Jackal Among Snakes

Orion stepped through a dark dank corridor, alone. Innumerable empty cells persisted along this pathway, blocked by thick iron bars. The stone, some of it stained by blood, told stories of past atrocities. The puddles of oil and water made unpleasant noises beneath his boots, the sound echoing throughout the cold confines. Even still, his approach was disguised by fierce, howling winds battering against the walls of the Dragon Palace’s cliffside dungeon.

Prince Orion saw two blue magic lights shining past the rusted iron of a distant cell. He could hear uneven, wrathful breathing, and some strange sounds of metal against metal and against fabric. He stepped ever closer, his chest tightening as he did so. Someone large stepped out of the cell, wiping their gauntleted hands down with a wet cloth.

King Felipe paused mid step when he caught sight of Orion. He was in full armor. Jezuit, the knight-commander, had informed Orion the king did not travel anywhere without his armor, now. At all times, he was prepared to war, equipping all of the kingdom’s most powerful relics. Jezuit also informed Orion that the king was here, refusing all visitors.

The king looked surprised to see Orion, but he planted both of his feet down, and his back straightened to assume his regal posture. The blue light of the magic lamps cast a grim shadow over his now extraordinarily gaunt face and graying black beard. In short order, the king resumed wiping his gauntlets down.

“My son,” the king said slowly, the word ‘son’ dripping with disdain. He dropped the cloth, which was wholly red. “Back, after gallivanting through southern territories just like your older brother. I do hope you achieved something with that foolish outage of yours.” He shook his head slowly. “Considering I now know Argrave is in Relize, I doubt that.”

Orion stepped around the king as he talked, coming to the cell that he’d just left. He grabbed the iron bar, peering beyond at Levin. His brother was chained to the wall and looked unharmed. The copious amounts of blood pooling around him indicated the truth of what had happened. Orion glanced around. He saw implements—hooks, barbs, knives, all splayed out across a simple iron bench.

“You tortured him,” Orion said quietly, turning around. “Your own son.”

Felipe stared at Orion. He stepped into the cell, and Levin recoiled away from him, whimpering like a beaten dog. The king grabbed a long iron rod with a hook at the end. “I disciplined him. It’s a father’s duty.” He stepped towards Orion. “I took no pleasure in it. Even still, a king must—”

Orion stepped towards Felipe, using one arm to push him against the cell bars with until their enchantments sparked in protest. “Stop lying to me. Stop lying to us. How could you?” his voice tremored both of sadness and anger.

Felipe got a better foothold and pushed Orion away. The prince staggered back. “I don’t need to justify myself to you. Levin was erring, and—”

“I spoke to Vasquer!” Orion shouted back. “I know all of what went through your head. I want to know how you could be driven to that.” He took steps forward. “Your first wife dies, my mother changes after I’m born… why would you choose to spread misery? Why did you feel the need to drag others with you in pain?”

father’s word? This is why I called you slow-witted, Orion.” The king stepped forth. “It took you two years to learn how to read, and longer still for basic arithmetic. Even if you could see inside my head,

a year, conquered vast stretches of territory until Vasquer was the sole major power on this continent north of the Burnt Desert. I gave my brothers great palaces, wealth unimaginable! Regene, Monganno, Tirisan, Archdukes all. I handed this to them, asking nothing

Orion reminded him.

Archduke of the Margravate of Parbon, prime Vasquer for expansion into the Burnt Desert. My children…” he spat the word. “All of you could rule realms the size of kingdoms past. Yet Induen ruins things, you ruin things, Levin ruins things, Elenore ruins things, and Argrave ruins things. At every turn, none can simply obey. I always try to do right by my family.” Felipe’s face grew tight with rage. “Unfortunately, those gods you pray so fervently to have cursed me with idiotic children whom I must coddle

back towards Levin. “This one, trying to fracture the realm and name himself king. Argrave, nipping at my heels like a jackal in a vainglorious attempt to tear

and anger both in the prolonged silence as Felipe let his words hang.

held the instrument out. It was a jagged pair of scissors. “You can fix this, Orion. Start obeying. Stop thinking. I am your father. You saw how well I treated your uncles. They practically drowned in wealth. If not for the gods’ whims, they’d still

“I cannot learn. You

hit me? You’ve proven time and time again

Felipe’s face. The king, well-enhanced by his armor and whatever relics he wore, was more than sufficiently prepared to block the blow. He received it on

cells as he

whatever guards you call. Boarmask retrieved them. They’re infected with the plague you spread across

they were deflected easily with a simple swat. The king rushed, one hand conjuring an axe

his hand. The moisture in the air gave him ample fuel to spawn ice, and a block of ice manifested in his outstretched hand. The axe of wind tore through it yet slowed it

with his forearm, handling the powerful attack gracefully. Orion, thinking quickly, unclenched his fist and grasped Felipe’s forearm. His other hand released the axe, coming to grapple with Felipe.

mage, fought like Induen did. He utilized combat spells at long distance and conjured magical weapons at short distance, provided he had no enchanted weapons on hand. Grappling, even

collapsed to the ground once they’d broken through five different

you do this to us!?”

poison out of his mouth. Despite this, Felipe’s defense remained unbreakable. After a time, Orion tried to restrain his father’s hands to get a solid hit. The change in strategy gave

back hard enough to slam him against the corner of the ceiling. The king rose to his feet as Orion fell through the air. A mana ripple lit up the dim, dank cell as the king prepared to use an A-rank spell. The moment that Orion’s feet met the ground, he lunged at the king

twigs and burying all in front beneath crystalline ice. The spell slammed against the stone wall, and though the enchantments shined in protest as they desperately tried to hold back the tide,