Jackal Among Snakes

Epilogue 1.3: Unsung Heroes

Princess Elenore of Vasquer

To be frank, I was hesitant to pen this profile. Prince Garm, however, has given me assurances, and wishes for Elenore to receive some recognition after all these years.

“The simple truth of the matter is that we’re Elenore’s instruments, not the other way around. What she tells us to do, we do. We get all of the accolades, all of the recognition, but most of the essence comes from her. It’d be a shame if that wasn’t precisely the way she prefers things. I almost feel bad when someone credits me for a plan of her design, but then I remember how rich she is.”

The previous quote comes from Emperor Argrave, allegedly, but very few are willing to substantiate it. Regardless of its veracity, the truth in the statement is undeniable. The Prime Minister of the Blackgard Union made a grand total of two major public appearances in the first twenty-five years, and both were alongside Argrave and Anneliese. Despite that, every governor that I’ve spoken to has cited Elenore as the true architect behind governance.

During the Age of Reclamation, she lived a very humble, low-key life in Blackgard. She had one child with her husband, the King of the Scorched Sands—a girl whom they named Therese. I was unable to find a date of birth, but given Garm has memories of her as a child, they were likely similar ages. Theirs was a small, happy family, sometimes separated given the necessity of Durran’s presence in the Burnt Desert.

In effect, though, their family was much larger. Elenore expended great effort to establish orphanages to manage children that had lost their family after the calamity. A great many of these children were hers in all but name, sharing house and home with her own daughter. Prince Garm recalls playing with these children in her home, and can distinctly recall them calling Elenore ‘mom’ and receiving no refutation. These orphans received excellent educations, and many went on to achieve significant things in their own right.

That kind image stands in stark contrast to the government established, which was tremendously anti-corruption and ruthlessly meritocratic. Embezzlers and corrupt officials were executed in gruesomely creative ways, sometimes by trial and other times by suspicious incidents. Governors had great freedom, but the Prime Minister remained an incredibly powerful moderating force with near-total control of the imperial army.

In 1AC, the only ‘administrators’ around were the remnants of nobles. By 25AC, Elenore had established a robust civil service selection process that all officials—including governors—were mandated to pass. When her husband failed a civil service exam, she revoked his governorship with the same indifference she had with any other. The officials in the empire are fiercely anti-corruption to this day. It’s said that a civil servant would sooner hang himself than steal a pen—but then, they’re paid well enough they don’t need to.

Her incorruptible administration facilitated sweeping changes. Using the Three Principles drafted before the calamity as a foundation, she created a robust legal system. She facilitated trade and commerce, and in 24AC began to introduce state-secured credit with the aim to gradually transition from minting coins to paper currency. Her personal stake in businesses around the country was large, yet much of her personal profit went directly into the nation’s treasury, funding the various needs of state.

Perhaps the only thing Elenore can’t reasonably claim some of the credit for is the army. Its architecture wasn’t of her design, though she did undoubtedly provide the materials for its construction. But though Elenore was endlessly competent, she couldn’t have achieved what she did without working with people of the same caliber. To that point, some persons stick out above others.

Governor Nikoletta of Monticci

Governor from 1AC to 23AC

Raised to be an heir of a dukedom that relied heavily on mercantile endeavors, Nikoletta proved to be one of the most able administrators of the age. She received harsh criticism for having no children, yet that steadfast commitment helped dissolve the persistent sentiment toward a necessity of nobility and lineage. She proved vital for reestablishing magical education, and endeavored thoroughly for a solely meritocratic selection process in the new system.

Governor Vasilisa of Quadreign

2AC to

of any region, and its people bore some resentment toward the crown for the death of Archduchess Diana and subsequent dissolution of its noble house. Exotic insects plagued the region for many years even despite the frigid

in it, aided by the black flame that was the heritage of their house. With the help of her niece, who—as Quadreign’s heir—formally dissolved

that could sustain countless settlements in areas once thought unlivable, and further earned the crown the respect of its people. Today, the north remains the single most industrially productive region

Myriarch Ghan

Governor 7AC to 48AC

support they deserve. Read this novel on

devolution—once patriarch of the elven gods of the Bloodwoods, he became the eventual leader

by the crown. The majority of its redwoods had resisted the calamity entirely, and in a

Unlike other governorships, theirs was an elected position from its inception, and maintains the name of ‘Myriarch.’ The only building persisting is an estate built by Onychinusa, of which little is known. By Garm’s word, it’s a haven for exotic animals and creatures, including the emperor’s own

Therese of

Governor 20AC to 35AC

the emperor, Elenore wasn’t opposed to her children following her footsteps. Durran’s governorship was revoked in 15AC, during which time another reigned ably. In 20AC, however, his daughter assumed his old post. Ties between the Burnt Desert and

for not allowing old tribal allegiances to persist, but all told, her governance managed to totally integrate the oft-considered ungovernable desert into the Blackgard Union. She

honors from the imperial crown in a ceremony. This event, held at the beginning of 24AC, was one of the two times

Governor Julio

Governor 1AC to 24AC

of merit, Julio stood as the most prominent example of a common man made great. Twenty-two after the end of the calamity and a crippled soldier of the army, he rebuilt his home city of Relize. Patrician families of that city proved to

the country. He would become one of the main proponents for a central bank in the future. He was a fierce advocate for equality in all its forms, noted for outlandishly flamboyant declarations and an extremely complicated

Prince Garm adds that the emperor may have levied threats toward the philanderer, because Julio consistently denied the existence of any of the

Dario: Registrar of Mines

after the Last Calamity. This fact bred some distrust in the populace—distrust that Dario quickly did away with by pivoting his people toward the development of mining tools in concert with the