Of course. Don't underestimate a ranger and assassin!

Two lizardmen approach the siren's lair. Both humbly lower their heads for a moment as the she greets them with a smile.

"Our queeeen...we heard a disssturbance. Are you alright?"

Naturally, they cannot help but elongate any sharp letters due to their tongues. Even though you've heard it many times, you can't shake off how naturally creepy they are. Not all lizardmen are bad, but they tend to live alone in tribal areas. To find lizards grouped together and living so deep in the mountain surprises you. They must be strong if they have been able to last this long. Perhaps there is a source of water and food this deep in the mountain, but the question is...how?

The siren nods to the lizard males with a serene smile. While it appears she's been here for a while, it seems she's also accepted the fact that these reptilian creatures worship her. You have to wonder how long she's been here and also...how old she truly is.

One of the reptilians looks around and hums as he takes a whiff around him.

"I sssmell....a human..."

The lizard beside him elbows his brother at such ridiculous possibility.

"Imposssible! Nobody hasss been able to reach thisss placcce with all those crystalssss!"

For lizards that are probably in isolation with the outside world, they sure are articulate. English is not their native tongue and is rather difficult due to the hard sounds, yet they are easily conversing in such language. Could they have already someone in their ranks that taught everyone?

The siren, seeing how you and Nathraena aren't heeding her advice, knows she has to take matters into her own hands. She splashes the water a bit to regain her lizard followers' attention and then crossed her arms while shaking her head.

Odd how the siren can't seem to communicate with the lizards, but she can with Djarrus. Considering that most reptiles have a lower hearing range than humans and certainly than elves and drows, it is entirely possible that Djarrus' hearing surpasses the majority of creatures on this world. It could also have something to do with being bound to the life of this mountain.

Regardless of the reason, though, the lizard men can at least understand what she is trying to say through hand motions. Was this how she had to communicate with the lizard followers all these years? It certainly must've been annoying and a probable reason as to why she can't clearly communicate to them that she is no goddess.

"I ssseee. We will place guardsss here, jussst in casse."

No!

It appears that the siren is equally surprised by the caution as she shakes her head more vehemently. It appears they won't heed their goddess' will though and are more concerned with her safety. If it's like this, no wonder she's like a prisoner!

As the reptiles are about to turn away, Djarrus is no longer able to hold his breath. For him to last this long is impressive, but it seems even he needs to breathe. Hearing the chamber rumble and water begin to vibrate rapidly, the reptiles stop and widen their jaws as a huge minotaur towers before them. They take a moment to pause, their mouths agape at the sudden presence towering over them. Soon enough, their minds start to click and they begin to yell.

"I-Intrud-urgh!"

"I apologize," Djarrus whispers as he grabs both of the reptiles' necks before they could utter any noises that could alert their brethren. The lizards fear for their lives as they try to struggle away but Djarrus doesn't give them any opportunities.

Crack!

The siren widens her eyes and cups her mouth in shock. You and Nathraena are equally surprised but based on the siren's expression, it's clear that she was never in control of the minotaur that you questioned. More than that, it seems she never even seen killings as simple as this. Just how sheltered is this girl?

The chamber went silent and Djarrus, while still holding the dead lizards in his large hands, listens carefully to see if he caused any ruckus. After a moment of silence, he takes a deep breath.

"I believe no one else will come, for now..."

The siren, taking a moment to recompose herself, slaps the water furiously. The minotaur, placing the lizards down gently, hears the siren's frustration but does not regret any action he took. Even you and Nathraena completely agreed with the minotaur's course of action.

The drow turns her attention back to you. "We need to continue moving on. We've wasted too much time with this girl and staying here is only going to get us into more trouble."

The siren again starts to slap the water in frustration, clearly not liking how everything has turned out wrong so far. Even Djarrus appears to feel annoyed by the siren's complains, but he continues to relay them.

"The siren is insisting that she's not dangerous and that she wants to escape with us."

Based on her actions and the fact that she hasn't really attacked you, there are still some lingering questions. Narrowing your eyes, you surprise the drow by sheathing back your knife. Although she's still wary of this girl, she trusts your judgment enough to sheath her knives as well.

"Alright, but I have questions that I want to ask if we're going to trust you: Who exactly are you and are you one of the mistresses of this mountain? The minotaur was bound by one and supposedly could not be broken unless an equally powerful one used his true name."

The siren seems to feel some relief that she's no longer being threatened by knives. She speaks once more although you can't hear her and turn your attention to the large minotaur who listens intently before relaying back.

"She isn't sure what these mistresses that you speak of, but she's been sleeping for a few hundred years, her body a part of the purest of water. When she finally decided to wake up and reform herself, she found herself in this small pool of water. Unable to leave due to the devotion of the lizard men, she has been trapped ever since."

You narrow your eyes as you stare at Djarrus. "That still doesn't explain how she's unchained you. What does she mean by reform? You mean to tell me her body consists of water?"

The siren hears and continues to further clarify. The minotaur relays as much.

"Essentially, though it's imbued with her life ****. Although she did sense me bound by a mystical ****, she's only able to negate the effects by purifying me, but she can't remove the effect. So if we leave her, then I do feel I may return bound eventually and risk attacking you in the future."

You and Nathraena are particularly surprised by this answer. If anything, it does make her company more enticing in that fact. The girl is strange and mysterious, but if it's as she says, then this water girl has her own set of problems.

Taking a deep breath, you nod. "I'll have to continue to be wary, but your presence would greatly benefit us. We have our own set of reasons as to why we're here. If all you wish is to escape, then that's our end goal too after we find what we need."

The siren nods, smiling brightly and beautifully that it almost catches you off guard. Nathraena doesn't let this go unnoticed and clears her throat. "Let's get going. I'm sure our dead lizards' brethren will start to think something's up. We'll probably have to face them."

You don't like the sound of that, but it appears there's little choice with the only other path with the lighted fires. Before she could escape the pool, Djarrus relays another message as the siren speaks suddenly.

"Before that, the siren wishes not to have to relay with me in order to speak with you. Although there are certain creatures that appear to tune to her voice such as I, it's possible for humans and other creatures to hear her voice after exchanging body fluids."

You pause for a moment.

Wait, what?

As your head turns back to the siren, you see her smile warmly and raise her arm towards you, closing her eyes.

"Er...a kiss should be sufficient."

You feel Nathraena staring incredulously at the girl, but it seems that more worryingly, she has a fervent expectation for you to reject. Although you are wary, you certainly did not want to have to go through the minotaur to communicate with her every time. Even the drow has to understand that.