Jackal Among Snakes

At the top of a ridge, five horsemen stared out across the moonlit grassy fields. Their faces were wrapped in simple brown cloths, and baggy burlap concealed steel armor. The shade from a mountain behind hid them from sight. The one at the highest point of the ridge, evidently being followed by the others, was of formidable stature and had bright blue eyes. His helmet dangled from his horse’s saddle, bound by a rope.

Their eyes stayed locked on a castle. It was a simple thing—a pentagonal stone fort built atop a hill, with a simple yet spacious keep in the center. Knights roamed the ramparts, bearing torches or magic lamps even despite the abundant moonlight. It overlooked a town. The place was quite poor, most of the houses being shanty wood or packed straw.

“To think that a vassal of House Parbon lies so close to Elbraille,” their blue-eyed leader said.

“My prince, there should be no issue in passing,” one of the other horsemen spoke. “There are no night patrols, and even us royal knights can pass as mercenaries when bearing steel and burlap.”

“I know,” replied Induen, tone dismissive. “They seem… lax, don’t they?”

“The knights, prince?” one of the royal guards asked.

“Yes,” returned Induen, tone pensive. “The most they deal with is probably the average village ruffian. A peaceful existence.” Induen extended a hand out. “They watch over this dank hovel, polishing their armor and passing day by day. They might deal with minor disputes, or they might be called to war elsewhere, but here? Dreadfully boring.”

The royal knights remained silent, leaving their prince to his thoughts.

“It would be best if someone let them know they are truly at war.” Induen reached down, retrieving his helmet off his horse’s saddle. He unwrapped the cloth around his head, and then put the helmet on. “It would be better if that person were me.”

“My prince… we are only five,” one of the royal knights said concernedly.

“Rest easy,” Induen assured, voice calm. “Someone told me I should be less impulsive, and so I thought for a long while atop this ridge. Perhaps she was right. But Elbraille needs a demonstration, and my enemies need to know fear.” Induen urged his horse onwards, descending down the hill they were on. The knights followed without hesitation—such was their duty.

When they neared the village, Induen slowed their horses into a steady trot, scanning the village. He roamed without purpose, it seemed, but the footfalls upon the gray autumn grass were soundless and none of the sleeping villagers roused at their presence.

After a time of wandering, Induen brought his horse to a stop in front of a place where straw roofs were abundant. His eyes roamed for a long moment, and then he nodded. “Enter quietly. Secure all the residents the same way.”

The royal knights dismounted wordlessly, walking around the perimeter of the house. Induen watched from the outside, still on horseback, as his men signaled each other and entered simultaneously through the house’s entrances. A brief scuffle could be heard within alongside a muffled scream. Something ceramic broke within. After some time had passed, Induen came down and moved into the house.

the home arrayed on the floor, muffled by sheets and clothing likely taken from the house. Two were

going to remove your gag,” Induen said, voice

pulled the cloth out of the man’s mouth. At once, the man began begging incomprehensibly, the most

grabbing the man’s hair. “Answer my question. Under what circumstances

when the lord leaves, when the knights go on patrol, whenever the lord is

shook the man’s head. “Use this thing I’m

to

man’s head. He

and the woman beside him

children to live… once this place sets aflame, scream for help. Scream like your life depends on it. But mention me or my men,

nodded frantically. “Don’t kill them. Don’t. Please.

his feet. “Then do

more. The prince held his hand out and a spell matrix swirled in the air. After a second, a geyser of flame erupted forth, immediately consuming the entire home and some of the ones closest to it. Their horses, not expecting

out of control, the straw a natural

royal knights were somewhat uneased by the display of wanton arson, but Induen remained calm with his breathing steady beneath

Induen.” One of the royal knights pointed. True to his observation, the gate had opened, and

and screamed.

flames and began casting water magic. It brought a smile to Induen’s face beneath his helmet, and he urged his horse onwards after leaving behind

the mages. Once done, wait for me. We’ll head for the

fear towards the flames. The riders from the castle, spellcaster or no, were too distracted by the fires to see others bearing a different uniform weaving in their ranks. Induen drew his sword, rushing past a few mounted knights to stab a spellcaster in the chest. The

another geyser of flame. He waved his hand as the spell hurtled forth, creating a cone of fire. What few of the castle’s knights not hit

her hand out and conjured a spell. At once, spears of ice hurtled up from the ground forming a makeshift barricade of pikes. The horse could not cease its charge, and Induen abandoned it, jumping into the air. It impaled itself on the ice, and Induen landed nimbly on the

she cried out painfully. He grabbed her arm and mercilessly pulled her from horseback, dispatching her with a stomp to the neck. Without a moment’s pause for breath, he remounted and calmed the horse with a spell. He led the animal around the growing flames, where ahead his royal knights

plains, the royal knights disengaged, following after him. Induen looked back, watching for more traces of magic, but the royal knights were brutally effective killers and Induen did not watch

sped across the plains, the knights of the castle torn between dealing with the flames and dealing with the intruders. The villagers of the unaffected portion of the town emerged from the homes, trying to aid with quelling the flame using dirt and water to little

of them, a set of wide stairs led to

you, go up the walls and find the mechanism for the gate. Make sure it remains open. The rest of you, stop