Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave picked up a ring and poured the well of magic bursting within him into the confines of the inscription wrought into the metal. Imbuing enchantments felt like he was handling red hot liquid metal, pouring it into a cast with his will alone. He attempted to speed it up… yet as one might expect, the magic danced dangerously, and Argrave quickly directed things so as to seal them off. Just as he did so, he was sealed off from the near limitless supply of power springing from the Blessing of Supersession.

“That should be five minutes, Your Majesty,” Galamon said gruffly. “Forty rings, by my count.”

“…I messed this one up,” Argrave set the ring down in a pile alongside many others. Each of the rings had Argrave’s personal symbol on them—the sun, with four snake heads at the edges of four rays.

“Then thirty-nine,” Galamon amended.

“Not good enough,” Argrave shook his head.

“You’ve managed to imbue thirty-nine B-rank enchanted items, Your Majesty. Less than a month ago, you had done zero,” Ansgar reminded him. As Leopold Dandalan’s most trusted son, Ansgar had become a sort of aide to Argrave in the past month. Though sixty-two, he was still quite able on many fronts. Above all, he was trustworthy. “Your efforts are astounding.”

Indeed, one month had passed. It had taken Argrave a month of learning to get to the point to do this. Granted, his time had become much more limited ever since taking on his duties as king, but the point remained. One month, thirty-nine rings. It could be said that it was far above normal production rates… but far below what Argrave wanted with this venture of his.

“…hmm,” Argrave grunted discontentedly. This enchanting business was his sole reprieve from the mundanity of administering things in Relize. Once the politics were well and settled, he felt useless.

“These cast B-rank warding spells, do they not?” Ansgar eyed the rings. “I would advise that you distribute them first to your newly formed royal guard. Perhaps your knight-commander can handle this matter, Your Majesty,” Leopold looked to Galamon.

Galamon had become Argrave’s knight-commander of his royal knights. Indeed, Argrave had his own royal knights, now. Though only twelve, each and all were masters. Galamon had chosen the most skilled out of people in the army. From there, Anneliese had evaluated their loyalty. That number ended in twelve. Argrave disliked bringing them everywhere—even now, they waited outside.

“I had intended to distribute them to meritorious performers in the battlefield,” Argrave said. “Giving them to my guard… might come off as selfish, no?”

“I believe it would show that being loyal and steadfast brings rewards, Your Majesty,” Ansgar disagreed.

Argrave rubbed his chin. “Alright. It’s only twelve—the rest will be distributed as I originally intended. Galamon?”

The elven vampire nodded. “I’ll see they’re handed out.”

Argrave rose to his feet, content. “Alright. Now, before we depart to evaluate the fortress… Leopold’s waiting.”

Ansgar dipped his head. “I believe my father is eager to meet his bride-to-be.”

“I can only imagine,” Argrave said with a droll nod. “Send for Elenore before we meet. I have things to discuss with her, and she should be there when I talk to Leopold.”

#####

“Avoiding a federation in central Vasquer turned out to be an impossibility,” Elenore lamented to Argrave, her voice loud even when she spoke quietly on account of the ward surrounding them, blocking all sound from escaping. “They still remain firmly loyal to Duke Rovostar. In the south they’ve begun to call Rovostar the king’s dog. I underestimated his charisma and capability. They possess a far greater number of spellcasters than we do. That remains… a glaring weakness of ours.”

The two of them walked down the halls of Leopold’s estate, guarded by six guards on each side. Galamon stood just behind the two of them. Even here, these men remained diligent—if they weren’t, their knight-commander quickly corrected their behavior. Galamon took his role seriously. Argrave sustained the ward around them with one hand—he’d learned a spell that allowed the ward to move with him, yet he needed to sustain the spell. Fortunately, it was low-ranking, and his still-growing magic supply accommodated him ably.

he? Felipe did a good job earning their undying loyalty, it would seem, if they should fight for him

Orion does not trust Levin, and has arranged similar treatment for him,” Elenore sighed. “But still, things have stagnated somewhat. The central federation of nobles briefly attempted to siege down Dirracha. The walls were meant

surprised and was about to ask who. Before he

move, they can’t afford to dedicate attention to Dirracha. The force Orion has is too small to do anything beyond maintain their position. On paper, he’s on our side. He’ll surrender Dirracha to us once we arrive. His only condition

did. “I suppose I can only hope that central Vasquer will receive our delegation well and stop this madness. I cannot understand why they fight so hard for

in light of unrest in their regions, but we’ve gotten supplies enough to double our provisions… but as for spellcasters… we remain utterly without support,” Elenore shook her head. “Many have turned to low banditry after loss of leadership. Some central nobles outright invade the former lands of Atrus, razing villages and seizing lesser fortifications. The land is… not in a good place. Orion’s coup made so many venues of communication fall apart, and

tone. She viewed that fact as

our forces in the process… we have to be able to get magic users, then. After, we fold on central Vasquer, north and south both,” Argrave suggested. “I imagine Rovostar will have to listen to reason, then, unless he’s a fan of martyrdom. Few

I know you say

laughed. “We can work it out later. But before we meet Leopold, I have to ask… how is working

junior knight-commander—a made-up position to ensure the man could have status and stay near his side justifiably. Instead, the tribal requested to work with Elenore. The man did have some ulterior motives, but it suited Argrave fine. He

with a waved hand, saying, “I know he’s not, at least now. In fact, I see why you wanted him to come with you. He is rather capable,” she said. “Though I would never

that right?”

she wore genuine boots over new wooden prostheses. “Wooden, though with an enchanted metal core. He’s good with his hands, it

it seems he likes you well enough. I’m glad

use, I admit,” Elenore moved past Argrave’s leading observation. “In essence, we have an advantage of superior espionage over our foes if we can integrate druidic magic,” Elenore said, voice speeding up as they strayed onto a topic that interested her. “It’s nice to have someone capable and trustworthy.

I imagine,” Argrave noted sarcastically. He dispelled the

closer to Argrave after the ward around them disappeared, crossing her arms as though to guard herself. Beyond, only Leopold waited. Argrave

isn’t here

“She sent this, Your Majesty,”

of a slight delay. At once, worry festered. He didn’t like being away from Anneliese for long at all. If he were near, he could at the very least ensure

when you part from your fiancée for more than a few minutes,” Leopold

he’d been working on, per Anneliese’s request. He knew as well as she did it was a vulnerability that people might learn to exploit—as a king, he had

relate to worrying about your fiancée soon enough,” Argrave declared, setting down

Leopold grunted. “We have very

guard came to attention,

her light gray hair short. She had bright blue eyes that had an almost predatory aspect to them. Argrave regarded her curiously—this was someone Anneliese called friend.

eyes met and she stepped into the room. The royal guards regarded Hirnala cautiously but acquiesced to her presence as she advanced at Anneliese’s side. Argrave embraced Anneliese, and Hirnala stood silently

Argrave greeted

pulled away, smiling, then turned to her friend.

interrupted.

“I do,” Galamon answered.

good allies. Speaks to his character. He truly does not

Anneliese interrupted. “And lastly… the man I think you should

stepped up to the old man immediately. He

mutually beneficial partnership,”