Runt bolted away, unsure of where he was going but extremely sure that wherever it was better than in the presence of the two giant predators. Not immediately gaining traction on the slippery ground, he made to move as fast as possible. What is this place, anyway? A cave whose floor is covered in black and white squares? Eventually, even with the uncooperative running surface, he got up to speed and made quick work of nine of the ten feet he needed to go in order to escape.

“Stop, rat!”

Unable to ignore the booming voice of the larger creature, he felt compelled to obey. His body followed the orders but physics had other plans as he skidded and slammed hard into the large door he was headed toward. Bollocks! That smarts! He had just enough time to be angered by the sudden pain when the voice spoke again.

“Get over here, rat,” the voice said, this time not as loud.

Runt got back up onto all fours and started toward the gigantic form. This can’t be good!

“Salvie, go get your hands taken care of in the infirmary and return when you are finished,” Master Felbin directed, and the girl nodded and headed toward the same door Runt was trying to escape under. “And you, my furry friend, what do you think you are doing?”

Since I can understand the huge beast, maybe he can understand me? Hmm, maybe diplomacy will be the answer here. There’s a first time for everything! “Greetings, oh Large and Mighty One! Truly you are powerful beyond all comparison and I, Runt, would not be more than a mere snack to one of your. . . um, stature. So, under this assumption I would like to extend to you the olive branch of peace and live and let live and that!”

Confused by the squeaking the rat was now engaged in and clearly not understanding what he was saying, the Enchanter continued by asking a question Runt was not prepared for. “Are you hungry, would you care for some cheese, or perhaps a chunk of the sandwich from my lunch would suffice?”

Before Runt could consider the strange behavior his would-be killer was exhibiting, he was picked up in one of his absurdly large, hairless paws and set upon the worktable, next to some sort of plate nearly twice Runt’s length. “Here you go, little fella, help yourself! I’m quite full and I am hoping you will sit still a moment while I study you. Please sit still and eat. I confident we will be friends. Of course, that is because I know how the magic behind this arrangement works!”

Once again Runt was compelled to obey, but this time he couldn’t say he really minded. Surely it must be some kind of feeble-minded predator, focusing mostly on brute strength, clearly having little need for higher intelligence. Oh well, better eating than dead, I always say! He bit into the outer layer of the delightfully appetizing food, fully intending to make the most of what would likely be his last meal. Keeping one eye on the lookout for any sudden moves, he kept eating until he ate through the first layer, which was spongy, yet tasty.

What. Is. This?! Runt was momentarily stunned by the delicious flavor of the new layer he bit into, but soon redoubled his efforts, no longer able to focus on anything but his meal. “It is so. . . delicious!” The rat was now biting into of what he would eventually learn was called cheese, and just the thought of it would get him through some of the darkest times of his life.

“Helllo, little one, I am Master Felbin, who by coincidence am now your master, or at least for a time. I have summoned you from your plane of existence and bound you to this wooden figurine.” Having said this, he held out the miniature rat statue out to Runt, who took a minute out of his feeding frenzy to examine it.

“Master Felbin, I am appalled that you would think this scrap of wood resembles me at all. In fact, it occurs to me that it was crafted in the image of a completely different rat, as my arse in no way protrudes in that manner!” Runt was completely at ease by this point and completely comfortable in the giant’s presence, thanks to the magic at work.

Felbin looked impassively at him, not seeming to understand what he was saying and placed the statue into a small pouch on his belt. He observed intently while rubbing his thumb underneath his chin.

Hmm, it seems that either this individual has no skill in languages or does not speak my tongue. It is no matter, even the slowest of voles can be taught! But first, I must win him over in a non-verbal manner.

With this, Runt stood up on his back legs and started slowly shifting his weight from one leg to another. After an eight-count, he began nodding his head with each step, holding his front paws at his side in a neutral position. This strategy had saved his life once when in front of a rather angry Warren Council, where they were discussing exiling him because he wasn’t making quota.

A look of puzzlement formed on Master Felbin’s face as he watched the astral rat before him exhibiting some sort of very odd behavior not typically seen in the lower lifeforms.

Another eight-count was just about complete and Runt took one foot and quickly placed it behind the other, culminating in a dexterous 360 degree spin move that left him bouncing back and forth and nodding his head to an invisible beat in the same position he started. With this complete, he took a moment to check the status of his audience.

The Master made an uncharacteristically high-pitched squeal, at least in Runt’s opinion for the brief time he had known him and clapped in delight! Good, good, I have him right where I want him, time to bring on my best moves.

Encouraged by what he saw, Runt, started adding more complex foot patterns and even more enthusiastic hand motions into his routine. They may have thought him a runt back home. They may have belittled him for his lack of contribution in their society. They may have even mocked him for his small stature, but nobody, nobody, had dance moves like Runt!

At this point the large man was clapping along, encouraging the small rat toward greater and greater feats of agility. It went on like this for about a minute when Runt decided he had won him over, and figured he needed to end his routine on a high note. In the middle of a sort of move where he only appeared to be walking forward but was backing up, he suddenly crouched down and backflipped to his original position, then slowly and methodically spread his legs apart in the splits, still nodding with the beat. After completing the move, he slowly undid his pose by smoothly reversing the splits back into a standing position, sitting down on his haunches while raising his front right paw in the air proudly, tipping his head toward the ground and holding himself still. After two more seconds, he lowered his hand, stood up, and bowed deeply.