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.

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 years later, Elimar didn’t regret enlisting in the army one moment. He couldn’t claim a fraction of his parent’s achievements, but he tried to

of us, but only a few more minutes of hot food,” Argrave said, his authoritative yet gentle

artful negotiation tactics, he extricated the two of them from the horde of eager children. As he and Anneliese walked to the head of the table, everyone stood at attention. No one spoke as they pulled back their chairs and sat down. Argrave’s gaze

here,” Argrave finally said, taking Anneliese’s hand.

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 Argrave and Anneliese reached

She was met by enthusiastic agreement. “Perhaps we can calm those uneasy stomachs

a betting pool going,” declared Yannik. “Another child is the

is, Anneliese and I have had a hard time

Vincent for advice,” suggested Lieselotte, who prodded her younger

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listened to her father

now, we’ve seen the steady advancement of society,” Argrave continued, twirling his glass. “I like to think it was a century of prosperity.” He picked his glass up, and

scratched the back of his neck a little bashfully. The family murmured some praises, joining Argrave in his impromptu toast. Diana in

is scarcity,” Anneliese picked up where Argrave left off. “And because there was abundant opportunity, we managed

only so much room for so many people,” Argrave put it simply. “Time was, this garden felt gargantuan. But as 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. “There’s only so many swings we can

it,” Elenore shook her head with a faint smile playing

territory,” Elimar finally spoke

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 not want

can discuss perspective later,” Argrave interrupted firmly before argument could break out. “The point is this; Anneliese and I see a contradiction. The

one, asked, “What does that have to do

few things in life as joyous as watching all of you find yourself, to start families of your own, and to find your own happiness in life,” Anneliese said, beaming brightly. “The idea of that ending… or, of conflict coming to you…” Anneliese wiped at her eyes. “It’s

Vincent, “I thought you said it was

listen,” Vincent

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

project draining the North Sea, that it might

maybe we can skip the preamble?” Durran spoke up. “You seem to forget even your youngest child is in

Anneliese. She gave him a nod and a smile, and then he looked back to

followed shortly by confusion and amusement. Elimar only smiled, once again affirmed in his admiration of his

the moon