Battle Cries    Every pair of eyes was fixed on the sun looming dangerously low in the sky. A low murmur was the only noise to be heard from the Goblin camp - an alarming contrast to their usual lively banter that only made the situation more tense. Kardallen's army, a menacing muddle of human, goblin and troll warriors was engaged in similar contemplation, knowing that as soon as the sun touched the horizon, the battle would commence.    Jareth cast his gaze over the vast battlefield and sensed the unrest among both sides - he felt it too. As he watched the horizon and breathed in the dusk breeze, a movement in Kardallen's camp caught his eye. The troops in the centre of the line-up parted, and a grand black horse cantered through. Kardallen left his troops behind him as he neared the centre of the battlefield. Jareth nudged his horse with his heel and rode forth to meet with him.    All eyes were now fixed upon this meeting - the horses seemed to reject to proximity with the enemy, and both remained uneasy, circling around one another. They did not succeed in gaining any distance from each other though, as their masters kept them under tight control to allow them to talk. Kardallen spoke first.    "I am come here, Jareth, to ask you one last time to reconsider this turn of events. I am in no means accustomed to swallowing my pride, though I feel it would be no great credit to you or myself should we allow our troops to perish in battle, just because we could not come to a diplomatic solution."    "Diplomatic solution?" Jareth scoffed. "And what do you mean in asking me to reconsider 'one last time'...  it was not unreasonable for me to conclude from your conduct that you were resolved on this war."    "I beg to differ," Kardallen replied. "How could you possibly conclude from my letter that I wanted war? It plainly sought an alternative to battle. I don't know why you look so harshly upon my turning a few goblins purple either - You've done many a worse thing to me and we laughed at it the next time we met."    "Your spell on the Goblin City only served to affirm my declaration of war...  and I know nothing of this letter."    "My spell affirmed nothing of the sort; it was dispatched before the Paige even reached my castle! It was then that your declaration of war came, referring to my 'recent actions' - my letter was dispatched moments later by the hand of your own Paige."    "Well, the Paige never returned - I had hoped that you would be enough of a gentleman to not kill the bearer of bad news, though it seems you did, and you are even capable of lying to cover up for it."    "Upon my word!" Kardallen replied.    "But then," Jareth continued, "I had not thought you capable of kidnapping Lady Sarah either...  I truly have been mistaken as to your character."    "Kidnapping? What are you talking about I never kidnapped anybody!" replied Kardallen, outraged.    "Oh don't play dumb Kardallen, it really is unbecoming. The night of the Ball, you knew that I was away and that Sarah would be on her own. You took her from the castle and she was returned beaten and bruised. That night, you sent me a chest containing a parchment bearing your seal, saying that you will have what is rightly yours - referring to The Planes and your precious sword."    "This is untrue Jareth - I would never harm Sarah. I sent you no such chest or parchment." Kardallen was almost pleading Jareth to see the truth in his eyes. "Wait - the declaration of war was referring to this kidnapping? I had thought it was about my spell on the Goblin City." Kardallen reasoned. "Jareth, something is wrong here - I have been your friend for centuries, you have not been mistaken as to my character, you know me perfectly well. Don't you think it strange that I would take dear Sarah, let alone tell you that it was me? The disappearance of my letter is also unusual, and with us being at such cross-purposes...  someone has engineered this war."    "So," replied Jareth, humouring Kardallen, "If you did not take Lady Sarah, then who did?"    Villdon slammed the door behind him and Sarah could hear his footsteps grow faint as he made his way down the stone corridor. She slumped to the ground, not wishing to hold back her tears - this was a hopeless case. Was he telling the truth about him being more powerful than Jareth? She sincerely hoped that it was a lie told only to scare her, but there was something about him that convinced her he spoke the truth. If that was the case, then nothing could be done - she was going to die at the hands of that insane man. She shuddered as she remembered feeling him near her. She closed her eyes and thought of Jareth's embrace to banish the thoughts of Villdon. "Jareth, if only you were here," she sighed. "I need you."    A warmth on her eyelids brought her thoughts back to the stone cell. She opened her eyes to see the dark room illuminated by a strange lilac light resonating from underneath the straw bed in the corner. She crawled over to the corner and parted the straw.    "My amulet!" she cried in a whisper so as not to alert the guards down the hall. Jareth had told her that if she believed in its magic, then she could use it to contact him just as he used the crystals. She put the chain around her neck, and cupped the crystal pendant in her hands in front of her. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and thought once more of Jareth's embrace. "Show me Jareth," her whisper commanded. She took a peek at the crystal as it grew warm in her hands. Inside the crystal, the thousands of tiny stars began to move erratically. A piercing light began to form in the centre, shooting rays of white and lilac light into the room. It grew larger, and Sarah could see an image beginning to form in the centre...    "Sire!" cried Derrin, attracting Jareth's attention. "Behold!" He pointed over to the horizon. The sun had defied the thoughts of everyone on the battlefield - it touched the horizon. They were out of time, a decision had to be made.    Jareth and Kardallen sat atop their horses, wordless, each wondering if the other would give the command to attack; each trying to fathom the other out. Kardallen felt an overwhelming desperation to get to the truth, willing Jareth to believe him. Jareth had maintained his outward disbelief of Kardallen, though he could not fight the increasing feeling of doubt rising within him - he knew that if Llynton were by his side, he would tell him not to believe Kardallen. Jareth found himself in a struggle between his loyalty and friendship with the man before him, and his loyalties to Llynton. It suddenly dawned on him that it was strange indeed for him to be caught between a friend he had known for centuries, and a man whom he had only just met.    "Jareth... " the strange voice surrounded the two men as though it were carried on the breeze. Kardallen's face changed - he had heard it too. "Jareth... " came the ghostly sound once more. Jareth felt a warmth onhis chest and instantly knew what it was, and who the voice belonged to. "Sarah!" he cried to himself, as he pulled at the chain around his neck to release the glowing amulet from the safety of his armour. He looked into the yellow gem's glowing centre and stroked it as Sarah's face was revealed. He grew concerned as he noticed her dishevelled appearance and dark surroundings.    "Jareth, you mustn't fight Kardallen," said Sarah with desperation, hoping she wasn't too late.    "Where are you? What is happening?" Jareth questioned. "Why... "    "Stop," she interrupted, "I don't know how long I have before they find me out, so you must listen carefully. Kardallen didn't kidnap me - Villdon's son did. He has taken the castle and is going to kill me."    "But Llynton... "    "No, he was working for Villdon all along. Please, you must come and... " Sarah's image disappeared, and the yellow gem was left to reflect the sun sinking further below the horizon.    "He had a son?" questioned Kardallen. "Then it is he that contrived this war as a distraction, allowing him to take the Labyrinth."    "Aye," replied Jareth, "With Llynton looking on. I am sorry that I ever doubted you."    Derrin reached them, as did Kardallen's officer. "Derrin," commanded Jareth, "The castle has been taken by Lord Villdon, lead the troops back under the Labyrinth and take it back." With a panicked nod, he sped over to the army to convey the instructions. Kardallen ordered half of his army to return and guard his castle, and the other half to help Jareth. His officers were dispatched to alert the other Kingdoms.    "There is not a moment to lose, I must go to my castle," said Jareth.    "You mean we?" interrupted Kardallen before Jareth had a chance to disappear. Jareth smiled his gratitude in response. They brought their hands together as though about to arm wrestle, and disappeared, leaving the horses riderless.    Sarah cowered before Villdon, unable to meet his stare. He had appeared and snatched the amulet from her, and he now swung it around his finger.    "Oh dear," he commented theatrically. "I must confess, I didn't think you had it in you, but I should thank you all the same." With a violent swing of his arm, he sent the amulet careering towards the wall where it shattered, spilling crystal shards all over the floor. Sarah shot to her feet and looked up into his face defiantly, her countenance full of hatred.    "This way," he explained, toying with a strand of her hair. "I get to see Jareth's face when I kill you...  what fun that shall be. How the other leaders will fear me when I kill him and Kardallen! Commendations on a job well done, Sarah."    As his laugh echoed around the suffocating room, Sarah was overcome with a strange feeling, she felt herself stumble into Villdon, though felt as though she were standing upright at the same time. Unexpectedly, he steadied her, and as she blinked through her double vision, she saw his face lower to look into hers.    "Come with me Sarah," he smiled. Taking her hand, he led her through the doorway. To her horror, she followed him without struggle - she wanted to wrench her hand from his and run away, though her will was subdued. It was almost as if there were another, stronger Sarah in her body that was content with following Villdon. Despite trying to release her hand with all her might, Sarah could not even twitch her fingers - she was forced to watch through her own eyes as she walked towards the Throne Room to her death.