We continue on, really starting to realize how different this place is compared to home - the grass is still green - well, yellower than our green grass, but more alive than our yellower grasses would be.
To the south, we see a group of people who look like they are leading a group in chains! And, I think the guy at the back has a whole bunch of snakes for arms. That is not cool. And it's more snake people! We join them, because we all know that Vondal won't just let slavers go by. And in the middle of the fight, I just fall asleep! What on earth? That is not cool. It must be those mind tricks that make you want to give up. Vorest wakes me - she's an eagle, I don't even know when that happened. I see Vandederp surrender. I decide to drag him over with me, punch a couple of the guys, and then light them on fire, including Vandederp. Like last time this snaps him out of it. And I can still use fire from my hands, it's odd that I can't call on the elements like I used to. We manage to beat them all, and free the slaves.
While we check the snake people, we find the tattoos, and some weird red powder - possibly the drugs they've used? The slaves are pretty docile. In fact, the slaves are so docile, that if we sat them down, they would sit. And not move. And not react. It's like they are sleep walking and can't think on their own, trapped in their dream. We kind of set up a camp back near the road, because these people would not be safe if we left them on their own. After a half day, coming on dinner, they are still sitting like bumps on a log, so we finish setting up camp. It's clear we aren't going anywhere for a while. Hopefully they are better tomorrow and we don't need to figure out an antidote!
After dinner, Vorest and Vondal perk up, like they heard something, and arrows rain down over our heads. We turn and look and see a bunch more snake people - they just keep coming! Vandederp goes after some of the more in charge looking ones, and a weird spiky metal crown thing appears on his head. He returns to the fire, without attacking, and for some strange reason I feel the urge to surrender. And I can't resist it! And then Vandederp looks to attack Vorest! I should be helping her! And Vandederp - clearly he isn't in his right mind. But all I want to do is surrender. Luckily he misses her. Then I notice Vondal surrender. Part of me is pleased, surrendering is the right thing to do. But a small bit wants to get up and fight, but it is so very small, and easy to ignore. A couple of snaky people come over and start tying me up. This is good - then I can't listen to that part of me that wants to fight, I can keep doing the right thing, and be surrendered. No one will be hurt if we are all surrendered, and that is good.
Vorest takes a quick glance around, she sees that Vondal and myself have sensibly surrendered. Vandederp is clearly fighting for the snake people. This is good. And then Vorest turns into a fire elemental! This is not good! So many people will get hurt! She should have just surrendered. She goes and lights everybody on fire, and Vondal starts fighting with her. This is not good! We should surrender! It is the safe way!
I feel a zing, a little bolt. It hurts a little, not too much. I see Vondal turning away from me, and realize he shot me. And then I realize that I am letting dirty rotten slavers tie me up! That is not going to happen. Oh no. I get up, and I punch at the snake people. And then I light them on fire. They are going to die for this. I have had more than enough people trying to mess with my brain. The people around me die, Vandederp helping at the end, I suppose his mind control has been removed as well. I turn and see one more trying to run off. I move after him, as fast as I can, since there are still ropes on me, and punch at him. It is good to see him fall. I take the ropes off of me.
We search the bodies, and drag them off to the side. No point looking at them while you're trying to sleep. More tattoos, not surprising, and more of that powder. This whole time, the slaves just sat there. We were fighting nearly in their laps, and they just sat there.
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