Jackal Among Snakes

“Damn it,” cursed Duke Enrico as he stared out into the distance at his domain. Now that war was upon them, he had donned his plate mail, the blue swordfish of Monticci embedded on its chest. He stood atop the walls of Mateth, right beside one of the giant marble statues, as he stared out at the rising smoke in the distance. “The boy was right, to the word.”

Nikoletta stepped forward to stand beside her father, arms crossed. The two seemed like echoes of each other with their similarly decorated armor—one plate, one leather. “You could not have known. No one knew, besides him.”

“And that’s the mystery. How did he know? Perhaps the royal family’s influence is greater in my domain than I expected. It’s pointless to consider now… henceforth, though, I’ll follow his advice.” He turned back. “Knight-Commander Ryger. Command the mage battalions to center their forces near the docks, preparing to counter magic.”

“At once, duke,” with his voice echoing through his helmet, Ryger bowed and then moved to obey. His heavy armor clanged noisily as he sprinted.

The Duke turned back to Nikoletta. “If we should survive this, I view Argrave as your most promising marriage prospect.”

“What?!” Nikoletta could not help but shout in surprise. “He’s my cousin!”

“He has no force backing him, so he won’t compete with you for control of the duchy when I pass. He’s a bastard, so he should have no issue adopting the name of Monticci. He’s a very promising mage and a brilliant strategist. He’s young. Above all, you like him,” the duke continued, unaffected by her outburst. “As do I.”

“He—” Nikoletta paused, taking a deep breath. “You’ve spoken to him but once, and you ‘like him?’ He’s a friend, nothing more. Worse yet, he’s near identical to Elwind. As I said, he’s already family.”

“That matters little. You have no shared ancestors beyond your mother,” Duke Enrico shook his head. “There should be no issues with your progeny.”

At the mental image her father’s words gave her, she shook her head frantically. “Father, please…!”

“No more discussions. When he returns… if he returns,” Duke Enrico amended, “I will send the proposal.”

Nikoletta opened her mouth to say more, but a voice from behind cut her off.

“Duke Enrico!” a lightly armored gatekeeper ran up, breathing hard.

“Catch your breath, then speak,” the Duke commanded.

The gatekeeper did, and then he took off his helmet and wiped his face with his wrist. “Two people are trying to enter the gate, duke. One of them claims to be Knight Ryles from Barden, bringing urgent news from the village regarding a mage. The other is a female mercenary with a giant sword seeking to help in the defense.”

“Argrave went to Barden,” Nikoletta said immediately.

“Oh!” the gatekeeper exclaimed. “That name was mentioned, young lady Monticci.”

command a High Wizard of the Gray Owl to examine both people

Duke’s hands and stared at it, bewildered by the responsibility he’d just been given. He saluted the Duke and ran off once again. The Duke retrieved a seeing glass and looked out at the coastline, watching the movements of the longships as they collided with

elbow as though to speed up time. She could not deny she was

for a long time, but it could not have been more than fifteen minutes before a knight rushed to them, partially covered in blood and

breath. “Knight Ryles. I was commanding the forces

what led you to abandon your post?”

eve of the battle, a spellcaster came to us. He offered the name… I think it was ‘Argrave of Blackward,’ and claimed that he was the duke’s agent,” Ryles said, speaking as though he was telling a big secret. “He had the

I think he used that as an alias when he sold the Margrave’s horse,”

to Nikoletta and turned back

site of the battle. He used this horde to gain parley with the snow elves. He claimed he was an agent of the duke, assigned by you

Duke furrowed his brows, and then ran a hand through his blue hair. “What is he…? Well? What happened

agreement,” the knight hesitated as the questions did not head the

sail away? Defeat the metal creatures?” the duke

elves, so I thought…” Ryles trailed off, taken aback by the

pulled him closer. “You let Argrave fight that horde of monsters alone, and then let him sail to Veiden by himself?” He released, pushing the knight away. “Damn it. This boy… I have no idea what

and arbitrary, but ultimately, they had clear purpose. He had returned her thesis to keep Monticci’s reputation intact. He had gone with the Margrave despite the dangers to keep their House’s relationships stable. He had attacked the

forward. “We can’t do anything for him now, anyway. He acted alone, but I’ve never seen him act without a plan. Realistically, what he’s done doesn’t

to his daughter. After a time, he

#####

fur sack in her right hand. She had cleaned and changed into a more fitting white-fur robe. Ahead, the door was slightly ajar, and a dim sliver of light peaked past. She started

notes at points. “Bedridden, imprisoned in me. I’m crippled and broken, alive and not free. The sun out my window, it warms me

She pushed open the door and entered. He turned

celebrating. “You look

hefting the sack atop her legs. “What is

while, and then smiled. “People never ask those sorts of questions. They just ignore my weird words and move on, unwilling to admit their own ignorance. A Russian princess, hm?” Argrave tilted his head back. “A Russian princess would probably have fair hair, pale skin, fancy fur clothes made right in Siberia, and an

“Here. I brought preserved fish and meat. Eating rich foods like this is the key to a speedy recovery. Healing

meat. When I was sick a few days ago, I was vomiting up everything that wasn’t slush.” Argrave said, voice straining as he leaned over to grab the bag. Argrave opened the bag, pulling free

Barring a few shelves with

said. “I suspect a

bite-sized pieces. “What, you just gave your account and they booted

“Yes,” she confirmed.