CHAPTER 19

Sarah got out the kitten's leather balls, and they had room to go crazy running after them. She giggled at them. Sarah started putting her clothes into the dresser and the rest. She sat her jewelry box on the dresser. She hung up her waistcoats, her brown leather outfit and her two cowl capes. Sarah put her boots on the bottom of the armoire. She figured it had some kind of extension spell. It extended far enough back you could stand inside it and search for anything you wanted to wear. It was filled with dresses of every color and the styles of the Georgian and Victorian era styles.

Sarah had everything put away except for the robber's belongings. She went through it all. They had five sacks of jewelry, six bags of gold, their three purses, eight pocket watches, six small bags of gemstones, and four jeweled daggers.

There was one gold pocket watch with beautiful intricate designs on the case. On the face was a see through to the gears working in it. There were tiny diamonds set in the number points, by each number. It was shiny, gold and elegant.

Sarah went through the jewelry on the carpet and there were eight items that were magical. She set them separately and would place them with the other three she had and ask Jareth about them. She took several items that were mostly sets of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Sarah set the rest of it aside and put all the jewelry that was left in the bags and placed it in the dresser. She sat on the bed and watched the kittens play together and pounce. They were so darn cute at eight weeks old. Their energy playing with each other increased with their hunting and agility. They were rough and tumble players. They growled like baby panthers. There was a knock at the door.

Sarah got up and answered the door, it was a goblin about hip high. It said, "Kingy wants Twitch to bring ya ta tha room of plants."

Sarah smiled and replied. "Just a moment." Sarah went over to where the kittens were playing and picked up their food bag. She scooped up Magus and Merlin.

She said, "Come on, little cuties, let's go eat lunch with the king." She kissed their heads and put them in the pouch. They both had their heads popped out to look around as Sarah went out the door.

The goblin Twitch said, "Thems yer kitties?"

Sarah replied, "Yes, I found them in the woods when their mother was killed."

The goblin said, "Twitch likes kitties."

Sarah replied, "Would you like to play with them sometime?" Twitch got excited, leading her down the stairwell.

Twitch said, "Twitch, come by later to play?"

Sarah replied, "Ok, but be gentle, ok?"

Twitch said, "Twitch, be nice to baby kitties." Sarah patted him on the head. Merlin swiped his paw out, touching Twitch from the pouch on her hip. Twitch giggled. Sarah grinned as they walked up to a big ornate dark wood door. Twitch opened the door.

Sarah said, "Thank you, Twitch." The goblin smiled toothy sharp teeth proud smile.

Sarah walked into a jungle of a lush garden room. Plants were draped as the vines grew around the ceiling on hooks and the vines draped down the walls of glass. It had an earthy smell of soil and freshness.

Jareth smiled at her and said, "Hello, Sarah. Come sit and enjoy yourself."

Sarah smiled back and replied, "Hello, your majesty. Twitch wants a play date with Magus and Merlin." Sarah sat down and started making up the kitten food.

Jareth watched what she was doing and said, "I told you they love cats." Sarah leaned down and set it on the floor and poured water off the table in a pitcher in the second bowl and sat it down. She scooped out one kitten at a time, placing them in front of their food and patted each of them lovingly.

Sarah sat up and placed the bag on the seat next to her. She turned her attention to Jareth, and he had a distant look in his expression. He was seeing how motherly she was with her kits.

He smiled at her and said, "I'm glad you're here, Sarah." He commenced reaching out to fill his plate with sliced meat, roasted potatoes, salad tossed with some kind of dressing, fruit tarts and tea or coffee. COFFEE! Sarah grabbed a cup of coffee and started mmmm… ing. She was in heaven.

Sarah looked over and Jareth had his mouth open, looking at her. Sarah sheepishly said, "I thought I'd never see coffee again in my life. I missed it."

Jareth grinned and replied, "You can have it whenever you like. My traders do some trading with the Aboveground and coffee and chocolate are two things on the list."

Sarah said, "My coffee and chocolate addiction are epic. I am just glad to see it. I would have three caramel lattes a day, two in the morning, going to work and one on break from work. I had to limit it, but I always paid for an extra shot of espresso in each." Sarah refilled her cup and put cream in it. She started putting food on her plate.

Sarah loved the meal. The chef was excellent. Sarah said, "Your chef is great. I love the dishes here."

Jareth said while buttering a piece of warm homemade bread, "Yes, my chef is excellent. He's human and was a wished away child many years ago. He loves his job and is as capable as my military commander at getting goblins in line to do their jobs correctly and praises them when they do well. It seems to make them try harder for pride's sake as motivation."

Sarah said, "That's a very diplomatic approach. I like that. It makes for an easier work environment." Jareth smiled at the compliment.

She was surprised because she assumed he would be a dictator only. She shrugged inside and understood how she may have not realized he was a multifaceted individual with aspects of the situation that demanded different approaches. It intrigued Sarah. The kittens were done, and the mewed and she looked down. She scooped them up and put them in her lap. They sat there taking a bath in her lap and the other one was staring at Jareth.

Jareth stated, "You kittens are very trusting and well loved. They are so calm and relaxed around you."

Sarah replied, "I am their mother. They are sweet and gentle to me because I am to them. I am their security. They run to me if they get scared. I am a pack leader and I am gentle to them. They were only a week old when I saved them from freezing. They play rough and tumble with each other. They are cathwyllt for a reason. Their agility and hunting skills will develop," Sarah sighed, "and I would if I could teach them like a real mom would do, but they will find their way. God help anyone who lays a finger on them, in cruelty. I think I would kill them."

Jareth was grinning at her. He said, "Yes, I can see that. You are protective of them. They are still young and need you." Sarah nodded. She was done eating and was sipping her coffee. She placed the foodstuff and dishes in its bag.

Jareth said, "Are you finished?" She said yes. He made the meal vanish. He stood up and Sarah put her kittens in the pouch and grabbed the food bag, and stood up. Jareth took her hand and held it as they walked out into the corridor.

When they got to her chamber door, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips and said, "I can't seem to want to stop kissing you."

Sarah looked into his eyes and replied, "Then don't." He smiled at her and caressed her face.

He stated, "I have a lot of paperwork to do with matters of state. I will see you at dinner."

Sarah asked, "Is it ok if I go looking at some shops nearby?"

Jareth smirks and says, "If you get in trouble, just wish for me and I will come for you."

Sarah stood up on her tiptoes and kissed Jareth on the mouth and said, "Ok, thank you, Jareth." He grinned happily because it was her first affectionate gesture on her part. He loved her response to his affections. She smiled and went into her room, waving as she closed the door. He turned and smiled all the way to his study.

Sarah got herself together and grabbed her belt with her weapons and purse on it. She had the kittens go to the bathroom. She made sure she had enough money on her and took her kittens in her bag. Sarah put on her heavier charcoal gray cowl hooded cloak. She ran into Twitch again and asked, "Twitch, can you show me where the businesses are?"

Twitch smiled and nodded yes. He reached up and took her hand, leading her to a different exit that she knew of. She paid attention to where they went. He led her outside and stated, "Twitch, take lady to stores." He led her down one street, crossing a central square area to the front of a market, bakery, jewelry store, ect.

Sarah said, "Thank you, Twitch, you're a good directions giver." He puffed up proud, and she patted him on the head. Sarah went into the bakery and smelled all kinds of lovely baked goods. She walked out with pastry, cookies, candied, sugared almonds and hard toffee walnuts. She smiled at the little goblin lady and gave her a few extra gold in her money, saying, "Keep the change."

The little goblin lady with a brown dress and a little white apron with green hair said, "You be's the girl who ate tha peach an fergots everting?" Sarah laughed and nodded, saying bye-bye as she walked back to the castle. The kittens enjoyed popping their heads out of the bag, looking at everyone passing by and trying to swipe at them without claws.

Sarah felt someone following her. She went around the corner and saw a shady looking man in dark clothes trying to act nonchalantly. Sarah put the pouch behind her back. As the man came around the corner, Sarah held a blade to his throat and kicked his knees out from under him, taking him to a kneeling position.

Sarah stated slowly, "Why were you following me?" No answer. She dug the knife in a little deeper.

Sarah added menacingly, "One last chance you bastard, next I start cutting on your cock and balls."

He said, straining, "I was sent to watch out and get near enough to kill you."

Sarah stated, "Who's orders?" No answer.

Sarah switched the knife to his balls and declared, "This knife is sharp enough to cut the fabric and your jewels off in one swipe of my wrist. You better tell me or you're dead."

The fae man stated, "If I tell you, I'm dead."

Sarah replied, "At least with me, you have a chance to hide and live a little longer." Sarah pressed harder.

The fae man replied, "The High King."

Sarah responded, "I 'wish' to see the Goblin King right now."

The man whined, "No, not him." Jareth appeared.

Jareth said, "What's the matter, Sarah? What's going on?"

Sarah replied, "It seems your father, the High King, has issued an assassin to lie in wait to kill me. This man has been sent here to locate me and take me down. It will take someone bigger and badder than him to do that."

Jareth stated, "Slit his throat. It's the risk he takes doing this kind of job." Sarah sliced his carotid artery and pushed him away. She searched his body, and it had a crystal, a large bag of gold and a purse. Sarah handed it all to Jareth. He was flattered by her honesty.

He held up the crystal and the High King said with a bored tone, "Report spy?"