Here's the next chapter. I own nothing of Dungeons and Dragons. There's some torture near the end. If you do not enjoy reading this please do not read this chapter. Please enjoy and review!

….

Eric was given a small room that was connected to Sheila's should she ever need anything. It was plain but still held a sense of wealth etched into every feature of the room. It didn't take him long to realize that he could hear everything that happened in Sheila's room. Even the sound of her footsteps could be heard.

Eric leaned against a wall and slid down the smooth stones and did his best to muffle his sobs. He was afraid that she would hear him cry. She was tormented enough and he didn't want to add to her suffering.

The sound of his door opening was heard and he stood ready so he could be for whatever this accursed place would throw at him. Three years in the Realm trains you to be prepared.

He saw an older woman enter and she motioned for him to remain quiet and to follow her.

Eric hesitated but decided to follow anyway.

They walked silently down the hall and a few sets of stairs until they were outside in a garden. She sat down on a marble bench and Eric sat across from her.

"My name is Glenna and you must be one of Dungeon Master's pupils."

Eric noticed that she didn't use the word children. "Yes." Once again he was at a loss for words.

"Listen to me carefully because I may not get a chance to speak with you again. Venger has forbidden me to speak with Sheila again. Your friend holds great magic if she learns how to harness it. Venger plans to use her power and control it by warping her mind."

He looked at her worried features. "Sheila has power? How do you know Sheila?"

"I used to serve her but I helped Sheila during a very hard period and speaking with you puts me into some very serious danger. As for magic everyone Realm has some talent. Only a few are able to connect with it."

"Can she use it to break the life debt she owes Vegner?" Eric was hoping to hear some good news but was disappointed.

Glenna scoffed. "No, some things have to run their course."

"Why does he have such an interest in Sheila? I have met enough women in the Realm to know that there would be many that would envy her position. Why not choose one of them?" He found it confusing that Venger held such possession over Sheila. It bordered on manic.

The old woman closed her eyes and took her time in explaining. "He needs to produce and heir from a woman not of the Realm. Oh, he could use a woman from the Realm but his heir would only have power in this world only."

It didn't take Eric long to figure out what she trying to tell him. "He plans to take over my world as well? But magic doesn't work there. I know my friends and I almost got home and we tried to use our weapons. Venger followed to take the weapons from us. They didn't work and Venger…Wait how was he able to use his power when our weapons were unable to work?"

Glenna was surprised by this news as well but she returned to the matter at hand. "Sheila still needs my help and you need to do what I can no longer do. Take this." She handed him a small vial of blue dust. "Place a tiny amount in each of her meals."

"Wait, hold on. How do I know that this isn't poison?"

"You won't know until you use it. What it will do is place a mental barrier between her and Venger. Each time he attempts to control her mind or use her body to sway her thoughts to his will she will fight him. While doing so her powers will increase without him knowing and feeling it." Glenna was growing more and more frightened.

Eric held the small vial. "Only a small amount?"

"Just a pinch, as if you are adding salt to her meal."

Now Glenna was visibly shaking and sweat was pouring down her face.

"Hey are you alright?"

"I'm one of Venger's servants and I am suffering because I betrayed him. Hurry get back to your room, he'll be there soon to speak with you. Go!"

Eric didn't need to be told twice and ran from the garden and didn't stop until he closed the door of his room behind him. The vial was in his shaking hand and he needed a place to hide it.

Glenna watched as Eric ran off. She had a hard time breathing and was unable to get to her sacred space in time to heal or block the curse that was starting to invade her body. Footsteps were heard walking in her direction.

She fell to the ground in pain and looked up to see her tormentor. "He is stronger than you think Venger."

He increased her pain and she coughed up blood as a result. "I have no more use for you."

"Then end this game."

Venger walked off and nodded to something in the shadows. Shadow Demon slithered towards her and gave the most maniacal laugh. "I will enjoy killing you with your own hands."

He entered her body and she screamed. After three hours Glenna fell to the ground, bleeding with broken bones. Shadow Demon laughed and slid back into the shadows.

…

Where would be a good place? Hiding it in the shadows would do him little good as Shadow Demon could accidently find things in dark places. Venger would see it easily in this room as everything is one single color.

Then he knew where to hide it. It was perfect and would fit into his schedule while serving Sheila.

About twenty minutes later Venger entered Eric's room. Eric was still holding the vial and was never so thankful for long sleeves in his life.

"You have served Sheila well Eric."

It was the first time that Venger called him by his given name and he found it too personal. It was simply too personal not to be called Cavalier.

Eric was trembling but did his best to control his fear. He had to keep his head on straight, especially now. "You've always called me Cavalier."

"You have no Shield, nor a Cavalier's clothes." Venger stepped closer to Eric observing every feature of the young man.

Though as fearful as Eric was of Venger he knew that he was more than a shield and some clothes. "I was chosen to be a Cavalier to fight with or without a weapon."

Venger's tone turned from slightly amused to angered within a second and took hold of Eric's throat. "You've grown since entering the Realm. Gone is the child that quakes and mutters arrogant words to shape the world around him to his understanding of things."

Eric tried to yelp in pain and fear but the hold around his throat was too strong. Venger could do anything to him and there was nothing he could do about it. Eric knew that Venger was not allowed to kill him but what scared him was what Venger would do in place of death.

Venger could feel the fear coming off the young man in waves. "You think what you have seen so far in the Realm makes you a Cavalier? A Cavalier is a courageous and gallant man of honor. Tell me, what have you done to deserve such a title?"

The ground came into contact with Eric's head. At least that's how he saw it. Vegner's words cut far deeper than Eric was prepared for. It was true that he did nothing to truly deserve the title of Cavalier and shame swept through him.

"All of your friends have earned their titles."

Eric covered his ears not wanting to listen to Venger further.

"They all lived up to their titles."

Venger smiled once again. "You have duties to perform. Sheila is calling for you."

Instantly Eric stood but with a lowered head and walked into Sheila's room. He was thankful that Venger did not follow.

…

Hank woke up and slowly picked himself up from the ground. He felt like he had a few rocks in his head. Usually after a long rest he felt better but he felt like he was beat up and drained. "Oh, I could use a few more hours sleep. How are you guys doing?"

"Sleep helps after fighting monsters." Bobby said casually while leaning on his club.

"Much better, but you look like you got beat up by tree." Diana laughed.

Hank groaned. "Yeah, four of them." He shook his head and led tried to get his bearings. They were only a few hours away from Hoddakan but the sun was setting as they slept the day away. Traveling by night was far too dangerous so they had to travel as fast as they could to make up time.

There was noise behind them and they ran faster to get away from what they now realized were Orcs.

"Look the city walls, we're almost there." Diana shouted only to stop short after reaching a ridge. "Guys stop!"

Hank and Bobby saw what she was looking at. There were thousands of Orcs before the entrance. Their hope of reaching the castle was crushed. "We've come too far to stop now. Bobby can you clear the way?"

Bobby's face lit up at being given the opportunity to do some damage. He raced down with the rest of them and smashed the ground with his club. Orcs fell to the ground then Hank sent arrows to hit, bind and maim any Orc that stood in their way. Diana's pole finished any off that Hank missed.

It was an insane plan that was working in their favor. The doors were opening up and they ran with everything that they had in them. They were too close now to turn back or give up.

The sound of screaming Orcs behind them added to their motivation to hurry.

Hank and Bobby reached the doors and ran inside. Diana was only feet behind them but was thrown to the ground when something grabbed her waist. The doors only remained opened for a moment longer then closed just as a barrage of Orcs hit and pushed against them.

A bright light formed in front of the door and a blast sent all Orcs touching the door flying in the air.

Before Diana could make any sense of what was going on she was roughly picked up from the ground and held against something very hard. The smell was enough to make her retch but she held her stomach contents in place. She turned her head and realized she had been captured by the Orc captain. He was smiling at her, more than pleased that he caught such a prize.

He spoke to one of his men. "Send a message to Venger; we have one of the children. We will bring her to him."

Diana's hands were shackled behind her. Her neck was shacked as well and a chain connected her neck to her wrists. It was very uncomfortable and it would prevent her from attempting any of her acrobatic moves.

…..

Presto was never so pleased to see Hank and Bobby. His joy was short lived when he didn't see Diana amongst them.

"Where's Diana? Is she O.K.?"

Bobby only looked at the ground, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. He didn't want them to think of him as some kid when he starts to cry. He was too tough for that.

"She didn't make it. The Orcs caught her just as we were entering the castle."

Presto was lost for words. "That makes three of us captured by Venger."

"Three? Where's Eric?"

Presto explained to Hank and Bobby why he's here and Eric is with Venger. Hank let out a huge sigh. "There's nothing we can do right now. I know I am in a desperate need of rest."

An old man entered the hall they were in. He held a warmth that put everyone at ease. "So you made it alright. I am sorry that your friend didn't make it. We held the doors opened for as long as we could."

"Herlik are you sure that there was nothing else that can be done? There's no magic spells that could bring her back?"

He looked at Presto in thought. "I'm sorry Presto but not everything can be solved by magic. You all need to sleep and you need to study further or else your friend's sacrifice will be in vain."

Bobby remained silent and followed along to his room. He didn't even hear a word that Presto and Hank spoke. He was too immersed in his thoughts. Three years he had followed his friends and they still thought of him as some child. He was still younger than them but at age fourteen he knew he was no longer a child.

Looking out a window he saw a stable of horses and his eyes lit up.

"They have horses here?"

Presto stopped talking and answered Bobby's question. "Yes. I'll introduce you to Bodin. He's the head stable hand and takes care of all the horses and other magical creatures."

Bobby's eyes lit up at the thought of being near some animals. "That would be great!"

They settled into their beds and fell asleep instantly except for Hank who was tossing and turning in his sleep. For some reason he couldn't rest even though his body and mind were exhausted. All he wanted was to get some decent rest and no matter how clean or comfortable the surroundings he couldn't find any rest.

…..

Eric cursed himself after he forgot to add some blue powder to Sheila's meal. He was still wounded by Venger's words that he only remembered to hide the dust and not add it to Sheila's food. Eric was pleased that little happened that evening and soon he would be able to retire to his small room.

They said nothing to one another the whole time, each hoping not to get the other into trouble. Eric couldn't stand the silence anymore and deiced that if anyone was to suffer it would be him. "Sheila, I don't blame you for what you have ordered me to do. I enjoy it, I get to see you and want you to enjoy the surroundings." He did something that he knew he would end up suffering for if he was ever caught. He grabbed her and hugged her as hard as he could.

Sheila tried to resist for a moment but then returned the hug and she fought back tears. It felt so good to be held by someone that truly cares for her and doesn't see her as some object to be conquered. "He'll torture you for this."

"Indeed I shall." Venger's voice boomed through the room and with a wave of his hand Eric was thrown to the ground and slid a few meters away.

Sheila trembled with fear as Venger approached her. "Please don't hurt him." She fell to her knees and begged.

Venger ignored her and placed his attention on Eric who was more angry than fearful. "It would be wiser to show some fear of me Eric."

"Do what you want and get it over with." Eric attempted to get up off the floor but was unable to.

"Very well."

Eric screamed out of fright as he was magically pulled from the floor and was forced to stand beside the bed facing the mattress. Bonds reached out and bound his wrists, pulling his arms towards each post. Eric struggled against the bonds but they held him in place.

Sheila got up from the floor and crawled to Venger pleading not to harm Eric. He looked down at her with a smile on his face. She hated that smile it meant that someone was going to suffer.

"Very well, I won't harm him. You will hand out the punishment."

A switch appeared in his hand and he gave it to her. "Please, I can't do this Master."

Venger tore off the back of Eric's clothes. A small yelp left Eric's mouth in surprise. "Do it or I will allow one of my Orcs to whip him and he will not be gentle as I make you watch."

She cried and nodded her head. "How…how many times do you want me to…?"

"I'll let you know."

Sheila placed a hand on Eric's shoulder but that only earned her a dark look from Venger. She whipped Eric's back hard but not hard enough to draw blood. Some angry looking welts began to form from her treatments and she only stopped to wipe the tears from her eyes.

Venger tore the rest of Eric's clothes from his body exposing Eric's nakedness. "If I do not see blood then my Orcs will."

"Do it Sheila." Eric spoke through labored breaths and looked behind at her and nodded.

Sheila began her whipping with the switch harder and harder at a greater speed. Soon blood began seeping though the marks on his back. His back, buttocks and legs were covered with marks and the smell of blood filled the room.

"That's enough Sheila. You've done well."

The switch vanished from her hand. She looked up at Eric and cried.

"Lie down, I shall take you tonight and he will learn that you are mine."

Sheila's eyes widened when she realized what he planned for her. Venger was going to have her with Eric tied up, tortured and forced to watch.

"Yes, Master."

She undressed and got onto the bed doing her best not to look at him. Eric for his part didn't look at her and even shut his eyes tight when he heard Venger climb on top of the bed.

…..