Jackal Among Snakes

“We cannot afford to make this a long journey,” Elenore informed Argrave as she slipped on some heavy gloves suited for travel. “Given the recent influx of spellcasters you brought, we have no excuses to languish within this fortress. Any wounds have been healed by magic, any supplies lost have been regained from the larder here, and we sit at the precipice of total consolidation of all the north. The officers and patricians beneath us are eager to move. They salivate like bears who happened across a beehive without bees.”

Argrave, Anneliese, Galamon, and Elenore stood atop the battlements of the fortress. There was a rather peculiar difference in what Argrave saw—he witnessed a lot more of his personal heraldry everywhere, the sun-and-snake. Before, it had been wielded as a force of necessity—the soldiers needed a banner. Now, in but a night, many wore it proudly. Argrave had mixed feelings about this.

“Is two days fine?” Argrave asked her, turning his head.

The princess paused, deliberating. “I… it will be difficult. And you have plenty of matters to settle today.”

“Do you really need me to settle anything? Seem to have done fine, and I liked my absence more than I care to admit,” Argrave looked about.

“Now that people have seen you, I can hardly provide the same excuses I have,” Elenore reminded him. “And… Durran told me he captured someone. Ruleo,” she said gravely. “Durran can tell you details, but… the man seems to have gained an inkling of Gerechtigkeit. Their expedition narrowly averted a disaster with undead created by the Order of the Rose. I think it best you decide his fate.”

Argrave took a deep breath and exhaled. “…let him wait,” he decided. “Keep him prisoner.”

Elenore narrowed her eyes. “So he can break out and cause us problems again? The man is nothing if not resourceful. Procrastinating with prisoners because of the headache-inducing moral quandaries generally leads to poor outcomes. Kill him, spare him… best to decide now.”

Argrave was unpersuaded and opened his mouth to disclose so.

“Your Majesty!” someone called out cheerily, and Argrave turned his head. Durran walked towards them, arms outstretched.

Argrave smirked and stepped to greet him. Galamon and Anneliese came along as well.

“Look at you, gray eyes once again,” the former tribal greeted him. “Anneliese… looking healthy. And Galamon…” he searched for the words.

“Looking mortal,” Argrave finished.

Durran narrowed his eyes, then widened them. “Well, is that right? I was a bit worried about getting these fingers of mine back… but I feel a little better about my chances, now. Show me your teeth, maybe?”

Galamon stared without movement.

there are a few things to put in order, and then we have to head out.” He looked to Anneliese. “One thing in

got you something,” Anneliese smiled

souvenir?” Durran looked genuinely

to move,” Argrave beckoned with his hand as

#####

days of rest for the soldiers, while diplomats were dispatched to those beyond the valley requesting surrender from all remaining lords. These diplomats brought prisoners with them—they were to spread the story of Argrave’s one-sided victory to any… undecided parties. The other prisoner—Ruleo—would remain under captivity. Melanie was assigned to guard him

spell to bind its soul to his, and did so eagerly. The thing was giant, fierce, and imbued with power beyond

with a sizeable escort. Including two

to the guard as they marched for

Held out against hordes of the undead without losing a

Elenore rode with Durran, Argrave and Anneliese walked side-by-side, and the knight-commander guarded them diligently with the knights and A-rank spellcasters under his command. He resumed his position as though he’d never left

for he roughly knew the plan heading into Vysenn—bluster, make demands, seek retribution. All the tribes would be on high alert, and none would be eager to defy Argrave or

have a moment to talk,”

events of yesterday still showed on her. Then again, Argrave surely looked much the same. A battle like that didn’t fade from the memory in a day or two. Argrave wasn’t entirely

then minded the path ahead once again lest she fall. “I wish I had two mouths… and you

each, seems

rose to her face. “It is well enough. Some things… I do not care to discuss them publicly,” she said. Argrave was about to ask what

a brow.

from the targets they hit. But it is

the various uses for

he undersold it.” She raised her hand up, moving her fingers about. “I

it’s you, I’m an all-you-can-eat buffet whenever you want,” he looked at

been covered with basalt particles and traces of battle by magic. Bodies lay crated in it everywhere. It looked like a pocket of hell placed on earth.

the scene, same as her. “Certainly.” In his peripheries, he

waste of money. I told her as much. But… Melanie’s not so bad,” he admitted. “I kind of like the shameless