A Soul Imprisoned

Chapter 6

Eric hadn't thought that Hank would do it. Nobody did. It was this thought and the feeling of total shock and disbelief that slowed the Cavalier's reaction.

The arrow flew through the air, shattering the ice barrier that divided them.

Too stunned to react, he saw Hank fire another arrow. He made no sound as it hit him and he was instantly "frozen". Presto was an easy target, and he became the victim of Hank's third arrow. The Ranger fired again. Diana tried to jump aside, but to no avail. Bobby, with Uni trembling at his feet, tried to deflect the attack with his club, but his efforts were futile. He and the unicorn were trapped, the instant his club connected with the fifth arrow.

The only one to react was Sheila, and that was only because the Ranger had left her until last. Before she'd even realised it herself, her hood was up and she vanished just as Hank released the arrow that struck Diana.

Hank lowered his bow. He should have realised that the red-head would do her disappearing act.

"I should have taken her out first." Hank thought but it had been so satisfying to shut that Cavalier up! He watched as a thick layer of ice started to appear on his victims, beginning in the spot where his arrows had hit them, and quickly spreading over their whole bodies, encasing them tightly.

"Four out of five," Hank spoke softly to himself. "Venger won't be completely satisfied, but I'll tell him I'll find her."

He heard shuffling just behind him. A few Orcs had returned

"Get these prisoners back to Venger!" He ordered.

The Ranger watched as the Orcs fixed ropes around the rough edges of ice that held the four Young Ones. Then under his command, they started to drag them up the hill, and then lifted them onto a cart.


Although in a frozen state, Eric knew what had just happened.

He was cold, so very cold. Eric's whole body began to ache from the ice's touch.

"I've messed up badly this time," he thought. "I shouldn't have provoked him. If I could just learn to keep my mouth shut, then maybe none of this would have happened."

He knew what had just happened, they all did. They were trapped, and all they could do was wait.

Their thoughts turned to Hank's betrayal and the knowledge that he would be taking them to Venger.

Only Presto was able to maintain any glimmer of hope. He had been frozen with his arm raised, reaching for his hat. He knew he wasn't quick enough, and even if he had reached his weapon in time, he was sure he didn't have a spell that covered this! Just as the ice began to cover him, he'd seen Sheila use her cloak and disappear.

"I think you're going to be our only hope Sheila," he mused.


Sheila followed behind as though in a trance. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Thankful that she'd been quick enough to use her weapon, she realised that she alone had to be the one to help her brother and her friends.

In a rare moment of anger she cursed the Realm and everything in it. She hated it and she was so tired. Tired of trying to see the positive in every situation that they faced and tired of watching Bobby's childhood slip away.

She wished with all her heart that she and her friends hadn't chosen to go on the Dungeons & Dragons ride. Hank had been so sweet that day. She couldn't believe the difference in him now.

"You wouldn't believe it was the same person." Sheila thought to herself.


The setting suns cast a soft glow around the surrounding landscapeShe knew that somewhere Venger would be waiting for them. All of them had quickly learnt that there was no eluding him in situations like this. She also knew that as soon as he discovered that she hadn't been caught with the others, if he didn't know already, then he would be expecting her.

Further ahead Hank, her friends and the Orcs disappeared around a bend as they made their way along the twisting mountain path. Lost in her thoughts, Sheila had fallen a short way behind. Upon realising this, she picked up her pace and followed the curving path, and then stopped short.

"Where'd they go?" she thought. She scanned the whole valley as far as she could see; the path ahead, the sloping mountain sides and the jagged rock faces. The suns had begun to sink lower inviting the darkness to cover the landscape. She turned a full circle in order to try and catch a glimpse of the group she'd been trailing. It was a futile effort. The path she'd been following was broken and there were several possible ways leading into the mountains to choose from.

In sheer desperation, she lowered her hood, hoping that if either Hank or Venger's Orcs saw her, they'd make an appearance. Nothing happened. The darkness grew. She sank to the ground, head in her hands as thoughts of failing her brother, Hank and her friends formed in her mind. A single tear ran down her cheek.

A voice suddenly cut through the silence, startling her.

"Do not cry Sheila."

The Thief's head turned upwards in the direction of the voice while her hands went instantly to the hood of her cloak, ready to disappear if necessary.

"Dungeon Master!" she exclaimed. She lowered her arms and sighed with relief. "Hank's captured everyone else and he's taking them all to Venger. We're in real trouble this time; I don't know what to do." She drew a shaky breath.

Dungeon Master looked at her kindly.

"Please don't give me any riddles." She pleaded quietly.

"All is not lost yet Young One," Dungeon Master told her. "The Ranger is being misguided by the Power of the Ice. This power is leading him down a dark path. It is here you will find those that you seek."

"But how-" Sheila started to ask.

"To save the Ranger, you mustfree his soul, which in turn will free your friends," Dungeon Master continued. "Only when you reach the heart, can the soul be found."

At that moment a strong wind blew through the valley. It was so strong that Sheila lifted her hand to her face to avoid the cruel air stinging her eyes. When she raised her head a moment later, the Dungeon Master had gone.

Now that she was on her own, and knowing that her friends were relying on her to help them, she fully understood why Dungeon Master's riddles and sudden disappearances frustrated Eric so much.

Sheila looked at her surroundings again, while trying to decide what to do. She noticed that one of the winding paths was enveloped in more shadows than the other trails.

"The power is leading him down a dark path…" Dungeon Master's words replayed in her mind.

"That's it!" Sheila thought to herself. "That path is darker than the others!"

Encouraged by her own instincts that she was going the right way, Sheila raised her hood. She was ready to fight for her friends, including the one she loved. She was more than ready to deal with Venger.

"I just hope he's ready to deal with me." She whispered to herself as she started down the path of shadows.


From one of the castle windows, with Shadow Demon hovering just behind him, Venger watched as the Ranger and the Orcs escorted his new prisoners.

Shadow Demon stated the obvious as usual.

"The Ranger has failed to capture all of Dungeon Master's pupils and their weapons, Master."

Venger said nothing. The Ranger was returning quicker than expected and it had not been lost on him that the Thief was not among them. He was not worried. There was no way that she would let her friends stay imprisoned and face being on her own for too long.

Venger begrudgingly acknowledged the loyalty between the children. Not only did it in this instance, work in his favour, but it constantly astounded him. He himself had no-one truly faithful to him. Even Shadow Demon only served out of duty and fear. He contemplated going after the red-head himself, but after some thought, decided against it. He would be patient.

"Shall I send more Orcs to find the remaining Young One?" Venger's servant questioned further.

"No Shadow Demon," Venger answered. "Her loyalty towards her friends shall bring her to us. We shall wait."


On entering Venger's castle, the Ranger ordered the new prisoners to be taken to the dungeon. Once there, he dismissed the Orcs and stood looking at his helpless captives.

Five misshapen ice-blocks stood against the wall. The ice was thick and it was hard to see clearly what was inside it. In turn, the captives inside could not see out. They were not fully aware of what was going on, or where they were, and sounds were muffled. Each prisoner was left to their own thoughts. Thoughts, which fuelled by the power of the ice, were full of despair.

The Ranger felt nothing for them. No pity and no shame for his actions. He smiled, an empty emotionless smile, as he walked up to the block that held the Cavalier; the red and gold of his uniform barely visible through the ice.

"Didn't think I'd do it did you?" The Ranger said softly.

"You underestimated me. Now your mistake has cost you and your friends their freedom."

His gaze went to the other ice-blocks. "I just need one more…"

The image of the Thief came to him. He could see her vividly in his minds eye. There was something about her… For a moment he faltered. It seemed like there was something there, something pushing at the back of his mind trying to resurface. A memory of some kind? The Ranger didn't know. Somehow it seemed important, like he had to remember, but then, as quickly as the feeling came, it faded. Running his hands through his hair, as if to wipe the moment away, he left the cell in search of Venger.


Sheila had followed the group into Venger's latest castle and down to the dungeon. She now watched helplessly behind Hank. At least she knew where her friends were held,and she was thankful that they hadn't been taken straight to Venger. She was now torn as to what to do next; follow Hank and try to help him, or try to free her friends?

"I need to try and help Hank," she decided. "If I manage to free the others, then there's no telling what Eric and Hank might do to each other." With one last look at her brother's small form encased in ice, she slipped quietly out of the dark room behind the Ranger.

The Ranger moved through the castle as if he knew exactly where he was going. Somehow she knew that he was going straight to Venger. She noticed the way he walked. His shoulders seemed stronger and he held his head high with an air of arrogance. This was definitely not the Hank she knew.

"I have to try and stop him before he gets to Venger!" Sheila thought. "But how?"

Sheila was led into a spacious stone room, similar to a Great Hall from medieval times. The room was huge and empty, except for a large throne of carved marble and stone at one end. Hank slowed his pace and came to a stop.

Dungeon Master's words came flooding back to the Thief.

"Only when you reach the heart, can the soul be found."

Realising that this may be her only chance, the Thief walked right up to the Ranger, faced him, and lowered her hood.


Authors Note: Huge thanks to Realmlife for her time and help with this chapter.