As it had been the first time Sarah entered through the main gates leading into the city, the Goblin City itself seemed completely deserted and this time there wasn't even a guard at the city gates to sneak past.

"Its not always like this is it?" Given her last experience Sarah half expected hordes upon hordes of goblins to appear any moment and ambush them yet the only signs of life she could see as she was escorted into the out skirts of the city by Jareth was the occasional gaggle of chickens pecking.

"Goblins are earth dwellers. They don't generally live on the surface in the conventional way you're thinking. I can only assume the Good Mother has restricted them to the castle proper until your brother can be convinced to assume sovereignty over the Labyrinth and the Goblin City." Jareth explained as he helped her pick their way through the narrow streets. From the look of things nothing had been remotely repaired since the great battle that had taken place the first time Sarah had forced her way into the castle.

"But then who lives in these homes? From what I remember they seemed to be occupied. Well, that is, until Ludo and the goblins knocked a lot of them down the last time I was here." Sarah shrugged.

"Many of the building in the Goblin City were erected and occupied by the Labyrinth knights long ago. This used to be a very diverse place once. There were goblins, yes, but there were many other creatures that made this place their home as well. Many were intellectual animals like your Sir Didymus or dwarves. Some of the goblin lines who intermingled with other races remained in these dwelling which is why they looked lived in the last time you were here." Jareth's tone was pensive as if he were pulling much of his information from memory.

"So what happened? Why is everything so deserted now?" Sarah inquired while they walked.

"War. Civil war to be exact. By the end the Knights of the Labyrinth were all but obliterated and those who survived either fled or died out. Eventually only the goblins remained and the Labyrinth was reduced to what you see of it. Most of that was before my time though." The topic at hand was obviously not something Jareth enjoyed talking about.

"Most; but not all." Sarah speculated grimly although before she had time to ask Jareth to elaborate on his specific experiences their conversation was interrupted by Sir Didymus who was frantically barking and waving his staff at them from several yards ahead.

"Aye. As for right now there are probably a few individuals still around who aren't directly bound by the Good Mother's influence. If we run into any they'll probably ignore us." Jareth remarked.

"My lady and Sir! Come hither so that we may break bread. Ruff-ruff-Ruff!" Sir Didymus announced loudly and with gusto before he disappeared down some dusty steps of what appeared to be a mostly collapsed hovel.

"Is, um, he always like this?" Jareth inquired lightly with one raised brow while he exchanged looks with Sarah after they watched the fox disappear.

"Ha, yeah. I know he seems annoying now but he's actually really sweet. By the way be nice to him Jareth, OK? While the concept might be foreign to you, Sir Didymus is my friend and I don't want you hurting his feelings. Got that?" Sarah commanded.

"Friendship. Yes. I'm mildly aware of such things." Jareth said in a haunty fashion that was supposed to be amusing.

Unfortunately Sarah didn't look very amused.

"I would never insult a Knight of the Labyrinth, Sarah. Particularly one who has so graciously agreed to help me." Jareth muttered more seriously.

For once Sarah was inclined to believe him without question. Since they'd come across the fox, Jareth seemed different. It was almost as if he was going out of his way to be polite which seemed completely out of character for him to be doing. Before Sarah could think too deeply about this however, her stomach gurgled loudly and threatened to cramp reminding them both that they still had yet to eat anything.

"Come on. If there is food around here we might as well take advantage of it while we can." Dropping her hand from his arm Sarah trudged ahead of him off towards the hovel while Jareth lagged behind.

Now that she wasn't looking at him anymore Jareth's mouth dropped into a deep frown as he watched her disappear into the cellar of the ruined hovel. Nearing the entrance as well; Jareth, with one foot rested on the first step leading down into the ground, turned and looked out into the empty Goblin City with unseeing eyes. The sooner they found their way into the Castle the better or so he thought to himself. Jareth did not relish the idea of having to dwell upon memories that were better left lost among the stones and the dust of the past and unfortunately the Goblin City served as a direct reminder of that which he preferred to forget.

When Jareth did finally appear in the cellar he discovered Sarah sitting on the edge of a low bench as Sir Didymus scurried about the small sod room in an attempt to make their surrounding as hospitable as possible. While most everything was ripped apart or broken somewhere the fox had managed to come across a half eaten loaf of rye bread and some normal looking fruit that though spotted looked edible enough. No doubt Sarah had already devoured several of the small plum sized apples that in spite of being a little too tart served to curb the initial sharp edge of her hunger.

"So Sir Didymus, tell me, where is your noble steed? I've missed Ambrosious about as much as I've missed you." Sarah inquired.

"Alas my lady my stalwart steed has long since passed. Now I alone observe my humble station in the bog. He was a good a noble sheep dog the likes of which I have never again known." Sir Didymus replied sadly once he'd finally made the table as nicely as it could be set and joined Sarah.

"Oh." Sarah felt a twinge in her heart at the news of the dogs…er steeds…death. Sarah recalled when her own sheep dog Merlin had finally passed on shortly after she'd graduated from high school. She'd been heartbroken then and could only imagine how Sir Didymus must have felt.

"Pay it no mind, my Lady. It twas his time. I have quite reconciled with my emotions on the matter." The fox said with a stiff sniff. "Ah, good Sir! Wilt thou come in and share our table?"

Jareth only cleared his throat once Sir Didymus addressed him and nodded lightly. Although the ceiling of the cellar was just high enough for Sarah to stand in Jareth was too tall and had to stand slightly bent over. Since they were already rather close to the ground and Jareth didn't trust the makeshift bench to hold both he and Sarah's combined weight, he opted to sit upon the floor at the end of the table instead.

"Sir Didymus was just telling me a little about the Labyrinth Knights and how they came to be established here." Sarah informed him after she'd swallowed a mouthful of bread.

"Yes. Well he would know all about the subject I suppose." Jareth replied as he carefully watched Sarah with a particular kind of look on his face as if he was uncomfortable with how much information she might glean.

:My…Companion tells me that the Knights were wiped out by civil war." Sarah remarked.

"Yes. Terrible business that was. A dark time in our otherwise enlightened history. Why I was but a suckling pup when the stories began to spread across the land. Many could hardly believe it I'm afraid. Hundreds were wiped out and hundreds more were said to have fled. Naturally by the time my second coat grew in I was ready to join up but when I was finally old enough to leave home and come to the Goblin City I'm afraid there was little left to fight for." Didymus shook his head sadly.

"You said that this was before your time Jar-" Sarah was about to inquire about how much Jareth's knowledge overlapped that of Didymus when she accidentally addressed him by his given name before the fox like knight.

Jareth's eyes widened at her slip. Given that Sarah had spent her entire journey the first time around characterizing Jareth as the villain it was unclear how the noble knight was bound to react once he realized her escort was on in the same.

"What? But my Lady, can this be true? Is this fair man thine enemy true? Thy foul and villainous kidnapper of thy most beloved kin?" With every question Sir Didymus' tone grew higher in wonder and disbelief.

"Sarah…" Jareth warned as he trained his eyes on the knight who looked as if he might lunge to his friend's defense at any moment.

Looking from Sarah to Jareth the fox suddenly spring into action.

"Thou vile warlock has bewitched this most beloved damsel fore never would she side with such a villain on her own accord!" The fox growled while he seized up his staff and leaped upon the table to point its tip directly in Jareth's face.

"Sir Didymus! No!" Sarah protested as she tried to make a grab for the creature without success.

"Rise and defend yourself if ye have any honor to they name!" Didymus took an experimental swing right at Jareth's head.

Luckily sheer instinct caused Jareth to duck as the staff whizzed over the top of his head. "I…I have no quarrel with you Sir Knight. My purpose rings true. I am here only in the capacity of escort and mean the Lady Sarah no harm!"

"Ha! A likely story! Stand back my lady so that I may dispose of this heathen who hath so gravely wronged you!" Didymus gave forth a battle cry and wound his scepter again like a pitcher upon the mound intending to strike at Jareth once more.

"No! No! Sir Didymus he's telling the truth! Jareth isn't trying to hurt me. He's helping me on my quest! Please! Calm yourself!" This time Sarah did get a hold of the fox pulling him to face her so that he could look into here eyes and see the truth of her words for himself.

"But…My lady. Is he not your enemy true?" The fox questioned.

"No. I mean, Yes. I mean…He was. But then I saved him from a deadly fate." Sarah said thinking fast on her feet. "And, uh, because I saved his life he…"

"I've sworn a blood oath of service." Jareth finished for her much to everyone's surprise.

"Can it be true my Lady?" Sir Didymus asked imploringly.

Sarah wasn't sure what she should say. While she and Jareth had made an agreement that he would help her if she helped him, he had by no means given a blood oath to serve her. That was pushing the truth a little far wasn't it? Glancing briefly at Jareth who gave her a slight nod Sarah swiftly returned her gaze to Sir Didymus.

"Yep. Jareth swore a blood oath because I saved him. Go figure. Who knew he could be so honorable. So there's no need to fight him. OK? He's one of the good guys now." Sarah reassured him.

Jareth grunted from the floor but didn't comment.

"Well in that case if the good Lady Sarah will vouch for thee than so shall I fair Sir. You are again welcome at my table." Sir Didymus proclaimed.

"I thank you Sir Knight. In spite of my past…digressions, you honor me." Jareth replied with a nod as their differences were instantly put behind them.

Sarah had to admit Jareth was showing amazing restraint under the circumstances and she could tell that when speaking to the Knight, Jareth uncharacteristically checked every word before he spoke them.

Now that their most recent crisis had been averted everyone settled back into their seats and finished their meal. Although Sir Didymus didn't notice it, Sarah noted how Jareth took a small piece of bread when the loaf was passed to him but he didn't actually eat it. Since the confrontation Jareth had hardly spoken a word at all and instead sat in silence curled upon the floor as he had the night before when they'd settled in the niche of the wall among the ruins in the Fire Gangs forest. Jareth almost looked as unhappy now has he had been then although Sarah couldn't think of why that was so and not knowing seemed bothered her somehow.

"Well, it's going to be dark very soon." Jareth finally noted a while after they'd finished and he slowly got to his feet. "Since we're here I think it's safe to have a fire for once. I beg your pardon Sir but I think I shall take this opportunity to gather up some wood and such for us to burn. Don't worry I'll return shortly."

His last sentence was directed to Sarah and as he passed her she could have sworn she felt Jareth brush the tips of his gloved fingers across her shoulder as if to ensure she knew that he was specifically speaking for her benefit but by the time she turned her head to look Jareth was already gone.

"Curious fellow, that one." Sir Didymus observed. "I must say he reminds me of someone."

"Really? Who?" Sarah's attention was drawn back to her friend.

"I'm afraid I couldn't say but I'm sure it'll come to me sooner or later." The fox idly reassured her.

Several minutes later when Jareth had yet to return Sarah quietly excused herself from Didymus's company and left the cellar to look for him.

"Jareth?" She called upon emerging from the cellar of the ruined hovel.

"I'm here Sarah. Did you need something?" Jareth replied emerging from around the side of the hovel with scraps of wood and kindling in his arms.

"Well it's really starting to get dark in there and Sir Didymus only has one small candle. You've been out here for awhile now. You're OK, right? I mean…You were so quiet at dinner and you didn't eat anything."

"I wasn't very hungry." Jareth replied.

"Right. OK well it's clear you don't want to talk so I'll leave you to come back inside whenever." From his tone Sarah could tell that she'd perhaps interrupted Jareth's contemplation and because she felt like she was intruding upon him just then she turned quickly as was ready to go back inside.

"Sarah. Wait. It's all right. You don't have to scurry off like that."

"Look Jareth if you're upset about what happened in there I just want you to know that Sir Didymus was just trying to protect me. Really he didn't mean anything by what he said before." She said in mild reproach.

"You don't have to apologize for him. I don't begrudge any of your former companions their feelings about me. For all intents and purposes the last time you were here I was your villain and I did do my best to torment you." Jareth replied.

"Yes, but you're helping me now right?" Sarah reasoned. "Whatever we were to each other before; things are different now."

"Yes. Things are different but neither of our natures has intrinsically been changed. We made a bargain Sarah, you and I. You've said so yourself. In agreement for helping me I've agreed to help you. Nothing more, nothing less. In the grand scheme of things that doesn't really speak much for my character. Nothing you've come to know about me does." Jareth almost hissed through his teeth.

"It really bother's you doesn't it? Huh. Even though you've spelled it out numerous times before I never believed until now how much you care about my opinion of you. And, even more surprising to me, you actually believe that you deserve the terrible things people say about you. I'm right. Aren't I?" She inquired.

"We should go back inside. It's getting late. You may think we've come to the easy part of this mission but getting into the castle without bringing the whole place down upon our heads is going to be the hardest part. We should sleep while we can. Come." Jareth extended out his free arm before her to encourage Sarah to turn back around without actually answering her question.

You won't admit it to me but I know that I'm right. Sarah thought to herself as she exhaled audibly and turned back around.

"Someday I'm going to get you to be totally honest with me Goblin Man." Sarah muttered under her breath.

Thanks to the small fire that was erected in the middle of the cellar once everyone had returned it looked like Sarah was finally going to enjoy a solid and comfortable sleep for the first time since she'd landed herself back in the underground. Even without a blanket the opportunity was heavenly and as quickly as she'd settled down, Sarah was blissfully asleep upon the sod floor leaving Jareth to contemplate in privacy while Sir Didymus set up his patrol outside intent upon guarding them all from danger through the night.

"This has all become such a mess." Jareth said quietly to himself as he slowly fed the fire and stared into its flames. "None of this is how it was supposed to be. Someone is going to have to assume responsibility and I fear Sarah that the results are going to be quite out of any of our hands."

Upon his last remark Jareth looked down upon his own gloved hands noting their length and remembering how someone long ago had once told him they were the hands of an artist and musician. If anything he had turned into a magician at best or was it a warlock as Sir Didymus had suggested? Jareth wasn't sure.

Now that his enchantment had been more or less lifted what was he to become now? If there was one thing Jareth had never really considered it was what he might have done with himself if he had won his wager with the Good Mother and been able to travel back across the worlds. In hind sight, Jareth wasn't even sure if he really wanted to go back to Sarah's world at all. After all, what was left for him there? All he'd ever wanted was his freedom and the right to choose his own path.

In a round about way he'd finally gotten his wish and yet now that he had it he didn't know what to do with it. Then there was Sarah. How peculiar it seemed to know her now as a woman instead of the woman-child she'd been upon first meeting him. Time had not altered her over much and while she was a fair amount older and wiser than she had been, Jareth could still see the bewildering girl in her who, while undoubtedly brave, was still seeking something she could not seem to find.

Watching her now while she slept on the other side of the room Jareth pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"What are you really searching for, Sarah? In spite of it all, I find myself curious to know." Jareth inquired under his breath as he carefully stood as not to rouse her and shrugged off his stained and slightly tattered blue coat stepping over the fire to place it across her form.

Scoffing at himself, Jareth returned to his place on the other side of the room and settled back into his seat against the sod wall as he crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes.

It would be several more hours until sleep finally over took him though, as Jareth reflected on earlier times.

It was periods of repose such as now when the former Goblin King remembered the smell of his beloved mother, and the debasing cruelty of the English work houses. He remembered how the misguided deeds of his father had forever sullied a small boy's name and how he was destined to never know the fates of either of his parents. He remembered how the lands surrounding the Labyrinth had come to be called the Underground and how he as a child he had found refuge in the maze and been regularly beaten for his follies both real and only imagined. But most of all he remembered the man who was responsible for it all and how Jareth had grown to hate him and the entity the man served.

No. Jareth was not the Villian he had so accurately tried to emulate when Sarah had first come into his life, although he had arguably done villainous things in his lifetime. In those final moments before he drifted into dreamless slumber, Jareth knew in his heart that any evil he could have been accused of committing had been necessary to spare the suffering of others far more deserving of rescue and relief than he. For this he was not ashamed.

Jareth would awake again before sunrise.

Since the good knight had been so inclined to watch over them in the night Jareth had felt it only reasonable that he take the final shift and let Sir Didymus have his own opportunity to rest which is why he'd risen early to release the knight from his patrol for a few hours at least.

Not to mention that Jareth knew a new plan would need to be formulated quickly if they wanted to get into the refuge of the castle before any more major shifts happened in the Labyrinth's magic.

Actually, the castle was only really a refuge for Sarah. For Jareth re-entering the castle would be more than dangerous mostly because as the door knocker has implied the powers that governed the Labyrinth were not all together happy with Jareth's deeds. Without the goblin's magic to shield him Jareth knew entering the castle would be likened to entering a hall of mirrors. It was a certifiable death trap of illusion and even if Jareth could avoid getting desperately lost there was always the risk of losing his sanity to worry about. It almost didn't seem worth it.

Perhaps it was better to simply direct Sarah in the right direction and then part ways. Technically he had fulfilled his promise to get Sarah to the castle. Getting her brother out of his situation was another thing entirely. But then again if he abandoned her now, Sarah would always resent him for it and although he liked to pretend he didn't care what she thought of him; his constant efforts to defend himself against her accusations had left him feeling more sensitive about her opinions of him than he'd intended to be.

Still, Jareth simply could not justify following Sarah into the castle proper and it wasn't as if she didn't have friends. He would take her as far as he dared go but no further. If Sarah wasn't able to understand his reasons for not following her into the proverbial lions den than that was how it would have to be.

Meanwhile, having been relieved of his guard duties by Jareth, Sir Didymus had gone back to his hollow tree in the bog to rest and to keep an ear open at his actual post. Though Sarah was of course important, there was still the duty of watching over the eastern pass. A task the ageing knight took very seriously.

Little was any of them aware just how closely all of their activities were being watched however. As commanded by Ariad, Rachel upon acting as her spy had long been tracking Sarah and Jareth's whereabouts from the time they'd entered the enchanted forest and had since followed them to the outer wall leading into the Goblin City. It was here disguised as the ermine that Rachel waited for further instructions upon the great wall.

Without Sir Didymus standing at his post through most of the evening before, no one had seen the over-sized ermine approach nor had they heard it quickly silence the commotion made by a small gaggle of chickens that had been killed and then devoured for her supper while the others made a meal of fruit and bread. Even Rachel was prone to sleep however, and once she had taken her meal and settled back upon the wall to rest and wait it was no real surprise that, upon preparing to rejoin his companions upon the mornings first light, the Sir Didymus saw the beautiful creature of whom he thought looked remarkably like him self, only, in female form.

But as quickly as his eyes trained on the creature, so did Rachel stir at the sensation of being watched; and upon seeing the fox Knight in the distance observing her; Rachel bore her teeth and growled loudly at him before slipping down the side of the wall in the opposite direction and disappeared from sight.

Unaccustomed to seeing other animals besides goblins and chickens, Sir Didymus watched the feminine creature disappear into the Goblin City and sighed. Without knowing any better Sir Didymus's turned back to his humble abode to glance into a small piece of mirror that had been hung on a nail inside the trunk.

"Beautiful lady. Have I perhaps lost my touch?" The fox inquired to himself when Rachel had bore her teeth at him and run away.

When the sun finally did come up Jareth was glad of it. At night it was too easy for the mind to wander and for the regrets o the past to creep in and plague the heart and mind. Intent upon actually providing something substantial for their breakfast Jareth went about the business of catching one of the wayward chickens that seemed to be the predominate food supply an in area on legs. Finding a few eggs while he was at the business made him all the happier and although Jareth had no knife he did still have the sharpened rock he'd made so that Sarah could cut his hair which was good enough to slaughter and clean their breakfast that morning.

A short time later Sir Didymus appeared from around the bend bowing to Jareth politely once the fox neared him. "Good morning fair nave."

"Good morning Sir Knight." Despite that Si Didymus had so plainly attacked him the night before, Jareth was inclined to be respectful of him and even seemed to enjoy the fact that the Labyrinth Knight had returned once more. "Will you take this meal with us? Lady Sarah has not risen yet but I'm sure she will once this sets to cook."

"I will indeed." Didymus agreed. "Tell me young, Sir. Have you ever been trained in the ways of honorable knighthood?"

The question was a curious one for the fox to ask and Jareth knew that the Knight was trying to remember something that had apparently slipped his mind. "I'm familiar with your ways. Yes. Although I can't say that I was ever formally taught."

"Are you familiar with the six requirements of Knighthood?" Sir Didymus inquired.

At first it seemed as if Jareth had no intention of offering forth an answer as the corners of his mouth dipped down in a mild frown while he crouched along the side of the hovel where he could clean the chicken without making too much of a mess.

"A prospective Knight of the Labyrinth must be able to read and write. They must also have a good foundation in a form of defense.

Knights must know the ways of logic and rhyme to win in a battle of wits.

Labyrinth Knights must prove proficient in numbers and science so that they may better understand the workings of the natural world.

Knights must keep a healthy physique and have mastery over themselves.

But most of all because history repeats and our world turns and twists, a Labyrinth Knight must know of this maze and remember of what it consists."

"I believe that is what the teaching says." Jareth replied after he repeated the six lessons of knighthood.

"Now Sir tell me how it is you came to know of thy rank. Fore ye called me Captain upon first meeting, did ye not?" The fox asked slyly.

"You served in the final campaign against Ivor the Black. It was you along with a small band of surviving knights who stole Ivor's magical hammer and hid it deep under the castle proper. Without the invincibility of which his war hammer extended him, Ivor was made vulnerable to physical attack and was eventually slain. But you were only a Colonel then. You won the commission of Captain when you secretly broke your way into the castle's kitchen and personally led many of the enslaved servants, several of them children, to safety and hid them among the boardering wilds until the day was won. What you did was very brave and very dangerous. Ivor would have certainly hunted you had he not been brought down." Jareth explained.

"Many; but not all." Sir Didymus remarked quietly.

"No, not all. Some who were older were not limited to the kitchen and the castle's under belly. A select few were kept in the main chamber to wait on Ivor and his compatriots while he planned his terrible campaigns against all those who would appose him." Jareth recounted the story as if from memory.

"Were you ever told Sir Captain how Ivor the Black was said to have met his fate?" Jareth paused but Sir Didymus did not seek to offer forth an answer.

Jareth scoffed lightly. "It's told that the lord was poisoned when he sat at his table to feast. An enchanted peach had been served him laced with a powerful drug and as Ivor sat incapacitated upon his own terrible seat the great black seed of the poisoned fruit was removed from the flesh surrounding it and forcibly lodged in the warlord's throat. His end was as vicious and violent as his reign."

"There were stories about that deed." Sir Didymus remarked shrewdly.

At that remark Jareth gave forth a thin mirthless smile. "Yes. There is a story of a jealous young kitchen nave who sought to elevate himself to the position of squire under the name of one of the great Knights of the First Order, fore his own name was shrouded in shame. It is said that this nave plotted to kill the Black Lord intending to seek out the remaining Labyrinth Knights once the deed was done and the kingdom was at last liberated so that he might train and once again bring honor to his name. But such things were never meant to be."

"W-Was it ye who had slain the Black Lord, third Sovereign of the Labyrinth and the castle beyond the Goblin City?" Didymus stepped forward now and placed his small clawed fist upon Jareth's knee compassionately.

No. I didn't poison Ivor the Hammar Fist. His chief chancellor did under the belief that if he was to slay the ruler he could assume control over the Goblin Kingdom and take the magic for his own. The damn fool." Jareth hissed.

"The Chancellor Riggs, formidable as his sorcery was, had forgotten the rules of govern ship which had been laid down by the second sovereign of the Goblin Kingdom prior to Ivor's arrival in these lands; Because Ivor had engaged in open battle with the Labyrinth Knights by the laws of the Labyrinth's magic his death released temporary control of the kingdom unto them and not his murderer. As you know Sir Knight, the Knights of the Labyrinth were founded in the event that the ruling king couldn't serve in the best interest of the kingdom and its people." Jareth paused.

"The goblins themselves still needed a custodian however. A role the chancellor would have undertaken had his terrible betrayal not incited the Labyrinth's rage. Riggs was banished from the castle and because most of the others had been liberated from within its walls those who remained were bound by association to the goblin's power. That is how I came to earn my former station." Jareth concluded.

"I see," Sir Didymus replied pensively. "But surely now that a new ruler has come, you have been liberated."

"Why yes. As a matter of fact, I have been liberated but at the expense of another man's pending imprisonment. Toby Williams didn't ask for any of this. All was set into motion long before his time. When Sarah won him back the last time she was here she gave back his right of choice. The Labyrinth cannot force him to assume power which is why we must help Sarah as best we can. Even if Toby learns of the true nature of his position the pressure might be too much for him to resist. Sarah is his one unbending strength and his best chance." Jareth sighed.

"I'm sorry Sir Knight but I've become weary of this subject line. Please, don't speak of these things with the Lady Sarah. I'm not particularly proud to know of them and I'd rather that she not be burdened by the weight of this information either."

"You have my word, Sir." The fox's mouth was still somewhat agape. "For what it's worth, you're part in the business showed great fortitude of spirit. Had you come under I or another's training you would have made a fair noble Knight."

After this remark the man and the fox went on to prepare their small groups breakfast while Sarah still slumbered below. Neither of them spoke anymore on the subject and by the end of their preparations both had gained a more enlightened sort of respect for each other.