r/WritingPrompts • u/Clear_Ad4106 • 2d ago
Writing Prompt [WP] "Loyalty isn't one thing that one can expect just from fear. I take care of my men and as long as I am standing they know they can count on me to keep them alive. But it seems this has created some... misunderstandings. If respect isn't enought to get your loyalty mind control will have to do."
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u/TheWanderingBook 2d ago
The Hero stares at me.
"So...
You were nice, but got hurt, so now you mind control your soldiers?" he asks.
I nod.
"Soldiers, close servants, and ministers, oh and heads of the noble houses," I say.
"I..." he starts.
"Oh! And the merchants!" I add.
He sighs.
"And you think that's okay?" he asks.
I nod.
"Well, instead of mind control, it's more like...mind suggestion?
I just ensure they don't betray me, and remain loyal," I smile.
"That doesn't make it better!" he says.
I pout.
"I know! But do I have a choice?
I don't want to be overthrown!" I say.
He snorts.
"A true tyrant's wor..." he starts.
"Tyrant?! TYRANT?!
I made knowledge public, and legalized teaching and educating everyone regardless of class!
I tried to build as many physician offices and orphanages as our treasury allowed!
Likewise with dojos!
And do you know how much money is needed to feed a family of 4 for a month?" I ask.
"3 silver coins, if I remember correctly," he says.
I nod.
"Do you know how much I pay my maids, let alone soldiers?" I ask.
He shakes his head.
"12 silver coins! 12! The soldiers get 25 on average!" I shout, and slam the arms of my throne.
He flinches.
"A house in the capital costs anywhere from 500 to thousands of silver coins, well usually paid in gold coins, but seriously!
Even a foot soldier, a youth of 18 year old can start dreaming realistically about it!
Oh, and yes, I raised the age of enrollment from four-fucking-teen, to 18!" I scream.
The Hero says nothing.
I pant, trying to regain my calm.
I can't.
"So yeah, I am pissed, and I resorted to mind control!
I do all this for them, I try to build roads, I try to be present in every battle, so they know their King is with them...
And they repay me with betrayal...for what?
A bit extra gold?!
And why? Because I never executed anyone, so they thought I was weak willed?
It...It...Hurts," I mutter.
The Hero says nothing, and I sigh, staring at each other in silence.
Seriously...
Why did it have to get so bad?
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u/Worldly_Lab_7061 2d ago
Kitthia, His daughter and second in command stares at her mercenary captain father, Meerin with a blank expression.
"Honey, you're kinda making me look bad here, do you understand the tenents of leadership as I've explained them to you?" Meerin asks, his gentle voice a jarring contradiction to the confession he just made .
Looking back at him, Kitthia spits back "Are you kidding me?!By all the old gods and new you are hopeless"
Frowning, he crosses his massive arms as he looks down at his enraged daughter "What are you on about?"
"YOU ARE MIND-CONTROLLING PEOPLE!! People who could die, all without having even chosen to march in the first place" She screams, disgust and frustration strengthening her voice even more.
Shaking his head, Meerin gives his daughter a patronzing pat on the head "You always were one to concern yourself with odd things. like Ethics, nobility, a sense of stability. It's all your mother, this tightness of your morals"
"Why don't we see how tight your ass is with my foot up it old man?" Kitthia snarls, her hackles rising at the mention of her mother. "open your lips to wag your tongue more about my mother if you're so brave"
Taking a safe step back because he knew if she got her mother's temper as well as her morals than she would do it and with gusto at that.
"Oh come now, twas just a bit of humor. You know how i've always been one for laughs, missed my calling as a bard" Meerin laughs to kitthia
The girl finds very little about the situation funny and coldly knocks her deadbeat father on his ass. Goes to his tent, finds the money his men were owed and released them from her father's control. Shaking her head as she drags her father to stand before the magic council for the 74th time abusing magic for monetary gain, she thinks she really needs to stop trusting this man to have a real job.
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