Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 11

Elias alighted from the carriage at the gates of Vendleber, scanning the small town’s streets thoroughly. He had removed the gray robe of the Order of the Gray Owl, instead donning the traditional white and gold of his House Parbon. After searching the streets for a time for the banner bearing the golden lion, he walked to the men guarding the gate.

“Excuse me,” Elias asked, touching one guard’s shoulder lightly. “Have you seen a large party of horsemen come through here with the banner of House Parbon?”

The guard jumped a little, and then looked up at Elias. “Errm… yes, we did. The lord told us to… well, I probably shouldn’t say,” the guard stopped himself.

Elias frowned. “Are they here, then?”

“Aye,” the guard nodded. “Most of them are camping outside the walls. I think they let a few stay in the inn on the western side of town, though.” The guard pointed. “The Rattled Rain, it’s called.”

“Thank you,” said Elias, retrieving a gold coin and handing it to the guard.

“Oh..!” the guard brightened. Elias turned and strode quickly to where the guard had pointed. “Thank you!” the guard yelled out, but Elias paid it little heed.

Half-running through the streets, Elias kept an eye on the wooden signs hanging above doorways. Once he spotted the Rattled Rain, he paused, catching his breath before entering the doorway. Some familiar faces turned to meet him—some of his father’s knights.

“Lucain. Mystle,” Elias greeted, walking towards them. “Where’s---”

“Elias,” a deep voice echoed through the inn. Elias turned his head towards the stairs, watching as his father slowly walked down into the inn’s common room. He looked disheveled, his long red hair splayed out across his plate mail in thick, greasy strands.

“Father,” Elias said, moving to greet him. “I came as soon as I heard that you had left Parbon.”

“Why are you here?” Margrave Reinhardt asked angrily. “You’re supposed to be in the Tower of the Gray Owl.”

“My term as a student is over,” Elias explained quickly. He held out a steel badge that bore an owl on it. “I’m a Wizard of the Gray Owl, now. My research was admissible.”

Reinhardt prodded his chest with a finger, sending Elias back a step. “And so you come here, instead of heading back to Parbon?”

“I should stand idly by while you go to help my uncle?” Elias spoke, matching his father’s bravado.

Reinhardt grit his teeth for a minute. Then, he stepped forward, hugging his son tightly. After a moment, they pulled away. The Margrave kept a firm grip on Elias’ shoulders. “Congratulations, Elias. I did not think a son of mine would ever become a Wizard, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am proud.”

Elias smiled slightly. It seemed a rare expression on both of the men’s faces. They sat at one of the tables in the corner, alone.

able to find you at Vendleber. I assumed you would already

snake,” Reinhardt said resentfully. “I knew I should have taken my wyvern

table. “Trouble with such

royal bastard.” The Margrave looked to his hands, a grim and wrothful look settled

it was only after a great

magic was hardly relevant. But his words… even thinking back, he led me by the nose like a fool. He was travelling with the Duke of Monticci’s daughter and… a child of House Veden.

filled in the

“I thought to take him as a hostage. He came willingly. It made me let my guard down. The whole way, he complained about horses and hating them. He played my temper, stoked my doubts, made himself appear weak, and ingrained his hatred of horses into my head… I thought to punish him by having him sleep next to the horses.” The Margrave grit his teeth. “Probably what he wanted the whole time. From there… he frenzied them. A firepit and illusion magic, they said. He stole my

the chair, holding his hand

and it suits them. That one is a snake with a silver tongue,” Reinhardt brooded. “The men were up for hours chasing horses. They need rest, as do the

rode towards the coast? Mateth? You must’ve sent someone after

sending anyone. By the time I knew he was gone, it was far too late to send anyone after him. He stole the best horse we had, my Redsnow. I had to borrow one

see,” said Elias, a hint of frustration on his tone. “You should go and sleep. I have far too much energy left to sleep

makes decent food. Ask her,” Reinhardt said, handing Elias a few gold coins from a

“Yes?”

glad you came.” Reinhardt patted his shoulder and walked up

He watched his father’s red hair fade out of view, and then the rest of the knights followed close behind him. Elias stayed in the common room. The innkeeper sat at a barstool

Elias stood and left the Rattled Rain. He walked towards the gate of the city. The suns

approached without issue, as most of the knights recognized his crimson hair common in House

scanned the horses, looking for the one that looked most suitable. He spotted the one that looked the fastest

knights interrupted. “It’s an honor to see you,

deliver,” Elias explained. “I need a horse

the knight said. “In that case, pardon me.” He bowed

got atop the horse, and after a few minutes of adjustment, set off into a canter. When they

be of much help to you in the capital—more a hindrance. I should head to Mateth, find Argrave. Mete out punishment…

the fact that his sister was the first thing on his mind. In truth, Elias felt he was blindly stumbling forward towards some vague attempt at a vengeance he didn’t even know

horse he had taken was the one that the Margrave Reinhardt had borrowed to replace his white

#####

midday. Argrave stood at the docks in Mateth, staring up at one of the buildings with his back facing the sea. He kept his gaze fixed on a pigeon. He had the distinct feeling that he was locking gazes with it. It stayed a fair distance away from the seagulls,

do something about these pigeons soon, Argrave

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