Jackal Among Snakes

Melanie, a native of Relize, technical royal auditor for the crown of Vasquer, but definite sword-for-hire walked beneath a fortified archway. The building was wedged firmly in the valley road leading to the newly-born capital of Vasquer named Blackgard. Her long red hair whipped against her neck as her head turned from place to place, taking in the sight. When she left from the southern side of the mountains enclosing Blackgard, this archway hadn’t been here. It hadn’t even been in construction. Now, she suspected it could hold up against a siege of thousands for months.

But Melanie wasn’t alone in coming here. She pulled a handcart carrying a chest, holding the bar in front of her as she trudged along. She had been prepared for a difficult road, but it had been smoothed for wheels and dozens of people with luggage walked alongside her in the advance to this new place. She came near a group, listening in to see what this influx of people might be about.

“Look at this stone. Thick, black, hard. No matter how long you bang against it, it won’t budge. I don’t care if all the dead in the world rise,” an older woman said to a middle-aged man. “If we aren’t safe here, where will we be safe?”

“Dirracha. Mateth. Anywhere, mother,” the man shot back.

“And what, fall on our knees at the gates, live in some hastily-constructed slum outside their walls? The king’s men advised all come here,” the elderly woman rebuked him. “Besides, your brother already came here. Would you split this family up?”

“All I’m saying…” the man trailed off. “We shouldn’t get our hopes up.”

Melanie had heard enough, and so walked alone once more as she thought. Refugees, she thought. Admittedly, this place was extremely defensible… but as for food? It had a small port for fishing, but none of the ground had been farmed whatsoever. She didn’t know much of farming, but land near a river… generally, it was only left untilled if it didn’t grow crops well. Perhaps Argrave intended to sustain the place as Relize had been sustained—importing crops from further along the river. The mountains would make that troublesome.

After a long and tiresome walk, the valley came to an end, closing off into a tight point. There was a large office waiting them, and a man outside loudly directed people inside for processing. Here, people clumped together as they were received group-by-group. Despite the bulk of people, it was quite orderly—Melanie smelled Elenore’s influence here. The princess had always been good at making order out of chaos.

Before long, Melanie was admitted into the office through a wide and tall doorway, still hauling her handcart. There, a tired-looking bureaucrat stood behind a desk. He might’ve seemed a pushover if not for the eight plate-armored guards blocking the other exit.

Melanie came to the desk, and the man said, “Before I can let you in… name, profession, and purpose of visit.”

“Melanie. Royal auditor and parliamentary seat. Business,” she answered each question respectively, retrieving a badge from her pocket.

The man glanced at the badge and straightened his back. “There’s only one check for you, then, ma’am. Please step close to this man, and hold your eyes wide open.”

Melanie was perplexed, but obeyed. The man scrutinized her eyes closely. “They’re green, but not quite blue. It doesn’t match with the color of the shapeshifter. And she has no magic,” he said.

“Go right through, then. No need to hold up a seat in the parliament,” the man behind the desk said loudly, gesturing for the guards to move aside. “But… I’m afraid you’ve missed the parliamentary session scheduled for today, my lady.”

“That’s fine,” Melanie said, hastening. She was eager to see what more had changed. She stepped out of the office, entering Blackgard proper.

plain. Once, the parliamentary hall had been the only evidence of new construction here. That space had transformed into a huge complex sprawling out across the valley,

in either direction. They were divided into neat, though not uniform, plots that already had an elaborate irrigation system funneling water from the rivers. Sprouts grew in several plots,

But with the roads in place, it seemed like the framework for something very grand. There were markets, too. This place was already

would rest

#####

scanned through thousands of papers. It seemed a rather comfortable place to work… but given that it stood at the head of Vasquer’s parliament, with royalty watching

Argrave stared at his sister, tapping one foot against the ground in absent nervousness. His movements left behind echoes of maroon, making even his act of blatant impatience seem elegant and measured. The nobles looked upon the king nervously, perhaps viewing this act as a message. In reality, the king

sat with her long white hair kept in a half-crown

Representatives from all across the kingdom gathered to act in the interest of their city, of their noble house, of their magical practice, of their merchant empire… though imposing, Argrave

her throat loudly everyone came to focus

motion for the establishment of the Hall of Enchantment passed,” Elenore declared, gathering papers up. “Artur will assume the role of the tentatively named Hall Director as soon as he is able. Passing alongside this motion is the formal decriminalization of magic practice outside of the Order of the Gray Owl. A tally of votes will be made and distributed

abolishment of formal Order magic monopoly. Already, Argrave felt the parliament was showing its use. If this had been a decree passed by him alone, it would sow discontent. If it was fairly voted,

Elenore said. Even she was unable to prevent some satisfaction from leaking into her voice. “We shall meet again next moon. Aid that was promised in wake of devastation wrought will be delivered shortly, but in the

rose from his spot and walked down the stairs, coming to sit atop Elenore’s desk. People showed their respect to him as king as they

no one else was nearby. Anneliese listened

up at him. “That’s a question for you. I talked to the architects from Relize,

a union-buster extraordinaire. Worry not, sis,” he finished, rubbing her

delaying construction. The population is getting ridiculous. I have the city plans, but laying the bricks without magic would take years, not months. They

it done. Might make more concessions than you’re happy with,

the first day of army training. My men tell me your Veidimen officers seem eager.” Elenore looked at

Argrave

on the table. “Then, you have a

after?” Argrave pressed

back by morning, Argrave, regardless of

and sighed, looking

you needed to rule—truly rule. This is what it is.” Elenore

didn’t say anything negative,” he protested, coming to

the

quickly,” he