Jackal Among Snakes

Galamon opened the door for Argrave and stepped through it ahead of him. Argrave followed after warily, keeping his eye on the knight-commander as though searching for a reaction. Within, Rowe and Dras sat on pristine purple couches that looked out of place in the battered and worn stone palace. They had been talking, but with Argrave’s arrival their exchange stopped.

“There he is.” Rowe turned his body and rose to his feet, leaning on his staff. “I see you had to upstage me by bringing a bigger lizard to the meeting.”

“Lizard? That’s my grandmother you’re talking about. Be respectful.” Argrave rubbed his palms together, making way for Anneliese to enter. “Rowe. Dras. It’s good to see you.”

Rowe scoffed. “Look at him. He wins a war, now suddenly he’s ordering me about in front of everyone and forgetting the patriarch’s title. I suppose that’s what happens when you’re the tallest among the short. I forgot how small everyone was here… and before you think otherwise, I’m not speaking of height.”

As they spoke, Dras rose from the couch and stepped around it, walking up to Galamon. The knight-commander took off his helmet and looked down at the slightly shorter Dras.

Galamon said simply, “Patriarch.”

“Over a decade, and that’s all you can say?” Dras stared at him stoically, then he smiled. “Haven’t changed a bit, have you?”

“I have.” Galamon looked to Argrave. “I’ve… been liberated.”

Dras frowned for a moment, then looked to Argrave for explanation. To demonstrate to the patriarch, the king tapped his teeth.

“What?” Dras whipped his head back. “You’re serious?”

Argrave pointed to Galamon. “He doesn’t joke often.”

“But that has never been done before.” Rowe stepped forward, looking upon Galamon. “Smile, would you? You know how to do that, right?”

Galamon slowly brandished his teeth. He had sharp canines still, but certainly not to the point of vampirism.

“I…” Dras closed his eyes. “By Veid. This…” He ran his hand across his mouth. “When you came to me, I thought you nothing more than a messenger liable to die months after our ships delivered you home,” he said, turning to gaze to Argrave as he spoke. “I have more to say to you, but… Rowe, please brief Argrave on the details. As for Galamon… can we talk? Alone.”

Galamon said plainly, “I am knight-commander to His Majesty.”

“And you are defenseless as knight-commander before me, so go,” Rowe waved his hand.

not move at all until Argrave said, “You can talk with him

elven warrior took a deep

the two moved to the door so that they might speak in

guest in the home—Rowe

away, heading back for the purple couches. “He’s got enough magic-imbued jewelry to kill an army, and a trick or two besides. You should have seen what happened after enchanting was introduced to my lot. All the wizards of Veiden lined up, bent their knees, and demonstrated their latest enchanting craftsmanship while delivering their best brownnosing compliments.” Rowe plopped down on the couch, then fixed Argrave and Anneliese with an icy look. “Either way, don’t

and

rats in this granary of yours. There’s something to be said about your kind’s ability to be self-interested even when the sky threatens to fall on their heads,” Rowe set his staff

them. I gave them the push, and I think they’ll bend. They don’t know the extent of what’s coming, not really. Even that little vision imparted to them by the stone disc Castro got is insufficient. Should you whip a child that misbehaves because of ignorance?”

was younger than you,” Rowe said as he laughed, watching Anneliese as she sat. “Speaking of children… the two

behind Anneliese on the couch as they

into a grim stoicism. “Neither

“You were always quick to grasp the

thought would happen, be it magically or…” Rowe waved to the palace and

“Hard times create

at Argrave. “What is it with you? Did you eat magic berries? Was your mother

Anneliese. “She’s the real giant among pygmies. Anne’s at A-rank already,

looked at her. “Eh. I expected her to do great things. Sometimes you talk to people and you just know they’re going places. But you…” Rowe stared hard, the cynical wizard replaced by Patriarch Dras’ loyal servant doing his duty to his tribe. “Assuming you consolidate this uselessly large and fertile kingdom of yours…

of living to adapt for what comes before necessary. Build the fortifications needed to hold and defend. Position all loyal to us to capitalize on benefits, and ruthlessly crush opposition spurred by Gerechtigkeit.” She entwined her fingers.

inadequate reasoning,” he said, taking his feet off the couch and planting them down firmly on the floor. Seeing Anneliese glare at him with fiery amber eyes, Rowe added in annoyance, “It’s a joke,

interrupted, “Dras said he had something

point of asking for help… we would like to ask for advice.” Rowe said those words bitterly, and then hesitantly continued, “He Who Would Judge the Gods is unfond of allowing us time to sharpen our blades and work our spells. And I think the same will be true for you, too. We

#####

mused Dras as he and Galamon walked down the

did.” Galamon nodded, then looked to the patriarch. “My wife and

“They’re fine, as far as I know. Things keep me too busy to check on them more than once a

stopped walking, and

“What?” the patriarch asked.

his cold white eyes. “I

old way—tied to an iron pole and left there for three days in the sun.” Dras stepped closer. “And if that’s done in the view of all… no one would protest if I lifted your exile. You’d clearly be free of

done before Veid.”