Besieged

I was in Al Zahbi, selling off items from my latest training excursion, when and alarm sounded.
The shop keeper immediately closed up, saying something about taking cover before the attack.
Attack?
I knew beastmen raided the city, I just never expected to be there when it happened.
Mercenaries began to swarm the area as merchants fled.
Before I could decide what to do, the Serpent Generals decided for me. One of them announced to the gathered mercenaries that we should ready for battle.
The doors were all blocked. There was no escape.

I overheard something about the undead swarm upon us, breaching the outer walls.
No time to panic... I looked around for the closest stairway. It would probably be best if I could get a higher vantage point.
Before I had a chance to run, one of the serpent generals handed me a satchel full of assorted items.
Everyone was getting one, it seemed.
I scampered up the stairs and started digging through the bag, trying to quickly read the labels. Many items I had never heard of, nor did I know what their functions might be.
I heard screaming and the clash of steel on bone. Behind me several mercenaries were attacking the first wave of skeleton warriors that had invaded the city.
The stairway I was climbing started to fill with fighters. I managed to slide into a hallway and inched my way down it. Perhaps my friends were somewhere in the throng. Perhaps I could find them.

I rounded the bend and sure enough there was Sha-chan.
He had somehow lost his shirt. I was momentarily distracted, for in fact, the only stitch of clothing left on his tightly muscled adventurer's body was his cobra unit subligar.
Then a lamnia hissed at me and my attention turned to her.
She caught my gaze and a wide toothy grin spread across her pale face

She ran one clawed finger down Shagrath's back, all the while grinning over his shoulder as she drew nearer to him.

She seemed to whisper something into his ear...
Were I he, I would be able to smell whatever it was the fiend had had for breakfast.

The lamnia grinned a foul grin as Shagrath turned to face me.
His eyes were dazed and staring, completely unnatural.
She worked her hips in a circular motion and raised her arms above her head.

Slowly Shagrath's arms flexed, his sweat glistening in the high mid-afternoon sun of Aht Urhgan.
He tightly clenched his fists and... made for me!

Shagrath?!

I could see my reflection in his glassed-over eyes. They didn't blink as he walked closer, ready to battle me.

Kiamo?

Ghrenn! Sha.. he's... acting weird.

Ghrenn was beside me and not far off I could see Mishi trotting up a stairway.

Kia! Look out!

Before I could move, I felt a blow to the back of my ribs... Delivered by Shagrath.
How could he?! How could he HIT ME?!

BIND!

I limped away, holding my side and looking over my shoulder at my attacker. I didn't want to fight him, but it seemed unavoidable.

I bet he is charmed. Which Lamnia did it, Kia?

Tha-- that one there Ghrenn! Lamnia 46!

I'm on it!

Ghrenn drew her sword, ready to face the half-female foe.

I can't believe Sha would be charmed by that fish-breath!

Me either... I'm really shocked Kia. I thought for sure he could resist anyone for you...

Mishi- what?

Teehee don't worry-- Oh!! Actually WORRY! Here he comes!

GRAVITY! BIND!

Mishi, my spells don't hold him for long...

Well he is more experienced then you...

Help me, I don't want to fight..

He's too powerful for me, too... I'm going to help cure the Generals. Otherwise we risk losing the Astral Candescence.

Mishi ran off in the direction of the Hall of Binding.
I caught a glimpse of Ghrenn battling with the Lamnia before I noticed Shagrath making his way sluggishly toward me.

S-- SLEEP!

Ghrenn! What do I do?

I can't help you!!

All around us bodies were falling to the stone walkway, or making an attempt to flee.
I saw Ghrenn use her Invincable ability as well drink down different drinks in colored vials.
What was she doing?!

SHIELD BASH! Kia!! Get out of here, I won't last long!

A new sharp pain in my side. Another punch from Shagrath. How could he do this to me?!
I blocked his next blow with my shield and turned to run.
It was then I felt a firm grasp on my tail.
Shagrath.

Sha!! Why are you grabbing me there?!

He responded with a sharp yank. My eyes filled with tears and I blindly drew my sword.
I swung with the flat side of the blade to try to stun him, though even if I did cut him, I imagined he would feel no pain.
Shagrath did not smell of light musk, like he normaly did. He stunk of pungent rot mixed with foul bloodied flesh, old sweat and incense.

I had run the wrong way and was backed into a corner. Sha's hold on my tail slackened. I quickly wrapped it about my thighs as I sunk to my knees, cowering behind my shield.

Sha- Shagrath... Please... No...

Kiamo?

I felt a clamy palm rest gently on my shoulder and peered over my shield.
Through the blur of tears, I could see Shagrath knelt before me.
Around me, fellow mercenaries dressed the wounds of their fallen friends.
I blinked and rubbed my eyes, thankful Shagrath was no longer attempting to use me as a punching bag.

Sha... You...

I'm sorry... I wasn't myself... I would never--

Then WHY?!

I was charmed... I wasn't able to act of my own accord.

I could only shake my head and blink back tears. I hadn't been swayed to follow the Lamnia.
I hadn't succombed to her hip rotation. To her manipulation.

Shagrath.. You... You've been nakefied. Perhaps you should address that.

I-- wha-- oh... Oh! Aye I should, but... Kiamo are you okay?

This town is foul. I'm going... back to Windurst.

I didn't hear his reply through the woosh of casting warp.








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