How the hell had this happened?

That was the thought running through the mind of Sir Rufus over and over again as he knelt in the dirt, out of breath and exhausted, his sword laying on the ground a few feet away, where it had landed after getting knocked from his grasp. The fox knight could scarely believe what had just happened. He had been defeated in single combat.

But he was the hero of the Vulpine Kingdom! The mightiest, most skilled swordfighter in generations! And yet this upstart badger from some distant kingdom had managed to defeat him, seemingly with ease.

He glared up at the scrawny and unkempt badger standing over him, dressed in some skimpy and old-looking leather armour, carrying a simple battered sword that was not particularly well-crafted. He almost looked liked a wandering beggar who had found an old weapon. The only thing of value he appeared to have was the odd glinting jewelled amulet hanging around his neck. There was something oddly alluring about it…

“So, you have yielded. I have won our duel.” The badger said with an evil smirk.

“Yes.” Rufus growled, still fighting to get his breath back after the fight. The fight in which the badger had seemed to move with so much speed, dodging every blow and never failing to land one of his own. Throughout the entire battle, Rufus had not landed a single hit on his opponent, despite pushing himself to his limits.

“How?” Rufus demanded, as he finally got his breath back. “How did you beat me?”

“First things first.” The badger said, grinning with delight. “You agreed to do something for me if I defeated you…”

“Very well, what is it you want of me?” The fox asked, dreading what vile deed this badger might have in mind.

“Oh, it’s very simple.” The badger sheathed his sword and then stepped forward, removing the amulet from around his neck. He stepped forward and held it up in front of Rufus’s face. “Just look deep into this amulet’s gemstone, that’s all.”

This took the fox completely by surprise. It was unexpected and random and a little suspicious. But he looked anyway, honourbound to do as he was asked by the terms of the duel that he had agreed to.

Up close, Rufus could see that the gem set into the centre of the amulet was not red as he first thought. Rather, it seemed to be multi-coloured, the colours swirling in odd patterns as he watched. He suddenly didn’t want to look away, completely mesmerised, eyes fixed on the amulet, all other thoughts slowly draining from his head.

The badger let out a sigh of relief. “You have no idea how satisfying this moment is, how difficult it has been to create a hypnotic amulet of such power as this. Why, it has taken decades, and the entire fortune I inherited from my father. But seeing your blank expression, feeling your mind fall under my sway, it has all been worth it!”

Sir Rufus was barely listening, completely lost in the swirling colours of the amulet before him. He hardly noticed as his head started to fill with new ideas and desires. Of obedience and servitude. Of utterly devoting himself to this badger. Of being this badger’s loyal servant for the rest of his days…

“Unfortunately,” The badger mused. “Even with its power, the amulet needs to be up close like this to achieve proper enslavement. But of course, it can still affect the minds of those who are close enough in a number of ways if I chose. Like say… slowing down the reactions and perceptions, so that to them I appear to be moving faster and am therefore able to defeat them in a duel…”

The kneeling fox was long past caring, continually glaring at the amulet. his whole being now filled with new purpose. He knew now that he belonged wholly to this badger and would do whatever his new Master asked of him.

Suddenly, the amulet was yanked away from Rufus’ sight. “That’s enough, I think.” The badger said. “Anything to say, Sir Rufus?”

The fox bowed his head before his new owner. “I am yours to command, my Master. How may I serve you?”

The badger chuckled. “You know the ruler of the Vulpine Kingdom, don’t you? King Silas?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Then you will use your reputation as the great hero of the kingdom to get me a private audience with him.” The badger smiled broadly at the thought of the beginning of the next stage of his plan of conquest. “I think he’s going to like my amulet just as much as you did…”