearly nose to nose.
"How strong?" he asked.
"Strong enough to kidnap someone," Kranlar answered. The barkeeper nodded.
"I know some, but they want a lot of gold," he said. Kranlar had expected that. He took out a well filled, leather purse and showed it to the barkeeper. He nodded.
"The guys in the back are the ones who you need," he said. Then he returned to a dark corner on the other side of the bar and continued with other business. Kranlar walked over to the three rough looking Goblins. As soon as they spotted them, they stood up, looking big and rough, and began to growl.
"Who are you?" the biggest one asked.
"My name is of no service to you, but this is," Kranlar said while holding out the purse. The three fell silent for a moment, but soon recovered. They were quite used to this.
"What must we do?" another asked, without further asking questions.
"I want you to kidnap someone. But not here. I will need to take you to the Castle to explain certain things," Kranlar spoke. The Goblin trio nodded. They had experience in that. Together, the four walked to the castle.
-
Near the door to the Throne room, Markla was shivering. She heard the plan to kidnap Sarah. Her small body was trembling with anger. How dared they to betray their King! Her fists were clenched. She had to tell the him. She had to tell the king what the Goblins where up to.
"Markla! Come here to help with the dinner. Now!" someone from the kitchens yelled. Markla protested, but it had no use. Sighing, she ran to the kitchens. She worked twice as fast as usual and was soon finished. Quickly she ran back to the hall. Suddenly she saw Kranlar and Goblins, who she did not know, coming around the corner. Markla quickly hid behind another corner and stopped to listen.
"That went great. When will we get the money?" a voice asked.
"Soon," Kranlar answered shortly. "When you are completely finished. Not sooner."
Then the voices fades as they stepped away from Markla. Markla was shocked. She was too late. They had already kidnapped the Girl. But they were not jet finished. Maybe she still had time to tell the King, so that he could save her. As fast as she could, she ran to Jareth's bedroom.
-
Jareth looked out of the window. He sighed. There was no hope left in his body nor in his eyes. They just stared blankly out of the window, waiting for a sign of Hoggle. A sudden knock on the door woke him from his thoughts.
"Please open my King. Please open up!" he heard a female voice saying. There was another knock on the door, this time more urgent. "Please open the door Sire!" Jareth stood up and walked to the door. When he opened it, he saw Markla, shivering and with a tear rolling over her cheek. Her usually quite tidy knot had fallen apart and her cheeks were red of anger.
"What has happened?" Jareth asked concerned. Markla was one of the few Goblins he really liked.
"It's terrible Sire! You have to act quickly!" Markla said urgent. Jareth took her in the room and closed the door.
"What? What has happened?" he asked again. Markla looked at the King with deep, grieving eyes.
"They have taken her Sire. The Goblins have kidnapped the Girl," she said with a hollow voice. Jareth said nothing. He stood there, staring in the deep, thoughts racing through his mind. He suddenly felt hopeless. Weak and powerless like a new born baby. He fell on his knees. His eyes turned into a deep grey, like a empty, heavy storm. His kips sealed. He did not understand. Why? Why did they kidnap her? Why her? The grey in his eyes got suddenly darker, the storm heavier, no longer filled with nothing. They were now filled with hate. He suddenly let out a great, roaring scream. He felt no more hope, love nor pain. Just anger, for they had taken him away the only thing that he really cared about. They had taken his Sarah! He let out another scream filled with anger. Then he felt a small hand on his shoulders. Jareth stopped and looked around. Markla now stood in front of him, looking a little scared. Jareth looked away.
"I- I'm sorry," he mumbled. He stood up and sat down on his bed. Markla quickly followed him, like a mother dog watching her puppy carefully. Jareth breath was heavy. He buried his face in his hands. Markla briskly pushed them away.
"My King. I heard them say that they were not jet completely finished. Maybe you can still reach the Girl before they will harm her. You must try!" Markla said firm. Her big eyes looked straight at the king. He turned his head away.
"But where to search? And who to punish?" Jareth asked.
"I only know that Kranlar is the leader Sire," Markla said. Jareth's face suddenly grew pale. His mouth formed a straight line and his eyes looked angry.
"Kranlar," he repeated. He remembered the smart Goblin. And he had known that he was up to something. He knew Kranlar well and Kranlar knew Jareth too, a little too well. He had known about Sarah and kidnapped her. But why? Jareth knew where he could find Sarah. Resolute he stood up and walked to his closet.
"Sire?" Markla asked concerned. Jareth took a dark, heavy cloak and swung it around his shoulders.
"I am going to search for Sarah. Do not tell to anyone that we have spoken each other! If Kranlar will find out that I am gone, he will take Sarah away again," he said briskly. Markla nodded but with a frightened look in her eyes. Jareth walked to the window.
"Be careful," Markla said. Jareth stopped and turned his head around.
"I will," he said softly. They looked in each others eyes. For a moment, Jareth felt like he was looking at his mother. Then he turned around again, changed into an owl and flew out of the window, to the Labyrinth.
-
Kranlar looked sour.
"Why did you do that?" he asked. The Goblin trio began to laugh.
"That's what we always do. Just hit the guard and then sneak in the castle. Works great!" one said proud. The others smirked.
"That went great," the fat one laughed. "When will we get the money?" he suddenly asked. Kranlar rolled his eyes.
"Soon," Kranlar answered shortly. "When you are completely finished. Not sooner." The Goblins smiled. This was going to be a peace of cake. It was like hitting a guard out of conscience.
