It has been far too long since my last update. DB Cooper, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks for getting me back to the story again. As everyone knows I own nothing of Dungeons and Dragons. Please review!

…..

Bodin was a formidable man with more than a few injuries on his arms and face. He glanced down at Bobby with a warm smile that made the young man relax a little. "I hear that you enjoy animals and have taken interest in the horses here."

"Yes Sir, I have."

"No need to be so formal with me young Barbarian, please call me Bodin."

"Only if you call me Bobby."

Bodin nodded. "This is Volla the finest mare in the stables. I'm going to place her back to her stall. Come with me."

Bobby saw some of the finest horses he had ever seen and he had seen many horses during his time in the realm already. As Bodin was placing the mare in the stables Bobby caught the eye of a menacing horse and fell back.

It looked exactly like Venger's nightmare. Bobby couldn't take his eyes off of it. "I thought only Venger had a horse like this."

Smoke puffed from the horse's nostrils and huffed shaking its wild mane.

"Ah, I see you caught the eye of Harggath our most prized and valuable of horses. He's of a very rare breed of horse that no one can ride save the one he or she chooses. Venger does have a horse like this. He owns Orani, Harggath's sister. There's a long story behind all of that."

Bobby half laughed. "There always is." He was beginning to wonder what influence Venger had in the realm and for how long. It seemed the arch mage had a history everywhere in the Realm.

Bodin laughed and brought Bobby closer to the stable. "Would you like to meet Harggath? He's very gentle despite his appearance."

Bobby half hesitated then nodded. He was truly fascinated by the horse. As the gate opened Harggath stood resolute in perfection. There was no fear in the horses' eyes but curiosity. He smelled the air around Bobby then blew smoke towards him.

"Don't worry he's simply inspecting you. Wait a minute before approaching him."

The buck looked at Bobby for another minute then turned to him, smelling his hair and face. He pushed against him with his head then moved back again.

"Come now Bobby let's leave him alone now. He's done with you for now." Bodin held a curious look on his face and brought Bobby from the stables. "Have you had any contact with a unicorn by any chance?"

Bobby's face fell at being reminded of Uni. "I used to own a unicorn. Her name was Uni. She is now part of a herd of unicorns."

Bodin face was that of surprise. "Owned a unicorn? No one owns a unicorn. She must have chosen you then and have been very, very young."

"She was just a baby when she found us. We got a long great. But I've been here a few years now in the Realm and she grew up." Bobby didn't want to continue.

"I understand. She joined a heard." Bodin brought Bobby to a garden of sorts to talk and show him a different animal. "You have no idea how special that relationship you had with that unicorn is. You see Harggath was interested in you because he could sense the unicorn on you. You have part of Uni's magic in you. You'll never be able to use it but all horses will be very loyal to you because of it. They know they can trust you."

Bobby blinked not fully understanding. "What do you mean I have some magic in me?"

"Unicorns are very powerful creatures and they are also very innocent. Magic is always in the air around them so those around unicorns gain some of their magic. Because Uni loved you so much all horses and most beasts will have a natural affection towards you."

"Including Venger's Nightmare?" Bobby half joked.

Bodin nodded with a half sad smile. "Yes, his mare will never cause you harm. She'll not protect you from her master but she'll bring no harm to you on her own."

"Do you think I'll ever see Uni again?"

"Perhaps but it's best to let the two worlds remain apart. But yes if you want to you can see her again." Bodin knew the young man had a thousand questions and decided to turn the young man's attention away from horses for the time being.

A small furry creature that looked like a white puff ball jumped into Bobby's lap. "What is this?"

"That is an Umpan. They eat the many bugs that infest these plants that are used for various things. They love to be coddled. Go ahead and pet it."

Bobby did and the Umpan puff ball seemed to melt into his lap and spread over his leg like some strange furry pancake. Bobby petted the melted spot and cracked up laughing. The melted mess instantly formed into a puff ball and bounced away. Tears of laughter streamed down his face with Bodin joining in.

….

The cell was small and damp with a few rats running about from time to time. Diana was more worried than she had ever been in her life. At least she knew that the others made it in the castle alright. Now she was here, alone and very afraid for her life. The Realm was a dangerous place but it seemed that all of a sudden things became more serious. The villains seemed more real as if a pane of glass between her and them had been removed.

The smell of the dungeon filled her senses and she almost threw up twice but managed to hold back. The last thing she wanted was to add to the vile stench of the place.

Sounds roused her and she became more alert of her surroundings. Someone was approaching her cell. Diana stood and waited, beads of sweat falling down her face in fear. There was a part of her that knew who was coming. She was correct.

Venger.

He strolled into the cell soaking in her fear. "I seem to be collecting a fair number of you these days. Three more to go then my collection's complete. You're bravery is your undoing."

"My bravery saved my friends."

"A slight delay."

Diana looked up at Venger not even daring to flinch before him. She knew that he would not kill her because that would be considered a mercy in his eyes. "What are your plans for me? You won't kill what you want to collect."

Venger laughed. "It seems you have more spirit that I had estimated." He held her by the throat and looked into her eyes. "You can't be broken. I know your type and will cause me nothing but trouble in the end if left alive; though you can still be useful to me."

"I won't help you!"

He strengthened his hold on her. "Strong words for a woman I can kill without a thought."

She remained quiet and waited. Until options were given the ball was in his court.

Venger saw potential in the acrobat but he would have to harness her will. He let go of her throat and crossed his arms in thought. "I am not as cruel as you think. I'll allow you a chance for your freedom if you are willing to play a game. If you win you go free to the rest of your friends. If you lose you either die or serve me. What is your decision Acrobat?"

Diana knew that this was a first time, last time offer. "I accept."

With a wave of Venger's hand a door in a wall appeared. He motioned for her to enter. Diana looked back to read his expression. Venger was smiling in a manner he only saw on his face twice before. Strangely it gave her confidence and she walked through with the door instantly closing behind her.

…..

Sheila woke to find Eric asleep and still tied to the bed. She got up with a start and tried to undo the binds that held Eric to the posts. Her fingers were rewarded with some rather painful cuts. The binds didn't budge.

Eric woke and turned his eyes away when Sheila looked at him. "Eric, please don't look away. I am so sorry this happened. I never wanted to hurt you." Tears streamed down her face.

"I don't blame you. I'm the one that should be ashamed."

Sheila understood what he was referring to. He was naked and overwhelmed with sensation that he became aroused when Venger took Sheila. He didn't get any release and had to will himself out of arousal.

She got out of bed and took a cloth and some water to attend to his wounds. "They are not as bad as they seem." After a few minutes she fell to the floor screaming in pain.

Venger walked into the room. "I warned you never to touch anyone but myself."

Sheila knelt on the floor. "Please he's in pain."

"He'll suffer further if you continue to disobey me."

"Yes, Master."

Sheila remained on the floor and shuddered when Venger passed her. He walked to Eric and released the bonds holding him. He fell to the floor and groaned in pain. His shoulders protested being let go from that position so quickly.

Eric lay on the floor and looked up at Venger with more hatred than fear. It consumed him now and wanted nothing more than to kill the man standing above him.

"Say the words."

Eric shook his head.

"Say the words you so long to say to me Cavalier."

Once again Eric shook his head but was struck by Venger calling him by his title rather than his name.

"Say them."

'I want you to suffer.'

Venger heard the words as if they were spoken. "You'll say those words out loud one day and they will not be directed towards me."

Eric slowly crawled away and got himself into a kneeling position. He was in too much pain to care about his nakedness. Some cuts reopened sending a few lines of blood down his back.

Sheila remained still not wanting to cause any more harm.

Venger fired a blast of green light at Eric who fell back to the floor. "He'll rest and be healed." With another wave of his hand Eric vanished.

"Stand."

Sheila stood but kept her eyes lowered. She was too frightened now to do anything that may anger him.

"Look in the mirror."

She turned and the mirror began to show Dianna running through a maze.

"It's a game. If she wins she'll have earned her freedom. If she loses then she becomes part of my collection." Venger held Sheila by the shoulders holding her against him.

"Your collection?"

"Yes, I now have two and one will soon become a part of it, three more after that."

Sheila turned and looked up into the eyes of her tormentor. "Why is it so important that you capture us? We have had no choice in being here."

"No one has choice in the Realm. One deals with their fate or they suffer."

"And your fate is to direct evil in the Realm?" As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them. She looked to the floor. "I'm sorry m…Master."

He could have been harsh with her but chose instead to use her words against her. "Indeed, and your fate is to serve me."

"What if my fate is to fight you?"

Venger lifted her chin so that she had to look at him. "Then your fate is to suffer."

…..

Eric opened his eyes and found himself in the dungeons once again. He groaned in pain as his mouth got him into trouble once again. The dungeon smelled of mold, must and something he wasn't able to describe other than it made it hard to breath. He was surprised to have found himself healed though his muscles were still very stiff. It could be much worse than this.

"So you've crossed our master."

Eric didn't need to turn his head to know who was addressing him. Shadow Demon floated close by. "Yes."

"Not a smart decision."

"I've never been known for my intelligence." Eric knew Shadow Demon came here to taunt him.

"But you are smarter than you let on Cavalier. I've watched you grow from a youth to a young man. Stupidity in the Realm is always rewarded with death."

Shadow Demon waited for a response and was growing impatient that he wasn't getting one.

"Do what you came here to do Shadow Demon."

A vile laugh filled the stifled air. "Very well." Eric could feel the long stranded fingers touch his head. They went inside and Eric felt as if he was being scorched with a dozen frozen knives. Shadow Demon searched through his memories and came across a wall. "What are you hiding?"

Eric screamed as his mind was being plundered. No matter what happened he had to keep a few things secret.

"Let me into your mind!"

"NO!" Eric screamed back and Shadow Demon was thrown from his head. It was then Eric realized that Shadow Demon had limits to his power. "All you are is a shadow! Shapeless and weak! Your master has all the power and you can't harm me!"

Shadow Demon crossed his arms and laughed. "You think that because I can't enter your mind I am weak? Well then deal with this!"

Eric didn't have time to prepare as Shadow Demon entered his body. The sensation of being compressed almost made Eric vomit. He was beginning to lose control over his body.

'Let go Cavalier you do not have the strength to fight me.'

'Get out! This is not your body.'

'We'll see about that.'

For what felt like hours they fought for control over the body. This ended with Eric getting more than a fair share of cuts from thrashing about on the floor. In the end Shadow Demon left Eric's body and taunted Eric as he lay on the floor bruised once again.

Eric looked up at Shadow Demon and laughed. "I kicked you out. Remember that you didn't get control over me. You are just a shadow." After those words Eric fell asleep from exhaustion.

Shadow Demon seethed with anger at being bested by someone so young. It was very rare that he didn't control what he possessed and he left through one of the cracks in the walls.

….