A Quest Completed, and a Prize

[vicioussweetie]

There are many things to be sought in life. Some universal, such as love and the fulfillment of necessities; some more individual, such as one person's desire to consume the perfect hamburger or another's compelling need to memorize every word in the dictionary. One of Ali's quests, for the better part of the last year, has been to find Jareth's

Comments

[allaroundarthur]

Within the week, Guinevere's charity work has already begun to make a significant impact on the lives of those in Camelot proper, and she has begun to make plans to tour the countryside to see how best to spread her efforts beyond the city. For now, though, spirits within Camelot are high, and as the morning court convenes, king and queen both seem to have an air of energy and good cheer.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali's watching court from one of the balconies that overlooks the chamber, leaning against a pillar so she can watch the scene below without being obvious about that fact. The change in mood in court and in the city beyond is seductive, and having been lulled into a potentially false sense of security, Ali's luxuriating in the warmth and power on which she is so rarely sated. Much more, and there'll be side effects noticeable to more than those with an eye for magic--she knows she should stop--but it feels so good...

[mords_horde]

Speaking of magic, a new arrival to the court steps forth, the herald curiously failing to announce him. Bald, he wears an odd mix of a scholar's robes and jewelery, and brings with him a strangely-shaped staff. There is a sharp, scrutinizing weight to his gaze as he casts it over the court, and he makes no obeisance before Arthur's throne.

Drawing himself up, he speaks without raising his voice, although he manages to somehow be clearly heard by all present. There is an odd weight to his words, as though they were Right, and should be Obeyed. "I greet you, king, and present you with an offer you would be wise to accept. I am going to take your kingdom, and you are going to give it to me."

[vicioussweetie]

That certainly breaks her out of her reverie. A half step back should keep her from being noticed before the opportune moment, and she can still see Arthur and Merlin. Something seems very wrong, but she isn't sure what's happening yet and will wait to see what they do.

[allaroundarthur]

Most of those near the dais fall silent, standing almost unnaturally still. Arthur frowns, shaking his head slowly, while Guinevere bows her head, massaging her temples as though warding off a terrible headache. After a moment, Merlin speaks a few sharp, accented words, and raps his own staff on the ground with a resounding crack, which startles everyone out of the momentary bespellment.

Lifting his chin, Arthur frowns down at the man. "You greet us poorly, sir, and your demand is absurd. Who are you, to make demands of a king in his own home?"

[vicioussweetie]

Seeing that Merlin was about to dispel the effect, Ali lets go the breath she'd been holding. But she doesn't relax--what magician has only one trick up his sleeve when making such demands? No, she's certain she'll have to get involved. She's just not sure when.

[mords_horde]

"Though you will call me 'master,'" the mage sneers, "I am Mordenkainen!" His name is underscored by a subtle rumble, like far-off thunder. "If you will not surrender your crown peacefully, then I shall dig it from among your ashes." He speaks a single word and clenches a hand on empty air, and in the space between one heartbeat and the next he is engulfed in flames, floating a dozen feet over the floor, while a trio of sneering, snarling monsters plucked from hellish nightmare stand where he was a moment ago.

"A little demonstration," he gloats, "to show my new subjects the price of defiance."

[vicioussweetie]

She knows that name. She knows that name, and the implications make her pale--but no less inclined to act. Pity, she really likes the dress she's wearing...

(She wishes she was armed.)

Looking around quickly, Ali seizes one of the shields mounted on a nearby wall, heavy and decorative as it may be, and with a few spins hurls it like a discus at the back of Mordenkainen's head. She doubts he'll see that coming, and it might just buy them all a bit of time while she thinks of her next move.

[mords_horde]

The shield flies true, striking hard enough to be felt even through the layers of magical protection the wizard has placed upon himself--although, alas, not enough to do harm. It does get his attention, as he whirls, snarling, "who dares?!"

Below, the leering demons take a step as one, menace and mayhem in their eyes.

[allaroundarthur]

There are times when the knights of Camelot may be found wanting--more often in some eyes than others. In a moment such as this, though, they certainly have no lack of valor; blades are drawn and orders shouted, to defend the king and the people. While aristocrats and servants flee in a panicked mob, the knights strike at the fiends, barely scratching the monsters but giving their all nonetheless--with their lives, they buy the safety of the rest.

[vicioussweetie]

"I dare!" Ali climbs onto the railing, glaring defiantly at Mordenkainen. The knights will be hard-enough pressed to deal with the demons; it seems the wizard is up to her. "This is not your world, wizard; go home to Greyhawk and be grateful we allow you to leave."

She knows she must make quite the picture at the moment, the seams of her skirt torn open so she can move, towering over the assembly and speaking so boldly. "I wish I had my sword, so I could teach you the error of your ways."

Please, oh please Jareth, be listening.

[labyrinthking]

There are many wishes, in that moment, that Jareth couldn't grant--he has not the power to whisk Mordenkainen away, or to strike him down, but there are little things he can do. Ali has just asked for one, and her sword is in her hand as swiftly as Mord's spells had formed around him. The space between heartbeats, it would seem, can be very crowded.

[vicioussweetie]

Sometimes it's about knowing when to wish, and sometimes it's about knowing how. There are other things she considers wishing for, but she'd rather Jareth concentrate on helping with the evacuation. Refocusing on Mordenkainen, she swings her sword with the casual ease of a warrior limbering up. "Not leaving? Then shall we dance, little man?"

[mords_horde]

"A would-be hero, hmm? I've no time to waste with thick-muscled grunts," he replies, before chanting a few words and making a grand, sweeping slashing-gesture toward her. "But my sword does."

The air in front of her shimmers, light coalescing into the shape of a cruel-looking scimitar wrought of baleful red-orange light, its edge serrated and crackling with sparks. It dips and parries without a hand holding it, and then strikes at Ali as Mord turns his attention back to the knights below.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali is unimpressed, but is still busy keeping the dancing sword occupied for the moment. With no time to bring accessories or ritual into her spell-casting, she's forced to burn off some of her Glamour to force the spell into being: heralded by her triumphant and half-manic laughter, time for everyone else in the room slows to the crawl of honey on the tongue.

Her actions are not so sweet: brushing the wizard's sword aside, Ali leaps from the railing to bring the fight to Mordenkainen, or if she's lucky, tackle him to the floor. She knows time magic is rare in Mordenkainen's world, so she hopes he isn't prepared for this. Either way, she's really glad that vending machine gave her a ring of feather fall.

[mords_horde]

Through the protective flames wreathing him she dives, to slam against the slippery barriers of pure force that envelop him. Even so, she can gain purchase on them and drag him to the ground. Up close, she can see that his skin has taken on a stony, rocklike appearance.

This close, however, he's able to catch her with a spell, sending a wracking bolt of electric agony arcing through her. "Unhand me, wretch!"

Around them, the battle rages--the knights can hold the demons at bay, but can't really hurt them. Thankfully, though, Merlin is able to keep all three from bringing their own magical might to bear, but the three-on-one battle of wills leaves him time for little else.