Chapter 136: Zedya’s Power
"This is a cruel place that you’re standing," Zedya told Torsten, her voice growing rich with power while her eyes glowed brilliantly. Thane’s Voice of Command could directly compel the truth but for her, she needed to draw her victim into a state similar to dreaming where her suggestions could reshape their world.
"It’s a barren, empty place," she continued, building the dream world that Torsten would become trapped in. "In this place, you don’t need to worry about what anyone else thinks. You don’t need to worry about the rules of your ancestors or the ways of your people," she said. Several elders frowned at her but she continued anyway. "You only need to worry about the rules of the place that you’re currently standing, here, with me."
"In this place, if you lie, your horn will shine as brightly as the sun and you will feel the pain of your horn being plunged into a bed of burning coals," she explained, watching his eyes begin to glow as he fell under her spell. "But this place isn’t hopeless. There is a purple-eyed savior who can take away all the pain you feel if you are helpful to her. Do you want to be helpful?" Zedya asked sweetly, standing before the Frost Walker and placing her fingers gently under his chin tugging slightly down on the white fur of his short beard until he looked directly into her eyes.
"Helpful, yes," Torsten said, swaying slightly on his feet as though he was asleep.
"My Lord, this is wrong!" Paulus cried, desperately trying to find a way to put a stop to what was happening. "Can’t you see that she’s twisting his mind? Torsten is a strong warrior. After this, he will only be her puppet!"
"SILENCE!" Lord Ritchel roared, his voice shaking the walls as he stood up from his throne. "Speak again or do anything to interrupt and I will assume that you are guilty of everything they’ve said. Guards, if he speaks again, you will share his fate," he said, glowering at the men who surrounded Paulus.
Some of them, it seemed, were reluctant to act against an Elder but hearing Lord Ritchel’s fury, even the most reluctant of them stiffened up their spines and drew their weapons, ready to subdue Paulus at an instant.
"It’s good that you want to be helpful," Zedya purred, ignoring Paulus’ antics while she focused on her task. She was pleased to see that Torsten had succumbed so quickly. Because most of them were accomplished sorcerers, Frost Walkers formed a certain resistance to her powers over time, but Torsten was both far too young and much too simple-minded to put up much of a fight, even if compared to someone like Hauke.
"Now," she said sweetly, turning his head lightly with her hand and pointing across the hall. "You see that wounded Tuscan over there? Please tell everyone what his name is and how long ago you met him?"