Jackal Among Snakes

A black carriage travelled down the road, the light from the setting suns reflecting off its lavish gold decorations and brilliantly illuminating the road. Induen lazily slumped on the carriage’s window, staring at the great capital Dirracha far ahead.

Dirracha was called the City of Dragons. Detractors called it the City of Snakes, in reference to the Vasquer’s heraldry. The banners of the royal family hung from the walls; a great golden serpent coiled around a sword on a black field. Induen smiled, watching them sway in the winds.

Dirracha was built into the side of a mountain, ascending towards the peak until it rose to the Dragon Palace. One could see every level of the city, as the walls were not especially high. It was cordoned off into distinct sectors, divided by high walls and the long road down the center leading directly to the palace: the Royal Road. There were other entrances to the city. The Royal Road, though, could only be travelled by those of Vasquer blood. It was not strictly enforced, but the gate only opened for royalty.

The gargantuan gold gates of the Royal Road parted as Induen approached with his carriage. Induen pulled his head back inside the carriage and lowered the black curtains. Two of the royal guards sat with him in the carriage, vigilant as ever. Outside, a great number of them guarded the carriage, golden armor matched with similarly decorated horses. It was a procession worthy of the heir to the throne.

Induen’s carriage passed beneath the gate. Far ahead, where the Royal Road exited Dirracha and entered the Dragon Palace, a great host blocked the path. They held a white banner bearing a golden lion. Margrave Reinhardt stood at the head of the group, blocking all entry to the palace.

One of the royal knights knocked on the side of Induen’s carriage and poked his head in. “Prince Induen. Margrave Reinhardt is blocking the Royal Road with his knights.”

“What?” Induen said in exasperation. He did not bother to look. “Keep moving. If they refuse to move, refuse to stop.”

Being on the Royal Road was not illegal—the common people had to pass over it to reach other portions of the city very frequently. Blocking a royal’s passage was, though, and Induen did not assume the Margrave would have the gall to do so.

Their carriage continued onwards, many of the royal knights moving to the front of the carriage in case they needed to move House Parbon’s knights from the road. Dirracha was far quieter than it usually was when a royal returned, and the tension grew as the carriage rattled up the road.

Slowly, the Margrave Reinhardt turned his back to see the coming carriage. He walked past the sea of white-gold banners, walking towards the carriage until he stood directly in front of it.

Another knock came, and the royal guard spoke again. “The Margrave’s knights refuse to stand aside, Prince.”

“Pfft.” Induen scoffed. “As I said, just continue onwards. Should they still stand in the way, push them aside.” He scratched at his chin. The knight nodded his head and pulled away from the carriage.

the order being relayed outside and smiled from within the carriage. He raised the curtains a

royal knights spread out, pushing past them with their horses. The

Parbon remained firm. Reinhardt stared coldly, anger rising on his face, but he did not order his men to act. He had instructed

great horde of people gathered around, most of them workers and common laborers. They

Though at first, calm prevailed as people watched the spectacle, one bold man let out a boo, and others were emboldened.

curtain, a grim expression on his face now that he was being jeered as so. The two knights from across him watched him uneasily, fearing his temper, but he sat quietly. Something thumped against the carriage.

Induen fumed. He shut the curtains

and the royal guard occupying the bulk of both groups’ attention, the people were able to walk out

and deal with him. They kicked the man in the knee, casting him to the ground. They grabbed his burlap shirt and threw him away, sending him rolling. At

ends, pushing at the royal knights from atop their horses. The royal guard tried to remain calm, but there was a deep wroth brewing in the hearts of the people, and

the knight on its back. It kicked one of the people mobbing by, casting him to the stone with a split head. Few saw what truly happened, and

its surface. Induen grabbed near the sides, trying to stay balanced as it rocked. The horses attached to the carriage tried to bolt, digging into the crowd, and the carriage driver was pulled from the top and beaten. Many royal knights drew their swords when they saw their master’s carriage

with reckless abandon, trying to be certain the prince would not be harmed. The crowd tried to disperse,

hand clenched tight on his banner. His breathing was quick and labored, deliberating what to do intensely. He saw a royal

Parbon!

a locust plague. Induen opened the carriage door and stepped outside, a smile on his face. He held his hand up and conjured a battle-axe from thin air that

laughed heartily. “Just this much,

knights of House Parbon with reckless abandon. He blocked one knight’s blow with the haft of his axe, then kicked the knight away before jamming the weapon’s spike in his eye. He threw the

of the knights, the banner of House Parbon still held tight in his hands. He used

finally lost his cool,” Induen taunted, barely audible above the din.

or for me?” The Margrave yelled