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.

die, despite the imperial court’s attempts. But we suffered an injury in the battle against Grand Commandant Sun,” Ji Meng

head. “I humbly plead you demote this… this barbarian. The mere thought

of battle once already. He bested us in use of vital force, and it was only our superior combat experience that brought 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 does not indicate the superior strategist. As such, we will grant

bestow each of you eight the authority to challenge our Grand Commandant to a duel. Should you win, we shall assign his title to one more suitable.

the room, yet the commanders were each too surprised by this declaration

and his leadership is such that even gods yield to

before them, looking to

bid you return to Grand Commandant Sun, armed with

Road. If you

#####

hand into a fist, while the left clenched it

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 back

couldn’t have

hadn’t even lied, really. Ji Meng had brought Argrave to his knees, and was 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 commanders had infinitely less room to doubt this

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

his head to Anneliese. “Please tell me Ji Meng dissuaded them from actually fighting me by puffing me up so much. How were

in a chair, caressing

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 words…’” Argrave laughed

quite sharing his mirth. “They’ll be coming, soon, to speak to you. Do you want

reflected more, some small amount of amusement resurfaced. “Maybe the old fellow’s got a

arms. “What point

one does have to be exceptional to be named Grand Commandant. Maybe my mind is as vast as an ocean.” Argrave tapped the side of his forehead. “Ever think about

“No, not that I remember. But I can tell that vast mind is made up, so I will

#####

and all eyeing the throne that nature had thrust upon him. Or perhaps it was his imagination. Regardless, he was glad to have Anneliese and

before me here, I’m going to assume that you saw the son of heaven for who he is,”

to see if Anneliese would touch him to signal deception. Yet no signal came, and Argrave eyed these people before him with some degree of surprise. Each and