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.

“You’re taking a course that’s against the best interest of the realm. That’s why Elias and I are here

ambiguous, and deliberately so on Argrave’s part. ‘The realm’ might mean Vasquer, or it might mean Jast. Argrave trusted that uncertainty would

Count took a deep breath and exhaled, gaze now locked

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, a crossroad,” Argrave amended

of your 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

his throat and continued, saying, “Correct. I believe 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 house—your sister,

some of the tension in his face fell. He looked to Elias, letting

old. We are the oldest house in Vasquer, barring the royal family

but when the king chose a Count of this burgeoning city, he named it Jast.” Delbraun leaned back. “I see no need to stick my neck out. In times like this, it makes it only

honor and righteousness, you’d eschew your duty to your people to retain your position?” Argrave criticized. The words were mostly for show—Delbraun’s resistance

right or just?” Delbraun questioned coldly. “Vasquer has ruled for 872 years. The realm

“Vasquer’s king is ruthless and uncompromising, sowing

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

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

heated back and forth slowed for a moment as each stared the other down. Finally, Delbraun asked, “You

things looked dire without Jast’s aid or neutrality, but doing so would

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. I hope that, by facilitating this, the war can end quickly with a crushing

cannot protect their own. Word came today that five men under prince Induen stormed a castle and killed

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

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

and Vasquer has leveraged that fear well with minute rewards.” Argrave shook

presently maintains its politically neutral stance under the leadership of Master Castro. Individual mages, however, are free

at Elaine, eyes staying locked on

the two of you,” he pointed two fingers at each of them. “Elias, though, is rather

Delbraun laughed once, a smile splitting his stern demeanor for the first