Delph smiles "Oh, a perfect way to settle out dispute Travin.  Thank you!  I guess we will find out what they do when they find it missing next."  then they get an evil grin and take the offered coin purse from Travin as they suddenly look to Dag, go over to them, and offers the coin purse to them saying "Better for Dag to get in trouble then you.  He's the one invested in how they behave after all.  Unless... Dag here believes they will act like goblins and is scared of their reprisal?  So what will it be Dag, take the coins as a conspirator to theft and test if the goblins are goblins or refuse and admit through your actions that they are still goblins, they are just a different type of goblin?"

Didymus rides up and down the Dawn Guard's line as they take a moment to look over the Goblin City and the changes it has undergone in only a couple months time.  

"Well I see you are all quite enamored by the locals.  They are a splendid bunch, aren't they?  But my orders were not to stop and dawdle or site-see in the Goblin City, my fair companions.  I am afraid I must usher you on toward the Castle at the center of the Labyrinth.  Tally ho!"  

He spurs Ambrosius, and the dog goes trotting through the city, on down the path they had started on that would take them straight to the gates of the castle.  Two of the huge constructs stand guard on either side of the gates, both of which look pretty banged up and battle scarred.  The gates open before the Dawn Guard even arrives at them, two torches on either side of the gate flare brightly as they move on into the courtyard of the castle...

Ward chuckles and rolls his eyes at Delph and Travin's antics before taking a long look at the constructs next to the gates, trying to take in every possible detail.

Adam is walking alongside Shavaris as they make their way further in, he makes a certain gesture with his hand in the general direction of the conversation and grins at her.  As they are walking in he periodically looks for a mushroom to give to Ironsides.  “All of this talk, the ranking of races, the nature of goblins, can they change, yadda yadda yadda.  What a load.  Hmm… Strange to see this place looking so much better… while everything else in Eternia is worse.  Why?  Only one guy who is going to to know.  The ball juggler.”  They arrive at the courtyard and Adam says “Now, we’ll have some answers.  Hopefully.” 

Dageron looks at Delphinium with an eyebrow raised. "Fey logic. Humans kill over gold too, or did you forget that? Also, are not the Dawn Guard guests of these peoples? I am surprised you would advocate an act that would anger our hosts. Perhaps you should ask Lord Commander Didymus permission before proceeding, so as not to break their laws."

Delphinium smiles.  "I broke no law.  Nor did the Dawn guard.  Travin did as an individual.  He did not consult with us.  Nor ask for permission.  I merely gave you the option on how to handle it.  Seems you are afraid to do so, though you could of simply just given it back to them.  That is my plan for I like Travin and do not want to see them in trouble.   As to our debate, are you admitting that the goblins here will still act like goblins in ways?  Are you also admitting by word that goblins already act like humans in ways too?  If so, I find that Interesting.  I wonder, where do you draw the line?  When does a goblin cease to be a goblin in your mind?  When does a goblin become too human?  A topic to continue later.  I'm very interested in your reply.  For now we are guests.  Let us focus on that and get other answers."  Delphinium will put the purse away for now certain the goblin king will be able to return it without fuss.  

When Sir Didymus comes back to usher them to hurry Delphinium nods and says "Right.  My apologies Sir Didymus.  Dag and I were in a heated debate.  A good one too!  I can't wait to hear his next reply but we shall put it on hold for now.  Lead on my friend.  Let's see the King.  We all have many questions for them."  Delphnium follows to meet Jaris.

Travin scowl at Delphinium, "Travin stoles that fair and squares! Hmm? There is no golds in there anyways, yeh yeh, Travin checked! But if Fireflight wants to gives it back, can Travin at least haves one thing hmm? There is a brokens piece of black thing in there, it is from Travin's home! Yeh yeh!" He reaches out to delphinium with expectant grabby hands.

"Oh, you can of course have it back.  It comes with all the responsibility and consequences too though.   It means you accept its your action not anyone else's.  I'll be sad if you get in trouble though."  Delphinium hands it back over to Travin.

Lord Commander Didymus canters Ambrosius toward the doors of the castle...and then, high above, another door opens.  Jareth steps out onto the balcony and looks down at the Dawn Guard and raises his hands.

"Well well, I am so glad to see the lot of you again."  He says, flourishing his hands above his head.  "Regardless of how you feel about me."  

He casts his gaze around, examining those below, pausing a moment on Dageron, and then looking at Didymus.  

"Lord Commander, you can be excused.  I would like to address our guests alone."  

"Oh.  I uh, of course your Majesty.  If you need me, I'll be in the Goblin City!  Ambrosius!"  

The Lupine flicked the reins and turned his noble steed about in the street before trotting back out the way he'd come.  

Jareth looked down from his position on the balcony, taking his time to walk back and forth so that the innocuous bulge in the front of his spandex was framed from time to time in the spindles of the railing before he finally stepped off to the side and started his decent to the courtyard on a flight of stairs that had been otherwise unnoticeable until the moment he touched them.  He walked out straight, turned sideways until he was almost horizontal to the ground, then circled around the wall until he stepped flat footed onto the ground.  

"I hope that you like what I've done with the place."  He said, cupping his hands together, then pulling them apart quickly with another flourish of his hands.  A crystal ball appeared in either.  "I've tried to keep my word.  And yes yes, I'm sure none of you have really changed how you felt about my Labyrinth, but as they say; you can't please them all.  How have my gifts helped you?  If I can be upfront, what you did last time you were here...well.  It's helped us tremendously.  The people will be forever in your debt, if they know it or not."  

He moves amongst the Dawn Guard, smiling that same enormous smile as before, his two heterochromatic eyes finally falling on Prince Adam.  

One crystal ball practically disappears into thin air as he reaches out for a handshake...

Adam rubs the stubble on his chin for a moment or two, his eyes locked on the man, the being, the whatever before him that is Jareth, considering.  He sticks his hand out in reply and a cautious greeting, replying in kind.  “Yeah put ‘em there pal, I guess it’s good to see you Jugg Jareth, even if it is in such strange circumstances.  Come to think on it (scratches his head and his headband of intellect), it’s always strange when I see you.  This is like your forté, like your modus operandi and stuff, right?  Figures.  Weird shit going on in the land, you’re the man to see to figure it out, that’s what I said.  Do you know what’s going on in Eternia, Jareth?  Do you know what is happening outside of your four little walls here?  Falcon Crest is gone, my man.  Weird viney things grabbing people, turning ‘em into zombies and spitting them out again.  Pink goo.   Invisible tentacle beasts eating up towns and villages.  This guy over here (points at Dageron) wants to burn it all down, cleanse it with fire, turn sand into glass and make all of Eternia a parking lot.  I said no.  I want to come see my boy with the balls, Jareth.  Thank you for the gifts you gave us, by the way.  And in turn, hope you are enjoying your kingdom again, glad that we could handle Blix for ya.  That was a head scratcher.  Hey, I’m Prince Adam, did you know that?  Who am I kidding, of course you know that.  You seem to know every friggin thing.  So, tell me, please Jareth, how do we get our country back from these zombo plants and reverse this Land of the Lost that we seem to be in?”  Adam takes a breath here, allowing anyone else to chime in, and listening to what Jareth has to say.  

Hello Jareth, glad to see you haven’t changed much. Your gifts were of great help, though unfortunately the Orrery was stolen from some weird looking monsters. Delph was separated from us in a different plane so I used the Orrery to make contact. This caused purple lightning to form in the sky, which Ward taunted enough with the Orrery until they came and took it. 

I don’t know if you know the madness happening in this world. Magic seems to be weakening for some reason. When we came across Falcon crest it looked like it aged, do you know how long it has been since we were last here?

Shavaris nods to Adam, "Well, either answers or riddles... either way it should be entertaining." she smiles.

She watches as Jareth makes his appearance, wondering if he gesticulates like this for everyone or just guests... she finds it more amusing this time around, after the horrors of the forest.  She absentmindedly pets Running Bird and waits for his show to continue.

When he dismisses the lupine, she's a bit disappointed.  Being reunited with the crazy fox was something she enjoyed more than she thought she would, even with the pent up frustrations the Lord Commander apparently had.

Shavaris adds her two cents in to the start of the converstaion, "I'm glad to hear that we were able to help out, it appears that things are going well here?  I hope that isn't just an illusion?  And yes, the gifts were most generous and very helpful, thank you."

She gives a sidelong glance at Adam and smirks, wondering how Jareth was going to respond to all that.

Delphinium waves their friend off as they leave. He looks to Jerath and smiles.  The man proving his worth in the fairy's eyes.  "More then I thought!  I thought you'd just remove the more deadly elements but you went all out!  Most folks are scared of change"  Delph eyes Dag. "...but you fully embraced it.  I love it.  Seems there's a bit of boredom around but nothing that can't be fixed.  You also kept you word and helped the fairies.  I'm very happy to see them better.  I am curious if any are from other forests around.  I would imagine quite a few flew here for safety.  I have like a hundred other questions too but the most pressing ones were asked first.  What is going on?  Are we lost in time?  Also, you needed more help?  What with?"

When Adam reaches his hand out to shake, Jareth almost clasps it...almost.  Instead, he quickly jerks his hand away and swipes it over his head like he's fixing his hair.  He then laughs, brings his hand back around and grips Adam's, giving it a firm squeeze.  

"I just couldn't resist that.  I know you understand."  Jareth says, mirthful and entertained.  "Strange?  What a individual construct.  Remember that what is strange and terrible for the fly is completely normal for the spider.  A pleasure, Prince Adam.  I always knew there was more to you than presented, and I am glad the gifts have helped.  As for how to get everything back to normal..."  

He considers what Adam is saying, and then flourishes the hand that has his two balls in it and they disappear.  The hand shoots up after that, fingers snapping, and the main doors of the castle slowly open before he motions for the Dawn Guard to follow him inside.  

"I don't know all of it, but I do know a lot of it."  The Goblin King says as he beings to walk slowly amidst his guests, leading them into the castle.  "It's a combination of things, I'm afraid, most of which don't have simple fixes.  First, of course, was the Great Conjunction and the slow death of Hyboria.  I think you can appreciate the calamity that caused by itself.  Unfortunately, I don't think that would have been as disruptive as it was if it hadn't been for Ro Aleron's opening of the Lament Configuration.  By solving the puzzle box, he let in the Order of the Gash, and created a rift between Hyboria and...well...wherever it is the Order hails from.  The good news is that the Order has been quiet for now.  The bad news is that the Order has been quiet for now.  No telling what they'll get up to."  

He makes it a point to turn toward Ward and point at him.  

"You overestimate their value in your own schemes and underestimate their capabilities.  I would tread carefully.  Anyway, now there is another issue...and it's one I think you'll all find near and dear to your heart."  

They cross the threshold into the foyer of the castle and find the inside lavish and mind boggling all at once.  Stairs run along every surface, and thirteen-hour clocks are on every wall.  Chandaliers hang from the ceiling, the walls, the floor.  A fountain runs in the center of the room but the water shoots straight up and disappears somewhere above.  

"I hate dragging you into my problems."  Jareth quietly admits once the doors shut behind them.  "But I cannot handle this one alone, and it will become your issue if we don't work together.  You asked about the forest.  A lot of that is just corruption from the combination of the Great Conjunction, Ganon's advent, and the arrival of the Cenobites.  That is to say, the Order of the Gash.  But there is another outside influence.  With all of these calamities happening at once, the walls that make Hyboria what it is have weakened, and subsequently, they've weakened the confines of my influence on the Labyrinth too.  In doing so, they've let in a demon from the world of the Storytellers."  

He reaches out and gently pats Travin's head.  

"His name is Vigo.  Oh he has other titles.  The Carpathian or, subsequently, the Scourge of Carpathia.  Sorrow of Moldovia.  Vlad Dracul.  The Impaler, the Cruel, the Torturer, the Despised, the Unholy...  You get the idea.  Not a very rasta kind of fellow, if you get the meaning.  The pink goo...well, they call that psychomagnetheric slime.  Or mood slime.  Whatever you want to call it, it's an emotional conduit.  Amplifies whatever emotions come into contact with it.  Most of it is somewhere else...back in the world I came from...in a place called New York."  

Jareth takes a moment to inhale and looks around the room before motioning everyone on and leading them past the anti-gravity water fountain, and everyone is relieved to find Hoggle isn't pissing in it.  They keep moving until they find a set of steps leading up...that when they walk on them...somehow mysteriously takes them down...in a display of backwards physics that threatens to break their brains.  Updown they go, into the belly of the castle, down the stone staircase...

"Yes, the Orrery.  I saw that."  He says to Johnathan.  "That was the Cenobites of the Order of the Gash, I'm afraid.  What they'll do with it next will be terrible, but we will have to worry about that later.  The magic, well, it's being pulled in too many directions now.  The rift between the worlds is syphoning some off, Ganon is drinking it up, and Vigo is pulling some of it, including my magic, the magic that keeps the Labyrinth alive, into the world of the Storytellers.  It's stretched too thin.  And with the Crystal's power waning in its death throes...it won't be long until no one has magic except for Ganon.  An to answer your question, Shavaris, yes!  Things are going splendidly here, although that could change quickly if you don't help me.  But where are my manners?  We'll get back to that.  How long has it been?  Years.  You'd never konw that though, hm?"  

They step off of the landing and into a room that practically rotates them one hundred eighty degrees.  It takes them a moment for their minds to grapple with the fact that they aren't standing on the ceiling.  

"I tried to keep my word."  Jareth said to Delphinium as they crossed the ceilingfloor toward a large sliding door in the back of the room.  He begins to eyeball Birt and Ol' Ironsides and Running Bird as they walk  "It took some real work.  But once the Goblins realized they didn't have to be slaughtered mercilessly in limitless skirmishes or live in complete squalor, they came around.  Ah, but slow down.  Let me see if I can explain..."  

Jareth paused in front of the sliding door and reached out, gripping the iron handle of the huge wooden barricade.  With a heave he pulled it aside...revealing two more sliding doors that were metallic and so shiny the Dawn Guard to could see themselves reflected in their surface.  

"I only have room for the seven of you.  Your friends can stay here.  You step inside, and press a button.  It says B2.  Do you understand?  Now..."  

He reaches toward Dageron and then past his head.  When he brings his hand back into view, two crystal balls are there as he twirls them.  

"Go on, look at my balls.  I'll try to make this brief...  Vigo's emissaries have been able to come to Hyboria for a long time.  I don't understand how, but the Vile Wizard has been in business for hundreds of years, so I'm not surprised he found a way to send them."  

He reaches out, setting his hands on Johnathan and Shavaris's shoulders.  

"These emissaries are responsible for aspects of your...conditions, past or current.  I know you'll hate this but the answers lie through those doors."  

Jareth backs away from the two of them then.  

"Vigo and his cohorts have Sarah.  They're using her as a conduit to syphon off magic from both the Labyrinth and Hyboria, and between the magic consumption and using the mood slime as an amplifier, it won't be long before he cracks the seal enough to cross into our world himself.  He'll take the Labyrinth and the walls we all thought were a stronghold will fall.  He's blocking my ability to see into the Storyteller's world, so I don't have all the details.  All I can ask is that you go to New York.  Find the building designed by Ivo Shandor.  That really is all I know.  When you find it, you'll find your answers.  Stop Vigo, no matter what it takes.  Save Sarah."  

These last two words are almost a plea...

The tiny fairy listens to all of this and seems very keen to be paying attention.  This is saying something for those who know the hyper ball of light.  It probably speaks volumes to how serious the situation is.  As they are lead through Jerath's place of power to a strange metal box with buttons on the inside Delphinium seems to realize they are going now.  The fairy seems extremely conflicted and says "I want to help.  Truly I do but... argh... dammit... things will just get worse... also I like Sarah.  This is so frustrating.  Can you help me with something while we do this?  It's really important to me.  With so many years gone I need to find my sister and mother.  While we save Sarah can you find out for me where they are?  How are they?  Can you send them a message for me?  Can you bring them here for safety if they need it?"

Johnathan stops and listens to Jareth explain the issues ahead of them. A look of relief washes over him as Jareth says it’s only been he years. That’s good, perhaps there is still a chance I can see them. He seems a little confused on some aspects of the conversation. New York, haven’t seen that on a map. Oh please don’t tell me we have to go through mind melting s***.

He looks to Jareth as he puts his hand on his shoulder. Condition, you mean a vamp… He stops himself as he gives a cautious glance to Dageron. He then leans in and whispers to Jareth. 

Travin is happy to hear another talk about the storytellers and happier still when he recognises the name of the place, New York, a big place full of people, humans! And lights! 

Though the happiness soon fades as Jareth gets to his request, sending the dawnguard to his realm, finding answers to Shavaris' and Johnathan's affliction, sending Travin back to be where the storytellers are, Travin's happiness is replaced with a massive amount of anxiety. "Um Jareth... Will Travin change backs like Gavin did in that place? Hmm?"

"Sarah?" Shavaris's voice is almost a whisper as she says her friend's name.  Her eyes dilate as all the information is dumped upon them.  In some small part of her brain, it made sense, the stretching of the magic... so thin by all these villains that have surfaced that there just isn't enough to go round.

"But Sarah?"  She says it again, trying to cling to that thought as she watches Jareth let go of her shoulder and looks into the shiny box they are to enter.  She turns back to Jareth, a bit more resolve in her voice, "These emissaries of who... Viggo the Impaler?  Is there a way to recognize them?  To be sure we know who they are?"  and then she narrows her eyes, not at Jareth, but just the idea as it finally dawns on her, "They are responsible?  My sister..."

She breaks away, her resolve steeled by this and she enters the elevator, ready and waiting for the rest.

Ward takes in all the information and thinks for a moment “You say other dimension of the storytellers, will we have to blend in at all, what sort guard or military would we need to deal with? I do have more as well that I wish to discuss but this is time sensitive so I can wait.” Ward says to Jareth 

Adam says to Jareth, “Ok.  Save Sarah.  Check.  Stop Vigo.  Check.  Take a tour of New York City.  Check.  Wherever the hell that is.  Well, it seems that we’re here to save your little balls again, Jareth.  Can do.  No problemo.  Just one little thing.  Well two actually.  One - if we do this, will you help us turn Eternia back as it was, do you think this will get rid of the zombo friggin plants that are eating people?  And Two - any other advice or help you can give us?  Other than the name Ivy Shandalay?  Whatcha think?  Any cool gadgets that will guide us there, or make my biceps even bigger (or make me a little wiser, shhhh buddy.)”.   Adam waits for his response, then he walks forward into the elevator, getting ready to press B2, because he likes to press buttons.  

“Just a fly in the ointment, Vigo.  The monkey in the wrench.  The pain in the ass.  That’s me.”  *ding*.   Cheesy shit eating grin, as the doors close.