She had his name, though he was a little more reluctant to reveal his origins. Araña contemplated pushing harder, but then thought ill of it. Agathon's face was already showing strain as if he was being pressed between two stone slabs.<br/><br/>With a whirl, she released her touch and broke her eye contact. Immediately, the air settled back to its original ambiance, the thunderous shuddering dissipating instantly as if it had it been a passing squall. Exerting such an influence upon the mind was dangerous, as she learned over many years. It did not take much to turn a man's mind into paste. If she bore much deeper than she already had, he would become a limp fish, and her servants despised eating prey that did not resist.<br/><br/>As to his personal claims against her, she waved them away as her hand left his face. Many sought her poison and magic, and for the right price, she was all too willing to indulge them. Who was she to care what they poisoned, or for why?<br/><br/>But that indifference had gone on far too long. Araña desired her potions and spells to serve a greater will: her own. That is why she poisoned the foolish king of Molurene, and that is why she longed to topple Erias as well. They both hindered her rise to greatness.<br/><br/>She lifted her hand, intending to bring it down with a twist of her wrist and to separate the threads that bound Agathon. The silk strands would whirl, cocooning him tightly for the goliaths in her dungeon to drag away and feast upon. But she halted, suddenly considering what was trapped in her web. Instead of coming down, her hand went to her breast, slowly stroking a smooth patch of cleavage jutting from her halter top. It was a habit she developed when deep in thought.<br/><br/><em>He is a knight, no doubt of noble status. Did not the king of Erias decree that Gabrielle was to marry a warrior, so that their military strength would not weaken?</em><br/><br/>"Fortune befalls you, milord," she purred lightly with a slow smile. "I may have a use for you other than as fodder for my children."<br/><br/>Her plan was simple, yet cunning and easily executed with her power. Princess Gabrielle was worth everything in the kingdom of Erias, and Araña was going to ransom her for just that very thing. The only thing stopping her had been the fact that Gabrielle was always out of her reach...but now a potential suitor for her hand was struggling in her web.