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.

sighed. “Please do

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 at me like

so intense. It if starts to fade, maybe

discontent, and eventually asked, “…what

be whatever brought vampirism about. I’m not privy to such details, even as obsessed with this world as

low. “The knife, Althazar… it’s self-hatred. The bowl… I’m not sure, not yet. Self-perfection? Narcissism? Purification?”

that matter, perhaps it’s best not to get too absorbed into what they are,” Argrave said pointedly. “These are a means

one,” Galamon said. “One that excises the vampiric beasts yet retains its

upsets you,” Anneliese

be more than mortal. I want to live a good life

time, listening to the sound of their bowstrings twanging, their

whole ‘drinking blood’ part,” Argrave said evenly. “As it happens, though, you

in the heart of a city?” Galamon asked. “Don’t mistake me—I will follow

didn’t like. “You’ve been travelling with me a long while, Galamon. Longer than anyone else. I 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 you

long while, giving it a thorough examination. His body

said. “The Wratsons help us at every turn, despite their nature.

be a good friend, too. To you, to Durran. Sometimes, though… we can’t choose just for ourselves. Do you think your

to

And if I need to do something I

#####

off delving into a brand-new fortress and living life up, we’ll be doing the hard

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

against your sister? Odd. A bit more debauched than I

made no

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

nodded. “Do you have actual

really quite meticulous…,” he

“And so?” Argrave pressed.