Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave walked to the site of the tremendous battle between Orion and the Plague Jester, the prince supporting him as he walked. Seeing the devastation wrought here was like a reminder of his powerlessness before Orion. Decay and destruction surrounded him on all sides. The smell of flowers fortunately masked the scent of gore emanating from Orion.

“He’s here,” Orion finally said, just before the wilting jungle opened up to reveal a staircase up to a throne room. They stepped over rubble and low-lying plants, and then came to stand at the foot of the staircase.

A man sat on the throne. He had all the hallmarks of Vasquer ancestry—obsidian black hair, stony eyes, and a formidable presence. His son sitting just behind him inherited some of that, while his blonde wife must’ve had no relation other than marriage. They were strangers to Argrave. Their deaths were inevitable in the game… and Argrave did not think he’d be able to reverse whatever magic had them in its hold. The magic at play was too powerful for Ebonice, and he did not have other means at hand. He could see the faint rise and fall of their chests as they breathed, but otherwise, they seemed totally dead.

“Uncle Regene was assumed dead. No expeditions sent into the wetlands returned, so that theory was never confirmed,” Orion mused. “He used to… tell me stories about the war to take this place, I remember. I thought he was a model faithful.”

“Thought?” Argrave noted.

Orion started to step up the stairs ever so slowly, leading Argrave along with more consideration than Argrave thought he’d receive. “After observing this place, observing the people that lived here… doing more than merely fixate on the act of spreading the faith, as I always have… I concluded that my uncle did not come here with the faith in mind.” Orion looked up at the Archduke. “Even when I think back, I never once recall him mentioning the gods.”

Orion and Argrave reached the top of the stairs. “Now that the Jester is dead… they are not sustained,” he noted. “They’ve begun to die. Can you think of a way to save their lives?”

“No,” Argrave said honestly. He took his arm off Orion’s and came to stand on his own. His legs still felt weak, but he could manage for now.

Orion nodded. He stepped before the throne and knelt. “Uncle. I am unsure if you hear me, know me.” The prince placed his hand to his chest. “The enemy is defeated. Those that wronged you are dead and gone.”

Their uncle gave no response. He simply kept staring at nothing with his dry, dead gray eyes. Orion stared back for what must’ve been a full minute. Then, with a resigned sigh, he rose to his feet.

“I will not burden you by asking for your help. I will be the one to deliver uncle home,” Orion said to Argrave. “Though it pains me… returning with all of their bodies at once will be difficult. I would not put that burden on you or your companions, nor would I carry them haphazardly and stain their bodies with poor handling. I will bring uncle. I will have to send men to retrieve them after we return. Perhaps they can be saved by those more learned than you or I.”

Argrave doubted it, but he said nothing.

Orion stepped up to him. “Have you considered my offer further?”

religious institution for the country?”

boldly, then paced away. “We need a true arm of the gods on this world. You and I—we are of the blood of the royal family. Who else should the role fall upon but the divinely anointed representatives of the

out, stalling for time as he

of the gods within you, Argrave. Your feats here have shown me that no other of my brothers are as committed to righteousness

at the man who was now his brother, covered in gore and seemingly unharmed after fighting

he might be taught how to be genuinely good… but he is so volatile and impulsive, I don’t think I could ever be fully comfortable near him. I don’t like Vasquer as a whole. Orion won’t ever betray Vasquer,

actually die… Argrave might be able to put Orion on the throne. Induen was the main barrier to that—a barrier that would need to be broken regardless. He might try and negotiate with the Margrave, end this civil war with minimal bloodshed. Then, there would be a strong leader at the helm of

ridiculously beyond what Argrave felt he was capable of. It sounded like a delusional fantasy even

the whole situation could be upended. She was a schemer and

if he could create a force for good on the side of the royalists… if he could make Orion see the error of wanton bloodshed and mindless

right thing

make his head explode, yet

“I promised you I’d teach you. Teach you about my ways, about my methods. About a way to deal with

held himself back. “I would embrace you, were you not

to take care of, first,” Argrave held his hand up. “Anneliese and I will be registered as High Wizards of the Order.” Pragmatism slipped back into his brain,

visit to royal blacksmiths regardless, as you can

town not too far from the tower? Kin’s End, I think it was called, where Acolytes officially abandon their noble

his chest. “Once we arrive back at camp, I will see

was somewhat surprised how easy

“Naturally,” Orion nodded.

to ask his brother for all of his gold, but he was afraid the answer might

settled. We should leave soon,” Argrave

Orion nodded once

might be worth anything during the night. It was a thankless task, but Argrave felt somewhat jealous of them. His task was all the more dangerous… his task would be distracting Orion