Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave crossed his arms as he stared at Dras. “You’re poaching my talent? Really?”

Dras held his arms out as he sunk back into the purple couch. “I’m borrowing an old friend for a few months.”

“A few months.” Argrave nodded intently, then countered, “Just when I’m at the pivotal moment, you want to borrow Galamon for at least a month?” he pointed his hand at Galamon. “He’s my knight-commander! He’s pivotal for developing our standing army! As much as I want him to see his wife and kid…”

Dras pursed his lips for a moment as he looked for a response, but then Galamon contributed, “That’s not true. You know as well as I do that the first month, at least, will be dedicated to reorganization. It’ll be a long while before there’s mass training in Vasquer.” He looked to the patriarch. “And there are some things the patriarch offered to supply.”

The patriarch looked up to Galamon from his seat. “Are you keeping distance between us by calling me ‘patriarch,’ huh? How hurtful. Don’t intend to rejoin me in a more permanent fashion?” He waved his hand away. “Well… yeah. Galamon tells me this royal guard of yours is understaffed. I’m thinking… I can supply you with an honor guard of my finest men, loyal to you until their death. These would be veterans trained by Galamon personally and equipped with enough Ebonice to choke a dragon.”

“They’d be capable men,” Galamon added. “Capable of holding their own, or capable of training others. I can think of veterans that I know that I would trust to serve as officers beneath me,” he noted, tapping his chest. “These men have fought in wars for seventy years, some of them. And they’re still well in their prime.”

“It’s been more than a decade. That might not be true,” Rowe pointed out. When Dras glared at him, the old mage quickly added, “But yeah, Galamon’s right. They can train your troops, lead your armies, whatever you need. They’re perfect in every way. That enough of an endorsement?” he looked at Dras in irritation.

“While I’m away, there’s a more-than-fitting replacement for your personal guard: Orion.” Galamon gestured at Argrave and Anneliese both. “He would never harm his family. He visits his mother daily.”

Argrave’s face tightened for a moment as he thought of it. “How many men?”

“Three hundred.” Dras put his hands on his knees.

Argrave leaned back onto the couch. Three hundred Veidimen, each and all trained by Galamon, equipped with Ebonice… and in time, each and all outfitted just as the royal knights of Vasquer. He looked at Anneliese, the two of them sharing the same thought: that was truly a boon. Not to mention, Galamon personally endorsed them. Argrave’s thoughts clogged as he processed something.

Argrave looked at his knight-commander. “It sounds like you’re championing this.”

Galamon looked down at the floor. “He hasn’t said everything.”

Dras scratched his scarred head. “I would also adopt Anneliese as my daughter.”

Argrave leaned far back into the couch in surprise, then looked over at her. Her white brows were raised high and she sputtered as she asked, “W-what?”

inconsequential. I suppose you get a solid stake in the

she

around,” Dras put his hand on the man’s shoulder, and the S-rank spellcaster frowned. “I think it matches well with this honor guard I’d be sending. It’s a good justification

You’d offer this much from the get-go.” Argrave

one thing to have an emissary of the Hand Reaching from the Abyss come to Veiden. It is another entirely if that man is king of the nation, there. I do not

the idea of lasting peace. Before he did,

idea, was it not? This

nothing. Argrave was shocked. He didn’t know the old man had it in

do you think?” Dras held his hands out. “Is this

Anneliese. “I would

but then he looked to Anneliese for his

need not think for more than a heartbeat,” Anneliese

as though

looked to Galamon. “Good lord. I guess I’m selling my friend for three hundred men and a father-in-law. Sounds like the start to a joke, but…” he held out his

it

laughed as both looked at Galamon. Then, in a rare show… the man smiled

#####

both the north and Veiden, and the Order of the Gray Owl. He came in on foot, this time. Vasquer was still in the room, but Patriarch Dras and

took his place on the throne. It was cushioned, warm… already

to us,” the margrave began. “The decision of those beneath me

most assured, but he was still glad to hear it. “I am happy to have the whole of you as my vassals, too. Elenore can handle the details of the ceremony of fealty—you can speak to her after. And on the other note… Elias, Rose, that promise I made… she’ll send you to talk to me after this summit is done, today. We can talk about getting the

Reinhardt lowered his head almost to

bit strange seeing a man that had held him captive some months ago kneeling before him and calling him king, and he stared for a few moments. Anneliese tapped his shoulder, drawing him back

Have you and your people had time to think about things, come to a

his crowd. “We submit to Your Majesty’s terms,” Castro lowered his head. “The Order will collaborate with the crown’s wishes. I cannot speak to what each individual will do in way of support, but if Your Majesty offers seats on the parliament, I am sure many will be glad to take

so I’d be a fool to infringe upon it.” Argrave nodded. “We’ll have to discuss how people might be rewarded for cooperating with the crown. I have my own set of incentives that might draw people to offer aid. But… I’m glad that your people came

and sighed with a smile playing about his lips, pleased that things had gone so well. He spotted the Magister afflicted with dwarfism in their bunch, but he didn’t see resentment in his gaze. Deciding to shelve the matter, he looked to Anneliese and then Elenore, giving each a