Jackal Among Snakes

The Margrave leaned back in his chair at the dining table, staring at his now-empty platter of food. He tapped one foot on the ground, glancing towards the door. Argrave had still yet to return.

Reinhardt’s old friend, Duke Enrico, had been entirely right from the beginning. Having a motive other than mere rebellion would be good for the rebellion, upsetting though it might be. The Margrave did not wish to play the kingmaker. He merely wished to do what was right.

But part of doing what was right was accepting the tragic realities of the world—few people, least of all the nobles beneath the heel of Vasquer, acted with righteous intentions. For all intents and purposes, Argrave doused their flames of ambition. He would be Reinhardt’s claimant, and with an undisputed figure, the opportunists’ influence would be mitigated after the war ended.

From all that he’d talked about with Argrave, he’d come to know the man better. He was far closer in character to someone like Enrico than Reinhardt himself. The Duke of Mateth had transformed his seat into a bastion of wealth. Reinhardt was a man of war. He would win the conflict, but in the wake of a devastating war, the realm did not someone like himself on the throne—the realm needed someone to rebuild it.

Of course, as a bastard, Argrave’s education might be lacking… but character and will were paramount, by Reinhardt’s estimation. Provided the relationship lasted, his choice of partner might prove problematic for realm stability… but then again, Enrico had told Reinhardt that Argrave had some sort of close relationship with the tribe of snow elves, and the woman herself seemed quite keen.

Each issue had its counterpoint. With the situation as miserable as it was, it was a wonder anyone like Argrave existed. Above all, no better alternative existed.

Margrave Reinhardt found comfort in the fact that the founder of House Vasquer, the leader of the legion of ten thousand snakes, had been known as deceptive, even dishonorable. But the first Vasquer cared about the people, and he built the longest-lasting human kingdom in the known world. Margrave Reinhardt would be happy to replicate even half of that.

Reinhardt heard steel clanging up the hallway and refocused back on the doorway. One of his knights entered, breathing a little heavily.

“My lord… there’s trouble,” he said quickly. “Your wyvern. It’s…”

The Margrave leaned forward, placing one hand on the table. “What?”

“In the skies,” the knight finished.

Reinhardt’s eyes danced for a few seconds, stunned. When he gathered himself, the Margrave stood quickly enough to cast his chair to the ground. He wiped his hands with a cloth, and then stepped around the table.

“Stay here with Rose,” the Margrave directed, already half-running.

The Margrave wound through the complex keep of stone that was the Lionsun Castle. The dining hall was near the center of the massive fortress, and so it took a great deal of time to reach the outside. Eventually, the Margrave ran to a balcony overlooked the Lionsun Wall, glancing about the skies. Just as his knight had said, his wyvern was flying about the sky, controlled by a masterful rider. Reinhardt watched for half a second, teeth clenched tightly.

“The tribal,” he finally realized, sprinting away from the balcony.

The Margrave ran through his keep until he eventually set foot on the great Lionsun Wall. His men were not undisciplined, and a great many of them had gathered. Though many were mages, they were hesitant to attack the Margrave’s personal property.

Reinhardt spotted one of his commanders and strutted to him. “How did this happen?”

“The men were eating, sir,” the commander explained deferentially.

“How did the tribal get to where he was? I assigned guards to them at all times,” Reinhardt demanded.

“He entered the privy… and then he was there,” the commander shook his head, watching the sky. “Some people think he climbed out of the window, along the mountainside.”

everyone. “Keep watch for Argrave and the others. Give them no opportunity. This is the only place they can be reasonably picked up—ensure

Margrave gave that order, the wyvern changed its course in the sky. It headed for the apartments in the central keep. Reinhardt stepped away and entered there,

which was empty… save Argrave and his companions. The wyvern landed and dug its claws into the wall, holding its neck inside

name are you doing?!” the Margrave shouted. Behind, Margrave heard some knights pursuing him,

stood opposite the Margrave, protecting them as they loaded their things atop the wyvern. Argrave helped Anneliese up

you I had to go! Told you it was urgent!” he

this is your

get your lizard friend back to you by tomorrow!

closer, but suddenly, mist in the room coalesced into lifelike elven warriors. Reinhardt darted backwards, surprised. It gave Argrave enough time to climb aback the wyvern himself, and

like that, the wyvern pushed off, beating its great wings to gain altitude. The Margrave stepped to the balcony and whistled, but his beast ignored his command—it never had before, so the Margrave stared, shocked by the

Margrave stood there, staring, for a long

finally breaking his focus.

collected himself. “I’m fine,” he waved his hand, cradling his

don’t feel comfortable holding

turned his head, where he received a letter alongside five rose gold

read, Payment for

#####

if you weren’t flying this damned thing,” Argrave shouted above the wind. “We’re headed that way,” he pointed, looking down

feet up—and then scaled along the damned mountain wall, glaive tied to my back. The wyvern was a bit fussy, but I used some of that newfound druidic magic to calm it and ride

shouldn’t have done it at all!” Argrave yelled

brushed off Argrave’s comments easily. “It worked out, didn’t it? We’re free, we’re out and gone. No one died, not a one. I waited until dinnertime

with us, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” he admonished. “Say we didn’t notice—what was your

obvious. “Anneliese would catch on to my lies, she’d send her little Starsparrow out to find out what I was doing, and then you’d speedily get our

just that!” Argrave shouted in irritation, causing Durran to cup his ears once again. He scrambled

“Too late

head. “And now, I’ll never hear whatever it was he was going

can’t be without consequence, Argrave knew at once. I have to talk with Anneliese, work something out. And if

sour taste in his mouth,

#####

into sight. Argrave did not dare become known as the rider of the wyvern, and so he directed Durran to a secluded portion far removed from civilization before they dismounted. Once it was released from the

to deviate from his ritual of watching the suns set with Anneliese—they made it at around midnight. The same as last time, Argrave didn’t plan on using official channels. Argrave got in touch with the same men who had

questioned as they sat there

Vyrbell—I had some business dealings with her. I entrusted her with some enchanted relics, had her appraise them. Moreover, she’s the primary point of contact between me and the Veidimen. Hopefully…

lady runs a smuggling ring?” Durran raised a brow. “That’s a

this vast criminal

place, Vasquer. So

to wear them in the Burnt Desert because the three of us stuck out enough as was, but we’ll need to don our Circlets of Disguise once again,” Argrave shook his head, then explained to Durran, “They’ll muddle the features with illusion magic, keep us away from the public…