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.”

nodded seriously, then questioned, “Against the tribals?

have been belligerent for years, and yet not

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

but a Vessel all of their lives—a stagnant pool, a still lake, growing only as rivers deposit their rainwater into them. Their power grows, certainly.

nodded eagerly, his zealous followers

you wish

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 see the faith stagnate like this. Even if I must be

is the benefit of provoking action against you?” Galamon

to Galamon

unflinchingly.

their foe is at their weakest. And the southern tribals

tribals down from the mountains? Seems far-fetched. Too many things left

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

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

Brium noted, staring at

said, “Just feels 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

inside this building. I feared I might have to use the leash around your neck, but you convince me I was mistaken. It matters

am glad of

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

#####

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

their towers. People with desirable traits were ‘hired’ to bear a Vessel for the tower. They were technically free, but realistically forced to remain in the tower, living

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

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

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

clenching his fists as he stared at Brium. “We agreed 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 in the distant past…” Quarrus slammed his fist and stood. “But you insult Argent by bringing a mockery of our

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

misread me entirely, Quarrus,” he

make of this?!” Quarrus shouted angrily. “You would make one with the features of the Lord of

out. “They’re mercenaries. Above all, they’re a fitting response to what happened to

few moments, staring at Anneliese. After a long time of tension, the Lord of Silver turned, picking up his chair that had been tossed to the ground in his outburst. He corrected it and sat, still

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

Anneliese whispered

his head slightly at