Aza the fox, Zozo's little pet, obviously knew her name, the general decided. She responded to the woman's calls, padding over quietly to the hammock and standing up on her hind legs. The blonde woman, so foreign to these dusty desert lands, was about to turn her bound arms over to the fox and try and her it to bite at the ropes when she heard<em>something</em>in her head.<br/><br/><em>What? Be quick!</em>The woman's eyes flicked around the room, muscles on her immaculate face motionless and barely revealing any of the confusion she felt inside. It felt like the voice had come from inside her head, but it was certainly not her voice. There was only one conclusion, and the steely commander came to it with the matter-of-fact acceptance of someone used to surprises on the battlefield. She'd always known the pet was special to Zozo, but had never known why. This had to be part of the reason, if not all of it. The fucking fox was telepathic! Likely even intelligent. There'd be time to ponder the significance of this later, once she escaped. For now, Methuseld kept her eyes on the prize - this would greatly simplify getting out of here.<br/><br/><em>"Can you work the bindings on my arms loose with your mouth?"</em>She whispered.<em>"Be quick about it..."</em>On her side now, her bound arms facing away from the door in case the men came in, the general felt the pounding of her heart intensify. The plan was to lie on her back once they came in to hide the fact that her arms were free. Then she could wait for the right moment to unbind her feet and strike. Perhaps once she knew where her sword was, or perhaps once she could get a different weapon. That is, assuming this fox could do what she'd asked.