Jackal Among Snakes

With Garm’s existence made known, the Lord of Copper had gained leverage over Argrave. That was an incontrovertible fact. With a word or two, Argrave could become an outlaw in most of the lands in the Burnt Desert. Fortunately, the significant delays in their travels had enabled Argrave to recover fully from his magic debt to Erlebnis—he could use the Blessing of Supersession again.

“What do think we should do?” questioned Anneliese. The three of them watched the Vessels speak to Brium. “This is… an unenviable position.”

“He has his hands wrapped around something vital,” Argrave nodded, then he looked to Anneliese. “But look at things this way—we skipped a step.”

“What?” asked Galamon.

“His trust,” Argrave lowered his head, staring at the road before Cyprus. “He thinks that he has power over us… and so he’s more willing to implement us in his plans.”

“’He thinks?’” repeated Anneliese. “He does have power over us. Perhaps we should make sure that Garm is safe.”

“I don’t think that Garm is in danger,” Argrave shook his head. “But if you judge differently, we can go back and make sure right now.”

Anneliese sighed and crossed her arms. “If only we still had our druidic bonds, we might confirm that without needing to move…”

“We’ll get new ones soon enough,” Argrave assured. “Perhaps quicker than I thought. Ones better than that dragon our… he’s our friend, I suppose… better than what Rowe has.”

“…what?” she looked at him incredulously.

“In terms of utility, certainly. But for now… I say we go along with what Brium asks of us.” Argrave turned to her.

She looked very torn. But after a while, she gave a slow nod. “Alright.”

#####

Brium and his escort of four Vessels stopped just before a plain gray building that was no more than a simple dome of cold stone. Argrave’s party was off to the side, not fully integrated with the rest of the Lord of Copper’s retinue.

“Before we enter… allow me to relay my expectations,” Brium spoke to Argrave, though did not turn his head. “This place is called simply ‘the Stone.’ It is a neutral meeting ground for the Vessels in this city.”

“The place from which all of the Lords of Sethia were born—mined from the Stone, forged by Fellhorn into metal,” Argrave finished. “I know.”

“That’s correct,” Brium smiled and nodded. “My distant ancestors were pagan lords, but Fellhorn’s coming changed that.”

“What’s expected of us?” Argrave pressed.

“I don’t suspect you will have cause to speak much,” Brium confessed. “Here is your role—you are mercenaries, hired by me. Your presence is meant to provoke them into action.”

then questioned, “Against the

constant, calm, just like the waters of Fellhorn. The southern tribals have

fond of that refusal to retaliate,” Anneliese noted. “Why are

are all literalists. Traditionalists,” Brium said contemptuously. “They plan to be but a Vessel all of their lives—a stagnant pool, a still lake, growing only as rivers deposit their rainwater into them. Their power

his zealous followers

“And you

insufficient to spread Fellhorn’s eternal rain further,” Brium shook his

of provoking

Brium questioned, stepping up to Galamon and staring up at

stared unflinchingly. “Your

weakest. And the southern tribals have been looking

“You certainly have your work cut out for you. All of this just to lure the southern tribals down from the mountains? Seems far-fetched. Too many things left to chance,” he baited,

bestow upon me the luck I need.

confirmed. Brium is working with some tribals. Even if it isn’t Durran who’s talking with them, if I can get contact with these tribals… I can make this flood hit a dam. Of course, he’s not going to let me meet them easily. He’ll

pleased,” Brium noted, staring

things are finally going my way for once. Long road ahead, but I’m eager to trod it. I have some ideas to swing things in our favor ever more. But

this building. I feared I might

glad of that,” Argrave

Argent and Aurum have been kept waiting for twenty minutes. I am positive they will be incensed.” Brium stepped ahead into

#####

as remarkable as the copper skinned Brium and matched their titles absolutely, embodying them in their appearance and dress. These appearances were not something coincidental. Each of the three had been tailored over generations to better fit their role, and

for the tower. They were technically free, but realistically forced to remain in the tower, living luxuriously for the purpose of producing heirs with the desired

of the Stone, flanked by their own

on the circular table, neither facing the other fully. The Lord of Silver, Quarrus, was a tall albino man—his skin, hair, and eyes lacked all pigment, making all of his features resplendently white. He had a sharp look about him and

Gold, Crislia, was a woman with very strong elven features. Her skin was vaguely gold-like but lacked the intensity of the real metal and was further muted by the wet skin natural to the Vessels. Her hair, though, was a perfect match for the word gold. On top of all that, she wore enough accessories of the precious metal to afford a king’s

Copper, and of respect for the greatness that

her back and stepped forward almost instinctively, immediately on edge. Brium

entirely, Quarrus,”

angrily. “You would make one with the features

aren’t subordinate,” Brium said calmly, still holding his hands out. “They’re mercenaries. Above all, they’re

a long time of tension, the Lord of Silver turned, picking up his chair that had been tossed to the ground

so now. “Let us not forget the purpose of this

why he brought us here, now,” Anneliese whispered into Argrave’s ear, drowning out Crislia’s

at her voice while waiting for her to