The King spun around, commanding the attention of every goblin in the throne room and beyond. There was standing room only. His minions filled the room beyond capacity. Goblins filled the halls coming off the throne room. They sat on the windowsills, and climbed the walls. Even in the streets, goblins crowded near the castle, waiting for the King's decree. And in the center of it all stood two, the Goblin King and Commander Ciel.
The commander no longer looked like a man in a police uniform. He was a four foot tall goblin, wearing typical goblin armor. His grey skin was covered with spots, and one horn was broken off. He swallowed. Ciel knew he'd made a mistake. He'd failed to bring Sarah to the castle, and then doubled his mistake when he'd sent word of her death. His only hope was the Goblin King's joy at hearing Sarah had been spotted alive and well when she'd escaped the school grounds. But then he was responsible for letting her escape the school grounds as well.
"Find her," decreed Jareth. He stood before Commander Ciel, towering over him. The monarch spoke in a low voice. "Take as many as you need. Take the hobgoblins, the goblin eaters, the ghouls, satyrs, orcs, and ogres. I. Don't. Care. Whatever it takes," he whispered. "Find. The. Human." Somehow his whispered tone had more power than any shout.
Chills of foreboding rippled through Ciel. The goblin dropped to his knees. Jareth spun around, walking back to his throne. His dark cape caught the air as he moved. Every creature held his breath.
"And commander..." He turned back around to face his wayward servant.
"Y...yes, sire."
Jareth lowered himself to his throne. "Eternity knows no bounds to the horrors you will suffer, if one hair on her head is harmed. Am I clear?"
"Y...y...yes, sire. Thank you, sire. I won't fail you again, m'lord." The goblin bowed his head to the floor, truly grateful for his King's mercy.
"Well?" Jareth waited.
Ciel's eyes met the Kings.
"Goooo!" the Goblin King whispered.
Ciel scrambled to his feet, and bolted from the room. The other goblins in the room scattered, climbing over each other to get away from the King. They all knew quieter was deadlier. They all knew how serious the King was, after hearing him threaten one so loyal. And they all knew they were expected to follow Ciel to the Aboveground to assist in finding the Labyrinth's Champion, or it would be their heads.
"He won't find her," said a two foot tall puppet-like goblin, holding a platter with the King's goblet sitting on top of it.
"Won't he?" Jareth asked absentmindedly as he sat in his thrown. He glanced at the offered ale. "Then he will die." The King took his drink. "All will die."
The little goblin paled.
"Without her, we could lose this war." The Goblin King put his empty chalice on the offered tray. "We lose even now."
"M'lord?" The little retch of a creature dressed in rags was truly frightened. "Permission to join the hunt, Sire."
Jareth laughed. "An' what would a house goblin do that so many more powerful couldn't?"
Uhtrix, the little house goblin trembled. The last thing he wanted was his King's attention. He was used to giving his Majesty conversation, and had learned long ago to keep the Kings secrets to himself. It was part of his job. But this was serious, more serious than anything he'd ever heard of.
"I... I..." The little creatures eyes flashed red. "His Majesties servant could listen, Sire. House goblins are good listeners."
Jareth turned to look at Uhtrix. The little monster's ankles shook in his tattered boots. It was the first time his King had truly looked at him. Jareth smiled. He hung his arm across Uhtrix's shoulders, and pulled him in close like he was going to share a secret. The tray and cup clattered to the floor. "Find her, little minion, and I'll give you a wife."
"A wife!" Uhtrix squeaked. "Oh, no, your Majesty. I haven't the magic to keep a wife. I only wish I had the chance..." The little goblin covered his mouth, astonished at the foul word that had escaped him. Wish.
"Granted." Jareth laughed. "I give you your chance. We'll play a game, a game of chance."
"Uh... uh... a game, Sire?!" Now he'd done it. Uhtrix knew all too well how Jareth's games worked. But what's said is said.
"Find me my Sarah, and you'll have no lack of magic. Fail me, and I'll take the last of yours." The King released his minion. "Go."
Uhtrix darted away, leaving the tray and goblet forgotten on the cluttered throne room floor. He regretted speaking up. He regretted offering to help in the search. Most of all he regretted saying that blasted word. Wish. But he knew he had to find the human. And he knew his time was short. Jareth smiled as he watched the creature run.
He knew the house goblin had little if any chance of finding Sarah, but he let his loyal slave look anyway. If he failed, the minion's magic would be added to his own. And if by some miracle he succeeded, well, all the better. Either way, Jareth would win. If only all goblin games were so easy to conquer. But that wasn't the reason for the Kings sly smile.
Jareth carefully glanced around his throne room, taking note of the brownie he'd spotted earlier. Brownies were not like other goblins. They fit in more with fairies, sprites, and gremlins. They could not be compelled or frightened into obedience. They were wild, mean, untamed, and uncontrollable. But the King of the Goblins knew brownies could understand his words. He knew they spread gossip like wildfire. And he knew manipulating them was the only way to get their help. So, Jareth used his conversation with Uhtrix to his advantage. He chose his words carefully, because he could not lie. At least, he couldn't lie while striking a bargain, while setting terms for a wish.
He'd said commander Ciel would die. And indeed, he would. All goblins died eventually. The King had not lied in this. But by speaking carefully, Uhtrix and the brownie assumed Jareth meant an unnatural death. They assumed he meant the war would kill them. He'd told Uhtrix they could lose the war without Sarah. But the truth was, it was possible to lose the war with or without her. Yes, having Sarah under his power would make winning the war easier. It could save his throne. And he wanted her. After what she'd done, oh, how he wanted her! But house goblins were in no danger, neither were brownies. If his enemies won, they would rule over the house goblins just as all the previous goblin kings had. And the brownies would be ignored as usual. He hadn't lied, but he had manipulated his words well.
Jareth knew if Ciel didn't find Sarah soon, he might be forced to leave the war to his generals, and go after her himself. Ciel was the most qualified to find her, but even he was no match for Jareth when it came to dealing with mortal men. However, leaving his Labyrinth could give Jareth's enemies the chance to win. The King didn't want the situation to come to that. He didn't like the risk.
So, using his carefully controlled conversation with Uhtrix, he'd given just the right information needed to manipulate the brownies into action. Word of the seriousness of losing the war would spread among the vermin, and in record time the minuscule creatures would be scurrying through the Above ground with only one goal in mind. Find the Sarah. With his simple three minute conversation, the King of the Goblins had gained an army. And he intended to use it. Samhain landing on a blue moon was far too rare. He wouldn't waste his opportunity.
Jareth stood up, moving his cape to the side. He turned his attention back to the crystals hovering in his throne room. He turned his attention back to the war. His smile slipped into a look of seriousness. It was time to crush the rebellion.
xxxxx
The group of four teenagers dressed in Halloween costumes ran through the neighborhood following Lisa as she led the way. They sped around a corner, and stopped dead still when she gasped. They could see goblins creeping down a nearby street. A sparse hedge kept the friends hidden from the goblins' view.
"What are they doing?" asked Lisa. She stared at the creatures with wide eyes.
"Looks like they're checking every house for something," answered Ryan.
"No. Look," said Sarah. "Why did they skip that one?"
Jason trembled where he stood. Before anyone said another word, the area was filled with a distinct odor of ammonia. The sound of liquid hitting the sidewalk drew Sarah's attention. She saw the terror in Jason's eyes. The memory of being eaten by one of those monsters ripped through him. She looked down, and noticed his pants were wet. He took off running like his life depended on it.
Lisa followed after Jason, and Sarah followed after Lisa. But Ryan stayed, watching the creatures a moment more.
Sarah looked back. "Ryan!" she whispered at him. "C'mon!"
Ryan glanced once more at the monsters, noticing how they're numbers were increasing, and how much they were beginning to resemble an army of ants scouring the ground. He swallowed, and ran, picking up speed. He limped as he slowly caught up to the others.
"Did you notice?" he whispered to Sarah when he caught up next to her. "You were right about them skipping houses, Sarah. They didn't go near the homes with jack o' lanterns."
Sarah looked over at Ryan, questions running through her mind. "Weren't jack o' lanterns supposedly created to scare off evil spirits back in the olden days? You know. Like... like back when Halloween first started?" asked Sarah. She was breathing hard.
"Evil spirits and goblins," answered Ryan. He cussed. "I don't think they're aliens," he added quietly. "And I don't think we're hallucinating either. But if I'm right, we might actually have a chance."
Far off in the distance the goblins let out a cry.
"What was that?" asked Lisa.
"I... I think they found the ambulance," answered Sarah.
"Run!" whispered Ryan, ignoring his sore ankle, and breaking into a full sprint.
No one had to tell Jason twice. He was panicked. There was no way he wanted to be eaten again. And the girls never fell behind. Every one of them knew they had to get away. Every one of them was running for their lives