“Hey father, do you happen to know who The Jackal is?” He looked back to Kadmus, analyzing his reaction.
A dangerous wind blew between them as Kadmus returned his gaze, “I don’t.” He said with complete and utter certainty.
“Ah, so you have heard of The Jackal, but you don’t know their identity then.”
Kadmus snapped a knuckle under his thumb,“Where did you hear that name, Amaro?”
“They’re a common rumor among the townsfolk. People whisper about them in hushed tones. Apparently a xiozian of great power who slinks in the shadows and trafficks the children of Venator Knights. They like making money off of selling those children to nobles so they can snuff out new noble bloodlines before they arise. An act which would fly in the face of our meritocracy. Nobility through blood or shedding blood and all that. I found the rumors rather intriguing, and it’s very clear The Jackal is one of noble blood from the accounts. If they exist, that is.”
“My, my. You’ve only known the outside world for such a short time and you’ve already uncovered such an ugly rumor. And if you value your life Amaro, that is all The Jackal is.”
“Do you know of someone who would want to start a war with us, father? Someone who might pose as an urban legend to ward off our justice?”
Kadmus laughed, “Everyone,” he spat, “Anyone and everyone who thinks themselves mighty wants to test themselves against us. That is our burden as the strongest, Amaro.”
“Well that doesn’t narrow it down does it? Say I happened to accidentally intervene in The Jackal’s business for example. Wouldn’t it be best to know whose shoes I step on?”
“If you wish to know the most prominent noble houses who seek our downfall, you will meet them in the winter along with the Tibur clan. I’m sure they will be happy to introduce themselves to the Godslayer’s son.”
“Then I presume I will be in the company of jackal cubs so to speak?”
Kadmus didn’t answer.
“It seems we’ve some hunting to do, father, wouldn’t you agree? Or do you fear the Jackal as well?”
“You’re treading dangerous grounds Amaro…”
“Or maybe it’s not fear. Perhaps you benefit from having The Jackal around.”
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“Do not mistake your knowledge for understanding, boy.”
“Then help me understand.”
Kadmus lifted his chin, jaw flexing, “You will come to understand in time. I only hope that the antics you’ve gotten up to pretending to be a detective have not sparked another bloody conflict for us. Perhaps I should get started on making a new generation of children. My enemies likely wouldn’t spare any of you if they had the chance.”
“You taught us that the Xirxus are paragons of good and justice. And yet we allow something like The Jackal to roam our streets and decay it from within?”
“I did teach you that. Just as my father taught me. I know you have not trusted me since my coronation, Amaro, but heed my words: All that I do is for the sake of you and your siblings to inherit this world. You are smart but you are unwise, and in time you will come to understand the way of things.”
“But then why-”
“I am done with this conversation Amaro. If you value your life or the lives of your siblings you will drop this matter!” Kadmus boomed, “I will answer your questions, you have my word, but not until you’ve grown enough to shoulder my burden.”
An invisible force crashed into Amaro. His throat clenched and he could not move. It felt like he had a mountain on his shoulders.
“When I get back, you will be confined to the manor until winter. It is for your own good. You will not involve your siblings in this either. I know you understand this because I am not going to give you the option of misunderstanding me, Amaro.” He turned, his mantle flapping angrily in the wind.
Amaro was forced to watch his father leave without another word. He cursed at himself to move. He wanted to keep talking. He wanted to keep pushing.
But when his anger went away, he saw how foolish he was being.
He should have kept it a secret so he could investigate more. If he had built up more of his case then he could have questioned his father more.
But what could someone like him do? Amaro with all his status in society was just as blind as any ordinary peasant at the end of the day. Those in power loved wearing masks. They loved keeping secrets from those they deemed unworthy of the knowledge.
Amaro had shown his ass and gotten nothing from it. He should’ve kept his mask on, but keeping secrets made his skin crawl.
When the paralysis wore off, Amaro took a deep breath. Even if he would be trapped on the grounds of his estate until the winter that didn’t mean he couldn’t try to escape. It also didn’t mean he was out of options for learning the truth.
Deep under the grounds of their manor was a private library which housed the world’s greatest repository of knowledge. Perhaps The Jackal was not a new problem.
Amaro knew he could find his sister Sancta down there. If there wasn’t any information about The Jackal, then perhaps Amaro could learn methods of escaping prisons.
He laughed to himself.
Amaro had purposely avoided studying ever since his father’s coronation because he hated the idea of being the next in line.
But now, more than ever, Amaro wanted to study and train like his life depended on it. All to spite his father.
He was unworthy of carrying his father’s burden? No, he’d prove he was worthy, but Amaro wasn’t about to carry it for him.
When the time came, he would destroy it.