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.”

turned back and

his brawny frame completely hiding the backrest.

though he’d never heard his father

out,” the Margrave said. “Tomorrow, I’ll call together some advisors I trust. We’ll discuss this, decide how to act. Personally, I think that you and Stain should go there and maintain order.

someone is trying to undermine the Duke, it’s definitely going to be a supporter of

that in mind, should this come to pass,” the Margrave shook his head. “But this person, or group of persons, evidently lacks the strength for an

“I see,” Elias nodded.

now… ensure your fiancée is comfortable here.” Reinhardt leaned forward

father,” Elias said, lowering his head slightly. He turned and opened the

turned, grabbing the stone door. “Argrave told me something at the

looking up coldly

said there was a… salamander. On the hills of Vysenn,” Elias

this pertinent?” the

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

Margrave turned his ruby eyes away from his son. “If you think it has merit… look

little more excitement

“This boy… maybe I need to meet him once more.” Reinhardt rubbed

#####

to him. The inn they’d stayed at had goat for breakfast—the cost had been exorbitant, but Argrave did not lack money even still.

outside…” Anneliese

could change things—something that’d take years—it does nothing for the bigger picture. We, alone, should fight an entire region’s religion, fix an entire region’s problems? I feel guilty too, but I’d feel guiltier if I had to watch Gerechtigkeit kill each and every living thing alive because we spent our time tackling something beyond

Argrave. “Why do they refuse to submit

forced worship of Fellhorn, and long-standing hatred,” Argrave summarized quickly. “They refuse

so bad,” Anneliese

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 the table. “Unless you can

guilt when people starve outside the walls. And you would eat things

But come on,” Argrave pointed to her. “You had salted meat in Veiden. It was sea salt, granted, but it’s not

food for preservation, not for taste,” she countered. “Yet hearing you describe your

bit awkward to speak of his home so openly, and he somewhat loathed the feelings of homesickness that would swell whenever he confronted it. “I was

miss most?” she asked,

of music, each and

wearing his backpack with Garm on it. The elven vampire removed the pack, setting it beside the table, and then

you’re back,” Argrave

still raging, and it shows no signs of subsiding,” Galamon reported as he settled himself. “Roads

looked at Garm, encased in Galamon’s helmet.

steadiest step—the least shaking. And he’s the tallest,