[center][h2]Pagras[/h2][/center]

[center][@PaulHaynek][/center]

[color=lightblue]"I'm sure there're places your people couldn't go that belonged to The Order. But then, there're likely places where you could still travel, where my kind can't. Or are you suggesting that The Order persecuted your nation's people wherever they went? For that seems rather unlikely if I'm honest, good sir."[/color] Vanessa merely replied. The fact tat certain humans from certain cultures and countries didn't get along wasn't exactly news. After all, the main culprits of basically any and every war were, to some extent, humans. So it wasn't really surprising to hear that these Ortusians got [i]bullied[/i] when they went to certain places... Though it did beg the question as to why they'd joined with The Order in the first place.

As the wagon rolled on and the incubi relayed his story, Vanessa listened intently. She didn't really say or respond to any of his words though, allowing the man to finish his tale. It wasn't particularly enlightening or anyhting... From the sounds of it, his change had been nothing more than the result of training in an area with overly thick monster energy. To be honest, Vanessa had kind of, sort of hoped for something a little less... [i]Mundane[/i]... Like a curse cast on him by a scorned lover or him picking up a mysterious magic artifact or falling into a pocket-dimension and being warped...! You know, something a bit more [i]interesting[/i] than 'Hurrp-a-durrp, I did a lot of working out in a foggy place and got all sweaty and now the stank's stuck to me, a-hyuck!'.

Then the wagon finally stopped.

Then a voice called out from behind. A familiar voice. Vanessa turned her head and looked back, spotting the apporaching lizardman. She smiled smugly to herself.

The knight's words just gave him a coy smile from the dark mage, who didn't respond with words. As the exchange between the scaly female warrior and the armored knight began, Vanessa watched with... Moderate... interest. Things were playing out pretty much how she'd figured they would. The incubus wasn't the least bit interested in the girl and was now trying to make a half-hearted escape.

... But that simply wouldn't do, now would it?

[color=lightblue]"[i][b]Acceleration.[/b][/i]"[/color]

A flash of green sparkling... Sparkles! Enveloped Vanessa's entire body atop the wagon, before disappearing as quickly as they'd formed. But once the dark mage moved a little, the effects were quite clear. Her movements, even just small ones, seemed to now be greatly hastened. In fact, she looked almost out of place, as if you were playing her and her alone on fast-forward while the rest of the world (or movie) played at regular speed. Within a few mere seconds, she was well past Iskah and caught up to the jogging knight with little effort - amazingly avoiding to bump into any other pedestrians or citizens while moving at this unnatural pace.

[color=lightblue]"As I said, sweetie. I've got obligations in this town."[/color] These were the words she uttered once she appeared right next to Aun on his left, easily keeping pace with the man thanks toh er magic.

... And speaking of magic...

[color=lightblue]"Stone Grip."[/color]

Despite being like... Five feet away from Aun, Vanessa still aimed her staff at the poor fellow, and uttered words of magic again. The tip of her staff glowed and a small, tennis ball-sized sphere shot out, striking the ground [i]infront[/i] of Aun, rather than the kkn ight himself. Almost instantly, a pair of earthern arms, seemingly made out of liquid, or very maleable, stone rose and at once reached out... Towards Aun! Trying to grasp the fellow. In total there were four of these stone arms, and they eached attempted to grab onto a part of the incubi. One for each shin or leg, one for his waist or torso, and the last one attempted to just clumbsily nab him by either arm.

Now, this was neither a very advanced spell, nor would it do Aun any actual harm. Sure, it might not feel very nice being clutched by a massive hand made of stone, but it wouldn't do any damage or cause any actual meaningful pain to the fellow. After all, the intent was to stop him and force him into a situation where he couldn't run away anymore. Now, if he somehow managed to dodge out of the way of all four arms, or decided to break through the spell by smashing it with his bardiche (provided it was magically enchanted), Vanessa would just cast a similar spell, but with ice as the element this time... Well, unless Aun decided to take a swing at the dark mage... Then she'd probably have to focus on evading his attack rather than use a follow-up spell. But givne her already improved movement thanks to her haste-spell, that... Shouldn't be too difficult... Unless [i]he[/i] used some kind of magic too...

Anyway, the hunt for the husband was officially on!