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.”

seriously, then questioned, “Against the

have been belligerent

are not fond of that refusal to retaliate,” Anneliese noted. “Why are you

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

Vessels alongside Brium nodded eagerly, his zealous followers

to him. “And you wish

have learned, grown, and adapted. Our current way nets us nothing. The literalist way—remaining as a stagnant pool, offering drink to those who submit—is insufficient to spread Fellhorn’s eternal rain further,” Brium shook his head and clenched his fist, genuinely aggrieved. “I cannot

benefit of provoking action against

Galamon and staring up at him. “When

unflinchingly.

an enemy attack?” Brium held his hands out. “When their foe is at their weakest. And the southern tribals have been looking

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

fit to bestow upon me the luck I need. I am certain that the tribals will be ready,” Brium smiled and shook

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 hide their existence until the day of the

see you’re pleased,” Brium noted, staring at

like 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

Brium nodded. “What I’ve told you, I will soon tell those inside this building. I feared I might have to use the leash around your neck,

of that,”

lords Argent and Aurum have been kept waiting for twenty minutes. I am positive

#####

dress. These appearances were not something coincidental. Each of the three had been tailored over

the tower. They were technically free, but realistically forced to remain in

in the center of the Stone, flanked by their own personal retinue of lesser Vessels. Argrave felt out of place. He usually did,

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 seemed to be angry constantly. He kept his hair long as though to show it off, and wore only silver jewelry and clothing. His status as a Vessel seemed

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

long-standing title of the Lord of Copper, and of respect for the greatness that has come out of Cyprus in the distant past…” Quarrus slammed his fist and stood. “But

stepped forward almost instinctively, immediately on edge. Brium raised his

me entirely, Quarrus,” he said

to make of this?!” Quarrus shouted angrily. “You

Brium said calmly, still holding his hands out. “They’re mercenaries. Above all, they’re a fitting response to what

Lord of Silver turned, picking up his chair that had been tossed to the

been waiting for her time to interject, and did so now. “Let us not forget the purpose of this meeting. Yesterday, you called a

here, now,” Anneliese whispered into Argrave’s ear, drowning

head slightly at her voice while waiting