This is a long overdue update of a VERY old story. I doubt many people are keeping an eye on this story now, because I haven't added anything to it in FOUR years! I can hardly believe it! Fact is, I lost interest in The Dreamstone for a while because I don't own any episodes other than the first three, and with no hope of acquiring the other 49 episodes, I didn't have anything to sustain my interest in it. However, recently, the DVD release brought the show to my attention again and I can't let this story just hang there when the plot is still very much alive in my mind!

I don't really like using this account to update it, but I have no choice. Most of my reviews/stories are 4-5 years old now, and I have to say I've removed most of them because "Nightmares" is the only one that I believe reflected any maturity in my writing. I do fear my style might have changed so much that it's obvious between chapter three and four that I am now nearly 21, as opposed to nearly 17. I'll give it a go anyway…just in case.

This chapter was originally intended to be longer, but I've instead just split up my original structure I still have the notebook containing the structure drafts! just so I can upload this as soon as possible.

DISCLAIMER: Usual applies; I don't own any of it except Iphigenia.

Chapter Three:

Iphigenia floated in and out of consciousness for several seconds. Her heartbeat raced in her ears, pounding into the darkest corners of her mind almost choking her with one glorious realisation. She was still alive. Her eyelids fluttered open, and a dull ache consumed her lower body. Her arms were restrained and her feet dangling like lead weights from her rapidly numbing ankles. She lifted her weary head, her vision coming slowly into focus and instantly knew what was holding her aloft. Zordrak had caught her, his tail coiled around her body threatening to crush her like a constrictor. In a final act of cruelty, he tightened his grip once he had observed she was awake. She gasped, too exhausted to cry out and breathing too restricted to even gasp in pain.

"Release me…" she muttered, head lolling to one side as her vision blurred again.

"Do you wish to address me, Iphigenia?" he growled. Raising her high enough for the Pit of No Return to enter her line of vision once again. Iphigenia rolled her eyes, though this was no deliberate action, she felt as though she was losing control of her own body.

"DROP ME!" she cried "do it, if you're going to end my life, just do it now, kill me!" she pleaded in an almost never ending stream. Most Uprneys at this point were begging for their lives, Iphigenia had shocked them all once again by welcoming death.

"You imagine I would be foolish enough to kill you?" replied Zordrak, lifting Iphigenia in front of him, and after one final squeeze against her already battered rib cage, lowering her gently onto one of his palms. She reacted defensively, drawing her knees up to her chin and wrapping her arms around her legs, her gaze averted from her terrible master. "Look at me Iphigenia!" he demanded, and so she did albeit with tears that she was desperately trying to will away scorching her eyes.

Urpgore had realised the extent of Iphigenia's distress and made no attempt to hide his sniggering. It tore through Iphigenia's already tattered pride and for this first time since this agonising punishment had begun, she allowed herself to sigh.

"Urpgore! Be gone from my presence!" snapped Zordrak, momentarily fixing his gaze upon the scientific advisor with disdain.

"Master! I see no need…"

"Exactly, fool! I see no need for you at present, get out of my sight!" he hissed, only turning back to Iphigenia once he was sure that Urpgore had truly skulked off. Even the alleged Urpney favourite knew not to test Zordrak, and so much to his own regret had to bow his head, hunch his shoulders and slip away from the throne room without a word. Naturally this was another occurrence to add to the long list of reasons why he hated Iphigenia, and also why he wished he were Lord of Viltheed instead.

"Forgive me, your Lordship" said Iphigenia suddenly, her voice surprisingly lacking a tremble. Without a word, Zordrak lowered her back onto the walkway, which was quite unexpected. He rarely performed any acts of kindness to the point where many believed he had no concept of it. However, instead of being thrown to the floor like a toy, Iphigenia found herself being placed back on the ground upright. She winced at the memory of three broken ribs on the occasion when Zordrak, in a temper with literally everyone in Viltheed, had flung her half way across the walkway and into the wall at the side. She was fortunate to not have repeated such a painful re-acquaintance with solid land.

"Return to your chamber" were her instructions, and rather than remain poised on the walkway awaiting further communications, Iphigenia simply curtsied and turned hurriedly, heading towards the exit as quickly as possible. The remaining Uprneys followed her in silence, daring not to speak to one another or look back at their master. Zordrak simply reclined in his throne and closed his eyes with only the hiss of the Argorribles at his feet disturbing the quiet in the air.