Oh she could definitely end up getting herself killed if she attacked the stronghold by herself. A dragon wouldn't be able to fit in the caves that they used, the raiders having specifically chosen it for that exact reason. It meant that Angel would be really without her dragon...and in the darkness of the caves, twisting, winding routes...she'd no doubt end up skewered...or even worse. A female knight amongst all those debauched individuals? Wouldn't go over very well for her. Really she was actually safer with Paenloch, despite him enjoying a challenge, he could see when he would really be beaten. Sure, he had some pretty tricks that he could do with his mind, but there was always his survival instincts.
"If I can't be brutally honest, what can I be?" He told her with a laugh. She was uncomfortable with the idea of him being aroused was she? Interesting indeed...it was all natural however, and why she couldn't understand that was beyond him. Maybe he'd get her to open up later...take a look in that brain of hers to see what was what.
There had to be some very interesting explanations.
"Glad to hear that. I wouldn't want to be your enemy." Oh far from it really! An enemy was one thing...but she seemed to take her job seriously, and being called an enemy could mean anything. Dungeon time for one thing, and without Morrigon around it would be a dismal experience. Not to mention, how would they define "life imprisonment" if he could live forever?
The return of Aria had been felt long before she had been seen. She was a rather good dragon when it came to her mental capabilities, but Paenloch hadn't survived on just his good looks and wit alone. He wouldn't dare try too much against the dragon, it would be wrong. After all, he couldn't do anything with Aria. She was in no danger from Paenloch. Angel however, was a warm blooded female humanoid, which spelled trouble from the Cosmic Phantasm.
The exchange between Aria and Angel was a quick one, and had Paenloch not been paying attention, he would have missed it. Such a strong bond, like the one he shared with Morrigon...but an emotional one. A deeper emotional one. It was strange to see such opposites...Paenloch was almost a little jealous of it. "Really? You want a deeper emotional connection with me? Then why not open your mind and let me in dear Paenloch, I could show you a world like they have." Morrigon taunted him quietly, just getting a grin from him. "I may be old but I'm not stupid." He simply replied, getting a slight chuckle from the large dragon.
"We'd be more than happy to." Paenloch replied as Morrigon helped him onto her back, holding the reigns with one hand, the halberd with the other. The great dragon gave a few hard flaps of her wings and was airborne rather quickly. With Morrigon leading the way, it gave Paenloch time to test the strength of Aria's mental fortitude. It was impressive of course, as were a lot of the dragons, and the backup that she offered Angel was rather nice...the only problem being Paenloch had found the weaknesses of her mind beforehand. She was emotional, it made her defences weak, and it had given him time to set out the tendrils. Granted, he couldn't make her do anything, or feel anything anymore, like he had when she kissed him...but...he could still do this.
"Once we land, Morrigon will take Aria to one of the other exits, then she'll fly around to the last one. When Morrigon is in place, she'll give me the signal, and we'll be able to move in. It will give me time as well to tell what sort of creatures are within the cave...raiders have been known to take on interesting...pets." Paenloch explained quietly to Angel, though for the girl it probably sounded like he was right beside her, talking into her ear. Some found it disturbing, some found it fascinating, who knows what she would think it.