Jackal Among Snakes

“What do we do about this?” Elias began. He sat at a table consisting of Nikoletta, Mina, and Stain. Their guards were absent, and they were in a relatively clean room within the Tower with little in the way of decoration or even windows—a private room, warded to block all sound. Spellcasters were well-educated and engaged in more intrigue than most, so such rooms had a good place within the Tower.

“I think Argrave’s right,” Mina interjected. “Losing Induen… it’s a blessing. I can say having worked with him, he’s an untrustworthy ally… but a far worse enemy.”

Nikoletta crossed her arms. “You shouldn’t have done that for him. It was too dangerous.”

“What does it matter to you what I do?” Mina rebuked defensively.

Elias’ good eye moved between the two of them, obviously hesitant to touch this quarrel at all. “What does this mean for the kingdom? For the future?”

Stain lifted his leg up and left his foot hanging off one of the table’s edges. “I can tell you now—Argrave’s not going to lose any goodwill from the people that matter.”

“What people are those?” Nikoletta pressed, unbothered by his lax nature.

“The people,” Stain finished, pointing two fingers at Nikoletta. “Your everyman has been hating the royal family for a long time, and Induen’s the face of all that. King Felipe’s had him managing things for a while, and all the harsh taxes, all the injustice? Induen made it happen. So, grand scheme of things?” Stain shrugged, leaving the answer unspoken.

Everyone gave half-hearted nods of agreements.

“…but realistically speaking,” Nikoletta cut in, “If this is to affect anyone, it is to be the nobility. There, kinslaying holds the most… negativity. People that hold stock in blood care more when one is willing to spill the blood of their own kin.”

“There’s ways around that,” Mina noted. “Ultimately… if we get on this ahead of time, influence the direction of rumors… Stain?”

Stain raised his head and fixed his brown hair. “What?”

“You could spread rumors that it was self-defense—that Induen intended to kill Argrave. He only acted in self-defense,” Mina posited.

“Sure, sure. And I will. But…” Stain bit his lip as he deliberated on whether or not to say something. “…did he?”

Quiet set in once again.

Elias leaned forward on the table and placed his elbows down. “I think that’s what we should be talking about.”

“Pedantry about who started the fight?” Nikoletta asked incredulously.

his head. “Is Argrave who he once was?

Seemed the same to me. Scary bastard through and through, a little manipulative, but ultimately a

you’re just here to bring him back. We’ve already got his answer: ‘I’ll do

talked, he is not what

nodded in agreement. “But… these changes, they might not be

a moment, looking

put a puppet on the throne. He’s told me as much himself. Argrave is firm, decisive, and I believe we all agree that he seems an able leader,” Elias looked between everyone, searching

nodded in agreement, but Mina and Stain seemed to think Elias’ speech was corny and

point. “But it’s important to learn why he’s taken on this task. And it’ll be very important to hear

what, talk to him?” Stain furrowed his brows but smiled as though the idea

we can. All the while, we learn everything

to be his lackeys?” Mina leaned back in

nodding completely unoffended. “We must ensure a good future, Mina. I’ll bow to anyone, lick their shoes even, if it might ensure I’ll save people’s lives. I must know Parbon throws its support behind a claimant good for the

arms. “I’m not licking anybody’s shoes, but I’ve done enough bowing to do that decently. Besides, officially, I work for you,” Stain pointed to Elias. “If you want

looked to Nikoletta, waiting for her to speak. Even while they were ostensibly arguing, Mina

to see Argrave dead. If I can help him get what he needs to escape from the Tower, I

with Nicky,” Mina

Then

#####

knock at his door. Without giving him time for answer, Elias

stirred. Elias paused after seeing them together, but after a brief

two of them. “A legion of ghostly snakes? A thousand

mixed with disbelieving laughter. He threw the blanket off himself and Anneliese and stood up, already fully

you conjured ten thousand snakes—ghosts of some sort. Thereafter, innumerable titanic knights joined

said. “Electric eels. Not

his arms out. “Does that

Have you

to wait a bit for one to prevail.

his tired mind

he was not yet ten,” Anneliese contributed, rising as well. “That is all but common knowledge in Dirracha and many