Jackal Among Snakes

Magister Traugott, wearing the gray robes given to him by the Order of the Gray Owl, sat atop a parapet on the walls of Dirracha, legs dangling over the side. He peered down at the first level of the multi-segmented city, eyes wandering its streets. It was dark out and the red moon above was barely visible at this time of month. Unless one shined a light upon him, he was all but invisible to all below.

“You,” a voice cut in, and Magister Traugott turned his head in surprise.

Orion of Vasquer stood there, looking worn and tired. His long black hair had lost its signature braid and devolved into a messy tangle atop his head, and his beard grew longer by the day. His gray eyes were firm, though, and they watched Traugott with every willingness to kill.

“Who are you?” Orion asked, voice cutting above the wind of the high altitude.

Traugott lifted his legs and slowly turned his body around. “Me? I am only a scholar with an interest that has revitalized me,” he answered.

“You are more. We both know this,” Orion responded, stepping forth. “If you cannot answer… you must leave.”

“For now, a scholar is all I am,” Traugott stubbornly refused. “I came here…” he jumped off the parapet he sat upon. “…because I heard the great serpent beneath this city has knowledge. She has answers to some of my questions.”

Orion did not look pleased, but neither did he rush to attack Traugott. “Who told you this?”

“Princess Elenore,” Traugott said, flashing a smile with white teeth.

“Elenore?” Orion repeated cautiously. “…my sister? What did she say to you?”

“That the reason the king knew what he did… of Gerechtigkeit, of the coming calamity… was because of Vasquer,” Traugott outlined earnestly, stepping towards Orion. “I could not find the king. He was absent. So… I came here, to another thing that has drawn my interest.”

Orion’s tension finally dispelled somewhat, and he told Traugott coldly, “Vasquer speaks only to her descendants. Even were that not the case… I am uneased having one who offers such dubious answers so close. Who are you?”

“Magister Traugott of the Order of the Gray Owl,” the man answered, almost begrudgingly.

“A Magister…” Orion acknowledged, his wariness returning. “I killed one of yours outside these city walls. I don’t trust your ilk, your political motivations…”

forgotten one detail of this conversation. I know about Gerechtigkeit,” he said, spreading his arms out. “As do you. Why would I ever seek to do harm? That would be an unreasonable conclusion. The calamity is coming,

a time. “Even still… what are you

placed one foot atop it. Leaning an elbow on his knee, he said, “You claim I cannot communicate with Vasquer… which is sad if true,” Traugott admitted. “…but who says I cannot? We have not tried, my prince. And even then…” Traugott turned to Orion, his dark eyes lingering on him. “I have other

no reason to let you stay,” Orion decided. “I cannot risk any danger. You are a foreign element. I cannot allow myself to be

his lips. “Even if I can offer reprieve

to rock the great wall they stood upon. “Do you know the consequences

are another interest of mine,” Traugott admitted, backing away a step. “Until you have tried it, you cannot deny the enticement, can you? I believe you suffer. From how I hear your royal knights speak, I believe that it is a reasonable conclusion. You have turned against the gods, haven’t you? But what

staring down Traugott. Then, he clenched

his hands up. “But if your mind should sway… I’ll

heading into the terrifying Shadowlands. Here, no sight, no sound, no sense existed—yet Traugott fumbled, seeking an exit like a man pounding against ice from below. Something told him of things lurking beyond, and the supposedly powerful Magister felt as though a great leviathan of this ocean of shadows sought to eat

the bottom of the wall of Dirracha. He spared

than just you,” Traugott said,

#####

whirling, operating under the pretense that Hegazar and Vera might strut through the elevator any minute, Vasilisa asked a very

he put the paper back

for you to come by when they do. If you stay close at hand, it won’t be a problem. Perhaps you can stay in my tower? Certainly,

Magisters’ arrival wasn’t imminent. That gave them some breathing room to figure out what, exactly, they could do about the arrival of Vera and Hegazar. Wait it out, perhaps? No, Argrave reasoned. Castro had sent Traugott to inform the other Magisters about Gerechtigkeit and have them return to the Tower to confirm support of Argrave’s claim to the throne.

but Hegazar and Vera both would surely recognized Argrave by face alone—if not him, then the two others

think about it?” Vasilisa responded

welcome just as well,” he said, for the first time looking upon Argrave and the rest of them. “Separate quarters can be arranged for

in

“Come now… you can’t insult me,” he

stared at Ivan, expression tense. Argrave finally contributed, “She’s hesitant to agree because of us. We agreed to meet someone at the inn. They’re expecting us to be there,”

pursed his lip, then tapped one finger against his leg as he

your offer,” Vasilisa seized the opportunity Argrave offered. “You’ve made