272 We're Goners

Gulp! 

"Sorry," the man managed to whisper his apology and turnednhis head away from Jareth. 

Right now, to him, it was easier to stare at the beast than to look at Jareth. 

Unfortunately, when he returned his gaze back to the beast, it had a frightening look on its face as it got ready to attack them both and make them pay for the injury inflicted on it. 

"We're goners now!" The man lamented as he struggled to get off his feet before the beast found him as an easier prey. 

"We are not done, not until I say so. I would repeat my order. Stay behind me and stay close. Anything other than that... You have yourself to blame."

Jareth was already sick and tired of the whole situation. All he wanted now was to ejdbthings and get back to Astrid. 

He was already getting a wierd vibe from the atmosphere. 

Minutes later, him standing with one beastay not be the case. So before more of them starts coming, the best thing for him to do is to end this problem and get the heck out of the forest. 

His brows furrowed deeper as his legs dug deeperninti the ground, ready to take that leap forward  with his ever trusted weapon beside him. 

It was Jareth who moved first and he charged head on right for the beast. 

At the same time he loved, the beast pounced forward, ready to repel the incoming danger and reward Jareth with one of its own. 

Swoosh!

Slash! 

Slash! 

All the man could see was the glimmering flash of swords and scattered movements that would make one dizzy. 

The next moment, Jareth's feet touched the ground lightly on his toes and swung his sword to get the blood off before walking over to where the man stood rooted to the ground in utter shock. 

His gaze remained fixed at the battle in front of him that had since ended. 

Both himself and the beast stood still, no one moving with their eyes opened wide until the beast let out a low growl and the next thing that happened, it fell to the ground with a loud thud. 

The shock in its open eyes showed that it had least expected the outcome to be like this and was as surprised at its defeat. 

"Get up. We must leave this forest this instant."

Jareth gave his order and without battling an eye lid, he turned to the direction from whence he came and left. 

Not needing any further invitation, the man stood up straight and chased after Jareth. 

About an hour later, they were already at the entrance of the small forest and totally safe from harm or so the man thought. 

He bent down a bit to catch his breath because Jareth had made them run all the way out of the forest.

Besides, if anything was to happen to him, what would become of Astrid?

His mind could not place it and he did not want to. Rather than think that, he made up his mind to leave there soon and get to her.

While the man rested, he was oblivious to the glare Jaretj shot his way.

The next thing he knew, Jareth was already standing in front of him and before he could say anything, he was grabbed by his shirt and made to stand up and look Jareth straight in the eyes. 

"Ahhh... What is wrong? What are you doing?"

His eyes darkened with each words the man uttered and he could see the fear etched deep in the man's eyes. 

"Good, you should fear."

"I..."

Cooh! Cooh! 

Jareth moved his other hand up and held neck tight then lifted him up the ground by his neck." Give me one good reason why I should not kill you myself."

"What... are... you talking a–about...?"

"Do you still want to play dumb with me? Did you think I would not find out?"

At this point, Jareth was mega mad at the man and everyone. 

It took him time but he figured everything out as he ran in searched of the stupid human. 

"You planned all this. You left me to go deeper to my death right?"

His grip on the man's neck tightened the more till thean was literally choking. 

After some seconds, the man continued hitting Jareth's hand, showing his utter surrender. 

Jareth let him go and he fell to the ground as his hands moved up to rub at his neck. 

A moment ago, he felt his life flash before his eyes. It was still had to believe. He was celebrating his escape from death only a few minutes ago and now this. 

"Speak!" Jareth hollered at him, sending chills down his spine. 

The man trembled from the shout and managed to stand back. 

"I am sorry."

"Not good enough. What is your name?"

"Lucas. I am grateful for you saving my life and for that I would tell you everything."

"Your life belongs to me now," Jareth informed him as he took some steps backward and went to relax on a nearby tree. 

"Spill. Do not lie, lest I lose my patience."

Lucas raised his hands in front of Jareth and shook his head. 

"I won't lie."

"Good. Now, start talking."

"I do not know much. All I know is that I was ordered to take your far into the forest and leave you."

"Is that all?"

"Yes. That is the truth."

Swoosh! 

A dagger flew past Lucas at that same minute and landed on a tree behind him. 

"Lies. If your orders were to take me there and leave me, then why did I find you at the east part of the forest when you should have been going further south?"

"I–I... I was... "

"Save the lies for someone who cares. You were the one rallying the beasts to where I was. Unfortunately for you, the last beast was not an easy prey for you to lure and you fell into your own trap."

Lucas was stunned at Jareth's level of intelligence. He was found out so easily. 

"If you knew, why did you save me? Why didn't you leave me to be devoured by that beast?"

"Of what use wouldn't be to throw your life away? Besides, now I own your life. Also I need to figure out why you were sent to do this. Wait who sent you? Is it Clive or that conniving Brad?"

"It was our leader, Master Clive. He anded me to. As to why, that I cannot say but I think you can very well guess."

At his statement, Jareth's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. 

"Astrid."

————

~Outlaw's Village~

Back at the village, after Astrid had cried from the hurtful words Jareth had told her, she finally managed to pick herself up and carry on with her life. 

At that point in time, Astrid decided to let him go. It was what was best for them all. 

Personally she was already tired of his attitude and the way he spoke to her.

She really wanted to be of help and break him from the shackles of loveless life he had chosen but unfortunately for her, Jareth seemed not to want to let her. 

Like every other day, although later than the others, Astrid and Snow stepped out into the bright and sunny day, ready to carry on with their day to day activities. 

Unlike other days, Snow felt like staying close to her particularly because he heard everything they discussed about this morning.

So he knew his master was hurting and wanted to be there for her but Astrid would not have him babysit her when she could very much handle herself. 

"No, Snow. Go on and play. Go have fun and do not let any villager person, be it vjoldnor adult to tickle you to stupor," Astrid warned Snow. 

With the way she stood with both hands on her waist as she looked down at her baby beast like a mother scolding a child, Snow could not help but feel glad. 

"I won't let them master. If anyone come close I would spit out flames to chase them away."

"Good boy. That's better. Now run along now," Astrid shooed Snow, waving her hands to dismiss him. 

Irrespective of her actions, little Snow did not move a muscle. Instead he stood looking at her with his puppy big eyes. 

"And why are you not going?" Astrid asked. 

"Master, aren't you forgetting something?"

Astrid widened her eyes to look at Jim and finally shook her head after a minute of thinking. 

"It seems that the quarrel master had with Jareth not only made master cry and spoil her mood but to be forgetful."

"Snow, out with it."

"Easy momma. You did not hug or carry me like you normally do. Master must still be very sad. That is why I want to stay with master and take care of you."

~~~~~~

{Awwwnnn isn't snow so cute. Hwy guys, thanks for the support and patience. I love you guys bunch.