Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave stood just beside Galamon, Anneliese on his other side. He felt a sense of relief no longer being surrounded by twelve additional warm bodies. This was because the twelve warm bodies that generally guarded him were instead training. At present, they trained in archery. Even the morning before they departed, Galamon insisted they receive basic training.

“They’re decently equipped, Your Majesty,” Galamon told Argrave. “Ebonice daggers, brought by Anneliese’s friend Hirnala… I prefer axes, myself. Most Veidimen infantrymen do. Handles can be wooden without hindering the ice’s effect, they offer additional reach to keep the spell away from your body, and they’re still effective as instruments of war.” Galamon crossed his arms. “Nonetheless, these daggers they’re equipped with will suffice against lesser mages. I’d like to request some spellcasters to perform training with genuine spells.”

Argrave nodded, more focused on the archery display. “I’d like to request that, too. We don’t have many. Spellcasters like to avoid the big cities, generally… it makes it difficult for practice, et cetera. We’re lacking woefully,” He shook his head. “Only the Wratsons have some to spare, I should think. I don’t like the idea of owing a debt to their vampiric patriarch…”

“Hmm,” Galamon grunted. “The armor… certainly not the same quality as those in the royal forges of Dirracha. Metal’s fine, but the enchantments… they’re only protective. It’s not the same.” Galamon grabbed at his old armor. “The forges in Dirracha use old enchantment techniques that enhance strength, speed… that, coupled with the crown Your Majesty had me retrieve from that elven tomb, and I am far and away the best equipped. I can fight six of them at once.”

“I think that’s more because of you than them,” Argrave turned his head. “Afraid I can’t do anything about their enchantments. Dirracha reforges old elven artifacts into armor, you know. They don’t forge new equipment. Most of it is locked away in Dirracha. After Levin’s betrayal, I’m not sure the forges even have material.”

“I see,” Galamon nodded. “They’ve a lot to learn. At swordsmanship, most excel. It’s a common weapon here. But archery, spears, axes… pitiful.”

Argrave watched as an arrow hit in the center of a dummy’s head. “Pitiful?”

“They’re standing still on a windless field,” Galamon shook his head.

“Maybe specialization isn’t so bad,” Argrave suggested. “Using so many weapons…”

“The best must be versatile. Knowing how to use a weapon means knowing how to fight against it, too. To guard a king? To guard with their lives? They are still lacking,” Galamon declared, voice a low growl. “But they have good spirits, and they are willing to learn. Anneliese was right about their character. And once they learn, they can teach others. Twelve can become twelve hundred. The foundation of a structure is the most pivotal for building high.”

“…let’s not get carried away,” Argrave said quietly.

“Let me advise Your Majesty as one who stood beside Dras in his conquest—as someone with grand ambitions, one cannot compromise for anything less than perfection,” Galamon said loudly, showing his commitment to his words. “The quality and cohesion of the kingdom’s forces are paramount, especially considering what comes in the future.”

Argrave looked at his vampiric companion, staring at his white eyes. “Alright. I trust you on this. I made you knight-commander not just to keep you close, but because I knew there is no one better fitting for that role on the continent.”

Galamon turned his head away. Argrave couldn’t tell if the words pleased him.

“On another front… how goes the self-drinking?” he asked.

“Please do not

feel it. I feel that artifact, the eye you wanted me to look for. The glass eye,” Galamon said, his voice low and dangerous. “No… I see it. And it sees me. It watches, peering through the world

intense. It if starts to fade, maybe pick it up again. In the future, you might use it before

vaguely discontent, and eventually asked, “…what is the eye? What are these vampiric

the original vampire. Could be whatever brought vampirism about. I’m not privy to such details, even as obsessed

it’s self-hatred. The bowl…

too absorbed into what they are,” Argrave said pointedly. “These are a means to an end. A means to

many means, yet we pursue this one,” Galamon said. “One that excises the vampiric beasts yet

you,” Anneliese

don’t wish to be more than mortal. I want to live a good life and die amongst

training royal guard for a time, listening to the sound of their bowstrings twanging, their

like I understand that desire. In your shoes, I’d be jumping at the opportunity for vampirism with no downsides—not even the whole ‘drinking blood’ part,” Argrave said evenly. “As it happens, though, you live in a time where the peaceful family life you

a family of vampires in the heart of a city?” Galamon asked. “Don’t mistake me—I will follow you until death, Your Majesty. These are

can say only Anneliese knows me better, and that’s because she’s made a very concerted effort. You’ll know this, then: I’m quite good at compartmentalizing. And at this stage… do

long while, giving it a thorough examination.

nature. Without them… the war would be harder, and more lives would

Durran. Sometimes, though… we can’t choose

it… easier to

And if I need to do something

#####

while Your Majesty is off delving into a brand-new fortress and living life up, we’ll be doing the hard logistics of the march to restore order in the north,”

a map that Durran had laid out across the table. “You’re doing a

discuss my tactics against your sister? Odd.

made no progress,”

Your Majesty,” Durran shook his head, unaffected. Argrave couldn’t determine whether it was because it was untrue, or if Durran was just unbothered by that fact. “Killing your digression in its infancy… I don’t see supply being an impeding factor. Felipe, saboteur extraordinaire, is rotting in a cell a few blocks away from Levin, the second impediment… even so, Elenore is being cautious on that front.

nodded. “Do you have actual troop counts, I

was really quite meticulous…,” he said, voice trailing off as he bent down and retrieved things. “She wanted to determine which patricians were threats to Leopold, you

“And so?” Argrave pressed.