I will not bore you with the details of whom I met under which circumstances, only that several others survived the incursions within and without solely through chance as I would discover. Truth to tell, I remember very little of them, hailing from strange Realms so different than ours, although I am now moved to examine them more thoroughly for reasons you will soon come to realize without my needing to explain them. Through our collective conference, it was decided to treat the situation as a military outpost under siege, and I, who understood who controlled the source of food within the castle held power over the others, agreed to investigate what supplies were yet untouched and available in the depths of the castle.
It was in the dungeons that I discovered Florimel, fighting to the death with one who greatly resembled Gérard. I had no desire to be caught between two such titans, yet I could tell that the outcome was fore-ordained. I was not displeased when he finally killed Flormel: I had never liked her or her crude preference for causing physical pain. I could tell immediately that it was not the Gérard I knew: there was a strange light in his eyes when he saw me; even without reading his mind or his emotions, I could tell that he saw me as someone he wanted to protect, and I was more than willing to allow him, considering the chaos that had engulfed us.
The chaos has infected the prisoners, who had broken free from their cells and were fighting among themselves. Upon seeing the two of us, which was no surprise, considering the imposing presence of Gérard behind me, the prisoners came forward to attack us. I was not surprised when Gérard tried to interpose himself between me and the prisoners, but I knew that I had to demonstrate that I was capable of handing the situation. (If I could see you now, mother, I know you would be smiling. You know exactly what I would do in this situation.)
I invoked a spell from my rings, and was pleasantly surprised that the chaotic currents of magic throughout the castle had not impaired the spell. In fact, the conditions seemed to have improved it, if such could be imagined. The familiar image of whirling green spiral radiating from a pair of emerald green eyes manifested before the nearest prisoners, immediately capturing their gaze and their wills. At my unspoken command, the mesmerized prisoners meekly shuffled back into their cells. It took but a moment to send the hypnotic spiral down the passage to enthrall the rest of the escaped prisoners.
If you think I was pleased at the results, you are correct, but that description seems hardly adequate. There have been very few times in my life when I had so many minds under my hypnotic thrall, and the feeling was as heady and as savory as fine wine. I think it even amazed my companion, and possibly frightened him, as well.
Personal Links