Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave and Anneliese spent the remainder of the day with Galamon and his family. Dras had given him the duty of dealing with the killings in Veiden while he investigated another matter, and with the ice wraith dead, that meant his duties were over. Rhomaden and Galamon were quite similar in appearance… and perhaps in temperament, too, for they played with a bear twice their size and seemed to have a great deal of fun doing so.

Argrave and Anneliese sat on a stone bench while watching father and son play in a field of snow… with a bear. He knew that was Durran’s bear, but it seemed that the southern tribal had given it to Galamon while he went into the Burnt Desert. It was a sensible thing, he supposed, and evidently it seemed to be working out splendidly. Argrave let his Brumesingers join the father-son-bear trio.

Muriem walked up to Argrave carrying a tray. It had hot tea on it, steaming visibly especially in the cold. “Galamon is very grateful to you, King Argrave. As am I, for that matter. Rhomaden kept me going, but I felt empty with my husband’s absence. I don’t really have the words to thank you… but again, we are grateful.”

Argrave looked at her, then smiled as he took the tea. “I’m grateful to Galamon,” he countered as he handed his cup to Anneliese and then grabbed the next. “You know how he is. Absolutely unstoppable. I wouldn’t be alive without him—only fitting I help him get what he wants. He’s given me plenty.”

“Yes,” she smiled brightly. “He works very hard for everyone that isn’t himself. I love him for it. And I do my best to spoil him—Veid knows he won’t do it himself.”

Argrave took a drink of the tea. It was a little bit contrary to his tastes, but in the cold weather he found himself enjoying it nonetheless. “Speaking of work… what has Galamon been doing here?”

Muriem looked back at Galamon and Rhomaden. “The past few months he was very busy. His main task was whipping the army into shape, but he also led them in subjugation expeditions against various things that were troubling us. Problems arose one after the other, and Patriarch Dras needed a surefire victory. Galamon was the only one he felt confident in assigning that task to. Things have quieted down somewhat, but then… well, you saw how he ended up.”

Argrave gripped his cup a little tighter. Hey, Galamon, he thought in his head, playing out the conversation. I know you’ve been going from place-to-place hunting monsters, and you finally have a day off to spend with your family… but I need you to come with me. When? Oh, this morning. And instead of monsters, you’ll be fighting a cult of whackos. How does that sound, Galamon?

As Muriem stared, her smile slowly widened. “I was honestly worried about how Galamon and Rhomaden might interact. My boy can be very gloomy sometimes, and I know Galamon’s absence was...” she trailed off, leaving words unspoken. “But Baile… that bear was the link between the two of them.” She turned her head to Argrave. “Now that they’ve met properly, Rhomaden goes around bragging to his friends about who his father is. It puts my heart at peace.”

Argrave watched Galamon talk to Rhomaden as he sat on the back of the huge black bear. Argrave responded, “Galamon’s son deserves to brag about his father. More than anyone, maybe.”

“Hmm,” Muriem agreed quietly. “Sometimes I feel my husband deserves more than me. A tailor of poor talent.”

“Deserves?” Anneliese cut in. “He loves you, Muriem. That is all there is to it.”

Muriem lowered her head bashfully, almost like a newlywed even after decades. After a time, she focused on the two of them. “Would you like to eat with us? I believe it might be poor fare compared to a king’s diet, but if I might offer hospitality… I have been cooking for quite some time.”

“Of course,” Argrave nodded at once. “That’d be lovely.”

#####

Galamon’s family… and Anestis, too. Muriem had been right in that it was different from what they normally ate, but what she prepared had a certain quality of home to it that was impossible to reproduce in the finest royal kitchen. Anestis seemed to be the only

fair, he didn’t need to embellish at all—the former vampire had

would be able to both help him and use him far more efficiently than the people in

what he might do. All that he’d

walked out. His steel plate was cold and gray, lined with fur on the shoulders and the joints. He wore a Viking-like helm with a chain coif that covered his mouth and neck. He had a huge sword strapped to his waist, mirrored on the other side by a black axe of Ebonice. The Giantkillers—blue

behind him. “Ready,” he

said dumbly.

you think I wouldn’t know why you came?”

“But your family—”

cut him off. “I

Anneliese pressed

that my absence would throw a wrench in things. I always acted with this day in mind, Your Highness,” he dipped his head to the queen.

to have this day come. “Good to have you back,

need to say goodbye to Baile before

#####

He didn’t care to annoy his favorite sister. Anestis

burgeoning city

“Quite so,” Argrave agreed.

a bit, and then focused on Argrave. “You tell me we face

“We do,” Argrave nodded.

you hope to choose the front you face them on… I believe I might have a strategy for that.” Galamon looked to Anestis.

and scared dwarf, then slowly smiled. “Long day, tomorrow. I’ll hear it

#####

of the chambers reserved for parliament seats in the complex around the hall, as he didn’t intend to live in some palace. After

be here,” Elenore began, her tone quiet. She looked to the man by the door. Galamon stood there, his head held high. “And I see your

them as guards, and I can guarantee Galamon will be of vital importance to the war against the Ebon Cult.” He shifted on his feet, eager to dive into that task. Something else remained, however.

urgent thing on your schedule—once resolved, you’ll have freedom to act once again. They’re a delegation from the south,” Elenore looked off to the room where the guests were likely waiting. “And hearing what they say, it’s much more serious that I thought it would be.” She looked around for a moment, then