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Courtesan	By : Lasski Category: G through L > Labyrinth Views: 15072 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Chapter Three - The King

                As dusk lay twilight across the land, a carriage painted in silver, black and green - the royal Labyrinthine colours - streaked along the road towards the High King’s castle. Two multi-coloured goblins sat up top driving the dark horses fast, two orc warriors wrapped in dark cloaks clung to the back and inside sat two men.

                Jareth tapped a riding crop against his leg in boredom, only half listening to his prime advisor, Lord Paul Fall (a human whose parents had a thing for rhyming) rattling off the itinerary for the next week while at the summit. If Jareth had had it his way he would have just turned up for as long as it took to say his part to the gathered assembly, then leave. Unfortunately politics were not quite that quick. He needed information, allies and plans - all which took up copious amounts of time. Jareth sighed into the night. It was his own fault for leaving the situation as long as he had. If he had taken the time to come at least annually to the High Court he might not have needed to take so much time out now to get things done. But he had avoided court like the plague. It always came down to his intense dislike of the High Court and everything that went on in it.

                “Just focus on the courtesans Jareth,” Paul said knowing his friend’s thoughts.

                That snapped Jareth out of it. “What?”

                Paul gave a grin. “The courtesans. Think on them rather than the politics. Tell me, how long has it been since you bedded a woman?”

                “None of your damn business,” Jareth said and looked out the window again.

                Paul laughed. “I noticed Janna leaving your room the night before we left on this hellish journey. Actually I think stumbled might have been the right word from the way she walked. I hear there is a new courtesan in the court, they say she’s the best the Underground has ever seen… or is that bedded?”

                Jareth’s lips twitch in a smile.

                “They say she leaves a man senseless… beyond satisfied yet yearning for more,” Paul said, his eyes glazing over as if imaging such a woman.

                “They say a lot” Jareth sneered, “and she sounds like a woman who any man should stay away from.” he added warningly.

                Paul rolled his eyes. “You’re not meant to stay away from courtesans. They’re there for pleasure.”

                “And for taking your money.”

                “Cynical bastard.”

                “Have some respect!” Jareth bit off but smirked as he turned back to watch the passing scenery.

                Paul made a rude sound, not in the least bit intimidated, and went back to his papers. “We’re going to have opposition from the trolls. The power hungry bastards will go after anything that will extend their dominion and stop anyone from getting something they can’t have. We’re going to have to strengthen our alliance with the Fairy Lord-”

                “Don’t mince words,” Jareth cut him off sharply, “Raffe hates my existence ever since I started killing off his damn biting fairies that trespassed on my land-”

                “You did tell him to get rid of them beforehand.” Paul pointed out, “and they were killing off the rare vegetation on the outer walls.”

                “-And Nagid knows of the Labyrinth’s secret, even if he hasn’t shared his knowledge with the rest of the Trollic council, which is more than likely,” Jareth continued ignoring the interruption. “Besides, goblins and trolls are natural enemies. With my luck, he and the Fairy Lord will band together in their animosity of me.”

                “Ever heard of jinxing the situation?” Paul mocked. “You need the Fairy Lord’s support. You need anyone’s support you can get. For once you’ll have to swallow that fae pride and crawl for help if you need to.”

                “Don’t push your luck,” Jareth muttered.

                Paul grinned. “I’m hoping that if I give you an extreme you’ll meet me halfway. You know, reach for the moon and if you fall short at least you’ll land on a star.”

                “Like I said, don’t push your luck.”

                Paul chuckled. Jareth would do what was necessary. That was the problem with his king, what he said and what he meant were usually two very different things. It was either that or what he said had more than one meaning. Paul wasn’t sure which signaled the more dangerous situation - after all Jareth wasn’t a fae to cross. Paul’s grin widened, hell there were even times when Jareth didn’t need to be provoked to mess with someone’s head he just did it for the fun of it. It amused him. It amused Paul too as long as he wasn’t on the receiving end.

                “There’s no reason why the Elf King won’t align himself with us, unless that damn priest of his has been screwing with his head.”

                “Luc isn’t a fool and the Elven Queen has been working to get rid of the priest.”

                “The Elvin Queen is not attending the summit,” Paul pointed out, “His Worship has free reign and is still prime advisor to the king.”

                “Nonetheless Luc will side with me.”

                There was a moment of silence before Paul let out a hiss. “He knows!”

                Jareth nodded. “Not all of it, but enough to know that what I do with the Labyrinth is in the best interest of all.”

                “No one knows all of it besides you or myself.” Paul sighed, “Not even the High King himself.”

                “And the High Duke.”

                Paul whipped his head up at that. “Please tell me you’re not talking about him.”

                “There are only four High Dukes” Jareth smirked, “which one do you think I meant?”

                Paul ran a hand through his hair, making the brown ends stick up. “I knew you dealt a contract with him to use the gateway to the Aboveground, I was there for it, but I didn’t know you’d told him everything.”

                “I didn’t.”

                “Then how-?”

                “You’re talking about the former High King’s assassin. There is not a secret in the Underground he does not know,” Jareth pointed out without any infliction in his voice. “I believe that he has known about the Labyrinth’s secret for almost as long as I have.”

                Paul bit a few choice words in another language.

                Jareth smirked again at Paul’s reaction. “Besides, do you think that the Master of the Laninal Mountains would allow access to his gateway without knowing everything involved?”

                “I suppose not,” Paul grumbled.

                The carriage pulled over the final hill and dipped into the valley where the High King’s palace stood poised in all its glory, shining and shimmering like the waxing moon in the darkening sky. Jareth preferred to liken it a white flame drawing in greedy, power hungry moths. He should know, he was one at one time. And now he was back. Jareth sighed and rubbed his temples knowing this was the last chance he could show even a little bit of weakness. Soon enough this headache would be the least of his worries. Best scenario: he would win independence for the labyrinth and carry out his plans. Worst scenario: the whole of the Underground would be destroyed. Literally. The probability of the first occurring was so small that he doubted it could be calculated. The probability of the latter happening was so large that it was scary. Down right deadly.

                The carriage sped into the courtyard of the palace under the cover of night. Waiting for them were only two stable boys to see the horses and a man half hidden by the shadows. Jareth consciously recognized that the man revealed himself only for their benefit when he could so easily have not shown himself as all.

                Jareth stepped out of the carriage as Zekial moved out of the shadows and gave him a sweeping bow. “Welcome back to the High court, your highness.”

                “Lord Zekial.” Jareth nodded in acknowledgement. Paul jumped out of the carriage behind him and Jareth could feel him observing the legendary High Duke. “I trust our rooms are ready?” he inquired strongly resisting the urge to smirk at treating the Master of the Laninal Mountains like a common servant.

                Zekial’s eyes sparkled with amusement rather than darkening with anger or warning and a low chuckle matched his mirth. “I had forgotten how entertaining it is when the Goblin King attends the High Court. You absence has made it hard to keep court exciting. For many years there has been no real questioning of our laws, no great unveiling of plot between politicians and especially no public cat fights between aristocratic ladies fighting for a place in your bed.”

                Jareth allowed himself to smirk at that particular memory. As he recalled he had been able to satisfy both ladies that night after Zekial had deliberately stirred them up to pay him back for letting slip to the High Queen that Zekial desired her. The High Queen had been waiting not so seductively in his bed. Zekial had a lot of explaining to do that night. But that was only because Zekial had deliberated left deadly cobras in his room. Fae being naturally immortal, Jareth had survived but that hadn’t meant that it didn’t hurt like all of Hades. Neither Jareth nor Zekial could remember if all this began when Zekial managed to push Jareth into the ladies quarters, which was highly frowned upon; or when Jareth let the ladies catch Zekial swimming naked in the lake before he had a chance to develop physically when they were both twelve. Of course two years later such things were much sought after rather than avoided.

                “This is my prime advisor,” Jareth introduced Paul, “he’s privy to all matters concerning the kingdom.” he explained sending a covert message to the High Duke which was received. So Zekial did know the Labyrinth’s secret. “But he is not here for your private amusement.” A not so subtle warning.

                Zekial's gaze flickered to the human and summed him up in seconds. “I would never dream of doing such a thing, your highness,” he replied mockingly but Jareth was sure that he would leave Paul alone. He waited for the stable boys to finish with the horses and lead them away before speaking again. “You’re request for independence will not go smoothly.”

                “I know.” It was no surprise to Jareth that Zekial knew the summit’s agenda.

                “I will pave the way as much as possible.”

                “I know.” Jareth said much more softly. Jareth suddenly rolled his muscles to try and stretch some of the tension out. “Mayhap you’re right Paul.”

                Paul raised an eyebrow in question.

                “I need to take a woman to bed. I haven’t sampled the pleasures of the High Court for many years.”

                “About damn time you rectified that then!” Paul stated, “especially since this may be the last time you get to do so if all goes to plan.” Obviously it was ok to discuss all plans in front of the High Duke because the bastard seemed to know everything anyway. Paul wasn’t too sure if he wanted to name Lord Zekial on their team though. The fae couldn’t be trusted as far as he was concerned but he would talk about it with Jareth later.

                “If I may your majesty?” Lord Zekial said smoothly, “tomorrow night is a party in which many courtesans will be attending.” He paused before adding the taunt “if you can wait that long of course.”

                Jareth narrowed his eyes. “I’ll be there.” He spun on his heel to stalk into the castle. A smirk twitched as his lips. Courtesans. Maybe everything at the High Court wasn’t to be despised after all.

                “Suppose you’re heading back for the night then,” Paul said to Lord Zekial as he supervised the goblins struggle with the luggage.

                Zekial passed a secretive look at Jareth’s back knowing the Labyrinthine King was still in fae hearing distance. “I have a date with one of my courtesans.”

                Paul laughed. “Damn I wish I had you’re job.”

                Zekial turned the full force of his dark gaze on Paul suddenly making him feel like the prey of a black panther. “I appreciate those who are willing to betray the trust of others.”

                Paul gave him a steady look back. The lord may be joking but he was also making a serious offer. “You and my king make a great pair. You’re both bastards.”

                Zekial looked away as if suddenly bored. “Pity.”

                ***

                Sarah soaked in the massive bath after midnight, giving her poor tired muscles burning luxury after six hours with Zekial in his bed. The fae was utterly merciless. Sarah winced as she stretched out to grab the rose-scented soap through the steam rising up from the hot liquid. The herbs in the water - rosemary for soothing and dispelling tiredness, juniper for restoring and reviving - were starting to kick in and take out the aching pain and stopping her from falling asleep in the bath. Her lifestyle left her considerably nocturnal and if she slept too much now she wouldn’t sleep come daylight and feel too tired for the ball the following night. Nonetheless she found herself dropping her head back onto the bath pillow behind her and closing her eyes.

                A knock on the door had her opening one eye in annoyance. She sighed and called for the person to enter. Carrick came into the bathroom and quietly shut the door behind him. He sat on the edge of the bath trailing his fingers in the water. “How are you doing?”

                “If you’re looking for a quick romp I’m afraid I’d have to pass it up,” Sarah replied with a groan.

                Carrick laughed, flashing white teeth. Sex between Zekial’s courtesans was neither encouraged nor discouraged, and they were taught that intercourse was about pleasure not just a job. However, Carrick and Sarah had never had a sexual relationship between them preferring just friendship. That wasn’t to say that they hadn’t seen the other naked and having sex with others - hazards of the job. “Zekial thought that if you were up to it we’d go on a reconnaissance mission.

                “If you can wait a couple of hours I might be able to move,” Sarah complained, then groaned in pleasure as Carrick began to massage her shoulders in strong rhythmic strokes. Sarah dropped her head forwards so that he could work on her neck.

                “You’re very tense Sarah,” Carrick softly admonished, “what is troubling you?”

                “The past has come back to haunt me,” she muttered.

                “Ah…” Carrick replied understanding and moved to run his thumbs between the muscles in her lower back “from before your days as a courtesan.” He didn’t need Sarah’s droopy nod to confirm it. “You must not let it affect you. You have to pretend that you did not live before you became a courtesan; you must forget all that it contained. Believe that you were born fully grown into the life you now lead.”

                “You sound like Zekial,” Sarah grumbled.

                Carrick chuckled, a sound deliciously like Zekial’s spine-thrilling laugh. “He gives good advice for retaining your sanity.” He used the heel of his hands to smooth out the skin on her back. “Come on the mission with me, it’ll loosen you up and get rid of the tension.”

                Sarah sighed. “I need to eat first.”

                “Of course,” Carrick replied. He pulled the velvet cord for the maid before snagging a massive dark blue towel from the heating rack. Sarah stepped out of the bath and let Carrick rub her dry, making her skin tingle pink. He slipped a robe over her shoulders just as the knock came from the maid and he ordered a hot meal. While they waited for the food Carrick brushed out Sarah’s long hair and didn’t wake her for an hour when she fell asleep.
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Courtesan