It's the magical equivalent of getting slapping in the back of the head. The compulsion never quite reaches his fingers the way it should - two separate brands of compulsion fighting for supremacy. There is already a magic ruling him, and it's far stronger than the Witcher's, forcing out his influence almost as soon as it began.

Of course, that doesn't stop him from fumbling the sword in his confusion, the handle slipping in his grip as he plunges it downward, awkwardly striking Lambert with the flat end instead of the point in a way that only slices clothing and a tiny amount of flesh if any at all.

The conflicting spells are more daunting than a single spell would have been, in some ways. Hunched over Lambert, he stares at his own hands in shock and confusion, before teleporting away again in an effort to get himself together.

It at least gives Lambert the opportunity to move.