Upon hearing Wak's shout, Ethan pulled back at the last moment.
He landed back on the ground and walked over to Wak, who had now regained consciousness. "Wak, care to explain what's going on?" he inquired directly.
Wak nodded, not refusing. Instead of speaking right away, he stood up and addressed the serpent, "O benevolent King of Serpents, forgive their transgressions; they mean no harm."
Ethan shrugged, a bit nonplussed. The serpent was no match for him.
Whether the serpent understood Wak's plea or simply feared Ethan—having keenly sensed the aura of death emanating from him—it quickly slithered toward a wall adjoining the ruins square and disappeared, its body vanishing from sight.
Only then did Wak turn to Ethan and Sherry. "As you can see," he began, "the King of Serpents is merciful; he is not our enemy."
"Why were you injured then?" Sherry shot back.
