It's been a while since I updated this story. Took it off the shelf dusted it off and here we are. I own nothing of the D&D world. Please review!

…..

Glenna woke up very early hoping to get Sheila up early as well. There was so much work to be done with the girl that Glenna wondered if she had enough time to teach Sheila everything before Venger took her mind as well as her body. Upon opening the door to the chamber she found Sheila asleep.

She shook Sheila gently. "Wake up my child I need to teach you something."

"Wha…um Glenna what is it?"

Before Sheila could protest Glenna had a simple robe prepared. "Hurry, I'll explain in a while. You need to come with me."

Sheila hesitated at first but didn't bother to protest. Protesting led to bad things and she didn't want to have Glenna against her in any way.

They made their way to a small but very beautiful garden. It was hidden well in the central part of the castle.

"How could this exist while everything outside and inside is so gloomy? I don't understand. Is this magic?" Sheila was in awe of the bright colors and intricate design of the marble walls and floor.

Glenna nodded. "I built this place. Only I and those I chose can see it. Venger knows of this place so don't fear to tell him about it. All he sees is a place where children gather, women gossip and old women think of the past. But here you will learn your power." She laughed and gave Sheila a very warm smile.

"I told you I don't have a power. My world doesn't work that way. At least I don't believe it does. I can't remember much."

Sheila's face was held in the older woman's hands. "We are taught the same in this realm. Have you not noticed all the villages and towns that know of magic and its power yet don't seek it out? They were taught it would kill them and only the most powerful and brave attempt to learn of their power."

They sat in the middle of the garden and soft grass grew under and around them. "Isn't that better than the marble floor? Now Sheila our power stems from our fears and we use them when we overcome them."

"I don't understand."

"What is your greatest fear?"

Sheila wanted to say Venger but in her heart she knew that, that wasn't true. "Being alone." Her voice was just a whisper but Glenna heard her well enough.

"If you don't conquer that fear then you will never leave Venger when you have the opportunity. You will stay out of facing that fear." Glenna's face turned grave but held compassion in her aged features.

"How do I rid myself of my worst fear?"

Glenna spoke softly. "By learning it will never destroy you. I know you don't understand now but you will. First I will teach you to open yourself to magic, to detect it around you and after a time you'll foresee Venger's actions and adapt your manner accordingly. Shadow Demon for all his power and knowledge cannot do this and makes mistakes or talks out of turn. Like a shadow he is not in control where he goes. You can create a shadow he cannot."

Now that caught Sheila's attention. "How do I detect Venger's mood or actions?"

"Foresee my dear. First feel the difference of the air around you in each room you are in. It's like a smell but you feel it inside you. Take this garden, think about how you feel around you."

Sheila closed her eyes and thought. She could smell things but that's not what she was supposed to be doing. For what felt like an hour she felt and felt out trying to discover what Glenna was trying to teach her. "I'm sorry Glenna I don't feel anything."

"That's alright. It's your first attempt. Now we must go for our Master will awake and he'll want you prepared to have breakfast with him."

Sheila's heart dropped thinking about it. "Can I return here again?"

"Only with me my dear. You are not allowed to leave your chamber unaccompanied."

Sheila nodded and soon enough found herself dressed as a queen sitting before Venger.

…..

Presto threw everything he had to create the spell required to escape the orcs. They were ambushed in a small grove that would lead them to the castle within days instead of a month or more. Huge winds grew and blew the orcs away or into the trees knocking them out.

"Great one Presto, now let's get out of here." Dianna shouted.

Eric screamed running ahead of everyone. He was given the greatest scare as his arm was sliced from one of the orc's swords. It was bleeding heavily and within ten minutes he was too tired to run anymore. He fell to the ground unable to move.

Hank took out his bow and looked around them. It seemed that they had run far enough to escape trouble. "How is he?"

Dianna checked the wound and looked very worried. "He's really badly injured. Lost a lot of blood and running didn't help him either."

Bobby just stood back not wanting to get closer but not wanting to look like a child as well. "Will he be alright?"

"I'll…be fine squirt." Eric managed to whisper in Bobby's direction.

Everyone gave a sigh of relief but knew that Eric needed serious medical attention. The closest town was miles away and they knew that orcs would be waiting for them. They did their best to stop the bleeding but it did little good.

Eric closed his eyes and his breathing became weaker and weaker.

"We need Dungeon Master." Bobby said in a weak voice trying to hold back his tears.

"And here I am young ones." He approached Eric and waved a hand over Eric's arm. "It is healed but he will be weak for a few days I'm afraid.

Hank looked at Dungeon Master, surprised that he did something so direct.

"You healed him. Usually you give a riddle and send us on our way."

Dungeon Master smiled and sat down and everyone followed suit.

"You all deserve to know why you have been brought here. I greatly regret having to bring you here from your world but it was needed to help regain balance in the Realm. A Dungeon Master has great power as well as great responsibility. I do not have the freedom to grant you your greatest wish for I am the one that brought you here."

Everyone looked at him in horror. Hank spoke for the group. "But why, after everything we did?"

Dungeon Master never looked as sad as he did right now. "I am very sorry but I was ordered to find those not of this Realm to help gain balance in the Realm. Long before I was born the Realm was a place of magic, a place of great danger as well as peace. There was a balance and those who lived amongst that dark kept from those that lived amongst the light. Then a war started and greed filled the realm and great castles and cities were built to house, gain and steal power."

Presto nodded. "So why are those places empty? We never see anyone there now."

The older man continued pain in his voice. "The Dungeon Masters tried to control this power, to take it from both the light and dark sides. We failed as we took away free will and there was a great rebellion in the land and those like Venger took power. Most towns now shun magic as it usually brings about great sorrow."

Quiet had settled upon them as they waited for Dungeon Master to continue.

"All Dungeon Masters now hold the knowledge and all those that seek to learn about magic are free to learn from us but to become a Dungeon Master one is not allowed to interfere with the world so directly again." His voice was clear but held that sadness that lingered on the air.

Hank spoke up. "Alright we understand why you cannot help directly. That doesn't answer why we were brought here."

Dungeon Master took his time before speaking. "No one of the Realm can free themselves from influence of magic of any side. You come from a world where magic is seen as a trick or tales in a story. You don't desire to remain and use the power that is offered to you. Only those not of the Realm can help create a balance that is needed. I opened the doorway and the Realm chose you."

No one spoke for the longest time. Dianna broke the silence. "How can balance be restored?"

"By learning to control power you have no desire to keep." Shortly after Dungeon Master vanished.

"Well guys we have to keep going. I don't like what he told us anymore than you but we have no choice. We were chosen and we have to finish what this place requires of us." Hank stood and took command of the situation. He knew they needed someone to lead them more so now than ever.

Presto, Bobby and Dianna eventually agreed and they helped lift Eric from the ground to find a place to make camp.

…..

Night fell and Sheila watched the sun fade from the sky, leaving only the purple glow on the horizon. A smaller sun, a dim blue dwarf, hid behind the distant hills giving the land a surreal glow. It was truly beautiful to see how the land changed but not change at all.

Glenna's words filled her head and she looked at the land and felt something but she wasn't sure what it was that she felt. She turned away from the land to her room and shuddered when she focused on it. The walls seem to be looking at her and she turned to the land outside again that seemed to call to her but the call gave her a different chill.

So focused was Sheila on feeling the areas around her she didn't notice someone enter her room.

"You are learning the first stages of magic. I am pleased."

Sheila turned around instantly to find Venger standing with his wins partly spread and a smile on his face.

"I am glad that it pleases you…Master." She looked at the ground full of fear. Never had he entered her chamber before. She scolded herself as nothing was hers but his. Everything she ate, wore and slept on was for his amusement.

"It does not please you Sheila. You are scared of it and more scared that I derive pleasure from it." He stepped forward and he laughed at the fear in her eyes though cast down. "I will take great pleasure in breaking you, seeing you look at me with reverence and not fear; though fear will always come first."

Sheila looked at him and screamed, backing up onto the balcony. He followed her and she didn't stop until she felt the marble railing against her lower back. She gave a yelp as Venger stood directly in front of her and she had to bend back over the railing not to be pressed against him.

One hand held the back of her head and grabbed her hair tightly. "You are mine now Sheila and it matters not to me if you enjoy all that I have to offer you." He pulled her towards him and forced her into a bruising kiss. She screamed into his mouth which only made him be even more forceful.

He took her from the balcony and threw her to the floor in the middle of the room. The balcony doors closed and locked behind him. Sheila was more terrified of him now than ever before and backed away from him as best she could.

"Stand up!" His smile was replaced with a stern look.

"No! Please…no!" She backed against the wall to support herself. Tears rolled down her face and her heart pumped hard in her ears. Pain seared through her body as a bolt of energy hit her and she screamed as if she was on fire.

"Stand up!"

This time Sheila did as she was told and stood before Venger with her eyes cast down. She was still shaking from the pain she felt mixed with the fear. He walked behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I will enjoy breaking you and turning you against Dungeon Master. Tonight I will claim you as my own as I will do every night until you see no other purpose than to serve me."

…..