Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave looked upon Ji Meng, resplendent in silver attire meant for an emperor. He had been groomed, dressed, and outfitted as befit his station. And that was how he was to be treated, henceforth, given the presence of the eight commanders in this flagship. In order to avoid being perceived as a puppet, Argrave intended to have this emperor meet the eight commanders alone.

“I won’t give you a script,” Argrave put his hands on the smaller man’s shoulder. “But remember that you’re never alone. No warding spell, no trick of light, can hide either sound or sight from me in this place. If you say anything out of sorts, or communicate any message wrong whatsoever… I’m more comfortable killing eight commanders, punishing you properly, and starting again from the beginning.”

Ji Meng looked up at Argrave, then nodded. “We understand, Grand Commandant Sun.”

Argrave took a deep breath, uneased by his rapid adoption of the royal we, then left the room. As he said, this room was watched—Anneliese with her Starsparrow, and several other casters with lesser animals positioned to hear and see everything. He slid open the door, then nodded to one of Ji Meng’s honor guard. They had been let out of their holding areas for the time being to give the emperor more legitimacy. Each were as well-drilled and watched as the man in that room.

Argrave walked down the hall, making a show of passing by the eight commanders so they thought he would not be present for this meeting. He said nothing as he hastened to get into the spot where he could be present for this meeting.

#####

The eight commanders of this southerly Great Chu army entered the room, beholding the emperor. As soon as they verified the face of the man they were sworn to serve, they lowered themselves until their foreheads were pasted against the ground.

“We greet the son of heaven!” they said asynchronously.

Ji Meng looked upon them, scrutinizing as he let their energy subside. He said regally, “We note your greeting. You are permitted to raise your head and speak candidly.”

They obeyed, peering up at the emperor in a position that made these powerful men look rather like dogs.

“This servant would inquire about your well-being, my emperor. Your vital force…” the most devout among them said, seeming genuinely worried.

“Commander Yuan,” Ji Meng looked down upon the one who’d spoken. “We thought our command to you was clear. You were to remain in the jungle outpost.”

Yuan placed his head back against the ground. “This servant has no excuse. I heeded the words of the imperial court, who pulled me from that land and placed me here.”

“All save Commander Lu do not belong in this region.” The emperor brought his hand to his chin. “It seems each of you view us lightly. Mere weeks of absence, and you assign more authority to the words of our false regent.”

“This servant’s worthless soul is yours,” Yuan pressed his head harder against the floor, his armor audibly straining.

Ji Meng declared coldly, looking at each of the bowing commanders in turn. “The imperial court has betrayed me, as it has many sons of heaven before. We did not die, despite the imperial court’s attempts. But we suffered an injury

one commander lowered his head. “I humbly plead you demote this… this

him to his knees before us.” Ji Meng looked at each of the commanders, gauging their reactions. “Yet it seems each of you would chafe under the idea. Perhaps you believe one battle

of you eight the authority to challenge our Grand Commandant to a duel. Should you win, we

yet the commanders were each too surprised

make no mistake—our Grand Commandant is unquestionably suited for this role. His mind is as vast as the ocean we crossed, his skill is as sharp as the best of our blades, and his leadership is such that even gods yield to his authority. We permit you to learn these things on your own. One must

from the emperor before them, looking to

you have witnessed us. We bid you return to Grand Commandant Sun, armed

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#####

balled his right hand into a fist,

mind as vast as an ocean, skill as sharp as the best of their blades, and leadership enough to make the gods yield… Argrave would’ve felt mighty flattered if those words hadn’t been spoken in that situation. Perhaps Ji Meng intended to get

time, that meeting couldn’t have gone better.

bested by superior vital force—or in Berendar terms, magic. By declaring that Ji Meng could still remove Argrave from his position, he established his authority. The

to all of that was that Argrave might be called upon to defend his role in a duel. And who might be his opponent? Eight S-rank spellcasters, each of

tell me Ji Meng dissuaded them from actually fighting me by puffing me up so much. How were they feeling

in a chair, caressing

understand what a hesitant ‘well’ meant. As he accepted what had happened, he started to laugh. “This feels like something I’d have done. ‘Return to Grand Commandant Sun, armed with our

up to stand by him, not quite sharing his mirth. “They’ll be coming, soon, to speak to you. Do you want

his eyes, thinking. As he reflected more, some small amount of amusement resurfaced.

arms. “What

be named Grand Commandant. Maybe my mind is as vast as an ocean.” Argrave tapped

But I can tell that vast mind is made up,

#####

before, now they seemed like hungry lions, each and all eyeing the

as each of you eight have come before me here, I’m going to assume that you saw the son of heaven for who he is,” Argrave said without

touch him to signal deception. Yet no signal came, and Argrave eyed these people before him with some degree of surprise. Each and all were loyal and true. This defied expectations. But it wasn’t