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.”

the ground, eyes dead. He bit his lips hard enough to draw

bloodshot eyes darting around in

with a coalition of northern nobles unhappy with my father. We’re going to split from Vasquer… form the Kingdom of Atrus. I’m going to

he called mother heard and understood him, she hardly showed

the fighting. I offered that opportunity. And then, when the fighting dies down… I’ll negotiate a spot in the new Vasquer from a position of strength. Whether Orion’s running things, or Argrave, or Elenore… doesn’t matter.” Levin shook his

more and more, I see my father slipping away from what he usually does. He’s losing it.

Levin with her feet. The

can get you out of here, mother. I want to help you. Your son wants to help you. If I’m your

grave of a dead world. I saw them. I saw the coming terrors. He will end you all. The black one is coming for you. The ground will split for his wrath.

isn’t going to be doing anything. He’s going to wait in this fortress of his, more 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

with a quiet rage, he turned on his

the royal knights as he

#####

The excuse used was that the cart had a destroyed wheel, and it would take some time

The princess saw the full use of such a thing, and

full assessment of the damage done by the king’s untimely visit was made after the first day. The damage to Elenore’s network was significant. In essence, Felipe’s attack told the

the body count 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 was an open enemy of the kingdom. Yet even so…

anymore after what had come to light. This move completely batted

break free of Vasquer and form an independent realm, or that he would merely retire to

tended to by mages and paraded this fact to the public enthusiastically. Even still, the purge in the palace had been thorough, and Elenore could not get any genuine details as to what

had been a bit naïve, yet steadfastly loyal and willing to get her hands dirty with some simple tasks. Elenore had trusted no

stood before a simple

open it?” Durran questioned, standing

items,” Elenore gestured towards her

trailed off, realizing it

many cousins, uncles, and other such distant relatives, he’d been to many funerals where other people were sad while he knew nothing. It was best to stay quiet, offer nothing more