As the two made their way down the narrow stone steps, it became increasingly colder. The flicker of Jareth's torch cast twisted shadows on the damp walls and painted flickering ghosts of a past better left forgotten.
"Why didn't you come back?" Kaelith asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
Jareth began to slow his steps. "Because the truth was too dangerous. Because I had to survive before I could fight."
The tunnel opened out into an underground space which was huge. There were rows upon rows of shelves stuffed with scrolls, dusty books, and ancient things lining all the walls.
"This is The Vault," Jareth said solemnly. "Our family's deepest secrets."
Kaelith stopped short at a cracked ledger; she moved forward and ran her fingers across its surface.
"Where did all this come from?" she said quietly.
"They are our ancestors'," Jareth replied grimly. "And others who wanted us extinct."
He reached in and pulled out a heavy leather-bound book, flipping open to a page marked by a faded red ribbon.
This recorded debts and favours, blackmail, bribery, and alliances sealed with blood. It contains a list of all those who betrayed Ravencourt and those still loyal to him.
Kaelith's eyes grew wide. "This could turn things around."
Jareth agreed. ''But it is just one piece of the puzzle. After all this time we still do not know who is behind the threats nor what they want.'
Suddenly there was an earth tremor in the chamber which made dust fall from the ceiling.
Jareth's jaw tightened. 'They've discovered us.'
Kaelith snatched up a heavy iron candlestick.'Then we fight.'
Harsh voices echoed through the mouth of the tunnel.
A series of footsteps came closer.
"Hide!" Jareth hissed, pulling out a hidden lever on one wall.
The bookcase swung open, revealing a narrow secret alcove.
They entered it and barely had they done so when armed guards flooded into the room.
Outside, their leader gave orders. "They are here! Find them!"
In Kaelith's heart beat like war drums within her chest was that shadowy space inside armour where warriors keep emergency weapons and tools...but how many?
"How many did you bring?" she whispered.
"Enough," Jareth said grimly."And they want this"—he tapped the ledger—'at any cost."
Her grip tightened even more upon it as if to keep it from being taken from him by forceful means."We cannot let them have it."
A sudden creaking sound filled the air as though something was coming apart bit by bit behind them.
Kaelith whirled around, her eyes wide with shock.
From out of nowhere came a hidden blade in the wall that narrowly missed her throat.
Jareth yanked her away from its path- just in time!
To trap!'
Suddenly, the secret door slammed shut and they were sealed inside.