Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave stared out beyond the hedge maze. He was just tall enough to see over the well-trimmed bushes. Night had fallen, bathing Count Delbraun’s estate in pearly moonlight. The wind had grown colder yet, and Argrave was glad of the golden fur lining his lapel and collar. He pulled his gloves a bit tighter and turned around, watching the last of his company for the banquet take their seats. Count Delbraun sat at one end of the table, back straight as an arrow.

They had moved to a marble terrace just beside the banquet hall. An abundance of greenery made it quite the secluded place, though the plants were kept well enough that the privacy appeared deliberate. The tables and chairs were a gray stone and had been marked with hand-carved floral designs.

Argrave pulled back the chair opposite Delbraun, taking his place at the head of the table. His gaze quickly jumped between Elaine, Stain, Elias, and Helmuth, finally landing at the Count. The man reminded Argrave of Duke Enrico, somewhat—a cold, business-like atmosphere, though Delbraun seemed to lack what little warmth the Duke had.

“To begin with, I’d like to thank you for giving us your time,” Argrave began amiably.

Delbraun stared at Argrave in silence, only blinking and waiting. Stain tapped his nails against the stone table, biting his lips in the quiet terrace. Elias seemed to wish desperately to interject, but he only watched Argrave, eyes pleading.

Being met with all the response a statue might offer, Argrave shifted in his seat. Delbraun was not especially involved in ‘Heroes of Berendar,’ so it was difficult to get an accurate bead on his personality. The player had but a few brief interactions, most of which were insubstantial. In the game, he had remained neutral with Elbraille until the war was all but finished. That told Argrave only of caution.

Argrave tilted his head, meeting Delbraun’s gaze. “Perhaps you would like me to skip the niceties and get to the point, Count Delbraun.”

This got more reaction, but only just—the Count raised an eyebrow.

“Doubtless you’re curious about why Elias would come here. He has no good reason to accept your invitation, ostensibly.” Argrave leaned forward and laid his arms on the table. “I’ll lay it out plainly. This civil war is rather concerning. With Mateth crippled as it is, Jast stands to be the primary military power at the edge between the north and the south.”

The Count held up a hand, a spell matrix swirling about. Argrave knew the Count was a B-rank mage, and so tensed, prepared to move at but a moment’s notice. Looking at the spell, Argrave quickly deduced it was a warding spell. A bubble expanded outwards, enveloping them.

“Some letters of mine were missing,” Delbraun’s gaze fell on Stain. “Something would come of it, I knew.”

“Ahah,” Argrave laughed awkwardly. “I hope you won’t pay that any mind. A necessary act.”

“Is your intent to coerce me, Argrave of Vasquer?” Delbraun’s orange eyes switched back to Argrave, not a hint of fear on his expression despite his words. “You bring an S-rank spellcaster into my domain. As a mage, you can’t be ignorant that people would take notice of a veritable monster walking about. You arrive at my banquet unannounced. If you do intend to coerce…” he closed his eyes and shook his head. “…Imprudent.”

Elias reacted strongly to the word ‘coerce,’ adjusting in his seat and looking urgently to Argrave. Perhaps contrary to Elias’ desires, though, Argrave did not immediately deny it.

the best interest of the realm. That’s why Elias and

part. ‘The realm’ might mean Vasquer, or it might mean Jast. Argrave trusted that uncertainty would

breath and exhaled,

after a moment’s pause. “Perhaps ‘taking a course’ is the wrong term for this.” Argrave held his hands out, open-palmed. “You stand at the beginning of a path. Or, better yet,

liege, unheeding of the righteousness of the situation. I cannot fault you for this—you swore an oath of fealty, and you are a man of honor.” Argrave gestured towards Delbraun, expression serious.

it would be in everyone’s best interest to forge a union between House Jast and House Parbon, by way of myself and a woman of your

face fell. He looked to Elias, letting the silence hang once

time. House Jast is five centuries old. We are the oldest house in Vasquer, barring the royal family itself. Over centuries, this place

a thousand others in this land of dense magic, my house learned well when to fight and when to endure. Powers great and small all fell, but when the king chose

of honor and righteousness, you’d eschew your duty to your people to retain your position?” Argrave criticized. The words

“Vasquer has ruled for 872 years. The realm has only prospered during

ruthless and uncompromising, sowing misery

to the king,” Delbraun shook his head. “I bear the title

people and your realm in vainglorious grasps at power to strengthen House Vasquer.” Argrave leaned in, entwining his hands. “Nothing is black and white, Count Delbraun, but do you recall a history where a villain won? Never, considering who writes it.” Argrave unwound his fingers. “Furthermore, should a new king be enthroned, with Parbon as the sole decider, doubtless that new king would

each stared the other down. Finally, Delbraun asked,

without Jast’s aid or neutrality, but doing so

thing. Whether it’s Veiden attacking Mateth or Elbraille supporting Vasquer, both create only havoc. You won’t experience much of it. The people will, though. Your soldiers, your civilians… they’ll bear the brunt.” Argrave pursed his lips. “I stopped what was beginning in Mateth before it could spiral out of control. I cannot stop this civil war.

stormed a castle and killed its lord. This was in House Parbon’s territory no less.” Delbraun waved his

frowned, ignorant of this happening. Realizing his mistake, he smoothed his face and deflected quickly, saying, “An assassin can achieve much if the receiver is unprepared. If

at Argrave. His gaze was lost in deliberation, and Argrave waited for him to

Vasquer’s power, and Vasquer has leveraged that fear well with minute rewards.” Argrave shook his head as though disappointed. “I believe that, in times like these, it is a vassal’s place to advise their liege to take a different, more mutually

its politically neutral stance under the leadership of Master Castro. Individual mages, however, are free to hold their own allegiances. As are the nobility of Jast. Something you might

look at Elaine, eyes staying locked on

two of you,” he pointed two fingers at each of them. “Elias, though, is rather impressed by his talents.

splitting his stern demeanor for the first