Rune Stealer

Story

I threw my head back and roared in childish laughter. The rat that the servants had found me was now on its hind legs doing some sort of dance. While continuing to giggle, I pointed my finger at the rat and twirled my finger in circles. The rat obeyed and began to jump in reckless circles on its hind legs, squeaking furiously.

"Ahem." The sudden hoarse noise made me lose concentration and it only took a second for the rat to sprint away and try to hide itself in the far corner. I sighed, the smile fading from my face, and I looked up at the King from where I sat on the ground.

"I guess I've had my fun," I groaned as I reluctantly let the rat stay where it lay trembling. King Saar grimaced.

"You can control animals?" asked Saar cautiously.

"Not just animals," I announced, jumping up onto my feet and silently laughing when the Witch King flinched.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," I yawned, "I can control humans too. I started out with getting into animals minds when I was younger, they're super easy because they do not have a wall in their minds. Then I went from there. Now I can sneak my way into humans' minds and force them to do things, with their knowledge of course unless I force them to forget. I taught myself how." I beamed at the royal men with childish pride while they both looked at me with unadulterated disgust. 

"Although, most humans have a wall so I have to either find my way around it or break it." I purposefully met Kian's eyes and smirked.

"How do you-," began Saar.

"It is rather complicated," I said with a wave of my hand, not wanting to explain in too much detail.

Saar hesitated, his voice getting stuck on his next words. "And you can control them?"

"Yessir," I nodded and sat back down on the ledge. Saar's face was a greenish shade of white; fear was swimming in his eyes.

"You are very dangerous," mumbled Saar more to himself than anyone. Then he nodded as if coming to terms with something. "You will serve me and do my bidding. I will use your power to make all the other kingdoms fear me." Color was back in his face and the fear in his eyes had vanished. His emotions were now consumed in greed and a dangerous kind of ambition. "I could take over neighboring kingdoms; make them bow down to me in fear of you. I could rule over the lands and kingdoms of Kainor."

Kian and I both starred at the King in shock of his sudden drive to rule over everything. "Uh," I stuttered, unsure of what to say.

"Kian," King Saar barked, spinning around to face his son. "Have the messenger be sent to your brother to bring him home." The prince had a brother?
Kian turned to leave, but King Saar stopped him. "Also," a deadly fire was burning in the Kings eyes, "ride out to the Rowl Fief at first light tomorrow and bring Miss Laika. His payment is long overdue."

"Oh joy," I exclaimed, clapping my hands together. "A road trip!"

And with that I followed Kian out of the room and we made our way back down to my cell.

"Sleep well," hissed Kian. I heard the lock slide home and I sat quietly listening for rats.

***
"Do we have to ride horses," I whined eyeing a black beauty. The horse stared back at me with coal black eyes.

"Unless you'd rather we walk all the way to the north Gjin River," retorted Kian as he heaved a saddle on the back of the black mare.

"I prefer walking to riding," I mumbled. Slowly, I raised my hand and cautiously laid my hand on the soft nose of the dark horse. Its hot breath tickled the palm of my hand. I let the horse catch my smell, like my father had taught me long ago, and once she did, I raised my other hand and rested it on her large cheek.