"Those villagers could tell me nothing!"

Back in the throne room of his castle, Venger fought to restrain himself from destroying everything around him. In a forced effort of self-control, he straightened and folded his wings until the only remaining trace of his exasperation lay within his smoldering eyes.

He was restive, wanting to strike out in all directions at once. So much had gone so wrong since those damned children had entered the Realm. Zandora had been brought from her banishment. Kareena was free of her prison, as was Lukyan. Destroyed were his Maze of Darkness, Prison of Agony, and Slave Mines of Barramore. Gone forever were the Crystal of Chronos, the Circle of Power, and the Golden Grimoire. The Citadel of Shadow, the Hall of Bones, and Darkhaven had fallen, as well. All of Dungeon Master's past pupils combined had never accomplished so much.

With a deep scowl, he sat heavily upon his throne and immediately fell into a slouch.

There had also been Demodragon, he reflected. His own creation that had turned against him and threatened to destroy the Realm. To his chagrin, it had been that wretched Ranger who had dispatched the uncontrollable creature and restored the Balance. How he had done it, Venger had never learned. The Chaos talisman he had given him had not been imbued with any magic that should have affected such a monster � another plan that had failed. It had been his hope that Demodragon would have finished them. It would almost have made its existence worth it.

The Ranger. How he hated him! And the Cavalier, as well. That contemptible Cavalier had once been allowed to parade as Dungeon Master. An insolent mortal boy, an off-worlder at that, had worn the robes! How dare Dungeon Master grant the mastery of the entire Realm to such a recreant, for even one day! The audacity!

His fingers crushed into the edges of the armrests.

He had to wonder what more could be undone by these young fools. They were as the Celestial Knights reborn. Had they not, indeed, survived the tests of courage within the Lost Tower of the Celestial Knights?

Dekkion. . . . He heard the name in his mind. Redeemed!

He thought loathingly of the sole Celestial Knight, the man he had so long ago corrupted and used as the instrument of the Celestial Order's downfall. Dekkion now sought to resurrect the Order. Another nuisance Venger meant to dispel.

But not now. All his attention he focused on the pawns set in motion by his true adversary, Dungeon Master.

He spied Shadow Demon lingering low in the corner. It had been his information that had taken them to Edonlea.

There had, in fact, been no reluctance to speak among the villagers. On the contrary, they had babbled all kinds of information. Nothing, however, that was of any use to Venger. The subsequent slaughter, therefore, served only to appease a bloodlust born of acute frustration.

He rose and paced a moment before stopping in front of a mounted torch and staring into the fire. In it, he saw the fires that blackened the old village.

They will surely find less there than I. Edonlea is no more than cinders, and there is no one left alive to aid them. Still. . . .

What was this looming dread that plagued him? What were these foreboding feelings full of portent?

He reached up and took the flames of the torch into his hand and stared fixedly into them. The inner flames twisted and formed a familiar feminine figure before vanishing altogether, leaving Venger to contemplate the empty space. He lowered his hand and narrowed his eyes.

"She is with them. So, the Swordswoman joins them at last." He closed his hand into a fist.

What did it mean? What did it matter? He had forgotten about the Swordswoman. She was nothing � useless even to Dungeon Master. It was when she had finally rebelled against Dungeon Master that he had summoned his other six. Why bring them together now, or at all?

Dungeon Master had never been able to gain his Swordswoman's friendship. Venger knew she had come to believe that Dungeon Master had brought her here merely to serve him, and so fought against his will. With her at odds with his enemy, Venger had so far let her be.

Was Dungeon Master so confident that she could not turn his faithful pupils against him if she but tried? What is the old fool planning?

Venger returned to his throne, more composed this time, despite the disturbing discovery. "The Swordswoman has no love for Dungeon Master. I must use this to my advantage." But how?

"Shadow Demon, you will return to Edonlea. . . ."