Jackal Among Snakes

Elias opened a set of thick stone doors, stepping into a cold hall. His father sat there at his desk. At Elias’ entry, he set down a dagger.

“Father,” Elias greeted a bit stiffly.

Margrave Reinhardt stared at his son. He said nothing for an uncomfortably long period, and Elias felt the need to squirm. He managed to stay still, though only with his best effort.

“Where is your fiancée?” the Margrave asked.

“I… introduced her to Rose,” Elias stepped forward. “I figured she should know my sister if she is to be… a part of the family. They seemed to be getting along when you called me,” he said optimistically. “Both enjoy books. The two are similar, I think. Ridia is near as sweet as Rose.”

The Margrave nodded. “I’m glad there is some affection forming between the two of you.”

Elias hung his head. “…I’m sorry. I know I should have—”

“Don’t apologize. You did well,” Reinhardt interrupted.

Elias raised his head back up, red eyes wide.

“You made a decisive choice as a leader to earn a benefit, and to protect your people. This is something that I wanted you to learn, and you learned it.” Reinhardt spread his arms out. “The fact that you ignored my authority doesn’t matter, because you considered the people first.”

“Well, I… Argrave is the one who made this happen,” Elias deflected, his promise of not mentioning Argrave vanishing when blame turned into praise. “He was the smart one. He saw what would happen and made it a reality. I just… was led around.”

“That one seems to be the sole force for change in this family,” Reinhardt looked away. “It doesn’t matter.” Reinhardt grabbed the dagger on his desk, tossing it aside. He retrieved a paper, handing it to Elias. “This came not hours ago.”

Elias took two steps forward, retrieving the paper. He oriented it to read it properly, then furrowed his brows. After a time, he rose his head. “Elbraille declared its support of our cause?”

Margrave Reinhardt nodded.

Elias smiled. “That’s… that’s great!”

“That boy you brought, Stain…” Reinhardt continued, not sharing his son’s jubilation. “He tells me of some things. He’s been… he said he was ‘keeping his ears on the beating heart of the underworld.’ I didn’t know what he meant, but he elaborated that he was keeping track of rumors.” Reinhardt sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know what he’s saying half the time.”

“He’s a good one at heart, even if he does like to do some… less than reputable things. He didn’t have a good chi—”

“Let me finish,” Reinhardt held out his big hand. “Despite this letter… Stain says a lot of people are talking about unrest in Elbraille. He says people claim someone is stirring the people against the lord, bringing to light certain injustices. Unjust taxes, corrupt guards, malfeasance by those near the Duke…”

“That’s… is that true? These incidents, that is,” Elias questioned.

“I’m not saying Duke Marauch is a saint—far from it—but we need his support in the war, and someone is moving against him, trying to oust him from power.”

then turned back and nodded

the backrest. He sighed for a long,

taken aback, as though he’d

We’ll discuss this, decide how to act. Personally, I think that you and Stain should go there and maintain order. Doubtless the Duke will welcome

trying to undermine the Duke, it’s definitely going to be a supporter of Vasquer,” Elias said. “It would

mind, should this come to pass,” the Margrave shook his head. “But this

“I see,” Elias nodded.

then. For now… ensure your fiancée is comfortable here.”

his head slightly. He turned and opened the stone door, stepping out. As

the stone door. “Argrave told me something at the Tower of the Gray

kept the dagger in hand, looking

was a… salamander. On the hills of

pertinent?” the Margrave

impression this salamander might hold some secret in healing Rose.” Elias took his hand off the stone door and stepped back into the room. “I looked into this… and, well, some of it holds true. There are barbarians in Vysenn, known for

Margrave turned his ruby eyes away from his son. “If you think it

more excitement on his tone. He left and shut the

against the desk. “This boy… maybe I

#####

goat for breakfast—the cost had been exorbitant, but Argrave did not lack money even still.

outside…” Anneliese

fight an entire region’s religion, fix an entire region’s problems? I feel guilty too,

refocusing her gaze on Argrave. “Why do they refuse to submit to

and long-standing

here does not seem so bad,” Anneliese looked around. “If they would simply submit,

sustained largely by farming,” Argrave summarized. “Beyond forced labor in the fields, we can’t see much injustice. Elsewhere… mining settlements, plantations… we’ll see the worst of the place soon enough.” Argrave tapped his finger on

to suppress guilt when people starve outside the walls. And

pointed to her. “You had salted meat in Veiden. It was sea

taste,” she countered. “Yet hearing you describe your home, I suppose I can understand

and he somewhat loathed the feelings of homesickness that would swell whenever he confronted it. “I was an outlier, even there,” Argrave

do you miss most?” she asked, placing her arms

of cultural traditions and developments were distilled into countless types of music, each and all wonderful and unique. And above all, music wasn’t something reserved for special occasions—parties, festivals, what have you. Anyone could listen to music, anywhere. We have electricity

them, still wearing his backpack with Garm on it. The elven vampire

you’re back,”

and it shows no signs of subsiding,” Galamon reported as he settled himself. “Roads are blocked—no travel

looked at Garm, encased in Galamon’s

I suppose. This one has the steadiest step—the least shaking. And he’s the tallest, so I can see more,” came his muffled voice. “I’m