A Soul Imprisoned
Chapter 3
On returning to one of his many palaces, Venger watched his latest prisoner through the glass door. The oldest of Dungeon Master's pupils was obviously disturbed. Venger had watched for the last half and hour as the Ranger had alternated between pacing the room, and pounding and kicking out at the walls.
It was amazing Venger thought. Attacked by the power of Ice the less than an hour ago, and already it was taking hold. This was evident in the Ranger's frustration and anger that he had shown since Venger had taken him from the balcony.
Venger had seen the Ranger filled with emotion before, along time ago in the Dragon's Graveyard. It was a memory he hated, and even now, though some time had passed, he felt the familiar feeling of humiliation as he remembered that night. Being successfully chained against the rough wall of the rock by that pathetic magician, and then being at the mercy of the Ranger. There'd been a moment when Venger had felt pure terror. For a second, he really wasn't sure whether the Ranger would fire that arrow or not. But of course, in the end, his weakness (as Venger saw it) overcame his anger and frustration and he had let him go.
Venger's thoughts were interrupted as the Ranger slumped to the floor with his head in his hands.
"Ah," Thought Venger "Defeated at last."
Leaving the Castle of Alyria, Eric walked purposefully ahead, as if he didn't' feel or notice the weather around him.
"Hey Eric," Presto shouted over the wind "Where are we going?"
Eric shouted back, but he didn't turn around so his reply was swallowed up by the wind.
Presto shrugged as he exchanged a look with Diana. The Acrobat hurried to catch up with the Cavalier.
"Eric, wait up," Diana told him. He kept walking. "Eric…please."
It was that "please" that made him stop. He was so used to her challenging him, matching his sarcasm and giving as good as she got, that the simple act of politeness got through to him. He sighed heavily and shut his eyes.
"We need a plan or something before we go any further," Diana said. "I have a feeling we're in pretty deep here, and we need to be as prepared as possible."
"You're right Diana," Eric looked at her. "We'll find somewhere to camp tonight and decide what to do."
Satisfied with this, Diana turned and walked back to the others who were waiting, in a tight huddle braced against the cold a few feet away. After relaying Eric's instructions to the others, all five of them and Uni continued walking.
"We'll head towards those trees," Eric pointed towards a small looking forest as they slowly made their way back down the mountain. This side of the rock face was easier to climb and the three moons' light was enough to see where they were going. "Hopefully that'll give us enough shelter for what's left of tonight. The sooner we're off this mountain, away from that castle, the better."
A couple of hours later, and after finding a clearing between a few trees, they sat exhausted. Presto had managed to make a fire, although Eric didn't even feel the heat. He'd offered to take first watch, being too angry and upset to sleep. Bobby, Presto and Uni were nearly asleep already. Sheila was trying, but Eric could tell she wasn't finding it easy. He could sense Diana, wide awake, watching him, but he refused to meet her eyes. He didn't want to talk, not tonight.
He couldn't help replying what happened over and over in his head. He'd deflected Venger's magic right into that sphere. He hadn't meant to, but it was his fault it was destroyed. His fault Hank had been caught up in the explosion, and his fault Venger had captured him. He'd never felt so exhausted, guilty and angry in his life.
"In all the time we've been here, this has to be the biggest mistake one of us has ever made" He thought bitterly. "Hell, not even Presto's ever screwed up this badly."
Diana got up and sat next to him.
"It's my fault Diana," Eric broke the silence, staring at the dying embers from the fire.
"Come on Eric," Diana's tone was firm. "You know very well what you did up there, you had to do. You were protecting Presto and Sheila. Hank would have done the same thing".
Eric continued to avoid her eyes.
"Besides," She added "Hank will be ok. We'll get him back and deal with Venger just like we always do. You did a great job against the Darkling and I don't' see why you can't do it again."
Eric smiled briefly. "Go on, get some rest, I think we're going to need it."
Diana nodded. She got up and stretched and walked over to where Sheila had finally fallen asleep and settled down.
The Cavalier, although encouraged by the Acrobat's confidence in him, still couldn't shake the troubled feeling that had settled in his mind, as he tried to get the dying fire going again.
"Where am I?" Hank thought desperately. The room was unfamiliar. "Hell, everything's unfamiliar. I don't even remember….remember……who I am?"
He tried to think back. Nothing. Nothing came to him. Who he was, where he was or what he was doing here, he had no idea. He could feel anger and frustration building up inside him. He closed his eyes, trying to make himself relax.
The door to the room opened, and Venger stepped inside.
"Who are you?!" Hank demanded, jumping to his feet.
Venger smiled inwardly. "This is better than I hoped for," He thought wickedly. He approached the Ranger slowly.
"Who are you?" Hank demanded again.
"Really Ranger, that's no way to talk to your Master," Venger chided.
"Master?" Hank questioned.
"Of course," Venger told him. "I am Venger. You are my "right-hand man" as it were. You were carrying out my orders, when you were injured by our enemies. I brought you back here."
"I don't remember anything of what you're saying to me," Hank told him.
"Come with me," Venger turned and started to walk out the room. "I will show you all."
The Ranger followed obediently.
He was led into a room where a huge mirror with a cast-iron frame was fastened against the far wall. As Hank drew closer he could see that the mirror's glass seemed to be rippling slightly.
"They deceived you Ranger," Venger lied. "They seek to capture you and your weapon, and they nearly succeeded. They will speak to you with lies and deceit and try to turn you against me. Do not let yourself be taken in, and do not fail me this time."
"Who?" The Ranger asked. "Who am I to fight against for you?"
"These are your enemies," Venger explained. "You must bring them, and their weapons, to me.
Venger lifted his hand and let it glide across the glass. The mirror's surface became clouded and then shapes started to form. He showed the Ranger images of the Cavalier, the Thief, the Barbarian, the Acrobat and the Magician. Venger watched on carefully. He saw no sign or any flicker of recognition on the Ranger's face at all as he studied the images in the mirror.
"Good," He thought. "The Power of the Ice is taking over him. Soon I shall have the rest of these blasted pupils and finally the weapons of power!"
The Ranger stared into the mirror. The feeling of anger seemed to rise up within him as he looked at each image. When the Thief's image appeared, he'd felt a white-hot dart of emotion somewhere in his chest for a fleeting instant. It felt different to the anger he felt at all the others. It puzzled him, but he didn't dwell on it. He said nothing about it to Venger.
Later on, Hank sat reflecting on what Venger had told him. He realised he'd accepted it all without question, even though he sensed something didn't feel quite right. It was nothing he could explain; only that something was amiss. But at least he got some explanation as to whom he was and what his purpose was, and despite having no recollection of any of it. It was better than not knowing, he'd decided. He shook the unwelcome thoughts and the Thief's image out of his head.
He looked down at the energy bow he was holding that Venger had given him when they'd left the room with the mirror. The bow was the only thing that he felt completely comfortable with it, and there was some feeling of familiarity. It had a soft gold glow about it, but as the hours slipped by, Hank noticed it seemed to glow almost a white-silver. He gripped it more firmly. He turned all his angry thoughts and energy into preparing to carry out his master's request.
