Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 216

Argrave stepped through the door, mindful to duck beneath the doorframes now that he’d returned to the Tower of the Gray Owl after all these months. Within, numerous recognizable people waited for him alongside a large retinue of knights. Mina and Nikoletta sat near each other, but there was an awkward air between them. Stain sat by the windowsill. Elias walked to a table in the center of the room, standing before it with his hands hovering just above the wood.

“Crowded place. Not enough for a party,” Argrave noted as his companions filtered in behind him. “Are you sure we can stay here? And I mean physically.”

“Mina and Nikoletta have a room next door,” Elias nodded.

“Ah,” said Argrave, looking at them pointedly.

Both of them frowned, though one for different reasons—Nikoletta seemed discomforted by his eyes. “You’ve… changed a lot, I see, cousin.”

“Heard that plenty,” he nodded. “We can talk about it later. To business,” Argrave ordered.

“Well…” Elias began, taken off-balance by the speed of the conversation. Eventually, he nodded in agreement, his one good eye fixing on Argrave. “Yes… to the point, then. It would probably be best to lay it out plainly.” Elias cleared his throat. “We’d like you to fight at our side in the war against King Felipe. Not as a commander or common spellcaster—as a claimant. Our claimant, to Diraccha and all the lands of Vasquer.”

The words were somewhat surreal, so Argrave did not have a visceral reaction. He looked back to Anneliese, and she smiled bitterly. Durran nodded intensely just behind her to encourage Argrave, while Galamon merely kept his eyes on the knights of the Margravate throughout the room.

“Your father isn’t blowing steam at the mention of my name?” Argrave turned back.

“My father thinks you succeeded at stopping the spread of the plague,” Elias returned. “And Mina corroborates that.”

“So do I,” Stain finally interjected. “People walking from the northwest are singing about you, Argrave.”

With a shrug, Argrave made his way to a chair and pulled it up to the table Elias stood before. He sat. “Orion did most of the work.” His gaze wandered to Nikoletta. “Claimant? Make her do it.”

“I refused. I don’t want it. Besides, I am a woman, and that alone would stifle support,” Nikoletta shook her head. “I only wish for peace and prosperity in Mateth. I am not made for dealing with court intrigues and management of a vast land. Acting as regent for my father alone stressed me beyond compare. To go beyond that in scale? I would rather not.”

Argrave rubbed his forehead. “What in the hell… why would you think this is a good idea?”

“Your actions the past few months have been tremendous,” Elias told him plainly. “Going to Veiden, allying us with Jast, stopping the plague… and from what you told Nikoletta, it seems you know of a lot of future tragedies. You will be hailed as a hero by the people—and the people, they’re what’s important.”

Argrave placed Induen’s royal signet ring on the table. It depicted Vasquer’s heraldry—a sword, with twin snakes coiled around it. “I killed Induen, you know.”

room went quiet. Everyone studied him and the ring as though

was fate. Tried to name me Prince Argrave of Vasquer, offer me great stretches of southern land. Once Induen tried to suggest keeping Anneliese hostage, negotiations broke down. That was the breaking point, but

by guilt at that pride. He felt relief at Induen’s death coupled with fear

looked from person to person. “I imagine the enthusiasm of your offer has dulled somewhat. King Kinslayer is not as

“You killed him?” When Argrave nodded, she continued, “You, personally? You used no

his eye about a foot long,”

hand on Argrave’s shoulder to

came over and helped

mean… who saw this?”

royal knight escaped—Induen sent him for reinforcements. I imagine word

I mean, I heard Induen was… not weak

place without him sucking air,” Argrave crossed his arms. “I saw an opportunity. I took it. Induen deliberately orphaned children for pleasure,” he said

should be so lucky,” Elias said, his voice urgent. “If Felipe catches you, you won’t get off easy at all. All the more reason we should hurry. The Margrave sent us to bring you back—so come back. We can protect you. Moreover, Duke Enrico is prepared

are trying to persuade,

briefly. Argrave was perplexed at their exchange, but he could not ask before Elias continued. “The south is prepared

sound of ‘dozens of S-rank mages’ better than ‘Parbon Margravate.’ Tempting, but I think

to confirm. “King Felipe will have this place encircled, and he’ll demand you be given to him. He won’t… at least, I’m relatively sure he won’t attack

meet any of you. I have a plan. If it falls through, I have other plans. And besides… going to

favor still, Argrave,” Mina pointed out. “A big

on his hip and stared down at Argrave. “So… you refuse our offer. You won’t act as claimant. Won’t

I say that? Relax, both of you,” Argrave looked between Mina

reeling from the news of Induen’s death. Anneliese put her hand on Argrave’s shoulder, and he looked up. He put his hand atop her own and returned

talked

spring comes… when the fighting begins in earnest… I will be your claimant,” Argrave finally said. “Provided my status as

one good ruby eye fixed on Argrave. “You speak seriously?

his chest. “Nikoletta. How much

sat. “I told my father. It spread to

get worse… a title like king or queen has a hell of a lot less meaning. It’ll be a desperate struggle for just about everyone,” Argrave informed them, gaze distant. “If only for the sake of stability after the war, I’ll do it. I can’t promise I won’t abdicate when

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