Jackal Among Snakes

Levin walked a bridge from the Dragon Palace, heading to a lone tower with a cone roof. Two royal guards stood in front of it. They were large men, just short of Levin’s height, and their golden helmets swiveled as they followed the prince’s approach.

The prince paused just before the door. “She’s awake?” he questioned.

“Yes, prince,” the rightward knight nodded.

Levin nodded curtly and shot his cuffs. He fixed his collar, swallowed, then pushed open the door. In the distance, the sound of chains swaying rattled out. The room was dark, the windows mostly blocked by curtains. Levin stepped within hesitantly, then shut the thick door he’d pushed open.

Levin cast a spell, and a ball of light rose up into the air. A woman ahead flinched and gasped, and tried to crawl away.

“Mother. It’s fine. It’s me,” Levin said, stepping closer very slowly with his hands spread out to show he meant no harm.

Light from his spell illuminated the woman. She was pale, dreadfully thin, and bound in a straitjacket. She had blonde hair, but it was unwashed, matted, and greasy. Her bright blue eyes shone back against the light like sapphires. Felipe had married Valeria because of those eyes, so the tale went—they reminded him of his first wife’s.

“Where’s my husband?” the woman asked. “He’s the king. Once you’re found… cut your losses. Let me go, I can let you live. I can give you a pardon. My husband listens to me. Once you’re found…”

Levin paused, studying her face. Though she had been bound in a jacket to protect her from harming herself, it hadn’t stopped it completely. Her lips had been bitten into tattered shreds. Her fingers couldn’t grow back—she’d eaten those. But her lips could be healed.

Feeling encouraged by her clarity, Levin knelt. “You’re here for your own good, mother. Let me treat your face.”

The woman flinched away as Levin extended his hand… yet when healing magic started to close the cuts on her lip, she gradually accepted things.

“My baby…” Valeria said.

“That’s right. I’m here,” Levin nodded, smiling excitedly.

“Where is Orion? Where is he? Where’s my baby?” she demanded harshly. “I want to see him.”

ground, eyes dead. He bit his lips hard enough to draw blood, then shook his head. “I’m going to be leaving, mother. For

at him, bloodshot eyes

northern nobles unhappy with my father. We’re going to split from Vasquer… form the Kingdom of Atrus. I’m going to be crowned its first king.” Levin clasped his

heard and understood

last. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong… but really, it’s just an excuse not to get involved in the war. These northern nobles, they want to stay out of the fighting. I offered that opportunity. And then, when the fighting dies

usually does. He’s losing it. And Argrave… to see his progress… if even he can succeed as he has, I realize now that it’s time for

husband will stop you,” Valeria said, pushing away from Levin with her feet. The chains that bound her rung.

to his mother. “I can get you out of here, mother. I want to help you.

I saw the coming terrors. He will end you all. The black one is coming for you.

and more allies forsaking him day by day. I’m going to ruin him. All that he’s had me do over the years—murders, abductions, hiding his sexual escapades, spreading the plague… I kept records of it. Everyone’s going to get their hands on it: incontrovertible proof. His allies will abandon him. His espionage network will wither,” Levin tapped his chest. “And

he

royal knights as he passed

#####

Relize stopped at a quaint little village a fair distance away from Dirracha. The excuse used was that the cart had a destroyed wheel, and it would take some time for repairmen to arrive as the wheels were enchanted. Well, that alibi was made reality when

near instantaneously. The princess saw the full use of such a

was significant. In essence, Felipe’s attack told the world at

numbering near fifty. People that were closely entwined with Vasquer and the royal family would be less likely to do business with the Bat, now—she

of things. The prince departed from Vasquer, claiming he could not bear to support his father anymore after what had come to light. This move completely

would merely retire to a simple estate in the north. Barring that the last one was far-fetched given his knightly escort, Argrave didn’t know which held any truth. Elenore couldn’t

to avoid leaking to the public that Vasquer had been found. Felipe had the giant snake tended to by mages and paraded this fact to the

girl had been a maid that had been a bit naïve, yet steadfastly loyal and willing to get

stood before a simple wooden coffin,

Durran questioned, standing off to

perceive that within with these items,” Elenore gestured towards her jewelry. “Therese is

nodded. “Forget I…” he trailed off, realizing it would be best

didn’t know what else to do. In a family with many cousins, uncles, and other such distant relatives, he’d been to many funerals where other people were sad while he