Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 195

“At this point, the main challenge is confining the infected to the camps,” Mina spoke to Induen, staring out over the city of Veden from the castle. “People that catch the disease spread it indefinitely. Some people, when it stops spreading, resume mingling into society. Like this, the outbreaks never really stop.”

“Just use force,” Induen shook his head disapprovingly. “It isn’t so difficult.”

Mina looked to him. “Do you think this tiny county has the manpower to force more than half of its residents into refugee camps or within their own homes? And even then, the last thing we wish is for our military to be infected with this disease. That would only exacerbate the disaster.”

“Who said anything about confining them?” Induen’s blue eyes locked with Mina’s, veritably shining.

“Yes, we can kill anyone that disagrees with us, become the rulers of corpses. It’ll be harder to get them to tend the fields that way, I’m sure, but at least we’ll have gotten what we wanted,” Mina challenged him.

Induen’s jaw clenched as he stared at Mina, eyes narrowing with anger. Then, one corner of his mouth split open, and he started laughing dryly.

“You’ve a lot of bravery for one so small,” he noted as his laughter trailed off. “I’ve killed for less.”

Mina stared back at him, not flinching at all. Then, she nodded. “We established this already. You want to kill people for getting sick.”

Even Induen was flabbergasted by her boldness. He only laughed once more, then turned back to the city, watching out. He could not be both amused and angry, and he was more amused than anything.

“Fine. Fine…” he conceded, crossing his arms and leaning against one of the keep’s pillars. “People that resume their tasks despite their sickness—it’s a selfish act, so they’re selfish people. Give them incentive to stay inside, they’ll fall in line. Greed is an easy, base emotion to satisfy.”

“You mean… pay them? Veden is not… exactly…”

Induen considered for half a second, then said, “Promise exemptions from taxes. It’s not an immediate boon, but the promise alone will convince many to obey. You don’t even need to uphold the promise,” he looked to her.

Mina nodded, eyes distant as she considered his idea. “No… no, it’s a good idea. Exemptions will be sorely needed after the devastation from the plague, anyway.”

“It’s the promise that matters—promises enough to get them to do what you want.”

Mina walked over to her desk, then retrieved quill and paper. “Nikoletta told me something, once. Even if you view people as tools, well-maintained tools perform a task all the better.”

Induen bit his lip, a bit displeased at the mention of Nikoletta. He stepped towards Mina, arguing, “If people know there are consequences, they’ll work hard.”

“They’ll only work as hard as they need to avoid consequences,” Mina quickly rebutted. “If people love their ruler, they’ll do what they need to and more. People crave to rise, and as they do so, they’ll bring you up with them. All they need is opportunity and reward.”

Induen stared down at her, but she turned to the document in front of her and began writing in it diligently. The prince opened his mouth once more, but someone entered the door. Induen turned his head back, spotting one of his knights. He strode forward and pushed the man on his chest.

“You don’t knock?” he said coldly.

“An urgent matter, prince,” the knight knelt. “Forgive me.”

glance back to Mina.

is dead, my prince,” the knight relayed, bowing all the lower.

of surprise. “What?

prince, in the

Mina set her quill down

my prince,” the knight

only genuine emotion on his tone that of

is only just now being

of his clean-shaven chin, turning away

can handle things? I should probably return

looked to the papers before her. “It is…

interest lost once he heard her bumbling. He stepped

as soon as things get

paused at the door, then turned around. His eyes were frowning, but his mouth was widened in a grin. “What

blinked quickly, obviously flustered, but she kept her yellow eyes fixed firmly on the prince nonetheless.

think this is

use is off the table,” Mina said,

once more, placing one gauntleted hand to hide his mouth. “You seem determined to face repercussions of some sort. I wonder why that might be?” He stepped right up to

turned back to the knight. “Send word to

#####

were alone, but in truth, Galamon

as though hesitating. Then, he said,

still… if you overstrain yourself, you will suffer more in the

contemplation, yet he did not shut the book. “I’ve got a different sort of bad dream, now, Anneliese. Not about my death. Not the Low Way, not Induen. But…” he sighed. “The thing I fear

sweet, or if you merely know

questioned, “Do you think you

at the book. “Blood magic…” Anneliese noted, trailing

just the one I’ve been studying most,” he assured

and moved to sit across from him as quietly as she could. Sitting cross-legged, she gestured towards

and then closed it. He set it aside, then held out his hand. He had seen the matrix enough that it conjured as quickly as any spell might’ve. It hovered in the air, inanimate and ineffectual. He tried to set

lowered his hand, while Anneliese’s amber eyes stayed locked on where his hand had just been. Her face was as steady as stone for a time, and she said nothing. Eventually, her eyes met with his and

so. Once again, it

arms. She spaced out, lost in thought and

is like if you had a tower, and you

the last thing he thought she’d say. “But what angle am I missing? I feel like I’m applying

The force applied is invisible—I can only comprehend it when I am

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