Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave stepped into the courtyard of the grand fortress that had been constructed at his behest some months ago. It marked the northern entrance to Blackgard where they’d tunneled through the mountain to bridge the Indanus Divide. The garrison had made the place much more habitable since he last visited, building ramshackle if effective homes like some sort of castle town. He didn’t intend to stay long. Still, someone waited for him: the two-eyed, red-haired Elias of Parbon.

“Your Majesty,” Elias greeted, lowering his head.

“Don’t do that. You get a pass,” Argrave waved his hand. “You and your father can call me whatever you want in private, as far as I’m concerned.”

Elias raised his brow, and Argrave couldn’t help but stare at his two ruby-like eyes. A month ago one of them had been rotted away by a disease commonly known as the waxpox, but now they were whole and healthy again.

“Why’d you ask me to meet at the north side? I have to travel south to return home,” the man reflected.

“You’re right,” Argrave shook his head. “Slipped my mind. But Durran and his fingers are back, and your eye looks whole… so I have to ask, how’s your sister?”

“She’s singing a lot,” Elias said brightly. “And she says she’s happy. I’m not inclined to doubt her.” He scratched just above his forehead, then began, “Argrave… I can’t thank you enough. Me, my sister, both of us…”

Argrave held his hand out. “So don’t thank me at all. I don’t want to hear it. I’m more interested in that other thing I asked you and your father to deal with.”

Elias shook his head lightly. “You’ve… never mind. Alright, well…” Elias looked off to the gate. “Things are just like you said: the people that had the plague have a lot of trouble returning to their lives. People won’t employ them, and sometimes their old homes reject them. A lot of fear in the air. Most of the nobles were glad to have us expel the plague-ridden from their land. They viewed it as a personal favor from His Majesty,” the man finished bitterly.

“Then you’ve been rounding them up, sending them to Dirracha?” Argrave pressed.

“Yeah. Most of them got into the temporary housing.” Elias nodded. “I never thought you the charitable sort. Why are you doing this?”

Argrave frowned. “Am I so horrible?”

Elias stared.

“I’m making some changes to the military,” Argrave sighed in defeat. “Whenever the kings of the past needed an army, their options were three—their personal forces, their vassal’s forces, and a widespread levy. Separate, they’re insufficient. Together, they’re rather grand.” Argrave waved his finger and shook his head. “That structure is a mistake, long term. I’m tossing it aside, making something wholly new.”

“You’ll make them soldiers?” Elias looked taken aback. “Argrave, these people—”

“They won’t be treated like levies, don’t worry.” Argrave interrupted Elias once again. “You might not know this, but the waxpox fed on magic to sustain and grow itself. Because of the disease’s attraction to magic, I can imagine there’s going to be a great many diamonds in the rough, so to speak. Beyond that, those young and malleable enough will form the core of my new personal force—not royal guards, but professional soldiers. They’ll be paid. Then, they can take care of their families. And when it’s feasible… House Quadreign will treat those it can with its flame.”

Elias scratched at his cheek. “That’s… rather noble.”

nothing. He wasn’t doing this to be noble—he was doing it because everyone available needed to be used in

to Dirracha, then.” Elias’ voice

part. Don’t worry—she’s

getting married?” he looked at Anneliese, who had been quiet during

a

think,” Elias

looked at Anneliese

#####

little past midday. They travelled small, their group consisting only of Argrave, Anneliese, Orion, and some of his Waxknights. The journey from the fortress to Relize had taken four days in the past, but that had been with a sizable force of somewhat uncoordinated infantrymen on a steady pace. With fast-moving horses, the marble city of Relize came into

at his side, and hastened the horse even more before Orion chided him to be more cautious. Once the two met,

called out, walking to the man

off his helmet. His white hair was usually long, but he’d trimmed it.

see you.” Argrave pulled his head

it best to come.”

she waved, smiling

alright?” Argrave pressed, pointing his thumb at Dras

said seriously. “And I’m sorry to see these men go,” the

a somber nod, agreeing that things

nothing beyond them, but… a Twisted Twin of the Winter descended, driven mad by…

remember Veidimen lore from Heroes of

not just that. Things thought long dead are reappearing. On top of that, Galamon is still investigating the supposed reemergence of the Ebon Cult.” The patriarch closed his eyes for a few seconds, then opened them again and fixed his gaze on Argrave. “Hah. It must sound like I’m guilting you into

am incapable of feeling shame,” Argrave

that’s good. I’ve found that to be a very valuable trait

stepping ahead of Argrave. “The royal knights you

elf said evenly,

soul of a commander, and that shines through

furrowed his brows, confused, then dismissed that

heavy piece of wood meeting the grass attracted Argrave’s attention, and he turned his head to watch Rowe walking

bring them here,” Dras directed him. Galamon nodded and walked off as Rowe took his place in front

Rowe said, sizing

aback and looked down at his stomach. “No, I think