Accept the offer.

Honestly, you don't expect to be able to rest well when any of these lizard men could take the opportunity to kill you, even if it meant going against their goddess' word. What you wanted though is some momentary peace to finally understand who this siren is and what her goal is. Escaping is obvious, but what about after that?

Seeing you nod, the siren hums. "We can stay for a little while, but you must be respectful to our guests."

The reptiles raise their head and their eyes seem to widen in graciousness. "Y-yesss, of coursssse!"

With some actual peace for a little while, the lizard men scurry and begin making preparations and some accommodations for their enemy-turned-guests. Some remained in the cavern in order to bury the two dead lizards who had their necks crushed at the hands of the Minotaur. Djarrus silently observed from the pond, staring at the two lizards he killed as they are lifted off the ground. His eyes were unfazed, not feeling any sense of guilt and only knows what needed to be done. After killing countless adventurers, this was nothing.

Of course, the reptiles who realized it was the minotaur who killed their brothers felt fear for the large mammal. Some of them start to actually be thankful that, with their limited numbers, they wouldn't have to fight such a terrifying beast.

As for the siren, when she watches the two reptiles being pulled away, she winces as she feels her heart ache. When taking over the father of those lizards, those lizards essentially became her own. The sense of familiarity transferred over and so did the memories of the father. There would be a lot to explain, but to put simply, the lizard she possessed isn't dead; however, overtaking a consciousness isn't something she's proud of. She could have long taken over any of these reptiles and probably be better off, yet she chose not too because she hoped that one day she could leave without harming anyone.

Now, she feels incredibly foolish. The people she wants to escape with clearly know better and are less forgiving than she had hoped. Yet, with her inability to speak reason into these lizard men, what other choice did she have before seeing more die? She simply ended up delaying the inevitable.

Looking at the complicated look within the siren's sharp eyes, you can't help but sigh, starting to understand her a little more. "You really are like a mother to these beasts. If you feel, maybe it's better to stay and before their figurehead?"

The siren frowns and then shakes her head immediately. "No, I am not truly like them. More importantly, I must figure out why I am here."

"I have my own questions too," you hum as you think of why your wife could have possibly be taken to such a mountain. Closing your eyes and preventing yourself from thinking about it too hard when there was no way you'd be getting answers anytime soon, you decide that it would be best to start proper introductions with the siren-turned-lizard, "...the name's Daeel, by the way."

The siren hums, cocking her head. "Daeel? Yes, I know. Actually, I learned a little bit about you when we exchanged fluids..."

You wince and avoid looking at Nathraena's amused stares as she listens in. "You don't have to put it like that."

The lizard woman chuckles before she addresses both you and the drow properly.

"Well then, I am Arille...and you are...Nathraena?" her eyes follow the drow, remembering you mentioning her name before.

Nathraena can't help but smile now that the danger has been momentarily lifted. "I suppose that's correct."

"Suppose?"

"I'm just kiddin," the drow chuckles, "...but on the other hand, Daeel's real name is human."

"Human?" Arille questions now, turning to you confused.

You glare at the teasing drow who sticks her tongue out at you. You are reminded that she's far younger than you if you consider her mental age. There's no reason for you to get pulled into her shenanigans.

"She's just kidding. I wouldn't listen to her too much when we're not in any trouble," you advise.

The drow hums, raising her eyebrow at you. "Well, it's a good thing we're always in trouble, human."

Arille didn't understand and only felt confused but seeing the hearty smiles between you and the drow, but she feels uplifted to see such spirits instead of the hostility from before. Turning her attention now to the minotaur, she walks over, her eyes glazed with concern.

"Djarrus, are you okay?"

The minotaur is in deep thought before he is pulled out by the siren's presence. He clears his throat and gives the siren a reassuring smile from his maw. Regardless of her form, the Minotaur isn't easily surprised but he is admittedly entranced by her. In fact, it was before she even took on a lizard form. To meet someone who could unchain him, even if not permanently, gave him more joy than anyone could suspect.

His tone remains grateful. "I am though, I have to apologize in advance to burden you with your presence."

The siren hums happily. "It's no problem. The water you stay in is a part of me. As long as you are able to stay by my side, I can help prevent you from going berserk even while we travel, I promise."

Djarrus closes his eyes and grunts. "I hope so."

Arille raises her claws and extends her hand towards the minotaur. Djarrus hesitates for a moment, afraid of stepping out of the water out of fear his urge to kill will come back, but as soon as he takes her scaly hand, a soothing cold is transmitted from her hand, reaching down his large and muscular arm and towards his heart. He lets out a shaky breath and then finally steps out of the pool of water. Without Arille, the pool would eventually lose its luminance and become a simple pool of water. It was certainly better timing for Arille to come back as the pool was already losing its importance without the main driver to swim within.

While the exchange between Arille and Djarrus is occurring, you and the drow stare anxiously, wondering if the minotaur will become the enemy you and she didn't dare dream for. With a simple hand holding though, Djarrus is able to feel temporarily alleviated from the binding power of his mistress. He and Arille finally step out of the pool and with the siren by his side, is able to stand across from you and Nathraena, without any urge to attack.

Nathraena narrows her eyes at the minotaur and isn't able to help but take a step back. "Are you...okay?"

The minotaur nods with a snort. "Yes, I cannot thank Arille enough."

The siren smiles sweetly. Whether it's in her true form or as a beautiful reptile, she seemed to brighten the most. "Of course! I wish to travel with you all, so it's the least I can do until we are able to help Djarrus rid himself of the one who binds him."

You and Nathraena are unable to help but give a bittersweet smile. While it is well that Arille wants to help the minotaur, you and the drow had doubts whether that would be possible or even wise. If possible, they wouldn't want to get into a fight with any of the supposed mistresses of the mountain, if they are as powerful as you are to believe. As such, helping out Djarrus was never part of the deal and the minotaur equally understood that.

For now, nobody said anything and followed the lizard men into their warm dwelling. It was remarkably carved, cave drawings everywhere, small lizard children hiding amongst their mothers and playing around various rooms. To see outsiders so suddenly gave all the non-warriors a sudden shock and many of them who had kids, pulled them away in order to protect them.

Seeing the groups of lizard men and women everywhere, their carved cavern system stretching for seemingly miles, you are surprised to see just how advanced and well fed everyone is. They already had two things to survive: Water and heat, but what about food?

You couldn't figure it out without trying to wander, but you also didn't want to risk the **** hospitality of the lizard people. Nonetheless, all of you were taken to an empty room with handmade chairs and table. Arille asked to be alone with the "outsiders" in private for a little while and although they were ****, they safely guarded the outside door and left you and the rest alone.