The King's Labyrinth
Horizon 10/?

"There was some controversy surrounding the King's death. Some thought he had been poisoned by enemies. Most, though, simply accepted the King's death as a natural occurrence. To further complicate matters, Jareth was not in the kingdom at the time of his father's death. He and his guard had set out on a long hunting expedition some weeks before, and a messenger had to be sent to find him. Before he could be contacted, however, the kingdom found itself once more under attack from the house of d’ Avennes. This time Helden’s son, Japhet, led the army. The young lord was out to avenge his father’s death and to take what he felt rightly belonged to him, namely the title of the Goblin King.”

----

Jareth and his men were resting in the hall after a long day’s hunt. The drowsy atmosphere was shattered as one of his men burst into the hall. “M’Lord! A messenger’s arrived. He says the news he brings is urgent.”

“Send him in.” Jareth commanded, brow furrowing in concern. A moment later, a worn and raged man entered the room. 

“M’Lord.” He said bowing before Jareth. “I was sent by the queen to deliver a message.”

“What does my mother say?”

“Lord Jareth, she commanded me tell you that your father has passed away.”

“What?” Jareth could not believe his ears. “My father has died?”

“Yes, M’Lord. In his sleep seven days previous.”

“Not murdered then.”

“No M’Lord, though there are whispers of poisoning. You mother asks that you return home as soon as possible. She does not want to leave the kingdom without a crowned monarch much longer.”

“Thank you.” Jareth said. Inside, he was torn raw with pain at the news, but he knew that now was no time to grieve. The kingdom needed it’s ruler, and that was his first priority. Mourning could wait. “Xander,” He said, turning to his first in command, a man who he loved as a brother. “See that this man is well taken care of, and send a messenger back to the castle. Tell him to inform my mother that we will arrive in three days.” 

“Yes Lord.” Xander and the messenger exited the hall, leaving Jareth alone with his thoughts. His father was dead, and he was now the king. Never had he expected to have such a great responsibility thrust upon him so suddenly, or so soon. He stood slowly, weariness overtaking him at the thought of what he must do. “I want everyone’s attention. “ He said in a clear authoritative voice. “As you have all just heard, King Spiridon has died, and I must go back to claim the throne. I want everyone packed and ready to march in four hours.” With that, he dismissed the assembled men and retired to his personal quarters. He had no inkling as to the tragedy that had already begun to unfold around him. 

Two days later, they were camped on the edge of the woods, a chaotic scene spread before them. The messenger he had dispatched had returned late the previous evening, with tales of  mass destruction wrought by the army of Japhet d’ Avennes. Upon hearing the news of Spiridon’s demise, Japhet had assembled his men with astonishing speed and marched them straight out of the mountains and into Jareth’s kingdom. They’d cut an angry swath across the countryside, murdering all they encountered, and burning anything that would catch alight. They’d caught the few soldiers still stationed at the castle by complete surprise, cut through the meager defense with little difficulty, and occupied the castle. Now D’ Avennes had taken the majority of his forces back across Canmore plain to wait for the arrival of Jareth and his men. 

Jareth had no knowledge of D’ Avennes’ whereabouts until it was too late. He and his men had marched straight towards the castle, coming from the south along the main city, hoping to clash with D’ Avennes outside the back gates skirted by the plain. As far as he knew, Japhet and his men were inside the city walls. If Jareth could hold the south entrance under siege, Japhet and his men would have to traverse the Labyrinth at the north end in order to get out. It was a long shot, leaving he and his men exposed on the plain while Japhet occupied a city with enough supplies to last him months, but it was the best Jareth could do.

Then came the terrible news from the scouts that D’ Avennes had lead the main body of his army into the woods on the other side of the plain prior to their arrival. Jareth found himself trapped between the city and Japhet’s much stronger army. They were outnumbered and outwitted. Tired and ragged. Add almost certain to fail. In one last ditch effort, Jareth ordered his army to break camp in the middle of the night. They would never survive if they let Japhet fight on his own terms. Their only hope was to take the battle to him.

End Chapter Ten