Jackal Among Snakes

There was some small respite from the constant necessity of tending to the situation in the Great Chu. Their armies were, for a time, at a stalemate brought about by partial control of the enemy’s commanding officers. Any assault that was to come, either from the heavens or from the ground, was something they were amply prepared for. Law and the other gods made their presence more felt on the shores of the Great Chu every second, but until something decisive happened to tip the balance, they didn’t have much hope. Hopefully, that ‘something’ would come at the hands of Governor Zen.

But there was trouble back home—trouble that was somewhat resolving itself, yet still needed a direct hand. Sophia.

Argrave opened the door to their bedroom, where Sophia had been staying ever since her toys had come to life and then died. She was lying down, but upon hearing the door open, she jolted upright. Argrave entered, and Anneliese followed soon after. Waiting behind them was Elenore.

“You don’t want to come in?” Argrave asked Elenore in a whisper.

“I…” Elenore crossed her arms. “Perhaps later.”

Both of them nodded, then left her to watch at the doorway.

“Hey, Sophia,” Argrave said affectionately. “We’d like to have a talk, the three of us. Are you up for it?”

Sophia nodded, her red eyes wide and scared. They moved to sit down, one of them on each side of her.

Argrave and Anneliese had been checking in on her occasionally, but she was rather despondent most times, and their other duties kept them unable to commit to anything serious. This issue, untreated, could become an infected wound. Given the gravity of Sophia’s future, it was something that needed to be tended to.

“How are you feeling?” Argrave asked, to begin with.

“I’m fine.” Sophia lowered her head.

Argrave brought his legs up onto the bed and turned his body. “I think we all know that’s not true. We have to talk about what happened. About the lives you created, at our urging.”

“I didn’t know they would all die. I just want them back. Back to the way they were… they didn’t need to talk, to do anything.” Sophia wiped at her face.

“But the fact is they did,” Anneliese said, not unkindly. “And you still have the potential inside you to create yet more. That is the matter at hand.”

“I’m never gonna do it again,” Sophia shook her head fiercely, black hair whipping about. “I don’t want to. They’ll die. I don’t… I don’t want to be able to do this.”

Argrave got off the bed and kneeled down until he looked Sophia in the eyes. “Creating life isn’t a bad thing, Sophia. You were born—a life created. As was I. As was Anneliese. Life can be made, and life can end. These are two incontrovertible facts.”

“Incont… incontro…” Sophia furrowed her brows in confusion.

“It means it cannot be denied,” Anneliese explained, putting her hand on Sophia’s shoulder. “You, Sophia, can create life. Most living things can. The ease at which you do it does not make it wrong. It does, however, place a large responsibility on your shoulders. Lives carelessly created can… well, they can exist as Mr. Knight did. And they can stop, too.”

Silence stretched between the three of them, and Sophia wiped tears from her eyes as foul memories came back. “If it’s not a bad thing, why do I feel so bad?”

things, that neither Anneliese nor I can describe to you briefly. But each one has limitless value. Let me ask you something—when you first made Mr.

wanted to pay you back, Argrave. I wanted you to be proud of me. I wanted

went wrong, Sophia—and where we did, for pushing you so hard—is trying to impose your will on the life of another being. I don’t think you did so on purpose. But one of

yet

hand. “Your father and your mother were the two people that created you. They are responsible for your life. Norman tried to impose upon you what

Sophia began to tremble.

stuff to happen, nor did you want to do what he did. And because you were a

what Argrave was saying. “But I did… I did what Norman did, to them? I made them do what I

become similar. That’s why we intend to impart some lessons upon you, so that you understand what it is to make a life, and the

was subjective. The things that dictate it were simply the instincts and thoughts within a person’s head. Argrave believed that was much of the reason people turn to ideas or concepts greater than themselves, larger than themselves—an inner struggle with this subjective understanding. Philosophies and religion offered answers that could be accepted or rejected, but even if one took them to be true, the existence of free will and independent existence made life and all its moralities a choice—a subjective choice, imposed from the inside rather than the outside. Argrave had never found a

if

hear that preachy spiel. Maybe when

understand,” Sophia lowered her head. “I’m

back. “We’ll help you understand. Argrave

Argrave nodded. “Every step of the way, we’ll be

a brave face and asked, “Argrave, did you mean it when… did you mean it when you said that I’m… that we’re…” she bit

resolutely.

you’re not… I mean, my

aren’t related to you by blood.” Anneliese brushed back a wisp of the girl’s hair. “But family need not always be those you are born to. Argrave and I are family by

said. If you want to, we can be family. And we’ll never cast you out.” Argrave held his arms out to cap that

invitation for a hug, but perhaps it was interpreted that way. Sophia lunged off the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Argrave was surprised for a few moments, but then gratefully accepted it and returned it. In time, she broke away and hugged Anneliese,

Argrave felt it was time to mention the real purpose they’d come here. It was

up at him in

with that

couldn’t meet Argrave’s

you out,” Argrave assured, putting his hand on her small head. “But in order for you to understand the responsibility

at the ground, and only after some time mumbled, “He

taking her small hand. “And together, we’ll make him truly alive. We’ll fix this. We’ll help you take responsibility for his life, and all others

a few moments and Argrave feared they’d overreached, but she nodded.

#####

the room with a sleeping Sophia, the door again opened. Elenore walked through quietly, and Sophia slept beneath the covers. She came to stand above the sleeping girl, and Sophia

asked in recognition,

said, then sat on her bedside. “I thought you

I don’t mind,”