Here is the next chapter please review if you are enjoying the story so far. As everyone knows I do not own anything of Dungeons and Dragons.
…..
The hall of books was huge and there were cases upon cases of books that reached the ceiling. It was astounding to Presto the volume of knowledge that was held in this place and he had only a limited time here. There was no way he was going to allow Eric to suffer under the hands of Venger for long. He could only imagine the torture that Eric was going through.
The smallish woman brought him to a man that looked very much like Dungeon Master but without the robes. "Herlik this is Presto one of the children Dungeon Master told us about."
Big eyes behind an even larger book looked up at him. This elderly man smiled then looked around. "Meida, where are the others?"
"Three of my friends are in the forest, one is bonded to Venger through a life debt and another is with Venger because I am here. If I leave my friend goes free."
Meida looked worried. "Magician that means when you leave you can never return here again. Only Venger can break that spell. While you are here your friend can not leave Venger's service until Venger himself gives them permission."
Presto was so at home here, no place felt so right for him. After all the places in the Realm he finally finds one that he would truly wish to stay in. He was fighting back tears that he had never had the chance to shed for a very long time.
"Meida please take the young Magician to his room for the time being. I'll be along shortly to explain things."
Presto calmed down and followed Meida to his room. Upon entering it, it was as if the place was made for him. He looked around and saw many books, a bed and a small lab to study in. "I was supposed to stay here a long time wasn't I?"
"Indeed you were." Herlik entered the small room and took a seat on the stool in front of a table. "You have a mind for details. You would do very well here. What specifically did Vegner say to you? Think of the exact words." His voice was soft and slow. He reminded Presto of one of his great uncle Michael who used to tell him stories and teach him a lot of interesting historical things.
Presto thought back. "I will send one of you to Hoddakan to research all that you need while the other remains my prisoner. As soon as the person chosen leaves Hoddakan then the prisoner is set free but once they leave Hoddakan they can never return again." He was surprised he remembered everything Venger said word for word.
Herlik hummed and murmured to himself for a short while. "Ah, now he used a simple but ridged spell. You see it's a binding spell for two people what he failed to mention to you is that if your friend returns to Venger then you will be able to return to Hoddakan. He used words to disguise the whole truth of a spell. From now on listen to what a person of magic says."
"I thought that once I leave I can never return as in never again." Presto for a moment was happy then sobered up. "He would never return to Venger willingly. I could never ask that of him."
The old man nodded and hummed once again in deep thought. Meida spoke to Presto. "My dear there is much to be done and your friends need help in the forest. You have a lot of research to do before you leave. Keep what has happened out of your mind for now. At least as best as you can."
Presto didn't want admit it but he needed rest and the bed, an actual bed, looked like a dream. Despite the advice his last thoughts before falling asleep were Venger's words mocking him.
….
Two days of running, fighting and precious little sleep was wearing at Dungeon Master's children. Hank was trying to hold things together but he had never been persued like this before. Diana was holding out but she was losing strength and Bobby was too tired to move.
The youngest of them fell to the ground as soon as they got a moment's rest and closed his eyes. Diana couldn't wake him but felt for a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief that Bobby was simply exhausted.
"Poor little guy, he needs this. We all do."
Hank couldn't agree more but knew they would have to move on soon. "Look we are near the end of the forest." Hank picked up Bobby and motioned for Diana to take the club. "We'll make it."
Diana picked up the club and followed Hank through the final leg of their journey. "I wonder how Eric and Presto are making out. It wouldn't surprise me if Eric says something insulting to someone and gets his face turned green."
Hank had to laugh at that despite the seriousness of everyone's journey. "He would probably end up getting a tail to match. Two if Presto attempts to fix things."
She cracked up laughing at the thought. It was good to feel a little bit normal even if it was only for a short time.
They reached the edge of the forest and saw a glade full of tall grass and flowers. "Diana can you climb up this tree and see ahead? I want to make sure that we really are out of this place."
She understood leaving the club next to Hank. When she got to the top she saw a small city in the distance. There was a small Orc camp just on the edge of its limits.
Hank waited for the news when she got down. "So, what does it look like?"
"Trouble I'm afraid. There's a camp of Orcs just outside a city. So we either skirt the edge of this forest or deal with Orcs."
"Do you think we can go between or around them?" Hank was desperate for some good news, anything at all.
Diana thought for a moment. "I remember seeing a small road and there's a caravan heading towards the city. We could ask for help. Just enough time to get some rest."
He nodded in agreement and they hurried to catch up with the caravan before Orcs intercepted it.
Hank watched from a distance to observe any strange behavior. He saw what looked like a young couple with a child around Bobby's age. It was now or never. Walking slowly to the road he hailed them and they stopped.
"Hello, I'm sorry to stop you but I and my friends need some help."
The woman looked worried and the man thought for a moment. "I don't see your friends."
"Diana, come out with Bobby."
Diana stepped out to the road holding Bobby and his club. "Please we only need a place to rest and the Orcs are looking for us."
Hank was worried Diana said too much. The man was about to talk but his son interrupted. "Dad, what's wrong with him." He pointed at Bobby.
"Tennin, go back and see to your sister I need to speak to these strangers."
Tennin nodded and went inside the caravan. The man looked at Hank with a very serious look on his face. "Look stranger we know who you are and we would love to help you but we already were spoken to by the Orcs about you and threatened that if we were ever caught helping you in anyway….we can't."
This time the woman spoke. "Yulgan, they need our help. They are exhausted. There must be something we can do."
"All we need is a place to rest for a while."
The woman thought for a moment then spoke. "Go back down the road. You will see a huge tree in the middle of a glade. Keep going a little further and you'll find where Orcs had just camped. When we arrived they were packing up to leave. It will be safe there for a short time."
"Sharra, don't give them false hope."
"It's all we have to offer. Hold on." She went into the caravan and came back with some bread and handed it to Hank. "Here, take this. It's a bit old but it's good enough for today at least."
Hank took it and thanked her. "You've helped us out a lot. We promise to never mention you."
"That's all we ask. Good luck." Yulgan said before moving the caravan on once again.
They finally reached the place where the Orcs were. Sharra was telling the truth the Orcs had left not too long ago. "We'll stay here to get some rest then we have to move on."
Diana put Bobby on the ground and placed his club next to him. He curled up around the club and murmmered something in his sleep. Hand and Diana followed suit shortly after allowing sleep to take them over.
Shadow Demon slithered out of the shadows and watched as they slept. From what he could tell they were exhausted. He doubted that any Orc could wake them from the deepness of their breath. Calling the Orcs would be an easy matter and Venger would be pleased to have these three as prisoners and the weapons in his hands.
"Are you lost Shadow Demon?"
The slithery demon looked to his right to find Dungeon Master smiling. "As if you care for the likes of me."
"You chose your path Arklis, you chose to serve him and what has it brought you?"
"I am immortal now."
Dungeon Master picked up some dirt with a few strands of grass in his hands and smelled it. "The dirt smells sweet, for it rained two days ago and the grass is renewed. Even this simple act is above your abilities."
Shadow Demon grew angry and dove into Hanks chest.
Hank woke instantly but was subdued. Shadow Demon had full control of the body. As he spoke it held a rasp and odd ring to it as if another voice overlapped the other. "He's so tired it would be so simple to end his life now."
Diana and Bobby never woke from their sleep to help.
Dungeon Master no longer held a smile on his face. "I would advise that you leave the Ranger's body this instant."
Hank stood and laughed at Dungeon Master. "You cannot interfere."
"Neither can you." Dungeon Master waved a hand and turned Hank into stone. Shadow Demon screamed in terror. "Arklis you went too far and have forgotten all the lessons you were taught." Dungeon Master released the hold over Hank and his body returned to normal.
Shadow Demon left Hank's body and it fell to the ground. Dungeon Master blanketed the fall and called upon forest creatures to protect the children should any Orcs arrive.
…..
Eric changed into some plain brown robes given to him not unlike Presto's and entered Shiela's room. He was not prepared for the utter extravagance that was on display. The walls were a mix of black and white stone, and intricately carved. It looked better than any wall paper or painting ever could. His eyes looked at the window the led to a balcony draped in fine burgundy that matched the covers on the bed.
What he saw in the mirror was real. He saw the designs on the bed post from the mirror and they were a match but he had to see Sheila, hear the words come from her mouth and hear the guilt in them. She would feel guilty about this, hate herself for how she reacted if it was true.
The Realm had played tricks on his mind as well as everyone else. It teased you into comfort only to have you realize that it was all a trap to ensnare you. This room brought him back to his home before the Realm that held all the luxuries that money could buy. Despite the fact he bragged about it to everyone he knew, the thing he valued the most were his friends. They never cared about how rich he was and took him down a few pegs when needed. He never admitted it but he really respected them for that.
She walked into the bedroom from what he could only imagine was a large walk in closet. Sheila's hair and figure had changed. He saw it and knew right then and there that what he saw in the mirror had been true but he had to speak with her, hear, her words.
"Eric?"
Eric caught the surprise in her voice as well as the confidence in her step. She wore that dress with pride and knew well enough that she enjoyed it.
"Yes." He felt so stupid being at a loss for words.
"Why are you here? You have to get out of here if Venger ever…"
"I made a deal with him to see you. Presto is trying to find a way to get you out of here, and all of us out of the Realm. The longer I am here the better it is for him. It buys him time. I only hope he's smart enough to realize that." He made sure to add on a little arrogance at the end.
Sheila's eyes widened. "Please don't think I'm being ungrateful because I'm not. I am bonded to Venger. There's nothing that you can do. You truly have no idea how powerful he really is."
Eric heard it in her voice, how she speaks Venger's name. She respected Venger and enjoyed the power he yielded. Now this was all a game that Venger was playing. It was time to play his role and be the stupid spoiled child that Venger still thought him to be.
"You like being here don't you? He's possessed you! I saw you in the mirror Sheila! How you gave into him as he took you against that post." Eric pointed angrily at it while shouting. "You've also used magic to change your hair and figure. You were fine, more than fine the way you were before!"
Sheila started to shake, tears running down her face. "You don't understand. I don't want to be here but I have to. So what if I enjoy myself. I. CAN'T. LEAVE! You were not there first night he took me. It was pure hell! Never had I been so scared in my life and there was NOBODY there to help me."
Eric started to cry, he couldn't keep up the act not with that information. He said nothing and they both stared at each other, both with tears in their eyes. "He…" That was all he could say. It was too ugly a thing to put into words what happened to her.
"Vegner sent me here to serve you Sheila."
"I don't want you to! I want you and the others to find a way out of here." She fell to the floor in a mass of black silk, pounding her fist against the bed post Venger had her against only a few hours ago.
Eric's heart was breaking and he knew those words hurt her deeply but he knew that his actions were being watched as well. "Sheila, I…I didn't mean. I have a stupid mouth." He walked towards her and tried to pick her up but she pulled herself away.
"He'll hurt you if anyone touches me! If you saw what happened in that mirror you would have seen how possessive he is of me. He'll kill anyone that touches me."
"If I ever have the chance I'll kick ol' horn head's butt." Eric knew that was going to get him a lot of trouble but he had to play his part well.
Sheila stood in fear. "If he ever heard you…God Eric you really are stupid at times. All this time in this horrid world and you never learned when to keep your mouth shut."
"Do you even want help getting out of here?"
She didn't speak and turned her head away. "If you are here to serve me then I would like to have something to eat. They know what I want in the kitchens down a LOT of stairs." She turned and walked away.
Eric stomped off and slammed the door. He knew she did it to make him leave, to protect him. So far she was in Venger's good graces and therefore safe. If she befriended him in any way Venger would use that against her while he served her.
…
Sheila burst into tears after she heard her door slam. That was so hard to do to him but any kindness given or understanding of him will only be used against her and Eric in the end. She smiled at his words though. It was nice to see his old self, all arrogant but he'll get into so much trouble for his mouth.
She went back to the mirror and looked at her refection. It was then she realized he was looking for the Sheila he remembered and saw someone different. The guilt ripped through her that he saw everything that Vegner had done to her.
Now she would have to see him every day and order him about. "Please understand I don't want to hurt you Eric."
….
