On to chapter eight and a short note from the author! Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it. Thank you.
In my head, it was clear what happened to get to this point. But, reading back over it without having read other related stories that I've written- which came first and evolved into this -I realize it is pretty confusing. How did the whole family get here, and where did the man with dark hair go? There is a better explanation in this chapter already, but by all means, if this doesn't cover it all than I will definitely work a better explanation in.
Sorry about that.
I don't own Labyrinth. Hope you like it!
We took cover in a forest just beyond the stone maze. Stopping to catch our breath, we discussed what to do from there on. We needed to get to higher ground, Toby suggested. Higher ground always has the advantage. So we found the edges of a wall and climbed up, smelling something rather horrid from the other side that we still couldn't see.
"What is that?" Irene had her nose plugged.
"I assume that's the Eternal Bog of Stench." I mused, eyes watering. I'd picked up on the name while those soldier-creatures were taunting us.
"I don't like it." Toby mused, obviously. I don't think any of us do, kid. "So where are we?"
"I think... the Labyrinth." I walked closer to the wall facing out over the forest. Farther out, I could still see the stone maze and the brawl progressing there at the exit.
"That's what the dwarf said." Dad nodded, avoiding looking at me. Even when so much has changed, and it's obvious I'm at least a little important to our survival here, he still avoided me. But, I was used to it. I didn't let it bother me.
"No, I mean, like in my book. I don't remember where I got it, but it's real similar." I don't think I've had it for very long, but for some reason, I think my friend gave it to me. Did he? He couldn't possibly have, because I thought I got it for my birthday, after he left. I could have sworn it, but then again, memory isn't always the best resource.
"Then you should know how to get home." Irene didn't have as much of a problem actually speaking to me. She's done it more often, though with far more chill than Dad ever has.
I just shook my head.
"We need to find someone who will help." Dad decided, turning his attention to Irene. I looked away from the brawl to watch them. Toby was leaning over the edge to stare at the forest with wide eyes. He probably thought this was all pretty cool.
"So we just keep searching. But, which direction do we go? Not back into that maze, we weren't getting anywhere in there." Irene agreed.
"And, we need to stay away from this 'Kingy' person. I'm going to bet he lives in that castle." He pointed to a building- obviously a castle -in the distance on the other side of the forest. To the left was the stone maze, to the right was forest and then that castle. So, the only direction left was over the rest of the wall, for we were only on a ledge about three fourths of the way up, and to the Bog of Eternal Stench.
"Woah, look over there." Toby commanded all of our attention, before directing it over the edge with a finger. I turned back towards the brawl, to find a new figure had arrived. We were too far away to see clearly, aside from the darker clothes making the figure stand out from the sandstone walls, and the height taller than the soldier-like creatures. The new arrival had to be our general size.
"Maybe we should ask him?" Irene wondered, just before the figure kicked half a dozen of the creatures over the wall and grabbed another handful by the scruffs of their necks. Obviously, he held power over them, and was a terrifying figure.
"Um... no. I think we should leave. Now." Dad insisted, pushing Toby and Irene towards the wall again, and nodding to me. We started climbing again, as quickly as we could.
"That was their king." I breathed. I was sure of it, just as I was of Toby's wish.
"He knows we're here. We've got to hide." Dad went on, to the entire group. "Hurry up. Come on." He helped us all over the top, so we got our first real look at the Bog. It was terrible- I could barely breath! And this side was far steeper than the other, where it had been half hiking.
"Ohhh." Irene nearly swooned. "Flatulence."
"Just keep going." I urged. "Toby, you go first."
"No." Irene objected. "Roger, you go first. To make sure it's safe. Roger?" She realized he wasn't with us. Instead, he was still farther from the edge, looking rather hesitant.
That's right. He's afraid of heights.
"We need to get down there." I wasn't nervous about talking directly to him. He glanced at me.
"I know it." He didn't like the idea however. He wasn't about to let his family see his fear get the best of him however, so he bravely stepped forward, closer to the edge. He looked down and gulped. "A-are you sure you wouldn't rather-"
"Roger!" Irene crossed her arms.
"Right." He hesitated again. I sat at the edge, dangling my feet over, and looked over to my father as he was already taking the same position. He looked at me in surprise.
"Together." I decided, and he nodded, obviously relieved. "On three. One, two... three."
Simultaneously, we pushed off and slid down the steep slope several feet, catching a rickety balance of a ledge, several yards above the foul liquids below. It would be a straight drop from here down, no hope for anything to catch onto if we did fall. But, the ledge sloped along the wall over to a flat of dry land several yards to our left.
So, right beside each other, we walked sideways towards the land. Halfway there, I heard Toby land behind me, and then Irene after him. She nearly fell, the rocks giving under her weight after holding the rest of our impacts. But she managed to stay on, following us inch by inch until we were all safe on the land.
"That was awesome." Toby grinned, still covering his nose. A disturbing sound came from the liquid nearby, and Irene shivered.
"Now how do we get out of here?" She urged, desperate to leave. "There! There's more forest on the other side. And a bridge, just over here. Let's go."
Somehow, Irene had just become the leader of our little exploration. But at the moment, no one really wanted to linger long enough to dispute it. Unanimously, we made our way towards the bridge. But before Irene could put one foot on it- the strangest little creature leapt into our way with a sword branched.
"Ah-ha! None shall pass my bridge!" he declared.
"Oh, please." Irene insisted. "We need to get out of this stench!"
"I don't play these games, for there is no stench!" He insisted. "Now begone with you, all of you!"
"Just because we're human? Well we're trying to get home. It isn't our fault we're here in the first place!" Dad's face was getting red. "Let us through, squirrel."
"None shall pass this bridge without my permission." The knight, for he spoke very properly, insisted. "Human or not. And I am not a squirrel, sir." He lashed out with his sword, and Dad jumped back, failing miserably at evading the blade. His shirt was cut, before I stepped forward.
"Hold on there!" The knight turned on me warningly. I stepped back, nearly losing my balance and stumbling into the Bog.
"Careful, M'lady!" The knight, pulled his sword back. "One foot stepeth into the Bog, and the toxins will never wash out."
"Ah..." Irene crept farther from the brown-green liquids. I had to agree, regaining my balance farther from the edge.
"You know what?" Dad insisted, getting tired of this. "If you can tell us how to get home, then we won't use your bridge? How's that?"
"I know no magic, good sir." He shook his head. "Only the King has the power to do such things in this Labyrinth. But he hath been in a terrible mood, as of late. I would not recommend it."
I nodded.
"Then, just let us through so we can find our own way home." Irene was getting worse by the moment. She shot stares all around her, the ground, the Bog, it was all filthy. Even in my eyes- I couldn't imagine how many times worse it was of her-
Oh! She's a germ-a-phobe! That's it. I've always wondered what got under her skin like darkness did me or bugs did Toby.
"You have forgotten my sacred vow, M'lady!" The noble knight looked shocked.
I decided to step forward, to hurry this along. "Let's look at this logically then; what exactly is your vow?"
"None shall pass this bridge without my permission!" He puffed out his chest proudly.
I frowned. "Well, then, may we have your permission?" It was so obvious! He looked startled at the simple solution, looking between us before looking back at me.
"Ah... yes?"
I grinned and glanced at Irene, who looked grateful. Looking back at the knight, I felt the need to play into his antics. I curtsied to him.
"Thank you..."
"Sir Didymus." He gave his name.
"Thank you Sir Didymus." I hugged him with joy. "Now lets get out of here." I waved to all the others. Irene first, sprinting away from the Bog of Eternal Stench, and next was Toby, who's face was turning purple in an attempt to breath in as little of this as possible. I waited for Dad to go past before following after them all.
"M'lady." Sir Didymus stopped me. I looked to him, crouching down. "As of late, this kingdom hath fallen prey to a great many dangers. I greatly insist you keep good care of your family here, m'lady."
"Thank you." I smiled to him. He was very nice, when you weren't trying to walk over his bridge without permission. It's only a shame he couldn't help any more.
"I bid you good luck."
"Thank you again. We'll watch out."
This forest was thicker, and even though the scent from the Bog of Eternal Stench quickly faded, there was something in the air that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. But I seemed to be the only one bothered. Maybe it's my imagination, but, something is coming.
I opened my mouth to voice my suspicions too late, however. Dad was already knocked off his feet, blasted into a tree. Irene screamed, and Toby grabbed a stick from the ground, as if it would help defend himself.
"Who are you?" Toby demanded, the brave one this time. For once again, I'd frozen in place. The shadow creatures were back, and so was the man that so resembled them.
"A dear friend of your sisters." He chuckled, looking to me.
"Sarah?" Irene looked to me, but didn't wait for an answer. She caught sight of Dad, partly unconscious behind me. I couldn't have answered anyways, eyes locked on this man with utter terror.
"Yes, yes, Sarah." The man chuckled. "You're quite a difficult human to find. Especially for one so filled with magic. Such sweet, pure magic." He stepped forward to touch the side of my face hungrily. I snapped out of it and stepped away. This made the creatures growl and, hence, me to lock up again.
"Leave us alone." I demanded shakily.
"That's not something I can do for you, Sarah." He smirked evilly. "Because I can do so much more than merely to take your magic. It would be such a waste to do only this; for you hold a great many things that interest me." He looked curious.
I shivered.
"Leave her alone!" Toby insisted bravely.
"A miniature human threatening me?" The man asked, amused. "It's unfortunate your belief doesn't mirror your sisters. You're of no use to me." He flicked his finger at the air, sending Toby backwards too. He went farther than Dad, and Irene screamed again, flying after Toby and leaving Dad to finish coming too by himself.
"Don't touch him!" I objected, caught in a fury. But the creatures hissed at me, stalking closer, and I swear the forest got a little darker. It could pass off as night time down here, which didn't help my nerves.
"Oh? And what do you plan to do?" He seemed rather interested. I took a step back. All he wants is me, the others are of no interest.
"I-" I stuttered, looking around at the creatures. "I-"
"What?" He smirked, taking another step forward. Without another thought, I fled. If I can draw him away, at least, back into the Bog of Eternal Stench, I can do something. Right?
After a moment, however, I realized I was not being followed. I slowed, and looked around. Is he behind me? In the shadows so I can't see? Or, did he even follow? The creatures weren't stalking me, and that raised some red flags.
"Sarah!" The voice was muffled by distance, but it was definitely Irene's. My heart skipped a beat, and I glanced around once more. No, he definitely followed. The villain always follows the one they want, to catch them! He's too smart for that. Of course he is. He's got my family still.
I shook my head. No, this isn't happening! It's all my fault! It's all my fault!
I was halfway back to where I'd left them when I heard a ground-shaking explosion. Fire spread from where they were, and shadow creatures went running every direction, whining with their tails between their legs.
"Wait-" It was that black-haired man that's been stalking us, talking to someone else. But he was silenced by a voice that was lost in another explosion. That's when I broke through the trees. There was a burning place on the ground, while the other flames were already diminishing everywhere else. The man, and whoever else had just been here, were gone.
Please, review. Any errors you see, I am now very active in fixing them.