Chapter 12

Invasion

Sarah sighed heavily as she shut the book with a thump. She wasn't getting anything close to being figured out. The letters on the pages were just odd symbols that didn't even seem to read left to right or up to down. Sarah leaned her head back against the headboard and closed her eyes. She wondered if Jareth would find out if she had the book. Would he be angry? She knew she was probably poking her nose in where it didn't belong but it was about a human. It didn't seem to be a common subject here, and somehow she felt as if that was her only connection to home.

A light tap on the door caused Sarah to quickly turn and slip the book under her pillow. The door started to crack open, Sarah sat up straight thinking it was Jareth, and she was a little disappointed to see Heidi poke her head in through the door.

"Miss Sarah?" She asked politely stepping in and closing the door behind her.

"Uh, yes?" Sarah seemed a bit shocked at the girl's politeness after how they had spoken to each other a few minutes ago. The girl walked over and sat down in a chair next to Sarah's bed.

"Well, I shouldn't have been so rude," Heidi started apologetically. "And if you would like, I'll read that book to you."

"Really?" Sarah's eye lit up at the offer. Heidi simply nodded and held her hand out for the book. Sarah brought it out from under her pillow and handed it to her. Heidi sat back in her chair and opened the book. She glanced up at Sarah once more began to read in a low voice.

Sarah listened intently as the girl voiced out the unreadable book.

"Once there was a human boy named Cole who lived Aboveground. This boy had a dull life, his only friends seeming to be in the books he read." The story proceeded on to speak about how he had been reading outside, near sunset. "Cole seemed to have spotted a creature like no other in his world, the creature being no other then a goblin." Heidi's voice brought the story to life in Sarah's mind. It was almost as if she were watching a movie in her mind. She could see the dark haired boy, the shock on his face of seeing a goblin. The story went on to tell how he stumbled through a portal after the goblins. Terra came into the story then, trying to help the boy get back home all the same, trying to hide him. It was so very rare of a human to be there. It wasn't long before Terra conjured up the help of the old wise man who lived right outside the city. He viewed Terra as a granddaughter, so of course he helped her return the boy home, only if he promised to forget everything he saw and tell no one. When the boy got home, he told everyone what had happened to him.

"It wasn't long before mortals started tampering with our portals, believing the boys story enough to do so," Heidi glanced up at Sarah. "The High King soon found out and summoned the wise man to bring the boy back. He was enraged at the wise man for sending him home in the first place. He didn't have the heart to blame his daughter. The boy was brought back to the Underground and before the High family. The boy would have to pay dearly for what he had done. He almost caused the portals between the Aboveground and Underground to be destroyed."

Heidi flipped page.

"By this time, word had spread in the Underground about the human. The High King could only discuss this with he most loyal subject, who was also the best swordsman in all of the kingdom. The boy's fate was decided. He would loose his life for what he had down, along with the wise man that assisted him. The boy was killed by being pierced through the heart, the wise man left to rot in the dungeons of the castle. After that day a new law was written. Humans were banned from the Underground for fear of the destruction of the portals. Now no was to know of this law other then The High King and his Swordsman. No one else had seen the human there, or knew he had ever been. The rest of the kingdom only knew that if a human was found, it was to be brought to the King right away. For the safety of the Underground, the human would be destroyed. The King signed the bill, also knowing if he didn't stick to his own rules, he could loose his crown. No human has returned since."

Heidi closed the book with a soft thud. Sarah's eyes seemed glazed over for a moment before focusing. She wasn't sure what to make of the story. She didn't know how long ago it was written and surely the law about humans couldn't still be in effect.

"Thank you, Heidi," Sarah replied. Heidi handed the book over to Sarah slowly. She seemed to stare too long at Sarah; Finally, she spoke up.

"Wonder if what the book says is still true today," Heidi said in an eerie tone.

"What are you talking about?" Sarah leaned back a bit, wondering about the sharpness in Heidi's eyes.

"I mean, it clearly says that humans are not allowed here. That a human that ever made it here was to be..." She locked eyes with Sarah,"Killed."

"Of course not," Sarah rushed out her words. "I've met the High King, Jareth's father himself." Surely if something like this was still in effect, Jareth would not of let her be discovered so easily, and the High King would of done something by now right? Why would they have a ball, introducing her to everyone, if she were only to be killed? "It's not true."

"But the story clearly states, no one knew the law other then the High King and his Swordsman. Everyone else just knew to bring a human forward if one was found, not knowing what would happen to it," Heidi spoke an a tone that made Sarah's blood run cold. The girl had barely blinked. "You have to wonder who the Swordsman is," Heidi smiled wickedly and walked over to Sarah, picking the book up out of her lap.

"Hey give that-" Sarah was cut off.

"It's no surprise a nosy girl like you would stumble upon this," She held up the book. "I think I'll take it to where it belongs."

"Wait, come back with that!" Sarah cried out, but Heidi was already out the door. Sarah flung herself as quickly as she could over to the doorway and into the hallway.

Heidi was nowhere to be seen.

~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~

The next morning, Sarah slowly made her way down to meet everyone for breakfast. She wasn't very hungry though, and looked a bit peaked. She hadn't slept well all night thinking about Heidi and the book. She could hear everyone else at the table before she even walked in the room. She ran her hand threw her hair once and walked in.

"Morning Sarah," Terra greeted her.

"Hi Sarah," Lynnett beamed.

"Morning," She answered back and took a seat next to Jareth. Her food was brought out and she nibbled on food her and there. She tried to listen in on what Terra was talking about doing for the day. Jareth seemed to catch onto Sarah mood, but said nothing. When Terra and Lynnett were finished and had left the room, he spoke up.

"Sarah is something wrong?" He stared into her eyes thoughtfully. Sarah just couldn't lie to him, not about this. She felt too uneasy and needed some comfort. She needed to know that the book was wrong. That it was just a story.

A few goblins came running into the room to start cleaning up the empty plates.

"Come Sarah," Jareth stood up offering her his hand, "Let's talk somewhere more private. "

Sarah felt defeated for some reason. She just wanted him to tell her there was nothing to worry about.

She took his hand and he led her upstairs and to his room. Sarah felt like dead weight, like every movement was a challenge; she wanted this off her chest. Jareth seated them on a sofa near his balcony. He waited for Sarah to speak.

"Jareth, that room full of books," She started. "That's the real history of this place right? Everything there is documented?"

"You mean the family Library? Yes, everything in there states the rules and history of the Underground. Why?" He didn't sound angry, so Sarah was blunt.

"I took a book out of that room," She looked over at him, trying to read his face. "I found a book about the last human that was here."

Jareth remained silent but she saw his eyes narrow, very slightly.

"I wanted to know what happened to the last human that had been here," Sarah said, she also proceeded to tell Jareth about the Human Law that was written in the book.

"Destroyed?" Jareth hissed. "Impossible, are you sure? I have never heard such a thing. Let me see the book."

Sarah didn't look him in the eye, what was she supposed to say? She had to tell him Heidi took it. She just felt terrible, not only because of the book, but also that it was now gone.

"Well, I don't have it anymore..."She glanced at him for a moment. "Someone took it."

Jareth's eyes flashed for a moment. He seemed to calm himself before speaking.

"And who took it? Stealing from the High Kings Library is a serious offence," Jareth said smoothly.

"Heidi, one of the maids," Sarah admitted. "I asked her to read it to me, and after she did, she took off with it."

Jareth had wondered how she had read it, but if a maid read it for her, there was his answer. But a maid should know better then to take off with a book like that, belonging to the family.

"Jareth I'm so sorry, really-" Jareth placed a finger over her lips, silencing her.

"Sarah I am not angry with you, I would expect nothing less from you," He traced her face, trying to sooth her uneasiness. She honestly thought he would be angry over her over a book? Silly.

But there was someone he needed to speak with now.

~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~

"That was really too easy Leon," Kyra brushed a piece of hair away from her face. "I mean, the Human had the very book right there with her. Tell me that didn't make it a piece of cake. I read the words myself."

Leon, the leader of the trio of Obayifo's glanced over at Kyra.

"Yes, it was too easy, you think those Faes could have handled that easily themselves.

"Don't you agree Ray?" Leon looked over at the quiet Ray. He just simply nodded.

Ray carried the weight of Heidi slung over his shoulder with ease, the maid unconscious.

"Well let's just get this to those snobby royal pain in the-" Kyra was cut off.

"It's not over yet, Kyra. We are being paid for more then bring them a book," Leon brushes a quick kiss over Kyra's lips. The dark creatures quickly started towards their destination, fading into the shadows.

~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~

Jareth teleported himself to his Mother and Father's home. He marched himself to his Father's study, not bothering to knock as he walked in. Jareth's Father looked up from his work.

"Son?" The High King leaned back in his chair. "This is a surprise. What brings you here so suddenly?"

Jareth sat in a high back leather chair in front of his Father.

"I have to ask you something," Jareth started. His Father raised his eyebrows in a Jareth like manner. "There was a Human here before, who was, destroyed." Jareth looked sternly at the King. "A book in the Family Library states that there is a law against humans here. Is that still in effect?"

The High Kings face fell at his son's question. A moment of silence passed between the two.

"Technically, yes," The King spoke with a great sigh. "But there is only myself and one other person who even knows of this law. Who told you?"

"Sarah found the book. She read it, and confronted me about it," Jareth admitted. The High King seemed to ponder for a moment.

"Well as long as no one knows, nothing can be brought up. And if you somehow persuade her to become your Queen," The King eyed his son, "That law will not effect her anymore, She would be brought under the Royal Protection, assuming as well one day she will carry the heir to your thrown."

"The book has been stolen," Jareth stated.

"By whom?" The High King raised his voice a bit.

"A maid at the castle," Jareth told him. The High King leaned over his desk, and looked his son straight in the eye.

"If you want that Human of your safe son, I'd keep her hidden for now. That book needs to be found, now."

~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~

Sunset was at its end, and Jareth was still gone. Sarah sat in her room for most of the day. She doodled for a while, then took a long, hot bath and changed into her nightgown. She wondered what Jareth was doing, and where the book was. Word spread that Heidi had not been seen all day, not any good news there.

Sarah threw herself onto her bed and covered herself in the thick warm blankets. She looked out her balcony window at the half moon before a warm wave of sleep took over her.

Sarah stared dreaming. Dreaming of a Ball, everyone was there. Everyone she had ever met here in the underground. The music was lovely, and she wasn't be stared at. She watched the crowd dance and spin. The glitter of gown, tablecloths, masks, and decorations shone everywhere.

Sarah...

Someone called her, so she turned around.

Sarah...

Again she heard it, but the people where fading away.

"Sarah!"

Sarah shot up straight out of bed, the dream was over. But someone really had just yelled for her...And what was the noise? Sarah thought she could hear crashing noises, people yelling, and clanking sounds. Suddenly Terra, Lynnett and Falken burst through her door.

"Sarah quickly!" Terra yanked Sarah out of bed and dragged her out the door.

"What's going on?!?!" Sarah asked in alarm. They dodged around a corner, going away from the crashing sounds.

"The Obayifo's!" Terra quickly spoke. "And soldiers."

"Obayifo's?" Sarah asked herself. Suddenly a flash back came to mind if the tavern they had stopped at. Those terrible, dark creatures, and the one that had looked straight at her.

Terra led the way, Falken keeping on the girl's heels. Sarah felt clumsy and slow compared to the other three. Terra jerked her around corners and threw doorways. Sarah recognized where they were for a moment. Terra swung open a door leading down, into a dark hall. Sarah hurried down the stairs with the rest of them. Shouting heard not far behind.

The stables.

Terra got to work opening on door while Falken worked on another. Terra pulled out one of the giant horse beast and tossed Lynnett up.

"Sarah quickly!" Terra laced her hands together for Sarah to step on and saddle behind Lynnett.

"What's going on Terra?!" Sarah asked in alarm.

"No time," She said as Falken rode over on another beast and pulled Terra up in front of him. "Lynnett, head towards Fathers Castle, quickly!"

Tiny Lynnett snapped the reigns and the horse took off at break neck speed. Sarah wrapped her arms around the little girl. The blast of the cold hit them suddenly as the broke into the out doors. Sarah turned to see Falken and Terra not far behind.

"Lynnett what's happening?!" Sarah asked again, hoping the little girl would have some kind of answer.

"They are coming to take you away," Lynnett said over the roar of the wind.

"Me?! Why?" Sarah's voice was overtaken by the wind. She could only faintly hear the commotion from the castle, the closer she listened she found she also didn't hear any other hoof beats besides their own. Sarah stole a glance backwards and no longer saw Terra and Falken. Instead, something flashed past her.

The horse let out a shriek and came to a jolting halt. Several flashs seem to appear out of nowhere. With a speedy jerk, Sarah was pulled from the horse into the thick, icy snow.

"No! Let go!" Lynnett's scream of terror rose out of the wind.

"Lynnett!" Sarah stood to reach out to her, but strong hands griped her firmly. Sarah screamed, kicked and fought back with all her might. Soon a hand clamped over her mouth, so hard she couldn't breath.

"Sarah!" She heard Lynnett's echoing voice call her name over and over. "Sarah! Saaaraaaah!

Sarah's air was running low, she tried in vain to suck in a breath, but her captor showed no mercy. Sarah saw nothing but snow and shadows before darkness over took her completely.

Kill me, smack me, toss me in a well. Way to long to wait to update I know. But with moving in and out of houses, two jobs and full time schooling my time was very limited. Now I am back on a manageable clock. Thanks as always to my wonderful Beta who puts up with me to no end 3 You're amazing. Hope you all liked the chapter! Please review lovies. ALSO keep an eye out for my new story to be posted soon!