Xanril stumbled back, nearly falling into the water as the creature leapt at him, scales and muscle wrapping around him in a cold embrace as he let out a muted shout, too startled to make a full scream. Arms bound to his sides, his eyes wide with horror, he tried to find a means to calm himself. They were real, and unfortunately, he'd found out far too late. Damn his pride! He swallowed hard. Panicking would get him no where. He needed to remain calm and collected if he was to manage an escape. He had been in such--well, something similar before. This was no different...actually, it was utterly different.<br/><br/>Damn his pride.<br/><br/>"Release me, serpent," he order, his head tilted back to try and look the beast in the eye, his breath coming in quick gasps, even as his tone trembled with a mixture of false confidence, fear and anger. "If you wished to play games, you need only have asked. There is no need to become so forceful as this. Now, let me go, and perhaps we can talk of games like gentlemen."