The Golden Python, having listened to their conversation, changed its mind from its initial plan to take its master's hair and disrupt the ritual.
It quickly slithered up to the woman and pulled out one of her hairs.
The woman felt a slight prickle on her head, but she just brushed at the spot with her hand, not overly concerned. She kept her eyes glued on the wizard's spell without even blinking.
"Has her soul been bound yet?"
"It's not that easy. Her soul is merely under control for now, it hasn't been extracted yet. Her soul-power seems stronger than others. I see our master has spent quite some time on it."
She was familiar with the spell for controlling others' souls. Many could be cast successfully in one go, but those affected would only suffer a momentary headache and then feel fine.
If the soul resisted and did not wish to be controlled, those under the spell would be in uncontrollable agony, wishing for death's swift arrival.