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?”

you would feel confident in your alliance, and you’d likely face no political pressure.” Dras’ gaze jumped between the two of them. “For my part, it’s largely inconsequential. I suppose you get a solid stake in the Patriarchate when I pass, but historically chiefs are elected from all the family members, so it doesn’t matter. I’m planning on making my succession a grander electorate consisting of all Veidimen. That’s one virtue of

Even she struggled

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 for welcoming them into

Galamon a lot, huh? You’d offer this much from the get-go.” Argrave leaned

to have an emissary of the Hand Reaching from the Abyss come to Veiden. It is another entirely if that man

about to comment on the idea of lasting peace.

your idea, was it not? This

looked away, saying nothing. Argrave was shocked. He didn’t know the old man had it in him to be this conniving. Maybe Argrave was rubbing off on him, teaching him the virtues of

you think?” Dras held his hands out. “Is this a good enough

looked to Anneliese. “I would never

but then he

think for more than

nodded as though it

father-in-law. Sounds like the start to a joke, but…” he held out his hand for a handshake. “Take good care of him.

remember it well. He yapped my ear off in the

Then, in a rare show… the man smiled

#####

Owl. He came in on foot, this time. Vasquer was still in the room, but Patriarch Dras and Rowe walked as well. Rowe left his druidic bond to roost atop the Dragon Palace. It would be ridiculously uncomfortable to negotiate on the back of a snake’s head,

on the throne. It was cushioned, warm… already a much better

the great majority of what was delivered to us,” the margrave began. “The decision of those beneath me is

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

his head almost to the

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 to

from his haze. “So, Castro. Have you and your people had time to think

sure many will be glad to take them. We will grant access

I benefited from Order neutrality, and 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

dwarfism in their bunch, but he didn’t see resentment in his gaze. Deciding to shelve the matter,