Jackal Among Snakes

Anneliese watched the four survivors run to rejoin the detached group of better-armed men. That the defending force had a mage was an unexpected variable, but she adapted to it as best she could. The man was formidable. He killed the former commander and led to the deaths of dozens of others. Those thoughts gave her a pit in her stomach; Patriarch Dras had given Anneliese command to evaluate her after she spoke up at the gathering, and her first task was not a clean victory.

“We’ve won, Commander Anneliese,” one of the snow elves said formally.

“Have we?” she asked, watching them walk away from the makeshift platform beside the palisades. “The second ship’s fate is not decided, but chasing after them now would probably be fruitless. Losing two ships worth of Veidimen for this village…”

“Our task was to secure a landing for further troops. We have succeeded in that. All that remains is holding this position.”

Anneliese turned to look at his face, gauging his emotion. His breathing was fast, but he did not turn away from her gaze. After further examination without seeing any signs of anger, she judged he was not discontent with the battle.

“Had you not made the call to kill the archers immediately, all would have died on the shores,” the elf continued, oblivious to her scrutiny.

Anneliese turned away, stepping off the platform. “We may not have enough men to hold this place. The humans are barricaded in their homes now, but should things change…”

“If they were resigned to die, they would have joined their soldiers in defense of their village. Let them cower in their homes.” The elf jumped down after her and kicked one of the houses. A panicked yelp came out from within.

“Kick a hornet’s nest, tempt many hornets’ wrath,” she scolded, looking at the man coldly. “We are to preside over these people as subjects, not enslave them. Behave, or you will be punished.”

The elf paused, and Anneliese moved past him. Her gaze moved from place to place, surveying the docks and the damage that had been done with the ship. The longship was floating still, but the front half was suspended above the water, balanced precariously on broken wood. If it were to enter the water, Anneliese was sure it would sink. The other ship was aflame, and could not be salvaged.

She heard a loud split and presumed one section of the docks had broken. Wood splinters striking her cheek made her turn her head. One of the palisades had been knocked over, badly deformed but barely standing. She saw a flash of dissipating purple, but nothing after that.

A few shouts made her walk to the palisade. She peered beyond the broken one. She saw a whir of movement, and only after did she process that a horseman had just rode by. She grabbed one of the stakes and pulled herself up, peeking over the side. To the right, a horseman galloped off towards the humans. Behind…

Behind, there was a mass of shining metal. Anneliese’s heart jumped into her stomach. She assumed they were knights for a moment, the sunlight reflecting off their polished steel as a great crowd of men moved to reclaim the village. But their movements were jerky, and further scrutiny showed that they lacked joints. They looked like metal men.

Another purple projectile shot forward, and Anneliese dropped down. It hit the dirt, creating a great cloud of dust from the sheer force. She briefly saw an arrow before it dissipated into nothingness.

“The human trap…?” she questioned. Most of the Veidimen ran to the palisades, examining what exactly was firing at them. Anneliese sprinted over to the other side, pulling open the gate and looking out at the crowd of humans.

The horseman rode across the plains, slowing the horse before dismounting it beside the distant party. Not many were left living; ten, by her count, the mage, the rider, six knights, and two spearmen. The mage walked ahead of the rest of them. Some of the purple arrows fired, but he dispelled them by casually blocking with the Ebonice axe.

“The two are enemies…?” Anneliese scrutinized further. She watched the human mage step closer, appearing casual. He raised his arms above him, fists clenched, until they formed a V. Then, he closed the V repeatedly, touching his knuckles together. Even this far away, Anneliese could distinguish a vague hint of triumph on his face.

“A Veelstron sign. He brought this horde here to force collaboration?” Anneliese’s mind worked quickly, but those things approaching seemed mindless and hostile. Would the man rather lose the village than the battle?

Nevertheless, she returned the sign. If the man had caused this horde, it stood to reason he would be the key to ending it.

#####

doing?” Ryles yelled. “What

parley,” Argrave explained, keeping his head facing forward. “Those things are monsters. The Veidimen have a tradition of collaborating in the face of danger—snowstorms, big beasties,

stepping forward. “You brought those things here?! Explain

Well, my friend did, actually, but I ordered him to.” Argrave responded. Galamon stepped behind Argrave, placing himself between

were you thinking?!” Ryles walked forward,

to get them to vacate Barden, and

those we were killing moments ago?”

of his principal agents. This is part of the Duke’s plan.” Argrave turned around, pushing past Galamon. He handed his Ebonice axe to Galamon and grabbed Ryles’ shoulders. “If

the helmet, rapid and angered. Eventually, the man pulled free from Argrave’s grip and returned

come with you. If you are confident going, then

will you help against

spoke, angry. “For the sake of the Duke’s plan,

nodded. He tapped Galamon’s

was quite pleased

the biggest issue, presently, was dispatching the vast horde of

talk goes, this could be very hard

lived,” Galamon commented. “How’s

muster a laugh. He felt like vomiting, truthfully. The experience had been intense. “I could say the same for you.

one Argrave had handed him. “I was going to make you pay for a new one… but you gave me

the first time. Her amber eyes were bright, but

turned back to Galamon, tapping his breastplate with his knuckle. “By the way,

I throw it back

really. They’re hostile to all life

Argrave

shouted. That brought

a fair distance, Anneliese spoke back, “How do

same way I know the Veelstron sign. Do you think the Veidimen are the only one capable of spying on the enemy?” Argrave said. “But we’re

her expressions in check, Argrave knew. Even her amber eyes stayed still. “Then

leading to most of the

cannot apologize. It was my duty.” She shook her

world’s cycle might come to an end,” Argrave said, hamming his speech up. “While you wage this senseless war, He Who Would Judge the Gods stirs. That is

and uncomfortable, his acting being so blatantly called out. “He Who Would Judge the Gods? Is this

nodded. “He is the mortal agent of Erlebnis, the Hand Reaching from the Abyss.