"Life in a Headless Empire: Chapter One of The Dark Ages" and the Return to the Jungle Book backup story, "Part One of Five: Homeland Recovery" are contained in the seventy-seventh issue of Fables.
Publisher's summary
In part 1 of an all-new, 4-part story, meet Freddy and Mouse, two local rogues who just want to get along and perhaps turn a bit of profit in the post-war, topsy-turvy world. Meanwhile, in Fabletown, a new political group forms called the Society of Seconds, and what they want doesn't seem very reasonable at all. Titled "Life in a Headless Empire," this issue is the first step in the next great FABLES epic!
Plot
Life in a Headless Empire
At Fabletown's hospital, Doctor Swineheart continues to patch up Boy Blue's arm. However Boy Blue is not looking very well due to a magical infection. Beauty describes Prince Charming in a weird way in front of Beast. Some mercenary fables began looking for something in Tiabrut. Frau Totenkinder tells Geppetto that he better behave himself, because there's no magic protecting him anymore. The mercenary fables kills multiple others and steal their treasure, while at the Farm, Rose Red and Sinbad have entered a sexual relationship. They talk about Prince Charming and Boy Blue. Meanwhile the mercenaries discover a large chest and try to open it. They open, but instead of something good in it, they recoil in horror as a pale hand pushes up the lid...
Homeland Recovery
TBA