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.”

questioned, “Against

southern tribals have been belligerent for years, and yet not once have the Lords

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

their lives—a stagnant pool, a still lake, growing only as rivers deposit their rainwater into them. Their

his zealous followers drinking

you wish to become the

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

the benefit of provoking action against you?” Galamon

Brium questioned, stepping up to Galamon and staring up at him. “When it is

stared unflinchingly.

Brium held his hands out. “When their foe is at their weakest. And the

after provocation,” Argrave shook his head. “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

am certain Fellhorn will see fit to bestow upon me the luck I need. I am certain that the tribals will

but 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

see you’re pleased,” Brium noted, staring

but he was smiling. He ran his hand across his face to suppress his expression, then said, “Just feels like things are finally going my way for once. Long road ahead, but

I will soon tell those inside this building. I feared I might have to use the leash around your

am glad of that,” Argrave

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

#####

and all 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

tower. They were technically free,

three Lords sat at a table in the center of the Stone, flanked by their own personal retinue of lesser Vessels. Argrave

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 seemed to be angry constantly. He kept his hair long as though to

of 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

to meet here with you out of respect for the long-standing title of the Lord of Copper, and of respect for the greatness that has come out of Cyprus

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

me entirely,

am I to make of this?!” Quarrus shouted angrily.

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

Lord of Silver turned, picking up his chair that had

of Gold, had been waiting for her time to interject, and did so now. “Let us not forget the purpose of

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

slightly at