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?”

I suppose you get a solid stake in the Patriarchate when I pass, but historically chiefs are elected from

Anneliese began. Even she struggled to find words

Rowe around,” Dras put his hand on the man’s shoulder, and the S-rank spellcaster frowned. “I think

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

Veiden. It is another entirely if that man is king of the nation, there. I do not care to make an enemy of you. There are other lands beside this continent of

about to comment on the idea of lasting peace. Before he did, someone

not?

He didn’t know the old man had it in him to be this conniving. Maybe

do you think?” Dras held his hands

“I would

a little surprised, but then he looked to

for more than a heartbeat,” Anneliese

though it

like the start to a joke, but…” he held out his hand for a handshake. “Take good care of him. He’s high maintenance. Whines a

hand. “Yeah. I remember it well. He yapped my ear off in

Then, in a rare show… the man smiled slightly. It was slight enough

#####

the nobles of the south, the allied representatives of 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 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

was the first to step forward. He kneeled. “We’ve read through the great majority of what was delivered to us,” the margrave began. “The decision of those beneath me is unanimous. With the conditions offered yesterday… we would all be glad to welcome you as king,

the armrest of the throne. He felt that this result was the 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

almost to the

had held him captive some months ago kneeling before him and calling him

his haze. “So, Castro. Have you and

Majesty offers seats on the parliament, I am sure many will be glad to take them. We will grant access to our knowledge as needed.

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 around. I can assure all

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