D. B. Cooper:
Thanks again for your review.
Thanks. Well, I loved the way Uni and Presto communicated in the first episode when entering 'Merlin's' Castle for the first time and in the end where Uni tries to comfort Presto since he thought he had lost his Hat and when the two had their 'own' episode (Presto spells disaster). Oh and apple pie is more delicious than normal apples, isn't it? ;) So, the Hat isn't always that useless after all.
yeah, I guess Sheila wouldn't be Sheila if she doesn't care for her brother, would she? So, it's very easy to assume that she will save him...

Rana Kane:
And also thanks to you for reviewing.
Yeah, you're right, Bobby's really getting worse. Poor kid.
oh, that's a very good question; but you still will have to wait a bit to get your answer for that ;)
Yes, thumps up for Hank, who's always (oh well, mostly) there to help his friends out! That was even two times in this case (first Presto, second Bobby). Hero of the day, you might say gg
ohhhh. You think they were too lucky in being able to get Bobby out? 'Don't let yourself be fooled. Luck isn't something that stays for ever (or for a very long time)'. It can be there the one moment, the next it might be gone again.' as Dungeon Master maybe would have said.

10.

The way was dragging on the further the day went by.

So it led them across different areas, which partly were as dangerous as predicted: such as a creepy marshland, where voracious swamp-monsters were lurking, hindering the continuation of their journey since they were out to get the Young Ones as a little snack and almost caught Uni at that.
But the friends could get away from the beasts unharmed.

And then after a seemingly endless time:

"Look, this has to be the 'Sea of Madness' over there." Diana called and pointed at a quite large sea, whose water shimmered brownish in the sunlight.

Flora as well as fauna didn't seem to feel too well here, since they didn't see any animals at all and the few plants growing on the rather barren ground, resembled those in a desert landscape, although it wasn't nearly as hot as in a real desert.

They looked at each other full of hope and were rushing to get to the sea.

The Young Ones were approaching the sea when a female voice suddenly warned them urgently, "Stop, don't go on any further or else you will find yourselves in contemplation of death."

They stopped frightened and sought for the owner of the voice coming out of nowhere.

They hadn't expected to find someone in this region, but as it seemed they were mistaken in that.

"Hello? Who is it?" Hank asked and knelt down to set Bobby, who still was carried by the Ranger, down, taking his Bow instead again in case they had to fight.

He took his usual fighting position, hoping imploringly that this someone wouldn't turn out to be a foe and sooner or later challenge them to fight for that reason, since this would come at an awkward moment for them.
The long walk had been more exhausting than assumed.
In addition to that, one of them wasn't up to fighting and posed an unintended security risk with that.
And because of carrying Bobby, Hank also was tired and tensed up and wasn't as fit as usual.

A short checking side glance told him that the others - at least the ones still being able to fight - had taken their fighting positions as well.

Sheila had led her brother slightly away from the others to a palm-like tree and was now glancing around nervously.

For some time, silence followed on this question.
Then there was a noise, which the Young Ones took for the blowing of the wind at the first moment.
But when it sounded a second time, they were sure that it was a sigh.

Hank was about to speak again, when another voice - masculine this time - joined in the sighing.

The friends exchanged puzzled glances.

"And I've already wondered how the name of this valley came to be..." Presto admitted a bit scared.

Moments later, Sheila's startled yelp was mixed with the sighing: two figures were 'floating' towards them.
They were glad in ancient robes, surrounded by a gleaming aura - and didn't appear to be physical at all but rather transparent.

"Ghosts." Diana blurted out unintentionally.

The male figure coughed slightly and replied disapprovingly, "We prefer the term 'Ancestor' if it would be convenient."

"Please, forgive my companion; we already have met many ungracious intruders here and we are a little distanced at the address of welcome for that reason.
May I introduce? We are the 'Protectors of the Sea of Madness'." the female creature clarified and heaved a long sigh.

"They probably have gone mad themselves here." Eric mocked audibly.
As a result, he got a dig in the ribs by Diana and an extremely grumpy glance from the male protector.

Hank, who didn't want to have an argument with the strange creatures in any case, tried to cover up this caustic comment by introducing themselves, "Um, nice to meet you. We are..."

"Dungeon Master's Pupils." the male keeper finished unimpressed.

The Ranger nodded surprised.

"The wind has announced your arrival." the protectress answered Hank's unspoken question.

"Ah, and when the wind has told you that, then why did you welcome us so rudely anyway?" the Cavalier asked sharply.

"Eric, please, we shouldn't..." Hank started but wasn't supposed to end his sentence.

"HANK!" Sheila screamed frantically and everybody knew immediately that she didn't want to admonish the Ranger with that.

When they turned around, they could see why Sheila was in panic: Bobby was writhing on the ground moaning and afflicted with cramps, the face contorted with pain and drenched in sweat, the cheeks feverish blushed.

The very fact that Bobby hadn't uttered one single comprehensible word since his breakdown after the night in the cave was proof enough to make the gravity of the situation clear.

Those constantly sporadic changes from apathetic to hysteric made the disease unpredictable.

Sheila tried her best to soothe the boy again.