Chapter VIII, Reading 8

"Would you mind peeling the turnips while I stuff the bird?" Kewero asked when she returned.

Flindra's answer was to pull out her dagger and start peeling the turnips.  She couldn't help but smile as she worked for she had always enjoyed helping in the kitchen.  Peeling the vegetables reminded her of home and that was a very comforting feeling.

"Kewero, I made an interesting discovery about Rigga while I was out riding," she began in a conversational tone.

"What was that, child?"

"I invoked the power of Rigga as you told me to do.  While I was galloping Deru, Rigga's power aura surrounded both of us and I became aware of his consciousness.  Then the contact went deeper; I seemed to merge with him.  It felt as if I had become him - that I was the one running across the ground.  When we stopped running, the excitement lessened, and the link ended.  Then to see if the whole thing had been real, I tested the mind link.  I started to control Deru with my thoughts rather than with the reins or my body.  I had no problem directing him with just my mind.  Were you aware of this aspect of Rigga?"

"Yes I was aware of it, but I hadn't gotten around to telling you about it."

"Will it have the same effect on people?  Can I direct them mentally?"

"Yes and no.  Humans are creatures of free will.  In general, they are not as easily controlled.  If you are trying to do something that is in conflict with the will of that person, you'll have no power over them at all.  Some people will be impervious to your mind control; others will be much easier to manipulate.  You probably will be limited to simple things such as making a person forget something, or to not notice things.  It really is a matter of interrupting their concentration for a moment so they forget what they are doing.  You also might be able to trigger minor physical sensations such as an itch or drowsiness."

"I see."

"There is one aspect of Rigga which might be helpful.  King Meldh once told me that he could use the ring to hide his presence by making people not notice him."

"Not notice him?"

Kewero nodded.  "He simply encouraged people to ignore him to the point they really didn't see him.  He used this aspect of the ring to have the freedom to travel among his subjects without their awareness of him.  He didn't really want to spy on people, but he liked to see what was truly happening.  Sometimes, it's hard for a King to get an accurate picture of what his subjects think."

"He sounded like a good king."

"He was one of the best this world has ever been blessed with."