Chapter 42. Stacking the deck

Jareth moved into position behind his desk and rang for Philo, "Call the Lord Baron, I have need of him. I want you to also send for Master Sade." Philo wore a confused expression but did as he was bid. Jareth leaned back thinking of how best to set his trap, and knew that he'd have to keep his plans to himself. It was not that he didn't trust Devon, but he could not trust anyone at this point. He looked out the window dreamily, and that was how Devon found him.

"You sent for me?" Devon asked quietly. "Is there word about Della?"

Jareth pointedly ignored the question about the Harpy, "I intend to hold a reception here in three days time," Jareth stated boldly; "For the High King and Queen." Devon nodded neither approving nor disapproving; it was then that Jareth dropped his bomb. "I want the Winderspires to be at the top of my honored guest list."

Stopped in his tracks Devon looked at his cousin as if he'd lost his mind. "Are you feeling… alright?"

"Never better," Jareth could say honestly. "Why do you ask?"

"A reception for the High King and Queen with the Winderspires as honored guests could… initiate humors… some that could establish a preference for the young lady of that family;" warned the perplexed Baron.

"I doubt it," Jareth said adding fuel to the fires, "I want Talagon and his daughter on that list as well."

Devon grimaced. "What are you up to?" He asked taking a seat opposite the man who ruled.

"Nothing," Jareth said unconvincingly."Nothing you need trouble yourself about."

Raking his hand through his hair, Devon shrugged. "Alright, you want to give the High Royal couple a reception, that's fine… but Jareth everyone is going to be…suspicious of this guest list. Whom else do you envision inviting?"

Jareth passed the list he'd jotted down to his cousin; "Just a few of my closest foes." He watched gleefully as his cousin skimmed the list.

Donatien Sade strode into the room as if he too were a Sovereign, "You sent for me Sire?" His features were disciplined, and slightly haughty.

Mismatched eyes turned with approval to the man dressed in long flowing ominous robes. "Master Sade, I thank you for joining us." He motioned the elegant Hobgoblin into the room. Once Donatien took his seat, Jareth addressed him while Devon listened on pensively. "I should like for your guild to arrange some entertainment for a reception I intend to hold for the High King and Queen."

One elegant brow snaked upward, but the Guild Master's eyes sparkled with wicked delights. "I see," he said smoothly. "Any particular type of… diversion you desire, Sire?"

"Very," Jareth retorted with a snort. "I want something that will rock them to their core… Something so completely foreign to Fae society that it entices and beguiles them; I want them to experience something they never dared dream of…. Do you believe you can accomplish this request?"

Tapping his walking stick on the ground the Master smiled slyly; "Without breaking a sweat." He assured his king. "I've a few amusements your guests may find…applealing."

Devon broke in to voice dissention. "Jareth, there are things you simply cannot do…."

Master Sade gave the Baron a piteous and pious glance. "There you are mistaken my Lord Baron. There is nothing the Goblin King cannot do on Goblin soil." He looked at the King, ignoring the Baron altogether. "How many guests do you intend to have at this… fete?"

"It will be a small reception, only one hundred and fifty." Jareth stated with a bored tone.

"I believe I can come up with some very entertaining diversions, my King." Master Sade stated quietly. "Without a doubt it will at least cause conversation."

Once more Devon tired to interject his opinion. "Cousin, this is madness! You cannot subject the Fae to the… diversions of his Guild… It would be indecent."

"Perfect," purred the King with a depraved expression on his handsome features.

Devon was taken aback, "Jareth… what are you thinking?" He pleaded with the King to be reasonable. "It will scandalize the court…."

"Not my court," Jareth purred as he turned to Donatien, "You have three days…"He handed the man a list of suggestions for Sarah's benefit. "This is what I wish of the Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan," Jareth sighed. "See to it."

"Not your court?" Devon blinked for a moment, not understanding the statement.

Master Sade gave the King a simpering smile. "I shall set to getting the entertainment for you, Sire. Your Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan shall be as you desire, and ready for presentation." He looked over at the horrified and astonished Baron and felt pity for him. "My Lord Baron," he bowed gracefully toward him before he took his leave of the King's office.

Devon stammered not able to make sense of what Jareth was up to. "Not your court… my Goddess, it's your father's court!"

Hardness formed what had been the line of the king's jaw. "Devon to whom do you pledge your allegiances?"

"I don't understand," Devon paused, and looked at the Goblin King.

Jareth stood up, came around the front of the desk and faced the man who had been his constant companion. "Are you a Fae Lord, or a Goblin Baron?" His face held no mercy, not even for his cousin at the moment.

Having always perceived himself as both, Devon saw that Jareth meant for him to choose a side. He was tormented by the choice he was being forced into making. On one hand he had always seen himself as a Fae, a privileged Fae; son of a Royal. Yet for years he'd kept a home in the lands of his cousin. For a few years he'd served in the Goblin Court as his cousin's closest confidant. He weighed the two before choosing. "I am the Lord Baron of the Goblin Court…. I am a citizen of the Labyrinth…." His tone was formal and official as he spoke with reserve.

Haughtily the King looked at his cousin. "I'm very glad to hear it."

Devon understood in that moment that whatever cards the King was playing he was keeping them very close to his vest. Whatever plan the King had in mind he was in no rush to share details. Devon nodded, "I will do whatever my King requests of me."

A gloved hand rested on the shoulder of the Baron. "I was sure you would." Jareth said with conviction.

Devon whispered, "Sire, what of the missing Harpy?"

"Trust me," was all that Jareth would give the other.

Devon frowned; he wanted to trust the Goblin King. He wanted everything to return to how it had been. He found he was worried about Della, no he was worried for her, fearful of what harm may befall her. "Jareth, she comes into season soon…."

"I know," the handsome King assured him.

"Every Harpy is precious…" the Baron reminded him. "Is that not what you told me?"

"I know," Jareth repeated. He removed his hand from his cousin's shoulder, "Now, let us plan this party… I think a nice engraved invitation on the finest velum. Gold lettering…" He nodded as he ran for Philo.

--

Donatien found Daisy standing at the entrance of the west wing rooms. He looked beyond her into the space where Sarah was pacing like a caged tiger oblivious to being observed by the pair in the corridor. "She read the scrolls," he stated with reserve, a slight growl formed in his throat.

"Yes," Daisy replied softly. "She now broods over what she's learned..." The Goblin looked up at her counterpart. "I don't think it's registered, not completely."

"Things are about to become even more precarious," Donatien confessed to his soon to be wife. "Our king has requested that I provide entertainment for guests at a reception in three days time." His voice was quiet, elegant and like being wrapped in satin. "Our King is about to declare a quiet war, my love." Yet even with the elegant lilt of his tone, his words were like the kiss of a whip.

"He issued the first shots of this little war when he declared our sovereignty." Daisy corrected the man who was watching the woman walking in the chamber. "His next volley was when he displayed her before the court at Solstice."

"She is the jewel of his crown," Donatien mused; "Even if she is not aware of it." He placed strong fingers under the elbow of the Captain of the Guard. "Pity she has no love for the King…"

"He and she are each other's thrones." Daisy sighed as she looked up at her soon to be husband. "They are more Goblin now than anything else… but the old ways and habits die hard. I doubt they will ever be… as they might have once been." She pitied the girl pacing. "He does not exactly love her either, now does he? They have no choice; they are what they are…"

"Fated," mused the Master. "What I'm about to do will not make her happy, and I fear there is no way around it. The King has a plan and I have already given him my consent. As guild master I will prepare her for his…fete."

"Della remains a captive… no ransom… no…" She forced herself to focus. "The King's jewel will be on display… Just as Zoltarie displayed Sorcha."

"Talagon is counting on us having a weak memory," Donatien mused darkly. "He thinks that all goblins are as gullible as the common house goblins are playful."

"Talagon is not the only danger to our King and the Kingdom… I believe his daughter if far and away the greater threat." Daisy fingered the hilt of her sword, as she did whenever she felt a threat to her people.

"Females of the species are more dangerous than the male," Donatien agreed in a low growl. "Look at us my dear Daisy… you are the one who wields a sword, not I."

A wickedly knowing smile crossed Daisy's lips looking at the Master of the Guild she purred suggestively. "I hear you've a sword sheathed, my lord…" Her suggestive words were chosen carefully and she enjoyed the reaction from the handsome Hobgoblin at her side.

Sade licked his lips with the tip of his tongue, "I intend to introduce you to my… blade, as it will not be sheathed properly until it's in the scabbard you possess." Donatien teased gently. He took a deep breath and composed himself before he entered the room. "Tagaan," he bowed toward her in courtly grace. "I fear our time is short…I've a new assignment from the King… however, I do commend you for your attentiveness to your courses."

"Master," Sarah moved toward him with the hope that he brought her news.

The Guild master motioned for the young woman to be seated on a cushion at his feet. "Tagaan," he addressed her with a stoic face. "Our king is going to hold a reception for the High King and Queen in three days time." He saw the shadow of worry on the girls face. "I am to provide entertainment from my guild."

Sarah gasped, "He's lost his mind."

"Hardly," corrected the Master harshly as he tapped his walking stick to get her full attention once more. "And it would be best for you to remember your place."

Sarah was taken aback; it had been a while since the Master had spoken to her with such harshness. "Pardon me, Master…" she said contritely. "I forget sometimes…"

Donatien Sade looked down his nose at the once mortal young woman. "What is your place?" he demanded coldly. "Or have you forgotten that as well?"

"I am Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan," Sarah said schooling her features into the same stoic expression that the Mater was wearing. "I am the property of the Goblin King."

"Remember that," cautioned the Master as he once more tapped his walking stick. "Now, you too will be part of the entertainment, though you are only for the King's pleasure…he will want his Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan to be properly displayed during this… fete."

Sarah seethed in her heart, wondering how he could be planning a party while her Harpy was being held captive by some unknown person. 'Properly displayed my ass,' she thought to herself. 'He's just going to show off what he can do to the poor helpless mortal girl who dared to defy him.'

--

Jareth looked out of his window gloved hands gripping the opening and grounding with the powers of the living creature upon which they lived, "Hang on my beautiful and vengeful black bird," he whispered knowing his voice would be heard by the one intended to hear it, and she alone. "You're deliverance is at hand… just keep your wits, and I'll let you bloody those lovely talons."

--

In a cage in the bowels of the Talagon fortress, the Harpy's ears caught the sound and while she had her back to her captor, she smiled a dark violent inhuman smile. If the King intended to allow her to dip her talons in Talagon's blood, perhaps he would not mind her taking other advantages as well. Looking slightly over one shoulder she sniffed the air and mused that the old fool was not nearly as barren as she'd once thought. Hunger was forcing her season to bloom, and it would be his downfall.

--

Bryn was practicing on the harp when Devon returned home. "Any word?" she asked as she placed the harp back in its upright position. The look on the Baron's face worried her. "Devon, is everything alright?" She moved to his side. "Has there been bad news about the Harpy?"

The man looked at her with concerned eyes. "No, there's no news about Della…"

Leading him to a chair, Bryn eased him into the seat. "What has you in such a state?"

"Jareth is arranging a reception for the High King and Queen," he looked at the girl who seemed confused; "In three days time."

Biting her lower lip, Bryn gave the news some careful thought. "I see."

"He's asked the Master of the Guild that trained his… Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, to provide entertainment…" Devon buried his face in his hands. "He questioned my… loyalty."

Pity was not what the man needed, and Bryn didn't have any to give. "My Lord," she said in a formal and serious tone. "If the King of the Goblins has asked you to declare your loyalty…" Devon lowered his hands, looking at the woman speaking. "Then perhaps you'd better prepare yourself for something… dangerous to take place at this… gathering."

"My God and Goddess," he breathed deeply as he looked at her. "You're right." He leaned back in the chair. "Bryn, I want you to stay here…I am not going to expose you to the dangers at the Castle."

Bryn reached forward, touching the Baron's face with a gentle caress. "I fear you'll have no choice, my dear. We are but pawns in a greater game, Devon."

Grimacing, Devon moaned. "You've no idea what Sade's people do…"

Bryn snickered quietly. "Devon, I doubt it's anything I haven't seen… I danced in a strip club, remember?"

"I doubt you've seen what his people do." Devon repeated.

Bryn stood up and held her hands out to the man. "Three days time, eh?" she pulled him toward the stairs.

"Where are we going?" he asked confused.

"To bed," Bryn stated firmly; "Your room or mine;" when he didn't answer she sighed. "I don't plan on dying without getting to know you," she said coyly; "Intimately."

"My room," he said softly. "But Bryn… once you've joined me… I'll never let you go." He warned.

"Good," she pulled him up the stairs. "I'm not planning on going anywhere…."

--

Philo showed the finished invitations to the King, who smiled approvingly. The order was given and the gold embossed envelops were filled and sent out. Philo then went about the task of preparing the lavish state dining hall.

Jareth returned to his bedchamber with a dark plan to set in motion. He called for the Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan to be delivered to him. When the girl entered the chamber he was seated in a throne like wooden high back chair. Coldly he looked at the woman who was at the heart of his plan. "Come here, wench." He barked the command knowing it would grate on Sarah.

Sarah moved toward him slowly. She would have liked to ask about the ongoing search for Della. She would have liked to seek comfort from the King, but his stance told her there was no comfort here for her. "You requested my presence?" She kept her tone formal and her eyes downcast.

Jareth had removed his ever present leather gloves and snapped his fingers, commanding her to knee before him. "I have need of you and you… talents…wench."

Sarah swallowed the bile that was now in her throat. "Do you, Sire?"

"Kneel," he growled callously.

She had not meant to, but groaned knowing what he wanted. "Must I?" she looked at him with just a hint of pleading.

"Are you disobeying me?" he asked in a tone that shook the girl. "You know what happens when you try to defy me, wench!" He leaned forward. "Or should I remind you that our truce is not written in stone."

"No," she knelt before him, submissive, and hating his power over her. She could see the orb dancing with light on the stand next to his bed. Silently she cursed him, and then cursed herself as she lowered her face as he released the bulging monster.

Jareth watched her, his hand stroking her hair as she was pressed into service. He enjoyed humiliating her, but it never seemed enough. He wondered if it ever would. "Take me deeper," he ordered.

Tears were in her eyes as she looked up at him, gagging on the male organ shoving its way into her throat. There was no pity in the mismatched eyes, no kindness, and no peace. The only thing Sarah found when she gazed into the stormy eyes was the King's pleasure in humiliating and degrading her. His fingers knotted in the long hair at the base of her neck, forcing her to take him deeper.

--

Devon lay in his bed, dazed and utterly contented beyond his wildest dreams. He smiled at the woman cuddling in his arms with an expression of satisfaction on her lovely face. "Thank you," he said quietly unsure if that were enough.

"Thank you," she replied with a silly smirk. She gathered the sheets about herself and settled back looking at the ceiling of the bedroom. "I feel so good…" she mused.

"Yes," he agreed. "You do." He teased lightly.

Bryn looked at him seriously for a moment. "Devon, there's something I need to know…"

He turned on his side and thinking she was about to ask about their future, he sighed. "Yes my darling?"

"Do you recall when you… flew into a rage because I was plotting to escape and I was using your library to find a means?" She asked.

"I didn't fly into a rage," he denied. "I was hurt, yes… but a rage?"

The girl in his bed mused at his being wounded and upset by the word rage. "I stopped looking for an escape when you stopped acting like an ass." She stated calmly.

Devon smiled fortuitously. "Ah, good."

"Devon, have you ever read any of the books in your library?" she interrogated him gently.

"Some," he said brushing a stray hair off her face. "A few…" he was distracted by her beauty and closeness. "I'm sure I've read… at least a couple of passages… but they are all so boring and cover subjects that are of no interest to me… just now."

Bryn snapped her fingers in front of his face to get his attention. "Listen up," she snapped harshly. "Devon… you really should have paid more attention to the volumes you've collected… You want to know why the King asked you about your loyalty. You want to know why he has not gone ape-shit trying to find Della?"

Devon sat up, glaring at her. "What are you babbling about?"

"What's coming," Bryn stated calmly. "And what you need to prepare for." Devon raised an inquisitive brow. "Your cousin the King is stacking a deck… and when the chips fall… he wants to be sure which side you're really on…."

"His of course," Devon said as if there should be no question.

"Devon, he's about to make a move, one that cannot be taken lightly in the High Courts… neither Seelie nor un…." She said softly. "He's about to toss out the last hold the courts have here… he's going to rescind all Fae Laws."

"What have you been reading?" Devon asked ruffling his hair with a raking hand.

"The history of this Kingdom," she said with a simpering smile. "Your cousin is about to call the bluff that has held this Kingdom in check for several hundred years… actually closer to a thousand."

"In my library?" he asked.

"No," she said mockingly. "In the corner library…"

"Beauty and brains," he mused as he shoved off the sheets, "A very dangerous combination Bryn."

Cocking her head coyly to one side she mused, "Be glad I'm on your side."