Chapter 14: Substitutes and Countermeasures

The boy was smiling.

Even though Sarah knew they'd come to speak to Rielle, she couldn't take her eyes off his thin frame. Six or seven years old, if she had to guess. With pale skin freckled slightly by the sun and a spark of recognition in his glance. He'd wrapped both arms around Rielle's left leg with disturbing familiarity. And while his shaggy, blond hair obscured any hint of arched brows or pointed ears, that smile nettled itself into the exact place Sarah was trying her damndest to disregard. Boy. Acquaintance. Rielle. Boy.

Jareth's sigh hadn't helped. Nor had Rielle's subtle frown and arched brow. Her judgment had been their first greeting, and Sarah wondered absently if Jareth's own reluctance had been drawn from Rielle's apathy at the village entrance. There was an obvious history here, but it was…tense. Like the moment after an unexpected insult where no one quite knows how to respond. Any moment now, the jilted party would hurl a plate. Words might follow. If they were lucky, of course. Because even with the little Sarah knew about the Underground, she was certain Rielle's magical prowess rivaled Jareth's own; the air was clotted with a new headiness.

Rielle trailed her eyes slowly down Sarah's person. "She's much older than usual, Jareth," she commented crisply. "And not part of those we agreed upon."

Sarah gaped. Much older? Agreed upon? She'd been expecting an unpleasant visit, but she at least had hoped not to be belittled by Jareth's lover. Ex-lover, that was. She'd wondered, but his lack of enthusiasm and Rielle's almost exasperation at their presence put doubts of their finality to rest. Still, she had done nothing to deserve the insult, regardless of any 'agreement' the pair had made. Though she supposed being tucked under Jareth's arm wasn't helping matters.

Sarah pulled away. "I'm only thirty-five-"

"-Sarah's not part of our bargain, Rie," Jareth cut in fiercely, and after a quick twist of gloved fingers, Sarah felt the pins and needles fade.

Sarah absently touched her ear tips, but they felt no different. She knew Jareth had dropped the guise, however, from how quickly Rielle's dark blue eyes widened. It was only because Sarah had been watching her closely that she saw the change; calm overtook her surprise before Sarah could revel in stunning the brash woman.

So, her knowing smile was completely unexpected. "I told you it was a matter of time."

...What?

It was like being frozen to her couch all over again; two steps behind the end-game though this time, without the small comfort of worn fabric. Rielle kept her gaze on Jareth as if to coax acknowledgment that she had been right. About what, Sarah could only begin to guess, though she assumed it had to do with her. She knew not to expect an answer when she heard Jareth growl in warning beside her. "Rie-"

Rielle's smile remained unfazed, though she arched a brow. "Really? You didn't-"

Jareth interrupted again, "this is not the time, Rie. And not why we came."

Rielle's soft snort signaled she thought otherwise, but to Sarah's frustration, she said nothing further. The woman knew something important. Something Jareth had, unsurprisingly, conveniently failed to disclose...

"Hi, Jareth," the boy piped suddenly. He was apparently as oblivious as Toby to uttered warnings, deciding that just after Jareth's growl was the opportune moment to detach himself from Rielle and race over to - Sarah stilled - cling to one of Jareth's own legs. His smile only brightened as he looked up. "You brought me a sister?"

It was only Jareth's quick chuckle that kept Sarah from gaping again, though she was certain everyone in the village heard her stomach flip. Jareth. Boy. Acquaintance. Sister. The boy was too familiar with Jareth. The boy looked like Jareth.

"Not today, Nolan," he said. "We need to speak with your mother." Jareth glanced up. "Preferably, in private."

"I assume this has something to do with that missing boy?"

Jareth ruffled Nolan's hair once as he nodded. "Yes. The situation has escalated. We require your unique... insight."

Whatever was left of Rielle's smile slipped and for a moment, she seemed to be considering whether now was the time to throw that plate. Jareth had said speaking with her would cost them something; she'd assumed that meant a favor but she supposed a black eye would be fair payment for an irked woman. Still, Sarah needed answers before things got out of hand, so she stepped forward. "Please? My brother has been kidnapped."

Sarah was certain Rielle had heard her, but her expression stayed unchanged. It softened as she glanced at Nolan.

"Run over to Annie's. I'll come to get you later."

Sarah watched as the boy nodded and with one last squeeze of Jareth's leg, he scampered towards the house to their immediate right. A single knock on the faded oak door revealed a young, brown-haired woman in an apron who, after glancing over at the three of them in the open, ushered Nolan inside. Her gaze fixated on Sarah one last time before she smiled, bowed her head, then closed the door.

It was only after the woman held her stare the second time that Sarah noticed the oddity. After Sven and Rielle, and with what Jareth had warned, she'd just assumed it wasn't possible; that it wasn't safe. He'd disguised her. None of the denizens of the last town had looked like her.

They can be...cruel. He'd called her that once. Her eyes, at least. And that was what she had noticed.

"She's human. She didn't have your markings," Sarah gestured to her brows. Jareth didn't even blink at her incredulity, nodding once. She'd counted at least eight homes in the half-circle. Several layers of protective enchantments. Glitter and crystals, and subtle bows. Sarah narrowed her eyes. "You said the court keeps all the people who fail the Labyrinth."

"They do. The humans who live here were never Wishers."

Rielle glanced sharply at Jareth but he said nothing further. Of course, he'd given the girl only half of the story. And not the part involving him. She'd at least thought he'd tell the girl about his court maneuvering, but she didn't even appear to know what he'd long been doing Above. Regardless of how they'd parted, the effort alone was admirable. So, knowing him, that meant he suspected he'd played a role in whatever situation had 'escalated' and he was ill-inclined to invite blame.

It also meant he suspected the High Court's involvement. There would be no other reason he'd come here unannounced and without a child. And asking her for more favors. She tilted her head back towards her house, centered at the back of the circle. "It would be better to have this conversation inside."

Rielle, to Sarah's surprise, curled her finger at Jareth, and to Sarah's greater surprise, he sidled up beside her without retort. She followed their huddled heads into Rielle's one-story home with itching palms. She told herself it was only because Rielle seemed to know more about her than she knew about Rielle. She intended on rectifying that shortly.

Sarah didn't wait for Rielle to close the door behind her. "Jareth mentioned that you used to be a part of the High Court."

"Unfortunately, he would be correct."

"Unfortunately?"

Rielle raised a brow before she pulled out a seat for Sarah at a circular table. "Jareth did tell you what the High Court did with the humans that stayed?"

"He implied enough."

Rielle snorted again before fixing Jareth a pointed look. "Of course, he did."

"Your disdain is unwarranted," Jareth cooly replied. "I've pledged my protection."

Rielle frowned. That confirmed her suspicions; he feared the High Court's involvement. Only they would spur such magic. And if he'd gone ahead and brought her here, the girl deserved to know what he'd pulled her into. "As you've likely realized, the High Court's opinion of humans differs from mine. I attempted to persuade them otherwise, but after several centuries, it became clear nothing would change their minds. They saw humans as weak and expendable, and useful only to serve. When they broke - as they always did, after a time - they became... disposable. There was only one other obvious step we could take to lessen that cycle."

"We?" asked Sarah.

"If you are intent on going down this path before assisting, Rielle, I would prefer to explain it myself. You're certain to exaggerate its import. The High Court does not know of this place. If they did, they would have found a way through the enchantments instead of toying with Sarah and me. And you know that was my pledge to you."

Sarah stilled in her chair. As he'd spoken, Jareth had moved from his position against the wall near the door to stroll through the kitchen area. She thought for a moment that he'd join her at the table, but instead, he fell back into his lean against the wall directly across.

"As I mentioned, Tearmann Bhaile is a haven for those needing the greatest protection. The High Court once took the Wished Away as well as the Wishers. They do not any longer."

"Why?"

A tiny smirk surfaced. "Because we have found ways to prevent it." He jutted his head at Rielle. "When Rielle was a member of the High Court, I was unaware that she too had been attempting to curtail the High Court's abuses; our opinions are exceedingly rare. But she took a chance in seeking my assistance as Goblin King and together, we were able to cast enchantments to mold and hide this place. Neither of us could have done so alone. The village we passed through, though important in its own right, serves as a shield for Tearmann Bhaile in case someone unwanted does find their way past the outer enchantment."

It seemed so obvious now. She'd never asked whether they remained in the Goblin Kingdom, but he had been clear about the High Court's authority and distaste for humans. Why they might not be safe in the open. "Tearmann Bhaile is a haven for the Wished Away children."

"Yes."

She had to know. "Even Nolan?"

His smirk twitched. "Even Nolan."

"Although he was the last child Jareth brought here," Rielle offered, somewhat accusingly. "Some two years ago."

Jareth frowned at her but said nothing. Rielle, in turn, mirrored his look. Sarah, while exceedingly interested in whatever Rielle was pressing, was more confused about how Jareth and Rielle had been successfully thwarting the High Court. While she didn't see how it involved her, it sounded like an obvious reason why the High Court might be targeting Jareth. "Isn't the High Court angry that you've been hiding the children?"

"They would be if they knew about it. As I mentioned, because they have not found their way into Tearmann Bhaile, I am confident they do not." He shifted his position, picking up one boot to press back against the wall. "The Rules do not grant the Goblin King any right to the Wishers. The book says nothing about their returning Above when they lose and the High Court is quick to stake their claim. The Wished Away, however, are always in my direct possession when time runs out. Once there was a place to hide them, there were several ways to prevent the High Court from taking them when they came to my castle to collect."

Sarah didn't even blink. She wasn't even sure she'd breathed in the last minute. He so rarely spoke plainly to her, but having Rielle as a willing storyteller seemed to have spurred his openness. One benefit of the brash woman, at least. "What ways?"

He quirked a smile. "Some, most unfortunately," he drawled with obvious sarcasm, "were too weak to survive even those thirteen hours. The High Court themselves believes humans to be fragile; it was an easy enough ruse to pretend they'd passed. The few that survived were temporarily... substituted."

"...Substituted?"

"You may have realized that my goblins are nearly indestructible. Even when spelled, that trait remains. They are able to tolerate the High Court for a time before they find their way back to the Goblin Kingdom. The ones I send are good at following instructions. They've been warned what not to do."

Spelled. He'd disguised some of his goblins as humans? "And you don't think the High Court is at all suspicious when their humans just... vanish?"

He arched a brow as he pulled a crystal. "Who said they vanish? Illusions, as you know, are one of my specialties. I may not have access to the High Court, but I don't send my goblins in unarmed. An illusion of death does not need to last long."

Sarah was finally at a loss for words. He'd been hiding the kids who hadn't been rescued; protecting them from torture and death, despite the danger it wrought. With what Jareth had intonated, there was no way the High Court wouldn't target him if they knew he'd been maneuvering against them. But it seemed so... unlike him. She'd always seen him as out solely for himself. The epitome of an arrogant and self-interested king. Sarah's forehead crinkled. Well, before that pledge...

Jareth tilted towards Rielle. "Now, may we move on?"

"What is it that you want to know? They have not taken a young boy; my contact made that clear."

"Have any of them been acting differently? Departing for unexplained periods of time? Possibly, Above?"

"I will have to inquire. I don't particularly care where they spend their time so long as it's not here."

Jareth hesitated, but then tossed the crystal he'd pulled in Rielle's direction. He jutted his head towards it as it hovered. "Her brother. Can you tell if this is Ardbinse?"

Rielle reached up for the crystal, pulling it to her face. When she looked close, a pair of small, grayish-brown figures huddled in a stone hallway stared back. One, wearing an unusual jacket that she knew was not of the Underground. The stone hallway, lined with distinctive torches, however, she unfortunately knew well. "Yes," she sighed, looking up. "Her brother is disguised as a goblin?"

"No, that's Grog; he was kidnapped with Toby," Sarah answered.

Rielle glanced sharply at Jareth but tossed the crystal back without a word. Sarah knew something was wrong, however, when Jareth's jaw clenched.

"What?"

"Your brother doesn't presently have my crystal."

"...Who has it?"

Jareth closed his eyes as he crushed the crystal into glittering dust. "Stay with Rielle," he ordered. "I'll return shortly." And without a further word, Jareth pushed hard off the wall to rush out Rielle's front door.

"Jareth-" Sarah called. But he hadn't seemed to hear her. Or, more likely, he'd reverted to his bad habit of not explaining what the hell was going on.

Rielle too watched him go, though with far less confusion. It happened so infrequently, but his reactions were always the same. Short-words and sharp orders. Rushing off without explanation in an attempt to hide his anger or concern or regret. The same thing he'd done when he'd ended their courtship some twenty years ago; when he'd told her about the girl.

The same thing he always did when he realized - unequivocally - that he'd made a grave mistake.

Rielle glanced casually at Sarah. The girl was likely unfamiliar with his habits, but she was certain Jareth would be back as promised. And she knew he would do - was doing - everything in his power to help find the girl's brother. Especially if his actions caused his disappearance.

"He does that occasionally," she offered calmly. "I wouldn't worry; he'll be back soon."

Sarah whipped her head back towards Rielle, but she had already moved from the table. She watched as Rielle hovered by the kitchen sink, and the sudden rush of water momentarily hushed her pounding heart. Calm. Rielle was calm and, apparently, making tea. She had filled a small copper pot with water and with little more than a flick of her wrist, small blue flames flickered underneath.

As it sat in the middle of the table. Two teacups joined it with another flick before Rielle eased into a chair.

Sarah exhaled. Rielle's ease was strangely reassuring—it was clear she knew Jareth well, and she couldn't imagine Rielle would be casually making tea if she'd seen something too concerning in the crystal. Maybe, Toby had just given the crystal to Grog? She'd make him tell her when he returned.

While Sarah was frustrated by Jareth again deserting her so unceremoniously, she recognized Rielle's move as tolerance of her presence. Perhaps a willingness to continue the conversation. And really, she did have more questions for her. She also didn't have Jareth's growling to get in the way. Still, despite any ire Rielle appeared to harbor for Jareth, she still respected him enough to not plow through his warnings and grant him favors. The tension riled her curiosity. But she'd have to tread carefully. Start small. Rielle left the High Court because of the Wished Aways, so that seemed safe.

"How long have you been here with the Wished Aways?"

Rielle leaned back in her chair, a trace of a grin at her lips. "That's not what you want to know. You're more curious about the extent of my relationship with Jareth."

Sarah stilled. Not careful enough. "You... didn't seem pleased to see him. Or to help us."

"It appeared as if he'd brought me a fae to protect; that wasn't the bargain we made. It'd also been some time since he's come. As far as the High Court goes, he sometimes doesn't realize just how much he's asking."

I ask for so little. Just let me rule you...

Sarah shook off the memory. "He's fond of bargains."

"Jareth? Yes, but that's part of his role as Goblin King. The Rules compel him to tempt Wishers into giving up their child. He dislikes it immensely."

"He was thrilled when my brother agreed to give him my spare bedroom."

"That's not surprising," Rielle laughed. "After all that time."

"Excuse me?"

Rielle eyed her curiously. "Your brother had the book, then?"

Sarah frowned. "No; I wished for Jareth. Toby just asked to borrow one of his goblins."

"Ah," Rielle's face dropped, "that would also explain it."

"Explain what?"

The kettle whistled and with practiced speed, Rielle flicked off the flame and poured the hot water into both teacups. When she was done, she glanced up to Sarah's narrowing eyes. He clearly hadn't told her. Nor did she know what he had been doing. Which meant he was still concerned she'd reject him again. But even she could see the girl was interested; she'd been about painted to Jareth's side when they'd entered and obviously relieved to hear that Nolan was human. Jareth was a stubborn fool. Still, he was never without a plan and would be furious with her if she intervened. "Jareth will tell you in time. With your brother missing, I'm sure his mind is focused solely on finding him." But, she smiled; that didn't mean she couldn't hurry along that conversation. "But to answer the question you truly wanted to ask: you needn't worry; it has been some time since Jareth and I have been lovers."

Toby huffed as he raced up the circular staircase, wishing he'd spent more of his free time at the gym. Each step was high, and the path dark; whoever had lit the torches down in the dungeon had apparently forgotten to light the ones on the stairs. Unless there weren't any? Either way, he couldn't see much of anything, so he kept one hand trailing on the wall as a guide.

The dripping had started again, which wasn't helping either. He just hoped it was water instead of blood this time. After a good minute, the sound of scratching and growling had faded completely, and Toby took the opportunity to exhale.

Relief was short-lived.

"Grog? Dough?"

Toby had expected the patter of tiny feet to merge with the dripping, but when he'd stopped, the slow drip echoed alone. They hadn't followed. ...Couldn't follow? Ice flushed out the brief respite the escape path had brought. He'd done it again; he'd lost track of Grog. Toby twisted, moving to rush back down the staircase. He didn't make it ten steps before he crashed into something solid.

And given the darkness—invisible.

"Shit," he hissed, clutching his throbbing nose. He reached with the other hand to find some sort of wall had materialized just where he'd run up from, cutting off the path down to the dungeon. He had no idea how it'd formed, but it explained why neither Grog nor Dough had been able to follow. He refused to leave them behind. Perhaps, the crystal could help? Toby reached by rote for his jacket pocket but froze mid-reach. Dough. He'd given his jacket to Dough, crystal and all.

Double shit.

There was nothing to do but continue up, and hope he ran across someone who could help. Someone who would sympathize and wasn't a part of the group that kidnapped him. Toby grimaced. The odds weren't good. Dough had clearly indicated the 'fae' who ran this place were dangerous. He'd seen the skeletal proof. Which meant he needed to get out of this place entirely; track down help elsewhere. Sarah had told him a few creatures in the Labyrinth had helped her defeat the Goblin King, so they couldn't all be bad. Someone would help him. Probably. Hopefully.

Toby exhaled again and continued back up the winding staircase. He didn't count the steps but eventually, the staircase straightened and when he reached forward, Toby felt what seemed like a wooden door. The knob was just where it should be, and when Toby twisted it - carefully - open, he winced at the illuminated room.

It reminded him of some sort of entranceway: long and narrow, and lined with marbled floors and a high ceiling with intricate carvings. Too high to make out precisely, but the shapes were vaguely humanoid. But the room was, fortunately, completely devoid of living creatures. After stepping out from the stairs, he silently closed the door. Several other doors broke up the marbling on the hallway walls, but Toby was solely focused on the double-doors; the ones at the very opposite end of the hall that called to him as an exit.

He hurried, the squeak of his shoes a small price to pay for a quicker escape. There was no time to waste with that growling thing in the dungeon. But Toby should have known, with all the mistakes he'd made, that he was destined for more trouble.

"Mr. Williams," a cool voice echoed from behind. "What impeccable timing; I was just on my way to fetch you."

Toby stilled inches from the double-doors. The term fetch trailed like nails down his spine. Like a pet. Like he was beneath him. The bastard. Toby turned, intent on cussing out whoever had insulted him, but his curse died in his throat. His knees buckled, then gave out, as a wave of energy pressed him downwards.

"Who are you?" Toby breathed as he glanced up.

The man smiled - a sharpness that twisted Toby's insides - as he bowed dramatically. "My name is unimportant, but you may call me Master."

A/N: As always, much love to all readers and reviewers. A lot of dialogue here, but hopefully, this answered some of your questions; not all, of course :) But there are some big hints on motives and culprits that I've tried to make more clear. I continually welcome guesses. Next chapter brings us back to Murdock's investigation.