Part 4
'Oohhh..' Pickle winced at the pain in his head, he put his hand on the large red lump that has amassed after his fall, and tried to sit up. 'Oohh.. Oh dear. what happened?' He asked aloud, but no one answered. He pulled himself up further, turned around and then screamed. 'AAAHHHHH MONSTERS!!!' He threw himself back against Treguard's chair and looked again at the horror. 'Oh. it's the children, they're frozen in time, I really shouldn't have eaten all the porridge.' He stumbled to his feet, wavering a bit, and all the while holding his poor head. 'Oww' The whole day had been a real nightmare! He staggered over to the chair and rested himself, all the while rubbing his head. Although Pickle was of the most timid nature (brave when he really needed to be), his overwhelming curiosity caused him to run to the armour section and grab the closest item, which happening to be a broadsword, straining with the weight Pickle rested that one up against the wall and grabbed a spear instead. He put on a red cloak, one that might be considered conspicuous but held the power of invisibility but for a short time only. He almost jumped through the portal to the dungeon, realising that he was leaving the castle empty and the frozen dungeoneers in possible peril. Pickle always liked the dungeoneers sometimes he wasn't too impressed with their choices or their refusal for help, but he enjoyed the adventures and he cared for their safety.
* * * * * * * * * *
Pickle ran as fast as his legs could take him he had no time to waste, he knew of many shortcuts and so dashed into what looked like solid trees and impenetrable undergrowth, appearing in a completely different location. When Pickle reached Merlin's room all his courage faded and he began wondering what the heck he was doing there. What if there was something in that room unaffected by the temporal shift? What if something terrible had happened to Merlin? Pickle would be partly responsible. Inside Pickle wondered if he should just go back to the Elf kingdom and live in solitude - it seemed to Pickle that wherever he went there was trouble. These thoughts burned through Pickles mind, but in a moment of what could be described as utter madness Pickle swallowed his fear and stepped forward into the room.
Pickle immerged through the door and no more, he could see Merlin, at least he was still alive. He cautiously took steps towards Merlin, and walked round the front so he could study Merlin's face. Clearly Merlin was frozen just like Treguard had been, his facial expression was one of shock - like he had seen a ghost, that's what they say don't they. Pickle waved his hand in front of Merlin's face quickly retracting it as if he half expected Merlin to grab it. Pickle gulped again and stepped backwards from Merlin's frozen statuesque form and quite spontaneously let out a cry 'HORDRISS!' he called, nothing, 'HORDRISS' he called again. Still no answer. Pickle hung his head and started out the room. 'HALT!' a booming voice came from behind. Pickle spun round. 'Hordriss! Please help me, I don't know what to do.' Pickle motioned towards Merlin. 'What has happened here?' Hordriss said in a very accusing voice. Pickle felt himself welling up. His bottom lip started to quiver, he sunk his head. 'Well? I don't take kindly to being rudely summoned! What is going on and why aren't you at Dunshelm?' Hordriss continued. 'Its all my fault.' tears tricked down Pickles face. 'I, I just wanted to take care of the castle, I saw Master Treguard, frozen in time, then the dungeoneers arrived - I thought. I thought I would be helping Master by continuing with the quests, then they met Warria. she turned Merlin like this.' Pickle blubbered on, wringing his hands 'but I didn't stop it, I didn't stop her. I just wanted to help.' Either during this mad time in the dungeon Hordriss had went mad of he did have a soft spot in his heart, because he patted Pickle on the shoulder. 'There, there Elf.' He tried sympathetically. 'Tell me about Warria.' he probed. Pickle regained control of his emotions, and told Hordriss the exact nature of what had transpired in the dungeon. Hordriss looked worried, and put his hand on Pickles shoulder then raised his other arm high and called 'DUNSHELM'. Both appeared back in the castle. Hordriss looked around in confusion at the vast tropics the interior now supported. Pickle looked away and tried to act natural (whatever that was) and put his cloak back on the side cabinet and rested the spear against the wall beside it he figured he might need them later. Pickle quickly spotted the red book of spells and ran over to put it out of sight. 'HALT!' Hordriss commanded. 'What is that a book of?' 'Nothing of importance sir. simply a book of, erm, poems.' Pickle retaliated. He had no intention of being the subject of ridicule to Hordriss or anyone else for that matter. Perhaps 'poems' wasn't the best answer to avoid ridicule but at least Hordriss would not probe any further. Hordriss walked round the backs of the frozen team, peering over their still shoulders to read their notes. He grumbled and silently mouthed the word 'dungeoneers!' It was then the echoing intense words of evil filled the room, Pickle and Hordriss turned to the view screen in tandem. There the pale sinister face or Lord Fear appeared. 'Where is Treguard!' He demanded. Hordriss turned to Pickle for an explanation but by this time Pickle partially hidden himself behind the frozen team, and was peering out between Timothy and Duncan with fearful eyes. Hordriss sighed and turned back to face Lord Fear. 'He has been frozen in time by a female sorcerer we know as Warria, what interest do you have in this matter? I would have assumed you were somehow behind this.' Hordriss explained. Lord Fear looked somewhat annoyed, somewhat confused. 'Damn.' He quipped. 'Is that all you can say? The notorious Lord Fear has been told his arch nemesis is in a position of powerlessness, and he says damn?' Hordriss's voice demanded explanation from Lord Fear. Lord Fear looked up in a particularly nasty stare. 'Who is this Warria?' 'No!' Hordriss again demanded. 'Explain your interest in this matter first!' 'I do not answer to anyone!' Lord Fear replied. A drowned yelp came from the background, Pickle was sitting even lower now and only just peered out from behind Duncan's seat. Hordriss folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. 'Fine. its rather boring here all my men are apparently MIA.' The Lord answered. 'And.' Hordriss interjected. 'And what!' 'What do you want of Treguard?' Hordriss added. Lord Fear couldn't squeeze the words out his evil throat. 'He wanted help! Ha, ha! You lose!' Pickle piped up before disappearing back down into the safety of the darkness. 'I MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT NEED HELP! YOU IGNORANT ELF!' Lord Fear screamed in Pickles general direction. 'I could kill you with a single thought! Had you considered that!' 'GRR!' He then turned his attention back to Hordriss; they seemed to have a rapport of sorts. 'But since you are in need of help I suppose I could offer my services, only because I would become so bored without Treguards opposition. I mean I'd have an unfair advantage wouldn't I.' Hordriss didn't argue, there seemed no point, they had come to as level ground as was going to happen. 'Anyway, what the Vulcanis happened in there! All the flowers and plants - yuck! Its disgusting!' Hordriss let out a moan of agreement and raised both his shoulders.
After a discussion of sorts about Warria and the possible plans of action and many a suggestion from the much braver Pickle being answered with 'Shut up Pickle.' Each and every time, yet over enthusiastic Pickle really felt he was helping the course of the conversation. Then over the top of their intense discussion the evil voice of Warria resounded. 'So much talk! So little action! Come on - impress me! I'm in the dungeon, come and get me! If you think you are powerful and brave enough! Ha, ha, ha, haaa! Warria's voice faded into the distance. Pickle ran for his spear and threw on the cloak. 'Come on!' Pickle shouted. 'You heard her! Lets go!' And with that he started into the dungeon. Hordriss and Lord Fear watched him take off then turned slowly to face each other. 'Hmm, right little brave Elf when he wants to be.' Hordriss commented. Lord Fear didn't give Hordriss the dignity of a response. Both disappeared in a cloud of smoke and appeared just behind Pickle in the dungeon. Poof! 'Ahh! Don't do that! Can you just walk like the rest of us!' Pickle held his chest to steady his heartbeat from the shock of Hordriss and Lord Fear appearing from nothing, you have to understand it would be a nasty shock to be on your way somewhere to hear a noise and turn around to a evil looking wizard in red robes and stripes of red hair in his well groomed, white beard and hair, and a tall threatening character dressed in metal with a cape, pale white skin and glowing red eyes! The odd threesome wandered off into the woods, the two scary ones cautiously following Pickle through Elf shortcuts in the deep of the woods. Soon they came to a clearing, where they could see in the eerie mist the outline of a fort. 'Ahh, getting closer!' Warria's voice called in the wind. The threesome pressed on. They reached the foot of the hill on which the fort was situated, Pickle scrambled up, for him this wasn't about proving anything - he missed Treguard, he hated being in control; he didn't like the responsibility involved, it was much more fun jus being part of the adventure not responsible for the consequences, plus Pickle was no good with decisions - he was far too impetuous and unrestrained to think logically. When he reached the huge wooden door he realised he had used all his strength to clamber up the hill and couldn't push it open, with a mere clap of the hands Hordriss commanded the door to open, and they proceeded through. They entered into a cold and uninviting grey stone room, every footstep they made left a sort of clinking echo, except Pickle of course; but with no shoes he felt the iciness of the stone crawl up his legs, he shuddered. The only light in the room emerged from three small gothic arches high in the right wall, once all three had walked about halfway through the room, the huge wooden door slammed closed behind them, causing all three to skip a beat in their hearts rhythm. They all turned and examined the door, Pickle started to shiver the room has a very strange air about it, and the cold air seemed to be stabbing at his soft Elf skin. Then it happened. there was a tremendous excruciating 'squirking' noise like the hand of god running his nails down the biggest blackboard in the universe, Pickle fell to the floor clenching his ears; the sound tormented him. Lord Fear flickered his eyelids a few times and grimaced, Hordriss just sighed. 'Damn. Trap.' Where Hordriss's only words.
Part 5: v.soon!
'Oohhh..' Pickle winced at the pain in his head, he put his hand on the large red lump that has amassed after his fall, and tried to sit up. 'Oohh.. Oh dear. what happened?' He asked aloud, but no one answered. He pulled himself up further, turned around and then screamed. 'AAAHHHHH MONSTERS!!!' He threw himself back against Treguard's chair and looked again at the horror. 'Oh. it's the children, they're frozen in time, I really shouldn't have eaten all the porridge.' He stumbled to his feet, wavering a bit, and all the while holding his poor head. 'Oww' The whole day had been a real nightmare! He staggered over to the chair and rested himself, all the while rubbing his head. Although Pickle was of the most timid nature (brave when he really needed to be), his overwhelming curiosity caused him to run to the armour section and grab the closest item, which happening to be a broadsword, straining with the weight Pickle rested that one up against the wall and grabbed a spear instead. He put on a red cloak, one that might be considered conspicuous but held the power of invisibility but for a short time only. He almost jumped through the portal to the dungeon, realising that he was leaving the castle empty and the frozen dungeoneers in possible peril. Pickle always liked the dungeoneers sometimes he wasn't too impressed with their choices or their refusal for help, but he enjoyed the adventures and he cared for their safety.
* * * * * * * * * *
Pickle ran as fast as his legs could take him he had no time to waste, he knew of many shortcuts and so dashed into what looked like solid trees and impenetrable undergrowth, appearing in a completely different location. When Pickle reached Merlin's room all his courage faded and he began wondering what the heck he was doing there. What if there was something in that room unaffected by the temporal shift? What if something terrible had happened to Merlin? Pickle would be partly responsible. Inside Pickle wondered if he should just go back to the Elf kingdom and live in solitude - it seemed to Pickle that wherever he went there was trouble. These thoughts burned through Pickles mind, but in a moment of what could be described as utter madness Pickle swallowed his fear and stepped forward into the room.
Pickle immerged through the door and no more, he could see Merlin, at least he was still alive. He cautiously took steps towards Merlin, and walked round the front so he could study Merlin's face. Clearly Merlin was frozen just like Treguard had been, his facial expression was one of shock - like he had seen a ghost, that's what they say don't they. Pickle waved his hand in front of Merlin's face quickly retracting it as if he half expected Merlin to grab it. Pickle gulped again and stepped backwards from Merlin's frozen statuesque form and quite spontaneously let out a cry 'HORDRISS!' he called, nothing, 'HORDRISS' he called again. Still no answer. Pickle hung his head and started out the room. 'HALT!' a booming voice came from behind. Pickle spun round. 'Hordriss! Please help me, I don't know what to do.' Pickle motioned towards Merlin. 'What has happened here?' Hordriss said in a very accusing voice. Pickle felt himself welling up. His bottom lip started to quiver, he sunk his head. 'Well? I don't take kindly to being rudely summoned! What is going on and why aren't you at Dunshelm?' Hordriss continued. 'Its all my fault.' tears tricked down Pickles face. 'I, I just wanted to take care of the castle, I saw Master Treguard, frozen in time, then the dungeoneers arrived - I thought. I thought I would be helping Master by continuing with the quests, then they met Warria. she turned Merlin like this.' Pickle blubbered on, wringing his hands 'but I didn't stop it, I didn't stop her. I just wanted to help.' Either during this mad time in the dungeon Hordriss had went mad of he did have a soft spot in his heart, because he patted Pickle on the shoulder. 'There, there Elf.' He tried sympathetically. 'Tell me about Warria.' he probed. Pickle regained control of his emotions, and told Hordriss the exact nature of what had transpired in the dungeon. Hordriss looked worried, and put his hand on Pickles shoulder then raised his other arm high and called 'DUNSHELM'. Both appeared back in the castle. Hordriss looked around in confusion at the vast tropics the interior now supported. Pickle looked away and tried to act natural (whatever that was) and put his cloak back on the side cabinet and rested the spear against the wall beside it he figured he might need them later. Pickle quickly spotted the red book of spells and ran over to put it out of sight. 'HALT!' Hordriss commanded. 'What is that a book of?' 'Nothing of importance sir. simply a book of, erm, poems.' Pickle retaliated. He had no intention of being the subject of ridicule to Hordriss or anyone else for that matter. Perhaps 'poems' wasn't the best answer to avoid ridicule but at least Hordriss would not probe any further. Hordriss walked round the backs of the frozen team, peering over their still shoulders to read their notes. He grumbled and silently mouthed the word 'dungeoneers!' It was then the echoing intense words of evil filled the room, Pickle and Hordriss turned to the view screen in tandem. There the pale sinister face or Lord Fear appeared. 'Where is Treguard!' He demanded. Hordriss turned to Pickle for an explanation but by this time Pickle partially hidden himself behind the frozen team, and was peering out between Timothy and Duncan with fearful eyes. Hordriss sighed and turned back to face Lord Fear. 'He has been frozen in time by a female sorcerer we know as Warria, what interest do you have in this matter? I would have assumed you were somehow behind this.' Hordriss explained. Lord Fear looked somewhat annoyed, somewhat confused. 'Damn.' He quipped. 'Is that all you can say? The notorious Lord Fear has been told his arch nemesis is in a position of powerlessness, and he says damn?' Hordriss's voice demanded explanation from Lord Fear. Lord Fear looked up in a particularly nasty stare. 'Who is this Warria?' 'No!' Hordriss again demanded. 'Explain your interest in this matter first!' 'I do not answer to anyone!' Lord Fear replied. A drowned yelp came from the background, Pickle was sitting even lower now and only just peered out from behind Duncan's seat. Hordriss folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. 'Fine. its rather boring here all my men are apparently MIA.' The Lord answered. 'And.' Hordriss interjected. 'And what!' 'What do you want of Treguard?' Hordriss added. Lord Fear couldn't squeeze the words out his evil throat. 'He wanted help! Ha, ha! You lose!' Pickle piped up before disappearing back down into the safety of the darkness. 'I MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT NEED HELP! YOU IGNORANT ELF!' Lord Fear screamed in Pickles general direction. 'I could kill you with a single thought! Had you considered that!' 'GRR!' He then turned his attention back to Hordriss; they seemed to have a rapport of sorts. 'But since you are in need of help I suppose I could offer my services, only because I would become so bored without Treguards opposition. I mean I'd have an unfair advantage wouldn't I.' Hordriss didn't argue, there seemed no point, they had come to as level ground as was going to happen. 'Anyway, what the Vulcanis happened in there! All the flowers and plants - yuck! Its disgusting!' Hordriss let out a moan of agreement and raised both his shoulders.
After a discussion of sorts about Warria and the possible plans of action and many a suggestion from the much braver Pickle being answered with 'Shut up Pickle.' Each and every time, yet over enthusiastic Pickle really felt he was helping the course of the conversation. Then over the top of their intense discussion the evil voice of Warria resounded. 'So much talk! So little action! Come on - impress me! I'm in the dungeon, come and get me! If you think you are powerful and brave enough! Ha, ha, ha, haaa! Warria's voice faded into the distance. Pickle ran for his spear and threw on the cloak. 'Come on!' Pickle shouted. 'You heard her! Lets go!' And with that he started into the dungeon. Hordriss and Lord Fear watched him take off then turned slowly to face each other. 'Hmm, right little brave Elf when he wants to be.' Hordriss commented. Lord Fear didn't give Hordriss the dignity of a response. Both disappeared in a cloud of smoke and appeared just behind Pickle in the dungeon. Poof! 'Ahh! Don't do that! Can you just walk like the rest of us!' Pickle held his chest to steady his heartbeat from the shock of Hordriss and Lord Fear appearing from nothing, you have to understand it would be a nasty shock to be on your way somewhere to hear a noise and turn around to a evil looking wizard in red robes and stripes of red hair in his well groomed, white beard and hair, and a tall threatening character dressed in metal with a cape, pale white skin and glowing red eyes! The odd threesome wandered off into the woods, the two scary ones cautiously following Pickle through Elf shortcuts in the deep of the woods. Soon they came to a clearing, where they could see in the eerie mist the outline of a fort. 'Ahh, getting closer!' Warria's voice called in the wind. The threesome pressed on. They reached the foot of the hill on which the fort was situated, Pickle scrambled up, for him this wasn't about proving anything - he missed Treguard, he hated being in control; he didn't like the responsibility involved, it was much more fun jus being part of the adventure not responsible for the consequences, plus Pickle was no good with decisions - he was far too impetuous and unrestrained to think logically. When he reached the huge wooden door he realised he had used all his strength to clamber up the hill and couldn't push it open, with a mere clap of the hands Hordriss commanded the door to open, and they proceeded through. They entered into a cold and uninviting grey stone room, every footstep they made left a sort of clinking echo, except Pickle of course; but with no shoes he felt the iciness of the stone crawl up his legs, he shuddered. The only light in the room emerged from three small gothic arches high in the right wall, once all three had walked about halfway through the room, the huge wooden door slammed closed behind them, causing all three to skip a beat in their hearts rhythm. They all turned and examined the door, Pickle started to shiver the room has a very strange air about it, and the cold air seemed to be stabbing at his soft Elf skin. Then it happened. there was a tremendous excruciating 'squirking' noise like the hand of god running his nails down the biggest blackboard in the universe, Pickle fell to the floor clenching his ears; the sound tormented him. Lord Fear flickered his eyelids a few times and grimaced, Hordriss just sighed. 'Damn. Trap.' Where Hordriss's only words.
Part 5: v.soon!
