Labyrinth: A Darker Season

Chapter 18

Sarah glanced back at the five horses she was leading and sighed. It looked like a train. Sarah stopped at a few farms and inquired if they needed a horse because these were lost, and they could use them. She got rid of two, giving them to the farmers. Sarah plugged away until nightfall, when she reached the city of Cacwn.

Sarah stopped at the first stable she saw and asked if they would like to buy all three horses. He bought two of the three after looking at them. She received twenty gold. Sarah took the horses down to a stable next to an inn and took her baggage in with her, wishing it lighter. She got a room for a week. She had to sell jewelry. Sarah locked the room and wished it to be secure. She boarded Shadow and sold the other horse for ten gold to the stable's blacksmith.

Sarah went back to the room and settled in getting the kittens litter box set up, which they flew to get to it and their water bowl filled. She pulled out her dirty clothes and set her bath stuff on the foot of the bed. She fed the kittens and put their balls on the bed. When they got out their energy playing, Sarah placed them in the pouch and in her cloak. She went downstairs to the counter.

The fae innkeeper looked at her, wondering who was under that hood. He asked, “What do you want?”

Sarah said, “Dinner and wine, please?” She slid him the coppers. He took them and poured her drink and got her a bowl of mutton stew. It was savoy, and the meat melted in her mouth. Sarah's kittens begged for a bite, and she gave them the stew gravy on her glove fingertips. The innkeeper commenced asking her questions, and they were a bit personal in nature. She started grunting, and the innkeeper knew he wouldn't get much more than where are you from, what brought you here and such. The questions he asked were, “Why do you keep your hood up? Are you hiding for a reason?” Sarah was getting uncomfortable.

Sarah ate and went up to her room and tied a scarf to the doorknob. She started heating water, took a bath, and washed her hair. Sarah made a cup of tea and nibbled a couple of cookies before she laid down to sleep. The kittens crawled up and snuggled with her.

The fae downstairs kept trying to view her in his crystal, but it was black, and he didn't know why. He gave up for now.

—-----------53 days

Sarah woke up the next morning to her kittens licking her eyelid and tip of her nose. She was giggling at them. She grabbed each of them and started kissing each of them all over their faces.

Sarah sat up and cuddled them both and said, “I love you, my sweet Magus and Merlin.”

Suddenly, she felt her veins everywhere were heightened with magic, but it felt like electricity.

Sarah thought, 'Gaia.'

Gaia said, 'Yes, my champion?'

Sarah thought, 'Something happened last night while I was sleeping. I was told the day before that it would happen by Elora, Dalanna and Zenthea, the fairies I met with a magic pool and waterfall. They mentioned I had fairy venom in my blood from the bite I got before I entered the labyrinth thirteen years ago from a queen. They claimed it took time to spread because it stays dormant until exposed to magic. I felt it when I changed fae, but this feels like it is running through my veins.'

Gaia said, 'That is correct. Your magical capacity has increased. Do you have the fae knowledge on magic now? I feel your connection is much stronger.'

Sarah thought, 'Yes. Rudimentary, mid-level and advanced. Why can Jareth transport and probably do other things than other fae?'

Gaia said, 'It is exclusively labyrinthian magic. You will need training on how to use it.'