Chapter 3. The silent conspiracy
Sarah lay on her bed; her eyes open as sleep seemed to elude her. She looked at the painting hanging over her bed. Still only seeing it as a dragon chasing a bird, and wondering what it was she was missing. Her new roommate was making churning sounds in her sleep and Sarah sighed heavily. In her hands were the little glass beads that Lilith had given her earlier, strangely enough they gave her some calm moments. It was late, and still sleep eluded her. Her mind was racing over the events of this day. Her herbs having been taken from her was the most troubling thought.
In the weeks, now months that she'd been taking the herbs she'd developed a sense of dependency on the way they allowed her to focus during the waking hours, and rest during sleep. No dreams but sleep… and awaken feeling less than totally on edge. She wondered if all the people at the clinic dealing her disorder were dense enough to believe that she would just do as ordered without finding out about the compounds being used to treat her condition. This latest prescription was most troubling, Clonazepam, an anticonvulsant. Sarah was not aware of having convulsed, and was not sure she liked being giving a drug without having it explained to her.
The pill had been bitter, more so than the last prescription, and it left a bad taste in her mouth. Rising from her bed, she walked quietly into the little bathroom she and her roommate shared. She brushed her teeth for the second time that evening, and gargled trying to get the odious taste to dissipate without much success. The foul taste suddenly caused her to retch, gagging on the contents of her stomach. She moved from the sink to the commode to heave and empty. After her system cleared itself, she washed her mouth out again and gargled. A cold sweat had beaded on her forehead, and she leaned on the door jam looking into the dark room she was sharing. Her roommate was still churning, having missed the entire episode of her tossing her cookies. Sarah moved to her bed once more and took long deep breaths to calm herself looking at the painting of Li Po as she did. Soon she closed her eyes, lying still in the darkness. Still only seeing a dragon chasing a bird.
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Sarah was groggy when she awoke, attributing it to the remains of the chemicals in her system. Her eyes opened to find the roommate having risen and already in the shower. Sarah rose and made her bed, not wanting to share the bath room with the other, not now and perhaps never in the future. She held her bladder until the other girl had exited the bath fully covered in a fluffy bath towel. Only then did she allow herself to enter the bath and close the door firmly. She noticed a slightly different order to her urine and made a note to put this observation down in her note book. She then showered and again brushed her teeth. Exiting the bath she found her roommate looking at her clothes in the shared closet with longing. Sarah bristled. "Don't touch my things." She warned.
The new roommate looked over her shoulder at Sarah with less than a considerate gaze. "I was just looking." The Marion clone said defensively.
"And I'm just warning," Sarah said staying back, until the other girl had her uniform on. Sarah made her way over to the closet and pulled out a fresh blouse for her uniform. "I don't like people touching my things."
"I hear you don't like a lot of things," taunted the girl who more and more reminded her of Marion. "Did your mother buy you all those things?"
"Some are from my mother, some are from my father," Sarah dressed in hopes the other would leave her alone.
"Your mother's some kind of actress, right?" The girl leaned on the dresser.
"Yes," even the tone of her voice didn't seem to help, it seemed to boarder on disgust and Sarah knew the other girl was on a mission.
"Ran off and left you and your father I read somewhere." She sneered, looking more and more like Marion.
Bristling and feeling her defenses go up, Sarah turned to look at the Marion double. "What do you want?"
Blond curls went flying over a curved shoulder. "Me, I just want to get to know you."
Sarah bit her tongue and picked up her books. "I've got an early class." She muttered moving past the obstacle of her roommate.
Snickering the other jeered. "Don't let me keep you."
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Devon found Jareth in the family dining area at breakfast when he entered. "Ah you didn't wait for me." He companied.
The Goblin King dabbed his lips with the linen napkin, "I thought you might still be… busy."
"Sent the wench back hours ago," The other mused. "She was amusing and most enthusiastic; however a man does need his sleep. I never let them spend more than a few hours entertaining me in my bed. That way none can make claims later." He took his seat, and raised the goblet of juice to his lips; "To your health cousin."
Jareth returned the salute; "To yours." Between bites of a meat pasty the King asked quietly. "How long do you intend to visit?"
Devon inspected the provisions, taking a meat pasty as well. "I've time, and you need something more than just brooding."
Jareth dropped his fork, "I don't brood."
"You do, and you know you do," Devon observed coldly. "Especially when you've not been able to turn some thing to your advantage, or you've miscalculated something or worse, someone. However I should like some hunting, and your lands are much better for that than my own. So cousin, I suggest you plan on my being here for oh a month or so…"
"And should I be summoned?" Jareth challenged saucily.
Shrugging Devon sipped his goblet again. "You answer."
Jareth smiled, "Devon, perhaps you are right… it's time I got on with things."
The other Fae raised his goblet and saluted the Goblin King. "Here, here."
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Sarah had taken no notice of any of the other students in her classes. This morning she was looking for Lilith when she arrived at her literature class. The Greek girl was assigned a seat on the opposite side of the room. But her presences seemed to give Sarah a feeling of not being totally alone. She inclined her head to Sarah and opened her note book. Sarah slid a hand into her pocket, fingered the beads and then turned her attentions to the instructor giving a lecture. When the class was over neither girl made an effort to speak to the other, but moved on to the next class.
When Sarah found Lilith in the study room, she had her book open to a chapter that had nothing to do with the days' class. Sarah knew the other was trying to send her a coded message, but was at a loss to figure it out. Lilith looked up to where a camera was and then back to her book. "I was wondering if your parents are coming up this weekend," she asked Sarah.
"Just my father," Sarah commented; "Is your family coming up?"
"No," Lilith stated looking a bit miffed. "You must be thrilled."
"I wish I could say I was," Sarah confessed in a mutter. Lilith placed her finger on a word in the book, and hoped Sarah would notice. Narrowing her gaze while trying to look like she wasn't, Sarah began to tap her pencil. Once for no twice for yes as Lilith used the words of the book to talk to Sarah while asking mundane questions as a cover.
Lilith nodded when it was time to close the books. "Sit with me at dinner." She said quickly as 'Matron' suddenly entered the room. 'Matron' snapped her fingers at Sarah, expecting to be followed. Sarah rolled her eyes and did as was expected of her. Lilith watched her being led out of the room and whispered softly. "Fos tis psihis mou." Her voice was breathy and she felt her pulse race. She had something to look forward to, and that was enough.
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Led to the dorm room, Sarah was surprised to find Mrs. Browning standing there with a scowl. Beside her was the latest of Sarah's roommates howling as if she'd been stabbed. It was not until Sarah was at the door that she understood why. Everything on her side of the room was just as she'd left it; everything on the other side was upside down and inside out.
"Good God, what happened in here?" she asked.
Mrs. Browning didn't appear to be in a mood to quibble. "Laura is of the opinion that you did this," she accused Sarah.
"I did not," the girl denied knowing she hadn't set foot in the room all day. "How could I? I left this morning before… what's her name here…." She waved a disinterested hand at the other who backed away as if threatened.
"Really Miss Williams adding lying to the crimes is not very smart." Mrs. Browning snapped.
Sarah went cold, her face a mask of contempt. "Perhaps you should check up on me," she suggested in an icy quip. "Ask her, I left before she did!"
Mrs. Browning turned to the Marion double, "Laura, did Miss Williams leave the room before you this morning?"
"She did, but she must have come back…" Laura pouted, miserable over the over turning of her belongings. "How else could this have happened?"
"How else indeed," Mrs. Browning agreed. "I've sent for today's monitoring of this hall…" She looked daggers at Sarah. "This is your last chance to own up to this display of bad behavior, Miss Williams."
Sarah felt a wonderful urge to tell the Head Mistress to fuck herself sideways, but resisted. Instead she gave her a cooling expression. "I have no fear."
The hall monitor called for them to come to the end of the hall and observe the tape as it was replayed. It showed Sarah leaving the room as she'd said she had. After Laura had also exited it showed nothing more until Laura returned to the room to find it upturned. Laura gasped. "That's not possible? Someone got in, gremlins didn't do this!" she exclaimed excitedly.
Sarah felt the tightness in her stomach, 'no,' she thought coldly. 'goblins did.' She looked at Mrs. Browning. "I told you, I didn't do this. I've been out of the room all day… classes and then studying with Lilith Timofia. You can ask the Librarian, she saw us enter, and then leave. We had to sign in and out with her." Being in the right gave Sarah an air of confidence she didn't feel right now.
Laura growled, "I don't know how you did this, but I'm sure it was you…you weirdo!"
Snickering, Sarah raised a brow. "Is that your best shot?"
Mrs. Browning frowned. "Check the tapes again… someone must have done this." She ordered. She stood over the shoulder of the monitor technician, neither one looked happy. The door opening when Laura left showed the room in order, then when she returned it showed the room a shambles. Nothing else, no person ever went near the door.
Sarah wondered if she was supposed to feel guilty, "I could help you strengthen up." She offered.
Laura growled at her, "I wouldn't allow you to touch my dog let alone my personal belongings, Williams."
Mrs. Browning shook her head, she too was sure that the Williams girl was to blame but with out proof was out of luck. "Laura put your things to rights, Miss Williams I suggest you go to dinner. I will be putting this on both your records." The Head Mistress retreated to her own office to mull this situation over.
Sarah shrugged and made her way over to the schools dining hall. She found Lilith and another girl waiting for her. Lilith smiled, "Sarah, this is Bryn Cystennie. Bryn this is Sarah."
The new girl was looking at Sarah with a look of recognition. "Sarah," she greeted her if not warmly, at least it was friendly. Bryn gazed at Sarah with eyes the color of a cool bed of forest moss. Her face was open, and wise, and compassionate. Sarah wondered what in the hell had sent this one to this hell hole. Looking at the girl with long dark red hair braided down her back, one could only think of fall leaves and cool forest glades. She didn't look like a miscreant nor did she appear to have a problem in the world.
"Bryn," Sarah returned the greeting in kind.
Lilith looked at the lines for dinner. "One wonders how they can be so eager to eat this swill."
"No choice," Bryn commented.
Sarah snickered. "They do look eager, don't they?"
Lilith shook her head sadly; "What I wouldn't give for some Dolmades."
"That's grape leaves isn't it?" Sarah asked.
Lilith nodded looking sad, "I haven't had any it two years… that's how long I've been here." She led the way to the line and the bland food that was served up.
"You'll have to tell me about it sometime," Sarah tried to sound only half interested as she frowned at the food that had been plopped down on her plate.
"Bryn has been here only a year," Lilith said knowing the conversations were monitored but keeping it from sounding important. "She's still green around the edges, aren't you?"
Bryn looked down in disgust at the dinner. "More than the edges," she rejoined.
They took seats at a table that no one else was occupying. It was in plain view, and anyone passing could hear their conversations. Sarah had to wonder what it was Lilith was doing. She kept the direction of the conversation during the meal on events surrounding the school, and Sarah caught sight of several of the monitors coming closer to check on them, and then drift away seeing nothing going on. Only once did Sarah see the gleam of triumphant victory in the eyes of the Greek girl.
When the meal was finished Lilith suggested a good walk to help digest the food. Once out of the building and walking the path Lilith whispered. "We have to keep the conversation light."
Bryn nodded and took the lead. "Did you finish the Chem. homework?"
Lilith whispered to Sarah as Bryn carried on a conversation, "I hear there was trouble in your dorm."
Sarah looked at Bryn, "I have the problems figured out." She hoped both would understand.
Lilith whispered again, "Sarah, don't let them railroad you, they will if they can."
"I noticed." Sarah nodded toward the pair.
Bryn pointed to the fountain that was not yet turned off for the fall and winter. "Oh look," she walked toward it, "Good thing this fucking ugly thing is loud." She quipped. "I was running out of chem. Talk."
Sarah looked at the fountain, Bryn was right it was fucking ugly. "Who is this Daniels man?"
Lilith answered quickly trying to smile as if she were talking about something pleasant. "He's the head of some research group. They are targeting the girls with anger issues, hence you, me and a few others… but not Bryn here… she's not angry enough for them."
"They took my Chinese herbs and replaced them with a prescription that nearly gagged me." Sarah smiled coyly as she spoke.
"Bastards," snickered the girl undoing her braid and running her fingers though the long strands. "If you don't take it, they'll make you."
"If I do take it, it could kill me." Sarah answered keeping the smile in place.
"You're going to have to be careful," Bryn pointed to something on the fountain as if explaining its finer features to the other two. "You could palm the pill when you put it in your mouth and then toss it down the commode…"
"I'll think of something, but they took my herbs." Sarah lamented softly.
"I'm dying for a drag on a cigarette," Lilith groaned. "And they found my stash at the tree."
Bryn could see the cameras turning to watch them. "Told you not to leave them there…" She stepped away from the fountain with the two other girls in tow. "We'd best get back, big brother is watching."
Sarah nodded.
The three returned to where the dorms sat. Lilith whispered, "I'm in building six, Bryn is in two… we'll sit together again tomorrow." She promised before turning to leave. Bryn nodded and also went her way.
Sarah returned to her room, knowing that the Marion Clone, Laura, would be there waiting. She breezed in, and took a seat on her bed, took up a sketch pad and began to draw. Sarah was not even sure why she'd picked up the pad. Part of her brain said it was to giver herself an excuse not to speak to Laura. It was what she discovered herself drawing that gave her a bit of unrest. On the page, staring back at her was a bug-eyed face with its mouth agape and its eyes focused, a Goblin. Sarah blinked, wondered why in the world she'd draw this, why now? The sketch pad was ripped from her hands.
Laura looked at the drawing with abhorrence, "That's the ugliest thing I've ever seen… and the drawing stinks." She ripped it from the pad and began to tear it apart as if challenging Sarah to do something about it.
"You shouldn't have done that," Sarah tossed her pencil on the night stand.
Laura scoffed, "You plan on doing something about it?"
"Not me," Sarah sighed sliding off the bed and headed toward the little bath room to change. "I'm not going to do a thing… but someone else will…" she could feel Laura's gaze follow her as she closed the door she whispered. "The Goblin's will get you if you don't watch out…" she snickered to herself knowing that Laura had crossed a line that even she was only barely aware of.
Laura awoke to a fit of screams and raced from the room in the middle of the night. She swore that she felt little hands scratching at her. When she was walked back to the room by the hall monitor the room was quiet, and Sarah lay asleep, with out dreams still as death.
The monitor glared at Laura, "I don't see anything out of place."
Laura shook like a leaf, "I'm not staying her! I don't care what any of you say… there's something wrong with this room," she pointed a shaky hand at Sarah. "and there's something wrong with her!"
The next morning Laura was moved out.
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Robert had driven up to the school alone, as Sarah had requested. He carried with him gifts from both Karen and Linda as well as drawings from Toby to his big sis. It was easy to deliver these; it was the news he had to give her that was going to be much harder. He waited in the reception room for her to enter.
The moment her eyes found him, she knew something was wrong. Her façade smile faded and she marched over to him. "What's happened?" she asked in a slightly demanding tone.
Robert held his breath for a instant then blurted out. "We had to put Merlin down."
Sarah staggered back a half a step before she caught herself. "What happened? She asked again, softer.
Robert taking care not to touch her, knowing she was holding on to threads of calm, "I don't know sweetheart, I think it was just his age." He explained softly. "He started acting strange, and stopped eating… the vet did everything he could…"
Nodding the girl felt the sharp sting of tears. "I understand." She whispered. "What did you do with… his…"
"Karen suggested we cremate him and spread his ashes in that park you use to cavort in with him." Robert felt in danger of spilling his guts.
Sarah gave him a weak smile. "He'd have liked that…" She knew they were being watched and she pulled herself upright. "How about I give you the fifty cent tour?"
Robert followed her, wondering if things would ever be free and easy between them again. "I'm sorry I bought you here." He said quietly as he strolled the grounds at her side.
Sarah reached for his sleeve, brushing it lightly with her hand. "Don't be, believe it or not I think I'm actually making a couple of friends."
"The Head Mistress called," he said in a carefully chosen tone and volume. "She complained about having to change your roommates so often."
Once they reached the fountain, Sarah spoke quickly. "I don't have much time; we are watched like we're dangerous prisoners. So listen to me…. Get a hold of Andrew, this place is not what he thought it was. Don't let him send anyone else here… and find out about this Daniels guy who's running the sleep clinic…" Her eyes darted about wildly making sure they were alone.
"Have you been to the clinic?" Robert asked, "I mean you look terrible."
"I know," Sarah whispered. "They are trying to break me down… they took my herbs…and put me on meds that make me sicker than a dog…. And do little to make my temper better."
"You haven't had any counseling yet?" He sounded incredulous.
"No, and Daddy, I don't think I'm going to trust the counseling I get…" she looked about as if to look for something to show him. She pointed to something and kept talking. "I don't know what's going on here… but it's not what Andrew thought it was."
"They removed Andrew from the school…" Her father muttered. "But he and I exchanged private numbers when you came here."
"Someone wanted me here," she said convinced she was right. "Daddy, remember what I said. If I seem to have gone off the deep end, cut your losses."
Robert nodded, "Sarah is there anything I can do for you?"
Sarah reached for his sleeve again, gingerly touching it. "I'm losing the ability to touch others Daddy..."
He groaned, "I want to take you out of here…."
"No," she shook her head. "It will be the same anywhere else… and I don't want to go home…I don't want to put Karen or Toby through this."
Robert reached over, sensitively placing his hand over hers. She flinched but didn't pull away. "I'll do what ever you think is best… princess."
The girl with haunted green eyes looked at her father. "Keep my secrets, keep the silence."
Robert nodded and seeing staff coming toward them turned her toward the path again as he removed his hand, and she dropped hers. They walked side by side, silently.
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From the window of her room, Lilith could see the path, and it was easy enough to see Sarah walking with the man who had to be her father. The family resemblance was there, softly, but there. 'Be careful, Sarah.' Lilith mouthed silently, knowing there could be cameras in the room. Two years here had taught her not to take anything so precious as privacy for granted. It didn't pay to let one's guard down.
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Sarah had gone up to her room to get a light jacket for the drive over to the café her father had made reservations for. They walked the path down toward the parking lot when they were stopped by a guard who informed them they didn't have permission for the girl to leave the grounds. Sarah held up her pass and it was quickly confiscated, and they were told they were wanted at the admin building. Robert gave his daughter a resigned sigh.
Mrs. Browning was pacing behind her desk, looking a bit like a frightened child. She held one hand worriedly to her lips, once she looked at the man sitting waiting for the father and daughter to arrive. She wanted to tell him to take his plans and shove them. But she was too worried about being replaced just as Talbot had been when he protested some action of Daryl Daniels. She knew after working here, there'd be no place for her in the world of real academia.
Daryl Daniels sat calm and tranquil, and in complete control. He watched a bit amused as the Head Mistress paced the floor. He could read her so easily, and wondered how long it would be before she broke and had to be replaced. Reaching for the tea cup that he'd easily put on the end table, he took a long sip of the tea and remarked on what a pleasant blend she'd chosen. Robert and Sarah entered, both looked upset and that too amused Daniels.
"I was told I could take my daughter to dinner," Robert said ignoring the presence of the man.
Sarah didn't ignore him, it was the man who'd taken her herbs and his look was like someone who had planned an elaborate prank and was waiting to watch it unfold. "Doctor Daniels." She said in greeting, but her tone was flat.
Robert caught it all the same and looked at the man. "Is this your doings?"
"I'm afraid it is," Daniels sighed. "You see your daughter is on a new regiment of medications and her diet has to be carefully maintained." He stood up. "I'm Doctor Daryl Daniels the Director of the sleep clinic, and you of course must be Robert Williams." He extended his hand to the girl's father.
Sarah whispered a silent prayer that her father would take the offered hand and not threaten to pull her from the clinic's care.
Silently cursing the man, Robert chose to play with the bait offered. He accepted the offered hand. "If you give me a list of what she can have I'll be happy to supervise her meal." He dropped the hand and continued speaking to the man, having dismissed the woman entirely. "I don't appreciate being stopped by armed guards when I'm with my own daughter."
"Oh dear, I'm afraid our guard staff is new and a bit over zealous." Daniels mused lightly. "I'm afraid it's out of the question, Sarah can not leave the grounds at this time… however I've made arrangements for you to have a dinner in one of our private dining rooms." He looked at his pocket watch and slipped it back into his vest. "They should be ready for you now, if you'll just go with Donna here, she'll guide you to the dining room." He snapped his fingers and 'Matron' came forward, as stoic and stone silent as ever.
Robert saw the way Sarah stood, read something unfathomable by the others, and nodded. "Fine… however in the future I'd like to know when we are unable to keep our plans." He followed the stoic woman and Sarah quietly followed him.
Daniels smiled at Mrs. Browning when they had departed. "I told you it would be no problem."
The Head Mistress wished she was as sure as he.
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Sarah knew they were under observation, and kept the diner conversations as light as she could. When diner was over she walked her father down to the receiving room and bid him good bye. He promised to come and see her on the next parents' day; making the suggestion that she come home for Thanksgiving. Sarah stood in the vestibule door watching him walk down to the parking lot until one of the guards suggested she get a move on and go back to her dorm.
Sarah was alone in the room, they had not given her a new roommate as of yet so she had the room to herself. "Just because I'm paranoid…" she muttered looking about the room as she paced. "Does not mean they are not out to get me…" she could feel someone had been in the room and she was certain a camera was now secreted away in the room. She continued to pace until she was worn out. Only then did she sit on the bed, she stared at the wall ahead of her and began to count the little cracks in the plaster.
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The technician watching the monitor huffed to himself. "What the hell is she doing?"
Daniels looked over his shoulder at the screen, "I do believe she's counting."
The tech looked up at the doctor with an expression of discontent. "What could she be counting… there's nothing in there the walls are one solid color!"
"Cracks," Daniels stated. "She's counting the cracks." He straightened up. "She's very cleaver this one." He walked toward the door, "I however am far more cleaver than a mere girl."
The tech waited until the man left and looked back at his screen. "Don't count on that Doc, I've a feeling this girl is no ordinary girl."
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Lilith joined Sarah in the chapel, and Bryn took a seat on the other side of Lilith. The three sat silently listening to the chaplain give his sermon. Each had a hand in her own pocket, fingering a strand of beads. No words passed their lips; they just sat, quietly side by side, fingering the worry beads each had in her pocket.
When Chapel was over, they didn't stay together, but went their separate ways. Sarah headed toward the building her dorm was in. As she reached her floor she didn't even have to look to know she was being gifted with yet another roommate. There was shouting coming from the room and the hall monitor was standing in the hall with two guards.
"I'm telling you there's something in the closet!" a voice shrieked.
Sarah entered the room, looked at the new girl, at Mrs. Browning and took a long deep breath, "Now what?" She crossed her arms.
Mrs. Browning turned on Sarah, with an intense dislike for the girl that came out of nowhere. "Miss Williams, there are no pets allowed."
"I don't have a pet." Sarah said flatly.
"Miss Chambers here insists that something tried to bite her when she was unpacking her wardrobe." The Monitor announced.
Some devil entered Sarah's fevered brain of unrest and she quipped. "Perhaps it was rats. These old buildings are full of them."
The Head Mistress's eyes flashed fire. "There are no rats in any of my buildings!"
The girl, Miss Chambers who had yet to be introduced to Sarah screeched and shrieked again. "I'm not staying in a rat infested room."
"There are no rats," the Head Mistress insisted to no avail.
The monitor looked at Sarah who was calmly taking a seat on her own bed. Something about the Williams girl gave everyone who had to deal with her the willies. He didn't like the way she was taking this all so calm.
The Chambers girl stomped her foot petulantly. "I won't stay here!"
Sarah looked from the freaking out girl to the Head Mistress, and shrugged. "Don't blame me, I just got here." Gleefully she watched as the monitor and the guards helped the frightened Chambers girl gather her belongings and exit the room.
"This is not the end of this," warned the Head Mistress crossly as she too exited Sarah's room.
"I'm sure," Sarah muttered as she lay back on her bed. She looked at the painting that Li Po had given her, still just a Dragon chasing a bird. She sighed and closed her eyes and thought of how much she missed her dreams. They were starting to fade even as memories. She could barely remember even one of them. One year without them had taken its toll, and she no longer resembled the once vain and stuck up girl who'd dreamed of performing on stage with her actress mother. She tried to ignore the fact that there was a camera in her room, but found she could not so she let her eyes wonder slowly until she found it.
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Two hours later the tech was writing down his log of the Williams girl. "No change." He muttered.
Daniels shook his head, "You're wrong, she's changed. She will soon be showing signs of aggression."
"From a mere sleep disorder?" the tech asked looking back at the screen and the girl who seemed to be staring at nothing.
"I've read the reports on her… going back to when her mother left the child and her father…." Daniels wore an all too pleased smile; "One of the councilors at her middle school suggested that the mother was unbalanced and it would show up as well in the daughter…" He tapped the screen. "And that's what we are looking for."
"I thought we were looking to help the girl," another tech asked softly.
"There's helping, and then there is helping." Daniels said. "She's strong willed this one. But we are stronger. What we learn from her will give us more than just medical knowledge. It will give us power."
Silently the techs exchanged glances, but kept their misgivings to themselves. A job that paid this well with so little work was hard to find.
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Devon aimed his cross bow, took careful aim on the bird in the sky then pulled his trigger. The arrow flew straight and true, and still missed. He turned to Jareth who seemed distracted. "You're not concentrating on the hunt cousin."
Lifting his bow, he signaled his servant to flush out the bird from the shrubbery. It flew up and Jareth didn't seem to aim at all. Yet when his arrow was released it hit the target and the bird dropped out of the sky. "You were saying?" Jareth quipped boredly.
Devon frowned. "I think you cheat."
Jareth snickered, "I don't have to." He tossed his cross bow to the servant. "I'm just a better shot than you."
The other Fae shook his head, "I don't see how you can be, and you're not paying any attention to the hunt."
"I don't need to," Jareth said. "I know when to shoot… I know when to hold back… I'm just better at the hunt than you, cousin." He moved toward his steed.
"I'd like to know what has you so distracted anyway." Devon groused as he mounted his steed. "What are you thinking about, cousin that has you so far away?"
"Oh nothing…" Jareth dismissed the question, unwilling to answer.
"Not that orb again…" Devon cursed.
Jareth smiled playfully. "A young girls dreams can be most entertaining, cousin."
"I'd rather have the young girl." Devon mused. Jareth bristled; he too would have rather had the girl. As that was not possible he was content with her dreams. Devon noted the bristling and asked coldly. "And what was the maids' name?"
"Damned if I recall," Jareth lied coldly. "I say, I thirst and there's a fine inn not far from here on the path. What say we drown your sorrows as a poor shot in some fine ale?"
Devon let the taunt drop at the suggestion of ale, "I would not mind a tankard or two," he mused softly; "And perhaps the warmth of a wench."
Jareth turned his steed toward the path and urged it on silently. He would take what pleasures he could, but his mind was already on returning to the Goblin Castle and taking another view of the dream orbs contents. He mused over how often he'd looked into the orb over the pass year. He'd even treated himself to taking part in one or two of the more amusing dreams.
Devon watched him, and worried that the High Court was right. Jareth was showing signs of being obsessed. He was not sure he'd be able to help his cousin overcome the fact that he was obsessed with a ghost of a memory. "Jareth," he said quietly. "You've enemies."
"I am aware." Jareth said as quietly.
"I'm not one of them," Devon murmured.
"I had not accused you of being one," sighed the Goblin King.
Devon looked over his shoulder to where the servants were bringing up the rear carrying the day's catch. "Jareth, others have started to notice your moodiness. There's talk in the High Courts… and you have to do something to correct the image that's being presented of you." He slowed his steed, and turned to give full attention to the cousin who was his only valued friend. "I don't want to see them do to you what they've done to others just because they are bored with their own lives."
Jareth leaned on the pommel of his saddle, "Devon, are you warning me for me, or you?"
"Both," the man said honestly. "Jareth, put this obsession aside," he warned. "Start attending court when it's held and start having your own court in session again. It's been a year since you've done as much as a ball… I heard the last one was… interrupted."
Jareth sighed, "I agree, what you say has merit." He looked to the heavens. "I'll attend the next court session."
"Good," Devon said firmly. "And the little orb?"
"I will put it aside…" The Goblin King promised.