As they walked, Zixx felt himself becoming more distanced from the group. The fact the 'girl' was shielding her thoughts by any means made him instantly mistrust her, the way his own 'allies' faundled and ided over the winged thing was just salt on an open wound...<i> &lt;So be it... But she stays, away, from me...&gt; </i>Flanked on either side by his minions, the illithid resumed his stride, arms behind his back, idly working the pearl on a chain between his fingers...<br/><br/>Privately, he spoke to the largest of his 'pets',<i>&lt;Tell me, oaf. Does the winged one, elicit unusual emotions, within you?&gt; </i>Was she using her magical 'warding' to lure them into her own thrall? Was he just not afflicted as easily as the petty, lesser beings? It demanded investigation... But not now... Not when an ally was in danger.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>