Gate of Memoirs/Gambit

The Naga's plan turns out to be a gift that keeps on giving.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Roaring Soul"	Music: "Roaring Soul"
 	
*Naga Executioner: Hrrkkk...
*Naga Executioner: Heh...heheh.
 	
*Baelfyr: You want the last laugh that badly?
 	
*Naga Executioner: As I ssssaid...the High Priest has marked you for death...
*Naga Executioner: Our Goddess...has cursed your soul herself.
*Naga Executioner: Your head...shall be claimed...one way or another.
 	
*Baelfyr: I certainly look forward to it.
*Baelfyr: You, on the other hand...
 	
*Much like what he had done to the dryad Alraune, Baelfyr drags his dagger across the throat of his assailant.
*Its dark blood spills across the golden wheat,
*but even in death, its slit pupils remain unblinking and fixed on Baelfyr.
 	
*Baelfyr: Tch.
*Baelfyr: It was merely an exchange of convenience.
*Baelfyr: Your High Priest, of all people, should have known this.
 	
*Leaving the Naga's body under some brush, Baelfyr turns and begins to leave, but finds himself suddenly unable to move.
 	
*Baelfyr: ...?!
 	
*Baelfyr: Ugh...!
Music: "Source Hall" 	Music: "Source Hall"
 	
*Baelfyr: (My body...I can't move my body.)
*Baelfyr: (Someone's...coming.)
 	
*Baelfyr falls to his knees, struggling to counteract this unseen force that is keeping him locked in position.
*A heavyset, armored creature similar to the executioner emerges from a hidden pool, 
*accompanied by several smaller ones adorned with skulls, beads, and bones.
*As they chant in sonorous, sibilant tones, the larger Naga lowers its enormous, toothy maw and grins at his prey.
*Naga Shieldbearer: Maybe you shouldn't have been so cocky, mnanh'.
*Naga Shieldbearer: Our brother bought us plenty of time to keep your fidgety little human legs from running off.
 	
*Baelfyr: ... ...
 	
*Naga Shieldbearer: Heh heh. Didn't you have a lot to say before? 
*Naga Shieldbearer: Come now, we could use sssscreaming to go with our rites...
*The armored Naga slithers over to Baelfyr and grabs his arms, forcefully pinning them behind his back.
 	
*Baelfyr feels his face graze against the ground.
*His fists grow white-knuckled from the sheer effort of attempting to resist the spell.
*Baelfyr: (Easy now...maybe this will work.)
*Baelfyr: (One, two...)
 	
*Naga Shieldbearer: Stay *still*, mnahn'—
*As the shieldbearer raises his arm to thump the back of Baelfyr's head for daring to struggle,
*a burst of flame erupts from Baelfyr's hand right into its scaled belly.
*Naga Shieldbearer: Groargh!
*His wrists free, Baelfyr sends another burst into the midst of the channeling Nagas, breaking their concentration.
*Their incantation abruptly breaks off, and Baelfyr seizes his weapons.
 	
*Baelfyr: Oh, don't look so surprised.
*Baelfyr: This little trick worked so well on your friends back in the Central Province.
*Baelfyr: And now you'll all get a chance to try it firsthand.
 	
*Baelfyr: I must applaud you for your efforts...
*Baelfyr: ...but it will take more than that to drive me under.
 	
*Naga Shieldbearer: Hrrrgghh...
*Naga Shieldbearer: When I'm through with you...I'll use that cursed flame of yours to turn you to ash.
 	
*Baelfyr: Oh, don't I know that sentiment.
 	
*Baelfyr: This meeting is *over*.