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.”

and nodded seriously. “What

his brawny frame completely hiding the backrest.

was taken aback, as though he’d never heard his father say

we need to figure it out,” the Margrave said. “Tomorrow, I’ll call together some advisors I trust. We’ll discuss this, decide how to act. Personally, I

going to be a supporter of Vasquer,” Elias said.

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 outright

“I see,” Elias nodded.

me, here. We’ll talk more then. For now… ensure your fiancée is comfortable here.” Reinhardt leaned forward once more, picking up the dagger he’d

turned and opened the stone door, stepping out. As he

“Argrave told me something at

looking up coldly towards his

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

pertinent?” the Margrave

and stepped back into the room. “I looked into this…

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

Elias said once more, a little more excitement on

dropped the dagger, and it clattered against the desk. “This boy… maybe I need to meet him

#####

himself up beneath the sun’s beams. Anneliese sat adjacent 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. Though Argrave might’ve found the prospect of a new type of meat unappealing, for the first time

outside…” Anneliese spoke,

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

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

delegated tasks, forced non-violence, forced worship of Fellhorn, and long-standing hatred,” Argrave summarized quickly. “They refuse to surrender their

so bad,” Anneliese

Elsewhere… mining settlements, plantations… we’ll see the worst of the place soon enough.” Argrave tapped his finger on the table. “Unless you can think of an alternative I’m missing, feeling guilty will just

with a resigned sigh. “It is difficult to suppress guilt when people starve outside the walls. And you would eat things like

her. “You had salted meat in Veiden. It was sea salt, granted, but it’s not

for taste,” she countered. “Yet hearing you describe

home so openly, and he somewhat loathed the feelings of

asked, placing her arms on

difficult to even begin to list them all. Millenia of cultural traditions and developments were distilled into countless types of music, each and all wonderful and

bright-eyed. She opened her mouth to speak but Galamon stepped up to them, still wearing his backpack with Garm on it. The elven vampire removed the pack, setting it beside the table,

you’re back,” Argrave

raging, and it shows no signs of subsiding,” Galamon reported as he settled himself. “Roads are blocked—no travel to or from the town. Even the merchants refuse to

it all.” He looked at Garm, encased in Galamon’s helmet. “How

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