I sat on the garden wall which was about two feet high. The strange shaded spectacles Dreamir had made for me made the world look wrong.

I glanced behind me at the garden, which was obviously no concern to anyone. All the plants were dead and weeds had overtaken it. I sighed and held my head in my hands, elbows balancing on my knees.

It was nice to be outside again, I had to admit. I'd been in that room for two days and I thought it would drive me mad. But I wasn't allowed to go outside the castle walls. I mean, I was the king's son, and I should stay inside the walls to be "safe", but all I wanted to do was run. The guards stood lazily at the gate and I was sure I could run past them without a problem.

But, the problem was when I got into town. I had no idea where I was and I wasn't used to crowded streets. They'd catch me in a minute flat, and that would be when the fun started. Dreamir would have consequences, no doubt, and I've already felt his power and I knew how easily he was angered.

I didn't notice the figure sneaking up behind me until I felt the shove and I was sent sprawling to the ground. I let out a cry of mostly surprise and looked up into the face of a boy who looked only a little bit older then me. "Who are you?" He demanded.

"A-Asher," I stuttered. "Who are-"

"What do you think you're doing here?" The boy cut him off.

"I asked you firs-"

The boy grabbed him by the collar and heaved him up. "You don't ask the questions. I do."

"Well then, I'm Dreamir's so-er, guest."

The boy struck me with the back of his hand. "You dare use the Master's name?"

I blinked. I tried to free myself of his grip, but it was useless.

The boy started to drag me into the castle, but a voice stopped him. "Oh, Farid," Dreamir's voice said. "What are you doing with that boy?"

Farid snapped into a salute. "I found this boy lurking outside the castle, Sire."

"Lurk-" I started, but Dreamir cut me off.

"Let go of the boy, Farid," he said. Farid loosened his grip. "You see, he's my son."

Farid's eyes widened and dropped me as he tried to apologize, but Dreamir stopped him with a wave of his hand. "It's alright. You didn't know." Dreamir turned towards me. "Now, what were you up to?"

I glared at him. "Nothing."

He rolled his eyes, but decided to wave the matter aside. "Asher, this is the newest recruit to the royal guard, Farid. Farid, this is my son, Asher. I was hoping to formally introduce you two, but it seems that I'm a little late for that. I felt you two would make good friends."

I was taken aback. "Friends?"

Dreamir glared at me. "Yes, friends. I'm pretty sure you're aware of the term. And if not, have Farid explain it to you."

I glanced at Farid. I could see it in his eyes that he didn't want to be friends with me anymore then I wanted to be friends with him.

Dreamir sighed and stretched. "Well, I've gotta get back to work. Don't kill each other." Then he was gone.

For a moment, Farid and I stood facing each other, not sure who would do something first.

"So you're the prince," Farid said bluntly.

I shook my head. "I want nothing to do with that man. He may be my father, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."

Farid smirked. He looked like he was about to say something, but kept his mouth shut.

"What?" I asked.

Farid shrugged. "You just surprise me. Anyone would've tripped over themselves to be in your shoes."

"Why?" I asked. "Who'd want to live with him?"

Farid raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a death wish?"

"No," I said.

"Well then," Farid said. "I wouldn't go around insulting the king if I were you."

I shrugged. "What'll he do to me? He's nothing but a cheating, coward who happens to have mind controlling powers. If he didn't have those, I'd bet you anything that he'd be cleaning out pig pens."

Farid's face hardened. "I dare you to say that one more time."

"Or what?" I asked. "You can't hurt me."

"And why do you say that?" Farid asked. "I didn't seem to have a problem with it earlier."

I raised an eyebrow. "No matter how much I despise it, he's still my father. And things can get passed down from father to son, you know."

Farid looked at me skeptically. "You have your father's powers?"

"Not quite," I said. "What I have is much worse." 

Farid rose an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Prove it."

"I have no intention of show you," I said.

"And why's that?" Farid asked.

"Because no matter how much I'd enjoy seeing it, I'd rather not have your blood on my hands."

Farid gave a short, disbelieving snort. "You really think you can kill me?"

"Without a doubt," I said.

Farid rolled his eyes at me. "Yeah right. How many people have you killed then?"

I swallowed. "I'd rather not talk about it." I tried to push past him into the castle, but he stopped me.

"Oh no," he said. "I want a number. And proof." The last part sounded more like an afterthought.

I sighed. "I don't know. Probably close to fifteen or so."

Farid snorted. "I'm trained for that kind of thing."

I glared at him through the shaded spectacles. "Yeah, but have you ever killed your own mother?"

Farid blinked. He looked lost for words. Still glaring at him, I shoved him aside and went back into the gloomy castle that I would never call home.

~

Dreamir glanced up at me when I walked in. He was at a desk that was pushed towards the side of the room with a quill in his hands. "How'd it go?" He asked.

I glared at him. "I'm not looking for friends."

Dreamir sighed. "Don't tell me you killed him."

I shook my head. "Unlike you, I actually think before I kill someone. And no matter how much I hate them, I will never kill another human being." I walked over to his desk and slammed the spectacles down. "I don't want these anymore. Just leave me alone." I started to walk back to my room.

"Asher," he said, his tone light, but I could hear the authority behind it.

I ignored him and almost instantly I felt like I was being controlled. I tried to fight back, but it just made me frustrated and there was an explosion to my left. I sighed and turned towards Dreamir. "What?"

Dreamir raised an eyebrow. "We're not done here." My feet were forced in front of me, one step at a time, until I drew up a chair and sat opposite to Dreamir. I glared at him with hatred.

"You're just going to have to learn that sometimes you can't choose if you want to kill someone or not. Sometimes, you just have to accept the gifts you're given."

"No," I said simply.

Dreamir sighed. "Why are you so difficult?"

I shrugged sarcastically. "Well, I don't know...maybe it's because you want me to kill people just for fun! Oh! Or it might be because I've been on my own for five years after seeing my only family die a horrible death that she didn't deserve, thanks to you!"

Dreamir clenched his hand into a fist and suddenly my air supply was cut off. I started gasping for breath and coughing.

"You'll learn to do as I say," Dreamir said. "One way or another." He loosened his fist and the pressure was brought off my throat. I coughed as I tried to breathe again. I glared up at Dreamir again. He was a madman. When I could finally breath normally, I grabbed the shaded spectacles and turned to go to my room.

The only problem was, that someone was in my way. A frail looking man. His eyes flashed to mine and he was suddenly a coughing fit and he collapsed to the floor with a scream of agony. I backed up, hitting the table Dreamir was seated at, and slid to the floor. I brought my knees up to my chest and started sobbing. "I hate you!" I wasn't sure who I was telling it to, Dreamir or myself, but it felt good to get off my chest. "I hate you!"