Rabid Rat

-Karen-

"So, son, what did you find as you ventured out? Did you find any weapons or anything of use to our cause?" The king asked flatly. I could hear the echo of boots approaching as I tried not to breathe, overwhelmed by a new sense of dread. The boots stopped before my face, sending shivers down my spine. Breathe, Kay. The cold anger in his following statement spoke volumes.

"I sent you out for weapons and intelligence." A sharp yank of my hair brought me to my feet in an instant, and I whimpered in pain. "And you bring back a purple rat?! Conor! This is not what we came here for!" The man screamed angrily, then turned back to me, grabbing my jaw and glaring hatefully. In the background, I could hear the Queen and Head Mage talking, their voices hushed and unintelligible.

I bit my bottom lip so hard that I could taste the blood on my tongue. "What wretched sewer did this nasty little rat come from, Conor?" The king released my hair and jaw, slowly circling me. I stood there trembling in fear as I felt him stop behind me and lift a part of my robes.

I couldn't hear Prince Conor's reply as I struggled to keep my breathing under control. The king responded coldly and deliberately, "Let me make sure I understand what you just told me, son: You found this ugly little rat scurrying away from the bombs and watched her hide in a hole from something. And you decided that she would make a cute pet for you at some point. So, you brought her back instead of obtaining what I instructed you to find." He paused beside me, grabbing my face and forcing me to look at him, his glare intense.

"Hm," he mused, lifting my chin to examine my face closely. "She's a banged-up rat, Conor." He stepped in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders, his gaze traveling from my face to my chest and back.

The king muttered, "You're a bit young. I suppose we can find a use for you and whatever talents you possess." His words made me feel nauseated. He walked behind me, running his hand down my back. In an instant, he became even more menacing than before. Without warning, he grabbed me with his left hand and pressed a dagger to my throat, and I froze in sheer terror. I didn't think he could get any scarier.

Conor calmly approached his father, his face devoid of fear, and firmly stated, "She is an innocent little rat who has done no harm to anyone. You should let her go so I can keep her. It makes no sense to keep her if she is dead." He paused for a moment. "You could consider it an early birthday gift."

His father laughed heartlessly for several moments. "Maybe. I'm bored after having waited so long for you to return. So let's make a game of it, shall we? I feel rather generous right now, so this is what we will do, son: if I hit this banged-up rat with my dagger, we will execute her here and now. However, if this rat manages to scurry away without getting hit, you can keep her as your pet, and I will overlook your ignorance for the time being. Deal?" He asked, slowly removing the dagger from my neck. What kind of crazy game is this?

"Fine. You have a deal," Conor replied, taking a few steps back. His face was emotionless as he watched from where he stood. His eyes were fixed solely on me, adding to my sky-high anxiety.

"On three, rat," the king hissed in my left ear. "One." He pulled on my left arm, turning me to face him, a cruel but smug look on his face. "Two." He took a step back, aiming the dagger at me. A pause followed as my mind raced with where I should move. "Three!" He shouted as he lunged for me.

Instinctively, I dodged him and delivered a solid punch to his throat, taking him by surprise. He dropped to his knee, coughing and clutching his neck. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Conor shaking his head, covering his face with his hands.

"Don't forget that rats attack, you stupid jerk!" I snapped angrily. Glancing around the room, I saw the source of the clanging chains, and then I darted off toward it.

"My my! A vicious rat you have found, son!" He laughed coldly at the unexpected attack. "A vicious yet clever rat..." the king growled as I turned to face him. Well, a deal is a deal. You can keep your vicious little rat as your pet, but you better put her in a cage! She obviously doesn't need to be let loose on anyone. She might kill them, considering she is likely to be rabid and bloodthirsty."

The king walked back to the throne and sat down, twirling the dagger between his fingers as he observed me with his piercingly cold eyes. He had short gray hair and several scars on his face. It took a lot of work to make out many features as I focused on keeping my composure. I stood in front of the Queen and Head Mage protectively as he watched us with amusement. I could hear them whispering at me to back down and not fight this cold-hearted man, though I solely intended to. "So, Delia, have you decided how you want to die today?"

"I have had other things on my mind, Zachary," she replied, grabbing my hand. "I have an important mission for you!" She hissed at me.

"Have you now? Well, that's not my problem, Delia. Will you tell us what this vicious little rat's name is?" Zachary asked flatly.

I felt her tug on my robes as I discreetly grabbed the stone from my pocket. "I need you to listen to me. It's of the utmost importance!"

Head Mage Winholt whispered. "Get out here, Karen! Whatever you do, do not fight him. He won't hesitate to kill you! You need to flee! Quickly!"

"I asked you a question, Delia!" Zachary's voice boomed angrily through the hall. Glancing at Conor, I could tell he was observing me with curiosity. I shot him scornfully as my attention snapped back to his father.

I aided her to her feet as I heard her attempting to stand. "Your Majesty," I murmured, then curtsied upon standing and fixed a glare on the king, who watched us with a mix of coldness and amusement. I also helped the Head Mage to his feet.

"Let me get you out of here, Your Majesty," I whispered urgently. Once I get them out, I can try to fight back.

I saw her grimace at me as she stood tall and defiantly next to me. "This young lady's name is Karen, Zachary, and you would do well to stop calling her a rat. She is far from it!" Her voice mirrored the defiance of her stance. I stood just as defiantly beside her, trying to count the soldiers lining the room.

He laughed coldly.

"On second thought, I don't care what her name is or what you think she shouldn't be called. As far as I'm concerned, she won't leave this place alive once we decide to leave." Great. My days are numbered- But not if I have a say in this!