Jackal Among Snakes

Felipe stood at the mouth of his Dragon Palace, looking over his city. A multitude of golden-armored knights gathered around him, like gilding to his own black armor. His long, black hair flowed down his back like a cloak, a patch of gray atop his head. His beard showed yet more gray hair… yet his stony eyes were alert, sharp, unburdened by the ravages of age.

Myriad voices bubbled around him. People pushed past his knights, offering letters or speaking reports… some diplomat had been exposed for accepting bribes, some noble secretly harbored rebellious ambitions, the replacement steward was working for House Parbon… and back within the palace, Felipe heard distant screaming.

“Jezuit,” Felipe said loudly.

“Your Majesty,” a knight at his side answered, bowing his head in deference. His golden helm bore a dragon crest just above its visor—a recognizable symbol of authority that marked him as the knight commander.

Felipe reached to his side and drew his blade. “Choose your best men—fifty, as many spellcasters as you can. Form around me. Push aside any who approach; diplomats, nobility, it doesn’t matter. The rest… send them to quell the chaos.”

“Of course, your majesty,” the knight responded at once. “Yet if I may offer counsel, we must screen—”

“The name of the Bat inspires near as much fear as mine. All of this… death throes. It is a sign Levin has not disappointed. I have to be there, personally—I cannot leave this task to another to muck it up. And Jezuit…” Felipe turned his gaze down, finally, looking upon the knight-commander. “Do not forget I served as knight-commander beneath my father before you took the position. My orders are absolute, and not to be questioned unduly.”

The knight-commander pounded his fist against his breastplate and lowered his head. “Your Majesty. At once,” he said, voice betraying no offense.

Jezuit went off, barking orders. The royal knights, though tightly packed, rearranged themselves as efficiently as a well-oiled machine. Only one remained near Felipe’s side—a small man, bearing a helmet that was far too large for his head. He held it up to the king.

Felipe took the helm and put it over his head. His helm was made in the image of a cobra. Though its base was a functional great helm, black metal concealed the hard steel beneath it, and a cobra’s face seemed to supplant his own. Its mouth seemed designed in imitation of a demon’s, though, for it possessed far too many teeth and an aspect of terror beyond that of a mere snake.

Before a minute could pass, a guard of the best of the royal knights surrounded Felipe, and Jezuit bowed to inform the king. Just then… a great fire roared to life in the furthest point of the city walls. Felipe adjusted his helmet to block its light.

“The Bat squirms beneath my boot. March!” Felipe shouted, voice echoing.

#####

“If I’d known we’d use these, I might’ve watered them less,” commented Argrave, watching as people quickly ran, carrying drenched bundles of plants. These had been used not an hour ago to suppress their party from advancing into the catacombs. Time had dried them somewhat, fortunately.

“It’ll require more fire, but it’s completely manageable,” Elenore said calmly. “Barring Vasquer, these herbs are the best thing we’ve got to get out of this. I know the royal guard’s enchantments well—I had them studied before. Their enchantments certainly don’t account for poison like this. But then again… neither can my men resist them. It’s a double-edged sword. All we have is the benefit of holding that sword.”

Argrave nodded, feeling nervous. He wasn’t sure if everybody could make it out of this situation unharmed… and he wasn’t simply speaking of Elenore’s men. Galamon took on much risk.

square,”

“Five more minutes, perhaps.” Elenore turned her head to Argrave, expression dire. “Your pets. Your companion. There’ll

was. He grabbed its neck, holding it up. Its fur was all but black by this point, matching well with his own appearance. “And that was knowing exactly what I fought

for escape, not hold them off. Holding them off is

leaning against his shoulder as he stared at the distant set of steep

lectured me about using my abilities for good suggests we simply leave?” Elenore

no good to

steal. Elenore’s men are our only avenue of escape. Keep your ears open and your mouth shut,” Argrave commanded

he felt a bit embarrassed. Then, his eyes jumped

of what appeared to be gold in his

much. Vasquer insisted, though,” Argrave nodded, stepping forth to examine the scales and feathers from Vasquer’s body. “You’re certain seeing

king’s nose. I understand all it takes to make him step forward or make him stay quiet. He values Vasquer. He thinks everyone is incompetent besides himself. The moment he’s certain

a nod of respect.

traitor-stopping duty?”

make their move, and I’d

Anneliese. “She can see through anyone’s thoughts, let me tell you. You’re in

took a deep breath

#####

clear, your Majesty,” Jezuit reported

the ground just as Felipe had instructed. His gaze briefly lingered on the smoke

even the king’s ear, the place had been trashed. In the back, royal knights stepped down into a set of stairs concealed beyond a liquor vault. The king took steady and slow steps deeper

“They hauled away these,” Jezuit

off one of his gauntlets, running his hand across the scale. His eyes paused when he noticed something—black blood on the bottom of the scale. He caught a drop with his finger, then pulled back his helmet to

have Vasquer, I have no doubt. Report! What was happening

the men hauled these scales to a room. It seemed to have some sort

briefly turned his head to the guard in confusion but did not

mind. Felipe stepped forth to the knight that had given his report. “You—lead ten men to this room. Seal it off, proceed down this escape to

one knight. This entire situation reeks of entrapment. We should proceed careful—” Jezuit

the gods of the wetlands. I marched at the front of our vanguard into the northern kingdoms, bringing each and all under heel. I am to