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?”

a religious institution for

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

Argrave pointed out, stalling for time as he

have shown me that no other of my brothers are as committed to righteousness and goodness as you are, as much as it chagrins me to say so,” Orion put

who was now his brother, covered in gore and seemingly unharmed after fighting against dreadful enemies for days on end, he

ease around him. He’s easily manipulated, and 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

be broken regardless. He might try and negotiate with the Margrave, end this civil

of. It sounded like a delusional fantasy even as he

not be active. Elenore was the most important party in the whole thing—if he gained her support, the whole situation could be upended. She was a schemer and strategist beyond reproach. With her help, she might make such

of Vasquer’s troubles, 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 crusading… shouldn’t he take that

the right

enough to make his head explode, yet Argrave felt

deal with things that doesn’t call for mindless violence, as we saw here in these wetlands.” Argrave nodded. “I’d like to stick to that. And along the way…

to crush Argrave, but then held himself back. “I would embrace you,

held his hand up. “Anneliese and I will be registered as High Wizards of the Order.” Pragmatism slipped back into his

Orion nodded. “I must pay a visit to royal blacksmiths regardless, as you can plainly see,” he pointed to his tattered

you think… you might have the armoring done quickly, delivered to that town not too far from the tower? Kin’s End, I think it was called, where

and truly… I can think of no more fitting candidates for your first two royal knights.” Orion pounded his chest. “Once we arrive back at camp, I will see that it is done immediately. There will surely be some armorers among the refugees that might take their measurements, and then I will

how easy that request had

“Naturally,” Orion nodded.

was vaguely tempted to ask his brother for all of

everything is settled. We should leave soon,” Argrave said.

nodded

task for his companions—robbing this luxurious palace of anything that might be worth anything during the night. It was a thankless