"Own?" Assallya reiterated.

She was caught between indignation and outright fear but the elven courtesan had engaged with brigands and ruffians in the past; She knew that to demonstrate fear was an invitation to further oppression. She was still standing against the wall they'd been forced up against while their manacles were removed and she noted how he had placed himself in such a way that he could interpose himself between her and the bars if he so wished. Was that intentional? She rather imagined, given his statement, that was indeed the case.

"Think you," she answered his challenge with her blue eyes frozen over to hardness, "that I would be sent to such an fortress if I were harmless? Harken oaf, and harken well lest I make of you a footstool for my pleasure. I would not waste my magics on gross demonstration when I could spare them for attaining freedom once more but do not task me. Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards for they are subtle and quick to anger."

Yes, she said, a gamble but not one of ill consideration. It was a simple ploy. A great wizard bereft of her spellbook would only be able to cast so many spells and not replenish them. Such a woman would be loathe to waste them. He need not know that she was no wizard, that the magic was in her blood, and further he did not need know that her repertoire was lacking.