Despite Adele's best effort, things get completely out of hand

"Protect us? He's got a funny idea of protection. Trapped for all eternity in a stasis jewel?! I'd rather take my chances with the dragon." Elaine scoffed, her disdain for the other girl showing through.

Matthias spoke up; "Adele, please. Just a minute ago you said you would stand with us. Your father is clearly not of...sound mind right now." Still, Fred could see he was vacillating. The boy didn't have the heart to harm the one he loved, even is she was acting like a total fool.

"And what would you know of sound minds, you little whelp? As far as I'm concerned, you're all the crazy ones." Belboz shot back.

"This is getting us nowhere!" Sigin growled. "After 800 years, your father is obviously nothing more than a pawn of Minestus! Stand aside Adele, or we will go right through you!" He took a menacing step forward. Adele held up her hands defensively. This was too much for Matthias, who drew his sword and promptly switched sides. "Stand down, Sigin. I will not allow you to harm Adele!"

"Matthias, you wretched imp! I can't believe I ever thought of marrying you!" Elaine hissed. Fred at this point felt compelled to intercede, and crossed swords with the young man. Elaine, meanwhile turned to Adele. "So, this is how it's going to be, eh? Very well, let's get on with it."

The lines were drawn: Adele and Elaine squared off, as did Fred and Matthias. That left Sigin and the unarmed Astra to contend with Belboz (Exotica continued to show no interest in joining the fight, hiding well back in the shadows)

1. Fred's group wins the day; Fred being a superior swordsman to Matthais, and Elaine a superior mage to Adele. Sigin and Astra pounce and wrestle Belboz to the ground before he can cast a spell.
2. Adele and Matthais hold their own, defending Belboz for long enough for him to unleash a devastating spell
3. Belboz raises his magic ring into the air, and there is a brilliant flash of light. Fred awakens to unfamiliar surroundings...
4. A ball of magical energy flashes from the shadows, striking the unprepared Belboz. To the surprise of all, it comes from Exotica (who had been hiding that she was a fairly capable magic-user)

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