Chapter Four,

In which Severus is tempted by Venger's offer.

Severus stood with Venger on the ramparts of the warlock's citadel. It was now early evening in The Realm, and one of this world's four suns had already vanished below the horizon. Another sun was half gone, and the other two followed closely behind, casting long shadows across the near-empty surrounding countryside. The wind blew in fierce gusts, and Severus, who had not washed his hair in over a week, felt the greasy strands sting his face like a miniature cat-o-nine tails.

Beyond the citadel walls, Severus watched as some of Venger's troops practiced with siege engines, hurtling rocks from trebuchets and mangonels against the crumbling wall of a nearby, though long abandoned fortress.

Looking down into the bailey, Severus saw the warlock's armies of orcs, lizard men, bullywugs, and other beings that Severus could not identify, as they drilled and trained for battle.

And all the while, Severus was aware of Venger's baleful presence behind him. But for now, the warlock remained silent, allowing Severus to be duly impressed by the grandeur of his citadel and his creatures-at-arms. The silence was disturbing, but Severus held his tongue and waited for Venger to be the first to speak.

More time had passed, and as the second of the four suns had disappeared below the horizon, Severus heard what sounded like distant, rolling thunder behind him. A second later, he realized that the sound was coming from Venger. The warlock was laughing!

"I must congratulate you, Young Wizard," said Venger, smiling as much as his fanged mouth would allow. "You are a most skilled liar, Severus Snape."

"Milord," said Severus neutrally, again closing his mind to magical probing. "I-I do not understand . . . ."

Now, Venger began to laugh even louder, and Severus felt the battlements shake. "Even now, you continue to feign innocence. Did you think that I did not descry your attempt to trick me into using your talisman? But tell me, Young Wizard, what did you hope to gain from casting me into your own world?"

There is no point in denying it anymore, thought Severus. Venger was indeed a most powerful and proud sorcerer. But Severus felt he had little to loose at this point, and he said, "Have I your leave to speak freely, Milord?" When Venger nodded, Severus continued.

"Milord, in the immediate future, I sought to gain my freedom," said Severus. "My portkey should have whisked you away from your Realm, and deposited you into my own world."

"I have been to your insignificant world, once before," said Venger dismissively. "The peasantry of your world would have been powerless against me."

"Milord, the portkey would have taken you to a place in my own world where magic is strong. You would have found yourself in the library of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And you may rest assured, Milord, that our Headmaster, Professor Albus Dumbledore, and the other professors, would be anything but powerless against you.

"You are indeed a powerful warlock, Milord. And yet, I cannot imagine you defeating Headmaster Dumbledore in a wizard's battle." Venger's face sharpened, and the wings on his back spread wide, blocking the remaining sunlight from view. Undaunted, Severus continued. "Of course, Headmaster Dumbledore would not be alone. The other professors and the House Prefects would be there to assist him.

"Forgive me, Milord. However, under such overwhelming conditions, your capture would be . . . inevitable. And it will not take long for the professors to connect the disappearance of two of their students to the sudden appearance of a foreign warlock.

"They would make you tell them where Lily and I are being held, Milord; willingly, or unwillingly under the influence of Professor Slughorn's veritaserum. And in the end, Lily and I would be rescued, and you would spend the remainder of your days on our "insignificant" world in Azkaban Prison." Severus sighed. "But, instead, I expect to be given over to your orcs, to be thrown into their stewpot . . . ."

"That is but one possibility, Young Wizard," said Venger, with no trace of threat. "However, I may be able to offer you a more . . . desirable alternative." Venger reached into his robes, withdrawing the cameo locket. "Assist me in my battle against Dungeon Master and his Young Ones, and this shall be yours, once again."

"You would allow us to return home, Milord?"

"Not all of you," replied Venger. "The Young Ones who defy me, and unrightfully bear the Weapons of Power must remain in The Realm as my prisoners, for all eternity."

"I was not speaking of the Yanks, Milord," said Severus. "I do not want Lily Evans, the young witch who came here with me, to be harmed in any way!"

"She will not be harmed," replied Venger. "When your service to me has concluded, the young witch is free to leave my Realm with you. Unless . . . ."

"Milord," said Severus anxiously. "Unless . . . what?"

"Unless you decide to accept a different reward for yourself and the young witch . . . ."

Again, Severus felt the warlock's hand on his shoulder, followed by the feeling of long-distance, side-along apparition. When the sensation ended, Severus and Venger stood on the ramparts of a different castle. It was barely one-third the size of Venger's citadel, but it overlooked a village surrounded by cultivated fields.

"Behold, Young Wizard. This manor was once the summer residence of a powerful wizard named Kelek." Venger spat out the name as though it were a curse. "But Kelek betrayed me, and fell by my superior magic . . . .

"Should you choose to serve me, you are free to leave my Realm. Or instead, you and the young witch may stay, as the new Lord and Lady of this manor, to rule as you see fit.

"Think of it, Severus Snape. In your own world, magic users hide in shame for what they are. In my Realm, magic is practiced openly, and the counsel and services of a skilled wizard or witch is very much sought after and respected.

"Serve me, Severus Snape, and you may return to your own, magic scorning world. Or, so long as you do not challenge my authority, as Kelek was foolish enough to attempt, you and the young witch may remain here, as Lord and Lady of all you survey."

Severus swallowed hard. "M-Milord, Lily would never agree to . . . ."

"The young witch need not be party to an agreement between men, Severus Snape," said Venger. "You are skilled in treachery. She need not know that you will be party to the demise of Dungeon Master and his Young Ones, unless you are so inclined to inform her. And now, Young Wizard, will you serve me?"

Severus considered Venger's offer. Ever since that accursed Marauder's prank had driven a wedge between him and Lily, opening the way for that wretched James Potter, home held nothing for him. Hogwarts held even less.

And The Realm offered so much more! Including, if he and Lily were trapped here, together, with no way back, the chance for Lily to finally accept his most sincere apology, clearing the way for her to fall in love with him. And they could rule their manor side by side as Lord and Lady . . . .

"Yes, Lord Venger," said Severus, nodding. "I shall serve you."

"So be it," said Venger. Silently, the warlock held out his hand, which glowed with magic. But before Severus could offer the warlock his own hand in return, Venger's hand stopped glowing, and now held Severus' wand, which Venger handed to Severus in the manner of a king bestowing a new sword upon a favorite knight.

"Come, Severus Snape," said Venger with a tincture of long denied triumph. "We have much to discuss before your successful . . . "escape" from my dungeon . . . ."