Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave stared at the dark gray corpse of the Shadowlander from his place at the entrance to the Dragon Palace. The monstrous humanoid had been laid across a makeshift wooden platform and secured by ropes, and now twenty men carried it by wooden poles fixed to the platform. Despite the days gone by, its corpse had not decayed even slightly. Nothing, not even the ants, would touch it willingly. Even after death, its flesh felt as hard as stone. Facing two… indeed, facing hordes of these creatures, as they would have to in the distant future… he was reminded of why he rushed so hard for strength and power.

“I know just the person to display it in a… frightful manner, so as to cow our guests,” Elenore broke into Argrave’s thought. “In addition, we’ll have it in the throne room. That’s the place worse affected by the fighting, and it’s big enough to host everyone that will be coming. I remember how much you like psychological tricks like those.”

Argrave nodded without much consideration, his mind wandering elsewhere. His royal guards and Galamon stood behind him, watching and waiting.

“I’ve sent out those royal decrees to Whitefields demanding Rovostar’s head. In addition, I helped news of the Order’s declaration get into… certain people’s hands,” Elenore stepped in front of Argrave, perhaps hoping to get his attention better. “Perhaps once Vera and Hegazar return, we can take a more personal hand in retrieving Duke Enrico, provided he is not returned already.”

Argrave considered that, looking up. As he did, he failed to notice Elenore’s gaze settle upon someone behind him.

“Rovostar’s A-rank. Hegazar’s illusions won’t help much, and—” Argrave paused as he felt a presence near. He thought it was Galamon, but when he turned he spotted Orion.

“Elenore,” the prince greeted her first. “It’s… I cannot describe how warm it makes me feel to see you walk once again.”

Elenore nodded and crossed her arms and said nothing in response.

Orion’s eyes fell upon the Shadowlander. “You should have asked me to help, brother. You’ve asked so little of me…”

Argrave looked at Orion squarely. Despite his grief, he’d shown himself to be stable—the prince had not harmed anyone in the time they’d been here, and his emotional outbursts improved day by day. That said… the man himself did not look good. His eyes were sunken and dark, and he looked… ill, frankly. Argrave wasn’t sure Orion could get ill, so he must have felt truly terrible to look this bad.

“I haven’t needed your energy. Well, not until now,” Argrave said, dismissing his thoughts. “Leopold is bringing along some people from Relize—architects. But I think I’ll need your help, too.” As the laborers bearing the Shadowlander grew near, Argrave lightly shepherded the two of them out of the way, and his royal guard moved with him. “You’ll have to work fast and hard. This needs to get done before everyone else arrives.”

“Well… certainly, I can help.” Orion contributed with a strangely dull brightness.

“On that note, I’ve just remembered I need to take care of something,” Elenore said stoically. “Please, excuse me.”

Though Elenore spoke kindly, her haste to leave was all too obvious… to Argrave, at least. Orion seemed totally ignorant that Elenore did not want to be around him.

I’m excited to help,” Orion nodded. “Where

been helping Elenore with scouting things out—keeping track of armies and such,” Argrave said dismissively. “Just helping get a timeframe for us to prepare everything for this summit. This is a big event, and a lot rides on it. But as for that thing… come

Argrave finished talking, he watched Orion briefly when he didn’t

alright?” Argrave

He only now noticed they were bloodshot. “These nights… sleep

Argrave pressed. He grabbed Orion’s arm and moved him forward, and the two

knew it was so loud,” Orion looked out across the city as they walked down. “Up atop the mountain, the wind rages especially hard. Yet even then it does not drown my

to talk better, keeping his eyes on the steep, partially damaged path as he repeated, “Trouble sleeping? All the time. I just have to do something to occupy my mind until I’m tired enough I have to sleep,

if that doesn’t work, what else could I do?” Orion

frowned. “…it always has

nodded, his unkempt black hair blowing about in the

thinking about?” Argrave

actions, of what I did and what I should do, and of the family that left me—both my deceivers and my blood. These damnable thoughts are more persistent than starving rats near a granary, and I hate it,” he finished venomously, clenching his hands into tight fists. “It’s worse than having their whispers pollute my mind. I

sound advice regarding what to do. In all your dealings, just ask, ‘how would I like

different,” Orion noted, gaze fixed to the road. “I’ve had months to come to terms with the Argrave I knew being replaced, months of explanation from Vasquer, and months to parse through what you did with

direction. “I didn’t. I kept my head down and kept moving,

back of

briefly. “Don’t you

I enjoyed has turned to poison in my mind. All I’ve ever done…” Orion stepped away, searching for words. “I was but a vessel to another’s will. Though I loathe

pointed out. “You met Boarmask. You met Vasquer. You defied your father, and you kept

I truly wanted this, why do I feel so

problem,” Galamon

and Argrave both looked

you want…” Galamon continued.

nodded slowly. “He’s right, come to think of it. The whole reason I set out to stop Gerechtigkeit was because I didn’t fancy dying. Along the way, things just sort of… fell into place.” He set back along the road, walking a bit closer to Orion. “I’m going