Escape
Tobias ducked as a goblin launched itself at him. A dwarf swung his axe at another goblin as it reached out to grab the boy.
Sir Didymus clung to his steed as Ambrosias galloped across the city square, making for the gates. His cries of "The battle is behind us" faded as the sounds of grunting goblins and swearing dwarves rose.
Hoggle whacked a goblin and plucked Brugar from a brawling mob of the small creatures.
"We gotta get outa the Labyrinth," he said. "No foolin' around." Tucking Brugar under one arm, he grabbed Tobias. "Run," he cried.
The goblins, who did not seem eager to strike their king's ward, made half-hearted attempts to stop them, but the dwarves formed a phalanx before them and they charged to the gates of the city, following Didymus's yelling.
Two birds, a falcon and an owl, lit on the ground. Jareth rose. "Did you think I would allow goblins to harm Tobias?" he asked Sarah as she flung her hair from her face. "You think ever less of me," he accused.
"You would do anything," she replied angrily, staring at the retreating party.
"But will you?" he asked.
She turned to demand what he meant, but he again assumed owl form and struck out of the city. She shook her head and followed.
Hoggle strained to keep up with Tobias' long strides as the group stumbled into the beginnings of a hedge-maze. Tobias rounded a corner and collapsed as a dwarf barreled out of control into the backs of his knees. They all collapsed and lay in a heap, catching their breath.
"Is there anyone chasing us?" Tobias asked a gasping Didymus.
"I saw no one," the fox answered.
"You were runnin' too fast to look," said Hoggle. "Half the goblin city coulda been after us."
Didymus puffed himself up to respond. Tobias interposed himself. "We don't have time to fight each other," he said. "We have to keep going."
He got to his feet, helping a dwarf up and spotting Brunga nursing the last drops from a leather wineskin. Brunga stared at him hard, then leapt up, crying, "Watch it-"
Tobias turned to see a crystal globe hurtling toward him. Before he could move, it struck.
The falcon strained to keep pace with the owl who knew each thermal and downdraft. A bright flash of magic flickered before her. She saw the owl dip behind a hedge and emerge with something clutched in a claw. Between his talons she saw a glimpse of a precious face. A desperate sound escaped her and she saw the owl vanish. She gathered her strength to follow.