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.

until Argrave said, “You can

elven warrior took a deep

on Galamon’s shoulder, and the two moved to the door so that they might

and shut, Argrave turned his head to the remaining guest in the home—Rowe the Righteous, S-rank spellcaster. “Shouldn’t you make sure your patriarch’s

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

and sat. “It’s not my

of yours. There’s something to be said about your kind’s ability to be self-interested even when the sky threatens to

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?” Argrave held

laughed, watching Anneliese as she sat. “Speaking of children… the two of you, hmm? You can’t actually like humans too much, judging by your choice of

put his arm behind Anneliese on the couch as they both

slowly soured into a grim stoicism. “Neither

“You were always quick to

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

times create

me,” Rowe stared at Argrave. “What is it with you? Did you

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

you talk to people and you just know they’re going places. But you…” Rowe stared hard, the cynical wizard replaced by

“Spread word among the people. Change their way 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,

said, taking his feet off the couch and planting them down firmly on the floor. Seeing Anneliese glare

of hand Argrave interrupted, “Dras said he had something he wanted you to

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 have an interest in working together. I won’t

#####

we’d speak again,” mused Dras as he and Galamon walked

nodded, then looked to the patriarch. “My wife

far as I know. Things keep

stopped walking, and

“What?” the patriarch asked.

with his cold white eyes.

three days in the sun.” Dras stepped closer. “And if that’s

Veid.” Galamon looked down at Dras