I'm getting impatient with this story, but now I'm determined to finish it. So the next chapters may be abrupt and short, but at least the story will get done.
It had been a long time since Jareth had actually visited Torin. It was no secret that he and its lord were never on the greatest of terms, but if it was true and Tarrence was behind the Immortal slayings then the man had lost whatever was left of his mind. Those thoughts flit quickly through Jareth's head as he transported directly to Torin Manor. Jareth looked around in slight shock. He remembered the hall being drab and boring; merely a large room with a chair on a dais and standing room for the congregants. Now, the hall could easily match his own at Dorensae and the original wood decor was replaced with smooth white marble. Drapes hung low from the ceiling in vibrant hues of red and yellow, and at the head of the room was a magnificent thrown; complete with Lord Tarrence.
Jareth shook his head and stepped forward. The magic in the room was palpatble and he could taste the illusion. "Its still just a plain room," he said with utter boredom. At first glance Sarah was no where to be seen, and that bothered him. He proceeded forward and met Tarrence's blue eyes with his own mismatched pair. "You've been rather busy Tarrence. Tell me why I shouldn't just kill you right now." Jareth leaned against a marble column and inspected his glove. On the outside he was concentrating on keeping Tarrence occupied, for Jareth was busy probing the manor for any sign of Sarah.
Tarrence laughed; cold and harsh. "Come on, you Majesty," he said spitting the name out. "Don't tell me you aren't a little bit curious as what I've been up to?" Jareth lifted his eyes and Tarrence grinned. "Just a little?" He held his fingers up to show a small inch.
"Honestly Tarrence, you are trying my patience," Jareth narrowed his eyes, "and I find that a very dangerous thing to do."
The reply was only laughter. "Alright, alright." With a small wave of his hand a tall and narrow cage appeared beside him.
Jareth's eyes widened as he saw Sarah. The cage was not large and it forced her to stand for it enclosed her in a cocoon of metal. Her hands gripped the bars before her tightly and she cried out in surprise when she saw him. He made a step forward only to be stopped by a strange force and then followed by Tarrence's laughter.
"Oh no, no, no, your Majesty." Tarrence wagged his finger at Jareth, "I think she'll be staying with me now. After all, I was the one who originally found her." He reached through the cage and caressed Sarah's face. She flinched, but really had no where to go.
"Do not touch her." Jareth's hands balled into fists and he felt his eyes flicker in anger. With his magic he tried to pull her away, but to his surprise Tarrence stood quickly.
"No!" he turned towards Jareth and with an outreached hand a bolt of pure blackness cascaded down towards the king.
Jareth had very little time to think, but was able to bring up a barrier of his own magic before the attack did more than push him down to one knee. Angrily he stood.
There was something different about 'Lord Tarrence'. No one in the Underground should have been able to bring Jareth to his knees, but that energy Tarrence released was strong. And tainted. "Blood magic?" He took a step forward as Tarrence's eyes widened. "You've been 'letting them!?"
"Silence!" Tarrence shouted down at Jareth. "You will no longer rule, Jareth," he again spit the name and purposefully did not add the respected title. "I will rule now. With this power," he raised his hands and the black energy crackled through the air. Both Jareth and Sarah watched it, Sarah a little more wide eyed.
Jareth laughed knowing it would rattle Tarrence, and it did. The lord lowered his arms and glared at the king. "Now, let me tell you how things are really going to proceed Tarrence, and you had better pay close attention for I do not want to repeat myself." Jareth gathered as much magic as he dared into his body and let it fill him, bolstering him. "You will return Sarah to me and then you will be executed."
Tarrence sneered. He could feel the power rippling of Jareth, but he knew he could defeat the king. "So confident, and that will be your undoing." With a mere thought the girl and the cage vanished and elicited a growl of anger from Jareth. Tarrence felt Jareth's magic crash down upon him, but Tarrence was stronger and with a grin the dark magics around him vanquished Jareth's.
Jareth stood in shock for a moment before regaining composure. The amount of raw magic that Tarrence commanded was staggering and the first trickle of fear crept into him. As he was he could not defeat him. As he was. Well, Jareth thought quickly, he would have to change that. "So, you want to rule the Underground, do you?"
Tarrence was not expecting that question. He sat and looked at Jareth with evident distrust. Jareth, for his part, once again leaned against a column, looking for all the world like they were having a friendly conversation. The man's calmness frightened Tarrence and all he could do was nod.
"Well, you cannot expect me to hand it over just like that," Jareth snapped his fingers. "See, I know something of this black magic that you are using." Tarrence's eyes widened and Jareth continued, "You must take what you want by force, or you will not gain the power. Isn't this right? It must not be given willingly."
Tarrence was not sure where this was going but again he nodded.
"Then we shall fight for it." Jareth's voice lowered and the room suddenly took on a chill. "We shall fight for all of it."
The situation was quickly spiraling out of Tarrence's hands. He had not wanted Jareth to set the terms for a confrontation, he did not want Jareth feeling empowered at all. With a frown on his face he sought to remedy the situation. "I'll let you return to Dorensae for now, your Majesty. In the morning we shall meet on the Wastes." Tarrence leaned forward. "Do bring your best men, for I think you shall need it when you see my armies."
A look of pure hatred crossed Jareth's face. He was being dismissed by one of his own lords and at the moment there was nothing he could do with it. "One more thing, Tarrence. If Sarah is harmed, or even touched by you, this new power of yours will not protect you." Without hearing for the man's reply Jareth disappeared from the room. But one thought lingered closer to his mind then any other. Tarrence could have killed him then and there and he didn't. Why was that?
Unbeknown to Jareth, Baz was wondering the same thing as he stepped from the shadows the moment the king vanished. He was angry and his black eyes glistened like obsidian, his gold skin shimmering. "You could have destroyed him! Why did you let him go!?"
Tarrence slumped in his thrown and brought a slightly shaking hand up to his temple. Something was warring within. He wanted power, yes, but did he want to kill Jareth? Yes, came the answer, and Tarrence sat still for a moment and asked why. Tarrence's blue eyes took on a clarity that Baz hadn't seen in centuries. "Why are we doing this, Baz? I've forgotten..."
Baz growled in impatience. "No," he said weaving his own magics through his voice. "You haven't forgotten, you've known the whole time. The Immortals are a bane on our existence. Nothing that lasts forever should ever be."
Tarrence tried shaking his head. "But...the Immortals are *my* people."
Baz pushed his magics harder into Tarrence. It had been easier to manipulate him before he had the bright idea to take the Immortals' blood as his own. For some reason it was weakening his hold over the lord. "No, it is just an illusion." He smiled as Tarrence's blue eyes glazed over. "Just an illusion my lord, to keep you from what is yours."
"To keep me from what is mine..." Tarrence parroted with a soft voice.
"That's right. You want the Underground..." Baz felt the last of Tarrence's resistance vanish and he pulled his own energy back.
Tarrence tightened a gloved hand into a fist. "Yes. The Underground will be mine. See the men are ready. We will meet Jareth in the Wastes with a full force."
"It shall be done." Baz held the smile in until he was away from the hall and then he laughed maliciously into the night.
ok, I have probably one more chapter before the big battle and then the end will be close behind. yay!