In my serial novel Sparrow’s Legacy, one of the mages uses his mind magic to read enemy thoughts to control his victims.  Here is a sample:

General Lium bowed.  “I am formally here to share there is conclusive proof of the Sparrows’ demise.”

Endric leaned forward, his eyes alight with pure gratification.  “Finally, after all these Ans.  The seat of rule is no longer out of reach.”

General Lium gave him a bitter smile.

“What?  What is wrong.”  Endric spat.

“She had children, Pashier.  Two, to be exact.  Taren Michale and Teng Mist.”

Endric stared at his general without expression.

“While Taren is not a ruling threat due to her pre-marital conception, her brother is a concern.  He is not tainted from the Sparrow’s unfortunate birthing issues.”

“He is still of that half-rate coward sword hand.”  Endric rubbed his scar unconsciously.  

“Yet, after her official marriage and accepting of his common name, the Swordon family is considered elevated within nobility.  And pardon, Pashier, his mark against you did not exactly cause him shame when he protected the Sparrow from harm.

“I tell you this, Lium.  I do not tolerate any citizen who speaks of this Swordon with grace.  He is an outlaw and that decree is still in place.  Perhaps this is something that can carry over to his children?  A new statute or order, passed down to ensure the peoples’ safety?  I mean, if his father was guilty, does not the son endure the reckoning.”

General Lium paused to reflect.  “I do not think this would sway the people for your rule.  The child is still that, a child.  His father passed over two Ans ago now.  We have little of the information to enact this type of decision with ensured success.  Perhaps he may give you the rule and succeed?  His childhood was not truly conducive to Flarentine rule.”

Endric clenched his fist, the surface steaming with heat.  The throne showed small scorch marks on its arms.  “Does he have any magic?  He must.  Does the girl Taren?  Where are they?”

General Lium shook his head.  “They were not captured during the attack.  Only Sparrow was found and eliminated.  The children were either forewarned or hidden.  Sparrow went down defending the villagers.”

Endric pounded his fist onto his thigh.  “I would have loved to be there.  She was always too caring of those she associated with her rule.  And yet these peasants were not even Flarentine citizens.  A reckless waste of energy and magic for nothing.  It seems the years in isolation did not teach her anything.

“Well, the cristi was disabled soon after it signaled.  So, I believe a follower of Sparrow’s Flarentine people jumped in and found it.  Knowing Sparrow’s clan, it was a Mir-e-se,” General Lium said with a grave expression.

Endric stood and poured another glass of wine, handing it across to his officer.  “I’ve sent an army to dispatch her, three of my lower First Lords are over the waters.  Now that my sister is gone, we shall clean up the remaining riffraff and sponge up the juices.”

Lium stiffened, his body growing still.  He felt his magic reveal itself as he divined a moment of truth.  “The prophecy grows as the Protector hides no more.”  His voice was loud and clear.  The guards standing at the back of the hall gave each other a look.

Endric’s eyes grew flint hard.  He lifted his hand and grabbed at the air, the two stewards cleaning the column char were jerked upright as a weaving white string was pulled from them to streak toward his hand.  They never knew what killed them.  The draining complete, their bodies collapsed. He threw the flame at the nearby port table, the noise twice as loud as before.  Food, drink, and table exploded.   

Lium’s eyes widened as he saw his Pashier turn to pull a string of magic power from his own chest.  He yanked on it jerking Lium to his side.   

“I don’t want to hear about this false Protector, General.  A rumor of an imaginary foe is not my concern.” Endric met his gaze with a hard smile.  “It is yours.”    

Endric pulled harder and Lium cried out in pain.  His body surged, his chest expanded, his eyes glowed.  He was being stripped of magic with the touch.  “Yes, Pashier.”  He managed to agree.

General Lium collapsed to his knees when Endric released him.  His magic snapped back into him viciously.  He coughed blood, and his entire being trembled.