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.

order being relayed outside and smiled

horses. As they neared House Parbon, the royal knights spread out, pushing past them with their horses. The knights of House

the knights of House Parbon remained firm. Reinhardt stared coldly, anger rising on his face, but he did not order his men to act. He had instructed them long in advance to bear with whatever shame the

A great horde of people gathered around, most of them workers and common laborers. They watched the scene, craning over each other to see. As the crowd grew larger, the knights on both sides

infectious. Though at first, calm prevailed as people watched the spectacle, one bold man let out a boo, and others were emboldened. Their expressions of disapproval echoed out, and the name of Margrave Reinhardt, a war hero, echoed

him uneasily, fearing his temper, but he sat quietly. Something thumped against the carriage. Induen

He

were able to walk out into the street. At first, they only broke into the road to throw

with Induen decided to get out and deal with him. They kicked the man in the

mob closed in from both 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 they were not deterred as they pushed past the gold-armored guards. They were

with a split head. Few saw what truly happened, and soon enough, hostile shoves evolved into a full-fledged attack. People tried to pull the

it rocked. The horses attached to the carriage tried to bolt, digging into the crowd, and the

royal knights shore through the crowd 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 knight step atop a young man and jam a shield into his neck, severing his

of Parbon! Protect the

plague. Induen opened the carriage door and stepped outside,

laughed heartily. “Just this

weapon’s spike in his eye. He threw the axe and it soared above the head of a royal knight to bisect one of the knights of Parbon. He conjured another, preparing to meet his next

hands. He used it as a spear, jabbing it towards Induen. The prince blocked it with

barely audible above the din.

or for me?”