Baudhiel's efforts paid off spectacularily for the imp's mistfortune, as she bought the group time to prepare for battle and then extended the Imp's incapacitation in fits of sadistic laughter, but it was looking a bit more in control. It might just break free from the effects next, unless its own luck failed it another time. Nonetheless, as the imp was slapping on its knee and snorting, its tail wagging in the air a bit less threatening without its venom but still a sharp little instrument of violence, the fiend sought to control its breath and resume control of its movement.<br/><br/>There were footsteps rushing up towards their position through the room they'd just come from, the torture there failing to mask the clanging of armor and the heavy steps coming along in a swift pace, and from the sounds of it there were several people coming. The Imp was cackling with malice, both from the spell and the thought of seeing the people daring to attack it in its own stronghold join the ones already being tortured, if the look in its eyes was any indication. Yet unable to really strike back or cast, it shook its head while bellowing in laughter. Yet its mind was gaining hold over the spells and fighting back, and in a moment they'd have not only the imp before them but the guards behind them.<br/><br/>Their pale guide had slipped away after the fighting began, the first spell having made him flee already, but as they stood there with spells going off in preparation for the battle to come, a short creak at the back of the room warned them of a new presence just as a crossbow bolt flew right next to Noari's neck, missing by inches. Standing in the back behind a table holding vials and hurriedly reloading a crossbow was a short black-skinned figure, trying to hide in the shadows, nub horns visible on the figure's head as it's fingers sought to ready its weapon. Behind them, the door hissing as the bolt began to dissolve the<em>steel frame</em>it had sunk into.