Jackal Among Snakes

Epilogue 4.2: Family Dinner

Elimar watched reservedly as servants placed large platters of food in the center of the table. He was unaccustomed to such treatment, both from sixty-six years serving in the imperial army and from the measured upbringing of his parents. All of them waited politely for everyone to arrive at the table before they began eating, just as they’d been taught when they were children.

“Uncle Vincent, how come you know so much about the Last Calamity?” came chatter from one of Elimar’s nephews. “You talk about it just like grandpa.”

“Good question, kid. Very good question.” Vincent drank from his glass of water.

When Vincent didn’t answer, the child demanded rambunctiously, “Then answer!”

Castro snapped his fingers, and a very weak spark of lightning jolted the child in the nose. Elimar’s nephew winced more from surprise than hurt, like he’d been flicked on the nose. “What did your mother tell you about asking nicely, son?”

“Jeez, don’t shock the boy on my behalf.” Vincent shook his head. “I just studied a lot. If you want to grow up to tell stories to little kids at family reunions, then read a lot of books like me. But honestly, you’re better off trying to be like your dad, or your uncle Elimar, or your aunt Gisele. Or, best of all, you could try to be like Sophia.”

“I’m gonna be the emperor, like grandpa!” The child declared boldly.

All of the adults smiled or laughed at the carefree ambition of youth. Eventually, his fickle nature took over, and he darted away to be with some of his peers.

“Your youngest, right?” His sister Lieselotte asked Castro. “Good kid. Smart.”

“And he looks like his mother. Best of both worlds,” joked Yannik, their youngest sibling and the undoubted troublemaker. Everyone knew the joke was good-natured, and so laughed freely.

“So, Elenore,” Elimar spoke up. “Running for reelection?”

Elenore shrugged. “No, I’ll be standing still for reelection. If the people still want me, they still have me. I enjoy the job.”

“Did our parents tell you anything about what we’re talking about?” asked Diedrich, second youngest.

Before Elenore could speak, a commotion coming from the estate drew everyone’s attention. There, Anneliese and Argrave had finally arrived. Their very presence was magnetic, electric. Argrave had a faint dark red trail behind every movement—the sign of ninety-seven years of accumulating blood echoes. Anneliese, too, had a certain glow to her; a faint glimmer in the air, brought about by the maturation of her A-rank ascension.

But just because they looked so formidable didn’t mean they had become unapproachable. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren stormed them, totally heedless of the power the two wielded. To most of those here today, the two were merely grandpa and grandma. Dignity and love coexisted easily in the undisputed patriarch and matriarch of Vasquer. After acting as emperor and empress for so many years, the role had distilled itself into their very being. Or… perhaps it was merely Elimar’s own view of them.

his parents in the highest esteem. He couldn’t be prouder to have come to this life under their guidance. He tried his very best to emulate them in serving the army. They always told him not to, of course—to do as they say, not as they do. But giving oneself totally for a cause—even sixty-six grueling

of hot food,” Argrave said, his authoritative yet gentle voice filling the garden. “Go to your places. We’ll do something fun after lunch, I promise. We’ll take the best-behaved kid on a magic flight. How’s that

of the table, everyone stood at attention. No one spoke as they pulled back their chairs and sat down. Argrave’s gaze wandered the table, looking at all of his attendant children and all of his closest companions. He smiled, and then drummed his fingers against the plate. There was a

finally said,

portions from the large platters splayed out across the table. The Parents of the Empire waited for their children to stake their claim. Elimar did the same. He watched Vincent pile vegetables onto his plate—strangely, even as a boy, Vincent never ate meat. It was only once everyone had served themselves that

see that all of you are interested in the wording of the invitation,” began Anneliese. She was met by enthusiastic agreement. “Perhaps we can calm those uneasy stomachs of yours before the meal,

have a betting pool going,” declared Yannik. “Another

Argrave shook his head as he poured gravy over some food. “The truth is, Anneliese and I have had a hard time adjusting to retirement. We still enjoy each other’s company, and that’s made it bearable thus far, but… simply put, we’re not very good at

advice,” suggested Lieselotte, who prodded

site? This novel is published elsewhere.

who listened to her father at the edge of

twirling his glass. “I like to think it was a century of prosperity.” He picked his glass up, and

back of his neck a little bashfully. The family murmured some praises, joining Argrave

root of all conflict is scarcity,” Anneliese picked up where Argrave left off. “And because there was abundant opportunity, we managed to flourish without excessive conflict. But such a flourishing naturally sows the seed of

more and more of your beautiful children fill it up, prancing about joyfully…” He smiled as he watched another table, where the children ate ecstatically.

a faint smile playing

claim new territory,” Elimar finally spoke up. He shook his head gravely. “That mentality is already

of her journeys to distant lands. The conditions they’re in… it’s barbaric, and it shows no signs of improving. Why can’t we improve their situations? Continuing with father’s metaphor, shouldn’t we always do what’s best for children even when they might

point is this; Anneliese and I see a contradiction. The universe is infinite, and yet we see what seems to

one, asked, “What does that have to do with you

to start families of your own, and to find your own happiness in life,” Anneliese said, beaming

Vincent, “I thought you said it

listen,” Vincent whispered curtly

roles, to stay in our lane,” Argrave continued, holding Anneliese’s hand in silent comfort. “We looked into a

even considered a grand project draining the North Sea, that it might be settled. But that’s treating the symptom, not curing the

the preamble?” Durran spoke up. “You seem to forget even your youngest child is in his

a smile, and then he looked back to the rest of the table. “We’re

amusement. Elimar only smiled, once again affirmed in his admiration of his parents. While everyone else tried to speak to their parents to make sense

took you to the moon once,