Jackal Among Snakes

A hulking humanoid wearing white armor walked onto a golden platform and moved to the center where a podium stood prominently. Below the platform, countless people sat ready to listen. But perhaps to call them mere people was a disservice—these were gods, one and all. Nevertheless, they stayed silent. They had to—they were in Law’s Court, and the ancient god’s Justiciars kept the peace.

The Justiciar held its two gauntleted hands out, declaring, “The King of Vasquer, Argrave, will give his closing speech, and then we shall take a vote on the proposal.”

The hundreds present came to rapt attention, looking around. Curiosity was etched on the faces of those that actually a face, but it was well obvious that people were eager for this final speaker. They had good reason to be—less than a month ago, Argrave had led forces into battle against the infamous Palace of Heaven. Yet unlike thousands before him that had tried, Argrave’s host didn’t break against its walls—instead, he slew Erlebnis, mortally wounded Sataistador, and gutted the Qircassian Coalition. All of these events took place within hours of each other. The method and circumstances of the day eluded total clarity, but the fact remained that it had happened.

A golden door on the side of Law’s Court opened wide and in walked Argrave, King of Vasquer. For a mortal man, he was tall, standing at seven feet. He steely gray eyes and wavy black hair which had been trimmed recently until it was just above his ears. He wore a large black coat, and just beneath it, a golden breastplate bearing his personal sigil: a sunburst, with its rays as snakes. The leather armor elsewhere was of the finest quality and adorned with precious metals bearing enchantments both ancient and modern. It was an attire fit enough for a king, but the gods cared more about the man wearing the clothes.

Argrave walked onto the golden platform, regarding the hundreds of gods without so much as a blinking eye. “We’ve been holding this trial for days, now. Any information that was going to come out has come out. I can’t bring you something that would turn the world on its head in the final hours. What I can do, however, is give you a reminder. And something poignant to think about, perhaps, as we decide Kirel Qircassia’s fate.”

Argrave let his words hang, then put one hand to his chest. “The other senior partners you’ve heard from earlier established that I inherited Erlebnis’ knowledge. I’ve demonstrated the breadth of that knowledge to the senior partners of the union, each of which supported my claim. With that knowledge, I laid bare the misdeeds of Kirel Qircassia. We’ve established the path of reckless betrayal he left in his early years. We outlined countless who were betrayed by the Qircassian Coalition. And we outlined the malignant designs he had on countless present here, today, in Law’s Court. Half of you here today, Qircassia planned to kill.” He tapped the podium thrice to emphasize that point.

“Kirel Qircassia must die. He is someone who cannot be trusted to persist in this world. He will conspire with anyone—Sataistador, Erlebnis, for the barest hope of gaining a mite of power. He has no loyalty, no honor, and I wouldn’t dare greet him with any in return. Some here, today, have argued that any agreement made with him could be officiated in the White Planes, just as this Blackgard Union was formed. I argue that he is not worthy of having such power to begin with.” Argrave leaned in. “He should be broken, stripped down, and his body used for parts to make something greater.”

Argrave leaned back. “But as I think I just established, I’m a touch biased.” Those few that had senses of humors left in their divine bodies laughed. “You junior partners of the Union will have your say. As will the senior partners—my kingdom included. With Law as our witness, we’ll come to an answer regarding his fate. Then, whatever occurs, we’ll abide by the vote. But keep in mind some things as you make your choice. If you were up there as he is, trapped… what decision might Qircassia make?” He let them run through that hypothetical. “Today you deal with me. I’ve tried my damnedest to be open-handed, so much so that Law bestowed upon me his blessing. But if you let Kirel Qircassia live… tomorrow, you might be dealing with him. Him, and whatever allies he’s managed to scrape up. He’s not such a saint as little old me. And he has no problem killing anyone who slights him.”

Argrave walked away from the podium without further ceremony, leaving the new junior partners of the Blackgard Union to begin the voting process.

“We shall begin the vote,” declared Law’s Justiciar as Argrave made for the door. “The matter at hand… the fate of Kirel Qircassia.”

#####

Argrave returned to where his sister, Elenore, waited for him within Law’s court. Black of hair and gray of eye, she had the classic Vasquer look excluding exceptional height. She was the shortest of the family, though taller than most women. One such exception to most women waited right alongside her: Anneliese, Argrave’s wife and his kingdom’s queen. She was an elven woman hailing from the icy land of Veiden, and like many Veidimen, stood tale and pale with beautiful white hair that stretched past her knees. Both of them wore the colors of Vasquer—black and gold—to signify their affiliation here in this trial.

any mistakes?” Elenore

sighed. “Most people ask, ‘how did it go?’ It’s a more polite way of asking the same

face scrunched in annoyance, Anneliese studied Argrave with her amber eyes. “It went

it went well.” Argrave held out his arms, striking a slight pose. “It’s just words, right? I know words, and I know how to put them together in a way that pleases people.

this story is not rightfully on Amazon;

swung the right way, you’re much more concerned about someone else’s mistakes than anything else. Your head is still a little scrambled. I don’t

to their destination. “You wanted the vote, remember. You said it would look

it gave me ample opportunities to get some connections to these new junior partners. They’re much more… pliable, shall we say, than the other gods. A

need to fix

crusade against Kirel

crumble. The Smiling Raven had destroyed an entire continent, and vanquished countless gods. Argrave had promised to fix the Alchemist after he’d helped him inherit Erlebnis’ knowledge, but it was proving a

lowered his voice and asked, “Can this person be trusted to see the Smiling Raven and not flip out, try

But you killed the god of knowledge and the god of war naked, bare-handed, and within three minutes of each other, so you can probably manage the odd lesser god or two,” Elenore responded drolly,

Argrave shook his head.

even fewer capable of repairing a mind as vast and complex as the Alchemist’s. There’s basically only the Alchemist himself, and this man.” Elenore looked at him. “To be blunt, if you want to fix the Alchemist, we have

his forehead. “And gave me the gift of knowledge, besides. Without his help, you’d be standing over me while I drooled

sighed as they turned a corner. “But I

god’s name?” Argrave asked her.

“Lindon.”

it. “Not ringing any

some of

for later,” Argrave finished, then stop her just before their door. “Now, the vote shouldn’t be

the chambers in Law’s Court. There, a