MIND FLAYERS

"My lady," I started harshly.

She smirked at my name for her, the irony and insult behind it clear. She was no lady; she was a monster.

"I'm not a creature for you to tame for your entertainment," I concluded gruffly.

Her insinuation that I was merely a puppet, a slave to her will, was insultingly infuriating.

I was here with her of my own will… wasn't I?

Right now, playing the part of her slave, I wasn't so sure. Oddly, it seemed so much like my actual role within her company; she points and I kill.

"It's like what they say about old dogs and new tricks; it's not easy, but it's possible," she stated blandly.

As she spoke she observed waterfall that blocked our path, the water glimmering unnaturally in the low light. It was obvious, even to me, that it was of magical origins.

"I thought it went; you can't teach old dogs new tricks," I retaliated.

"If that's the case; what are you; an old dog or a puppy?" she retorted deviously.

A cheeky smirk, so different to her usually cold one, was pulling at the corners of her lips, making her seem so much younger. When she offered a full smile though, the image of the small innocent girl was shattered; her pointed eye teeth and dead eyes giving it a sinister twist.

I didn't give her the satisfaction of a reply, simply donning to ignore her in favour of the still very much intact waterfall.

I didn't know much about magic, but I knew through past dealings with Mind Flayers that they relied on the power of illusion. Due to my knowledge of this, I had the hunch that this imposing waterfall was more than probably just that; an illusion.

Vikki, hesitant to approach the seemingly real water, still kept a great distance; appraising it from afar.

I was rapidly growing impatient and knew that, with her phobia, she wasn't going to solve this problem anytime soon.

Her fear of water wasn't completely irrational when you got down to it. She couldn't physically swim or be splashed with any form of water. This was due to her white dragon heritage. Everything she touched froze, water being no exception. If it were it a real waterfall, running through it would result in Vikki trapping herself within a prison of ice almost instantaneously.

Regardless, we didn't have anytime to stand idly. Every second wasted here was one that could have brought me closer to returning to my Seers side.

Not wanting to wait any longer for Vikki to make her move, I stormed up to the waterfall.

The helmet of a deugar that Vikki and I had disposed of moments ago lay but a metre from the water. Gently, I kicked the helmet through the cascading water, and it slowly rolled out of my sight. The water didn't belt down upon the metal helmet like it should have. Instead, it simply shimmered and allowed the helmet the pass through unharmed.

Turning around, I smirked in Vikki's direction.

"Nothing but an illusion," I voiced.

As soon as I'd said this I passed through the waterfall, chuckling to myself and knowing that Vikki would take a while to work up her courage. Her fear of water was so powerful that even when she knew it was an illusion, she couldn't bring herself to pass through it.

It was all about mind over matter, just like so many other things in life.

Looking about I noticed all the void eyed slaves, walking about with no greater purpose than following their slavers orders. Turning around, I found that the waterfall, from this side, was invisible. Vikki still stood before it, approaching it with determination clear within her eyes, before falling back at the last second and retreating. I offered a small chuckle at her distress.

Noticing my arrival, a Mind Flayer from across the open area started to approach me with increasing speed. Panicked, I looked behind me again, my eyes wide.

Vikki still wasn't making any progress; she wouldn't be out in time to put on the helmet and claim to be my slaver as planned.

So, once more, I took it into my own hands.

Reaching down I scooped up the large helmet, easily placing it onto my head, the sounds about me loosing a considerable amount of volume. My vision was hampered, and the metal was cold, but I knew that I was safe from the Mind Flayers probing thoughts.

The said creature approached me, the numerous tentacles upon its face reaching out in my direction.

Take off your helmet, the creature commanded of me.

The sound of its inhuman voice resounded within my mind and I motioned towards the vacant faced slaves.

"I don't wish to become like one of them. The helmet stays."

Very well, it said harshly. What brings you here?

"The slave trade," I stated simply.

With convenient timing, Vikki charged head on through the empty space where the waterfall illusion was, her eyes tightly shut. I nearly lost my footing when she ran straight into my back, her head colliding with my metal plate.

At least it was just her head; not anything vital, I thought.

"I'm here to sell this one," I continued. "She's somewhat… faulty."

Allow me to fix it for you; they can become a nuisance otherwise, the Mind Flayer offered in repulsion.

It took a step towards Vikki, its tentacles reaching out in her direction. She suddenly went rigid, her eyes were lifelessly vacant.

Although it would be amusing to see her completely helpless and commanding my every whim, I needed her. I couldn't take on the Overmind on my own. On top of that, the affects of the Mind Flayers were permanent, the Seer would be furious. Despite this however, a little bit of my mind told me that that was what made it all the more appealing.

Sighing, I reached out a restraining arm towards the Mind Flayer, whom, in reply, stepped out of my reach in utmost disgust. It dusted off the part of its clothed shoulder I'd been within a hairs breath of, and slanted its eerily inhuman eyes.

A cold hiss resounded within my mind.

I gave a grim attempt at acting casual, whilst I internally worried at the prospect of my bluff being seen right through by my deadly powerful enemy.

"Don't," I said forcefully. "I'd prefer her to be intact when I sell her. Don't destroy her mind quite yet."

Thankfully, the Mind Flayer didn't remain within our presence any longer, turning and walking away without another word… or, more specifically in this case, without another powerful thought.

The effects laid upon Vikki were instantly lifted, her eyes taking on their cold gleam of steely determination once more. She turned to me with a smirk, her sharply pointed eye teeth gleaming menacingly in the low light.

"You're a liar," she stated simply.

"I had to say I was your slaver, you were still trying to overcome the fearful waterfall," I pointed out.

My voice rose considerably as each word left my lips, but before I could say anything more she cut me off with a raised hand.

"That's not what I was talking about," she said. "I was referring to when you told it 'not to destroy my mind '. We both know my minds not intact."

Chuckling sinisterly, she started ahead, her eyes cold and harsh.

I'd never heard anything more truthful than that leave her lips, and I doubted I ever would again.