Byung was able to move now, the armor's enchantments having absorbed enough of the binding magic that his limbs responded to his commands. He flexed his fingers experimentally, rolled his shoulders, testing the range of motion while remaining within the runic circle. The paralysis had lifted, leaving only residual tingling in his extremities. But even with mobility restored, he couldn't bring himself to attack the elf sitting calmly before him.
He looked at her properly for the first time without the immediate threat of execution hanging over him, really studied her features with the kind of attention circumstances hadn't previously allowed. She was beautiful in ways that defied easy description—not the aggressive, powerful beauty of orcs like Grishka or Naz, but something entirely different. He wondered if all elves possessed this quality, this ethereal grace that seemed almost otherworldly.
