Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 635: The Three Principles

Elenore looked at the debate raging all around between many different parties, and felt a rather peculiar feeling. She was certain that she was witnessing a historical event of far greater magnitude than even the organization of the parliament. That was merely an institution, and they could rise and fall. But today, they strived to create something that defined the essence of their government henceforth.

Argrave had created a very effective cudgel. By limiting what was to be written to a small document that didn’t dictate law, but rather fundamental aspects of how the citizens of Vasquer were to be treated, he could effectively force the crueler aspects of the heroes gathered to compromise. In the event that they could not obtain superiority over another, they would be far more likely to settle for equality.

Everyone on their side adamantly refused to separate human from elf, as was agreed. They refused to cement the idea of nobility or divine right. Long-standing traditions were challenged, and people were forced to be honest with one another. Beyond mere tribalism, there was very little dividing the races from each other. What few differences existed did not warrant dramatic difference in governance. The majority of these people had made their names known by merit, and the merit of the many demonstrated that superiority could come from any walk of life.

“You’re doing a lot better than I did realizing my dream.”

Elenore was whipped out of her thoughts, and turned to someone. He had the features of the Vasquer family—black hair, gray eyes. He looked upon Argrave with a certain measure of pride. He had the right to be proud, perhaps—he was Felipe I, the founder of their family. He had endured Gerechtigkeit with Vasquer, yet ultimately, his own blood betrayed him and founded a kingdom instead of carrying on his vision.

Elenore had heard Vasquer speak of him many times. Felipe and Vasquer had intended to establish a militant order that loosely governed the region, without much interference other than defense against invaders and raiders. After Gerechtigkeit, they had no regional competition. Their children didn’t care to carry on that vision—rather, they established a hereditary monarchy after their betrayal of their parents.

Elenore regarded him curiously. “How does it feel, to see how things have changed?”

Felipe stared ahead, thinking. “Relieving,” he finally said. “And depressing.”

“…because of Vasquer, I imagine,” Elenore guessed. To miss her by only a few weeks must’ve been unimaginably painful.

“Hmm.” Felipe nodded. “That’s one piece of the puzzle, but you’re missing a lot of context. You don’t get together with someone older than you by millennia and expect to outlive them. I just never assumed it would be me.” He looked over. “You must think I’m a real psycho. Maybe I am. It probably does take a psycho to see a golden feathered serpent and decide ‘yeah, that’s the one.’”

“Uhh…” Elenore sputtered, caught off-guard.

“Frankly, it was an accident that neither of us expected,” Felipe admitted. “I didn’t exactly choose. I got chosen. By fate, the universe, whatever.”

Are children something one does

my little rascal stabbed me, but I’ll take what I can get. Corpses can’t be

herself. “She was

in some ways. Our kids hated each other. You two… working together, cooperating… it’s so damned nice. Wish it could’ve been like this with mine. Tried to give them everything they wanted, but all it led to was them wanting more. I yelled at them a lot when they were greedy or immoral. Called them hurtful things. But I never had

more.” Felipe shook his head. “If you want some tired advice from a poltergeist, don’t ever let your siblings go. Hold them tight. And don’t let things fester, go unaddressed, until it’s too late. Say what needs

the advice, but she blinked fast enough none fell. She nodded with

on my end, I’ll ruin anyone and everyone that tries to harm your brother. I’m pretty good at hurting. Sometimes I say mean things, and people cry. But even more often, I swing my hands about and make lights shine, and people die in

has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon,

Knowing that Vasquer had lived with someone like this at her side, even if only for a short time… it made it all the easier to let her go and remember the good times. And already, what anger she held toward Argrave had faded. How could she stay mad at him, after what he’d done for her in the

I could say a few words to your husband, make

wonderful.

as your mothe—no, your great-great-great-great-grandmother. I’ll do

#####

some, others did not take it quite so well. In particular, the noble wing of the parliament presided over this entire event with heavy heart, only a

mismanagement or misapplication in the future. At the end of the day, the basis of the document was established—to be called the Three Principles, it was divided into

enjoyed. That was agreed to be the focus of the assembled parties, henceforth—outlining how the common citizens of Vasquer ought to be treated. Importantly, it was established that this principle, of all of them, should not be modified

to be largely untouched by the legendary heroes revived here today. It would require significant mediation over months, as any decent constitution required. Moreover, the government should be a far more

potentially unethical practices like necromancy, illusion magic, or the burgeoning field of psychic magic. It, like the second, was to be set on the wayside, debated and redrafted over the course

compliance from the nobility and the spellcasters, by Elenore’s estimation. But even with only one as the subject of debate, a long, bitter week began. Twenty hours of each day were spent in heated discussion, and each day had at least seven drafts proposed

out in rage countless times, yet the prospect of being left out sent them scurrying back to let their voice be heard again. These people would not allow a rival to have a singular voice, and so they swallowed their pride and stuck around. Better to be heard and

fought hard against the legends of the past to create something that applied to all people neutrally, and ensured a nation in which any race willing to exist peacefully alongside others was allowed to. The presence of people that held animosity against others turned from a troublesome thing to a boon—if they could not oppress their opposition,

bringing together some of the brightest and most fiercely independent minds of several millennia… the document was drafted. Not all were happy—few enough were, actually. But it was something that they had

Because it was fair.