Dungeons and Dragons: The Enemy of My Enemy

By

DrummondType2

Disclaimer: I do not own this property and am making no money from it.

Another, long, tiring day in the Realm had turned into another long, dark night in the Realm, and the displaced youth from Earth once again had to bed down. Sheila found, to her dismay, that it was her turn to keep first watch. She hated keeping watch, hated that they were in a place where they had to keep watch.

It wasn't that she minded protecting her friends or her brother. Quite the contrary. She felt it was her responsibility to look after everyone. What she hated was being alone in the dark, with no one to talk to.

So she was both surprised and delighted when Eric sat up with her that night.

"You sure you won't be too tired?" She asked, showing her usual concern.

Eric waved his hand dismissively, "I've got to take over second watch anyway when it's your turn to sleep. I know you'd prefer it was Hank sitting up, but he's been running himself thin since the Dragon's Graveyard.

"By the way, Sheila, um…about the other day? Sorry I was such a jerk. I know you didn't mean to mess up getting the ring, and you really came through with Kareena.

"I know I can be a real jerk. Still friends?"

Sheila had almost forgotten that the Cavalier had had her in tears only a few days before with some of his sharp remarks. She wanted to say something to him about how hurt and betrayed she'd felt at his scathing remarks, but there was just something so earnest and sincere in his apology that her better nature won out and she simply smiled.

"Sure, Eric. Still friends."

"It's no excuse, but this place…it really gets to me. And I know I whine and complain, but it's pretty much all I was ever good at, back home, y'know. I wish I weren't such a coward all the time."

"You can cut the act with me, Eric," Sheila said, "You're not half the coward you pretend to be when the others are watching."

"Come again?"

"We all hate this place. I think you complain so that the rest of us don't have to. Like, since you already said it, there's no point in our saying it, and we have to just buck up and deal with it."

Eric waved his hands, grinning, "I think you're giving me way too much credit, Sheila."

"It's true, though. Like when you came rushing in with your shield to save us all from that rock slide. If you were half the coward you pretend to be, you would have run off and left us.

"You've never run out on us, Eric. Not when it counted. Heck, when that Night Stalker creep took Bobby, it was you who were the first one demanding we go after him. Not me, his own sister, but you."

"Hey, I may argue with him, but I actually like the little squirt," Eric said, leaning back against a tree, "I think I actually admire him for being so brave, sometimes. Stupid, mind you, but brave. He's too young to realize sometimes just how much trouble we're in, and he dashes off half-cocked, and you or me or Hank have to drag him back before he gets himself into something he can't get out of."

"He scares me half to death sometimes," Sheila agreed, "Running head first against dragons that are a hundred times bigger than he is, like it was nothing.

"If anyone here is a coward, I think it's me. This cloak of invisibility? I don't know how many times I've just wanted to throw the hood over my head and vanish and never reappear. You think I disappear in the middle of fights with monsters because I'm being clever, or that I throw out those insults at the orcs and lizard men when they can't see me for fun?

"If Bobby weren't here, I think I would have pulled a permanent disappearing act a long time ago."

"Now who ain't giving themselves enough credit?" Eric sat up and looked her in the eyes, "If I had your cloak, I would've pulled the vanishing act a long time ago. You haven't.

"Actually, I think you show up a bit too soon, sometimes. It's how you fudged getting that ring a few days ago, you know. You use your cloak to get in places, and then, before you've got what you need, you take off the hood again.

"And I think it's 'cause you're such an honest person. I mean, if you ask me, Dungeon Master got our roles wrong. You're not a thief. Probably why he picked you to have the cloak in the first place. He chose the one person out of the group he knew wouldn't abuse the stupid thing.""You…think so?"

"What? The rest of us figured it out a long time ago. You never noticed? He always calls the rest of us by the roles he chose for us. Cavalier this. Ranger, that. Barbarian and Acrobat. But when he's talking to you, he never says, 'Right you are, Thief.'"

"I…never noticed."

"Yeah, well, I can't take credit, either. Presto is the one who pointed it out to me. I think he was sorta upset at the time. He thinks Dungeon Master is trying to keep from laughing his butt off when he calls him 'Magician.'"

"I don't think so. Presto's done some pretty amazing things with that hat," Sheila sat on a log, kicking her legs back and forth absently.

"Ever notice he only really pulls off some doozies when he's not thinking about it?"

Sheila giggled, "What, you mean when he's not making up those silly rhymes of his?"

"Exactly. I mean, even when we think he's got a misfire, it turns out the stuff the hat gave him can come in handy. But when he's not thinking about it, when he just acts, that's when he really pulls a showstopper."

"Seems like the only ones who don't get into trouble with their weapons are Hank and Diana," Sheila sulked. "Hey, Hank's our leader for a reason. He's got it under control. It isn't his bow I'm worried about. It's him. And as for Diana, well, she's already a gold medalist. She doesn't even really need that staff to do anything. She could pull most of the stuff she does with a regular old tree branch, you ask me."

"You like her, don't you?" Sheila asked.

"Who, Diana? I like all of you."

"You know what I mean. Dating, and kissing, and all that."

Eric laughed, "Nah. Diana and me, we got nothing like that. Nothing like you and Hank."

Sheila laughed, "Yeah, that's working out real well. Our very first date, and Mom makes me take Bobby along. And we end up here, of all places."

Eric laughed, "Hey, don't knock it. When you two get married, you can tell all your kids that your first date lasted over a year. They'll never be able to top that."

Sheila was clutching her sides in laughter, "Oh, yeah, I'm sure they'll believe that, too."

"They don't believe it, just tell 'em that they can ask me. I'll vouch for ya. So will all the others."

"Say, Eric, you told me awhile back you were memorizing all of the Dungeon Master's riddles. What do you make of his latest one?"

Eric sighed, "Ah, right. What was it he said? 'The gratitude of an enemy will prove a great blessing. And remember that not everyone who looks angelic is.' "

"I can't help but feel like this one is going to be real trouble, Eric."

"They're all real trouble, Sheila," Eric reasoned, "We'll do what we always do. I'll moan and bellyache. Hank will figure out what to do. Bobby will charge in without thinking. Diana will send a few orcs flying. Presto will muddle through and grab something random out of his hat. And you'll make a few lizard men beat each other's heads in looking for you. And Uni will sit there and neigh and bleat and generally be useless."

Sheila turned to smile at Eric as she hugged her knees, "You sound so sure. You know, you've been more and more confident ever since you spent time as Dungeon Master."

"Well, I reckoned I ought to stop giving old DM such a hard time. I mean, I didn't get us home, but I was really trying. I have to think that's what it's like for Dungeon Master, too. I think….I think he really is trying to get us home. It's just that there are so many things working against him. And us."

"Yeah? Well, maybe…"

The sound of trees snapping and breaking interrupted whatever it was that Sheila had been about to say, as well as rousing the other members of their group from sleep. Bright orange lighted flared in the nearby woods, and the noise and light grew steadily closer. There was a final sound, dark and strangely familiar. It was a scream of anger and pain. Then, in a burst of flame, the woods were parted, and Venger of all people was flung out of the woods, striking a cliff behind him hard. He fell to the ground, and lay there.

"Is that…"

"Yeah," Hank said, "Keep your eyes sharp. Only Tiamat could've done this, and she's not particularly fond of us, either."

"No," Venger tried to lift himself off the ground, his body trembling from the strain, "Not Tiamat. Not…"

He collapsed again, and could only mutter breathlessly.

"Another force," he said, "Unknown to you. But dangerous. Oh so dangerous. Must…retrieve…"

And with that he fell silent.

"Is he dead?" Bobby asked.

Sheila was the first to investigate.

"He's still breathing, and I feel a heartbeat."

"Who'da thunk it. Venger actually has a heart," Eric muttered.

"He's hurt bad. I'm not sure, but I think some of his bones are broken," Sheila informed the others, "And he's bleeding."

"Let's get out of here," Presto said, "Anything that could do that to Venger…"

"Could make mincemeat out of us," Hank finished the thought, "I agree."

"We need to take Venger with us," Sheila said.

The others looked at her as if she'd gone insane.

"Take Venger? Are you nuts, sis?" Bobby asked, "Why should we help him?"

"He knows what's out there, for one thing," Sheila said, "And besides, we already had our chance to kill him, and we decided we wouldn't. Because we knew that would make us no better than him. Well, if we leave him like he is, with whatever is out there, we might as well be killing him."

"Hank?" Diana turned to their leader, wondering what they should do.

"Hey, I'm with Sheila on this one, Hank," Eric said, "Remember what Dungeon Master said? An enemy's gratitude. Well, if we keep him from getting killed, he'll owe us one. Maybe, next time we find a portal, we remind him we saved his life, and he lets us go home."

Hank nodded, "Presto, Eric, see if you can make a quick stretcher. Bobby, you and Uni scout on ahead. Diana, you and I will guard Venger until we can get a move on. And Sheila, see what you can do for his wounds."

"One thing I don't get," Diana said, "We've seen him literally blown to bits and come back from it. How did he end up like this?"

"I don't know, but I don't want to wait to ask whatever's responsible."

Presto and Eric cobbled together a makeshift stretcher using Eric's cape and some sturdy branches. They picked up the winged foe's arms and legs and gently hefted him onto it.

"Gentle, guys," Sheila cautioned.

"He wouldn't be gentle with us," Eric said.

"And you think he's going to wake up feeling like a ray of sunshine if we bump him around?" Sheila pointed out.

"Good point. Presto, gentle with the man."

Venger was heavy enough that it took Hank and Diana carrying one end of the makeshift stretcher, and Presto and Eric on the other. Sheila took off her cloak and draped it over him.

"Funny," Eric smirked, "He's been trying to get his hands on that thing for awhile now, and now that he has it, he's in no position to do anything about it."

"I'm sure he'll look back on it and laugh, too," Diana said dryly.

The group walked until the first rays of dawn shone in the sky, with no sign that they'd been actively pursued. There was a small clearing with a nearby river.

Hank instructed the others to set Venger down gently.

"We'll stay here for now," he said, "Maybe we can treat Venger, see what's going on. I'm hoping it's not that nameless whatever again."

"We wouldn't have to ask," Diana reminded him, "That thing cut a gouge three miles long."

Sheila knelt beside their wounded adversary, "I'll try and help Venger.

"Presto, see if you can't whip up a first aid kit from your hat, please," She opened Venger's tunic and winced at what she saw, "Or a doctor. Or a hospital."

Eric heard the meekness in her voice, "Hey, it'll be okay. No one expects you to be a surgeon, right?"

"And none of us expect you to do it alone," Hank added, "Tell us what to do."

"Well…look for bones that might have…that might be sticking out. Those are compound fractures, and they'll have to be dealt with.

"And Bobby, fill your helmet with some water and bring it here. We're going to need it."

"Sure thing, sis. C'mon, Uni."

Diana knelt beside Sheila, "You gonna be okay, sweetie? You're looking a bit green."

"I'll manage," Sheila said.

"I don't see no bones sticking out on his arms," Eric informed her.

"Legs look okay, too," Hank added.

"Then if any of his bones are broken, they're probably simple fractures," Sheila said. "How do you know things like that?" Eric asked.

"I'm a big sister, remember? You think I haven't seen Bobby break a bone or two in my time? He busted his arm real bad doing stunts on his bike."

"Got the water, sis," Bobby said.

"Nyeah!" Uni bleated.

"Here's a first aid kit," Presto said, "And some towels."

"Okay, guys, let's clean this blood off. And if you find any open wounds…"Sheila swallowed, "I'll see if I can mend them."

"Mend them?"

"Mom said I'd need to learn how to sew," Sheila said, "I never imagined that it would be like this."

"What…"Venger's eyes opened, "What are you fools doing?"

"Trying to help you," Hank said, "Not that you deserve it."

"I don't need your help, you vermin! Get away…" Venger broke off in a fit of coughing.

"Yeah, you're doing just peachy," Eric sniped, "Picture of health."

"Eric!"

"I said away with you! I don't need…"

Sheila looked him directly in the eyes, "Yes you do! You've been unconscious for hours. You've been bleeding this whole time. I'm fairly sure you've got broken bones. And you haven't managed to use your magic to pull yourself together yet.

"So I'm guessing you're in bad shape.

"I'm not a doctor, so all I can do is pray to God that whatever cuts I find are just on the surface, stitch them shut, and hope that you heal up.

"And if you give me any lip about it, those are the first things I'm going to sew shut, so help me!"

"Remind me never to get on her bad side," Presto whispered to Eric.

"Likewise," Eric agreed.

"Very well," Venger said, closing his eyes, "Do what you will."

"I…um…don't have any anesthesia or medicines, so this might hurt a bit."

"I will endure," Venger said quietly.

"Hey, not to pry, Venger, old pal, but why don't you just use your magic to pull yourself together?" Eric queried, "I mean, it's not like we haven't seen you come out of worse situations and come back to your usual rotten self."

"I cannot use my magic," Venger said, "For a marked time, my foe has sealed my powers. Truly, he must believe he had slain me, or he surely would have come after me by now, instead of allowing you to carry me off."

"He came pretty close," Diana said, looking at the many deep wounds over Venger's body.

"Okay, here I go," Sheila said, holding up a sewing needle, "I'm sorry if this hurts."

Sheila worked with caution and deliberate movement, stitching torn flesh gingerly and timidly, and very nearly throwing up several times as the blood coated her hands or the needle slipped in her wet fingers. But she plodded on. Venger made no sign of movement, or gave any cry of pain. He simply lay still, his eyes closed, his rising and falling chest the only sign of life in him.

After Sheila closed the last wound, she turned, and finally gave in to her urge to throw up. Hank patted her back, and helped ease her to her feet. "Come on. Let's get you to the river, and you can wash up. Bobby, get some more water and see if our 'guest' is thirsty."

"I do not thirst," Venger said, his eyes open again, "And I felt no pain at your ministrations, Thief. No, that is the title DungeonMaster has given you, and it does not suit you at all. I shall call you Healer.

"However, why have you done this? I am your enemy. You had nothing to gain by saving me."

"Haven't you learned anything yet, hornhead?" Eric chided, "Hank, tell him."

"I said it once before, Venger. We're not like you. Especially not her."

"You might be surprised, Ranger. Many have fallen to the dark path out of a desire to help those that they cared about. Did I not once force you to betray your comrades by taking the Barbarian hostage?"

"Difference is, I learned from my mistakes," Hank said, walking off with Sheila.