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.”

this to be noble—he was doing it because everyone available needed to be used in the fight ahead. And he’d stolen the idea from Orion and his Waxknights,

keep sending them to Dirracha, then.” Elias’ voice was

can handle the next part. Don’t worry—she’s been briefed,” Arrgave

Anneliese, who had been quiet during this exchange. “Me too. That’s what I’m coming

having a wedding?” Argrave

think,” Elias

looked at Anneliese

#####

with a sizable force of somewhat uncoordinated infantrymen on a steady pace. With fast-moving

spotted another person at his side, and hastened the horse even more before Orion chided him to be

out, walking to

helmet. His white hair was usually long, but

good to see you.”

to come.” Galamon looked to

again, Galamon,” she waved, smiling

pressed, pointing his thumb at Dras as he stepped away. “Things going

asked for him,” Dras said seriously. “And I’m sorry to see these men go,” the patriarch

to Galamon to seek confirmation. The snow elf gave a somber nod, agreeing that things were indeed as dire as the patriarch

uninhabitable. Most people thought there was nothing beyond them, but… a Twisted Twin of the Winter descended, driven mad by… well, you can

remember Veidimen lore

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.

am incapable of feeling

I’ve found that to be a very valuable trait as a

ahead of Argrave. “The royal knights

elf said evenly, staring

soul of a commander, and that shines through in their eyes. I’m looking forward to seeing how

his brows, confused, then

of wood meeting the grass attracted Argrave’s attention,

Galamon nodded and

said, sizing

stomach. “No, I think I