Jorg slashes at Kylar, who parries the blow with the of a
battle-hardened fighter.  He counterattacks, as if still trying to lop
of Jorg's head.   But Jorg's parry not only blocks the blade, but
knocks it out of Kylar's grip.

Kylar just stands there looking bewildered.

Tharak and Duplar sprint towards the spot were Ryzar stands.  

Ryzar finds himself fighting the creature's will as well as it's
physical form.  But his own will overcomes it enough to plunge his
sword into it's body.

The ensuing mental scream rips through the ether.  Dharak and Duplar
are momentarily stunned; Verthes puts his hands to his head and falls
to the ground in pain.  Even Reylorna feels the wave of psionic force
roll over her.

Ryzar remains conscious enough to pull his sword out and attempt to
stab the creature again; but a tentacle or limb or _something_ sweeps
at his feet and knocks him off balance.   Next thing he knows there's
a hairy tentacle round his neck.

Dharak and Duplar have recovered enough to resume the battle.  Duplar
for once is accurate enough with the Lightning Wand to score a direct
hit.  Dharak closes within range and gives the thing a clobbering.  It
quivers once, and goes limp.

--
Tim Hall, http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/timjh

"The Very Big Stupid is a thing which breeds by eating The Future.  Have 
 you seen it?  It sometimes disguises itself as a good-looking quarterly 
 bottom line, derived by closing the R&D department"