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.

head. “Is Argrave who

the same to me. Scary bastard through and through, a

Mister Firebrand,” Mina leaned back in her chair. “As far as you told me, you’re just here to bring him back.

Whether physically, or the way he talked, he is not what I remember. At core he remains recognizable, but

nodded in agreement. “But… these changes, they

a moment, looking

as much himself. Argrave is firm, decisive, and I believe we all agree that he seems an able leader,” Elias looked between everyone, searching for protest. “But Induen

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

said. “Argrave is right on that—it is important. My father showed me the evidence, and gods be damned, it’s very important.” Elias pointed a finger to stress his point. “But it’s important

talk to him?” Stain furrowed his brows but

Argrave with his business here. We should support him as best we can. All the while, we learn everything that we can from him—his plans, his nature, and why he keeps the company he does. It’s clear he trusts only

for us to be his lackeys?”

their shoes even, if it might ensure I’ll save people’s lives. I must know Parbon throws its

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 me

away—she looked to Nikoletta, waiting for her to speak. Even while they were ostensibly arguing, Mina still valued her

not wish to see Argrave dead. If I can help him get

with Nicky,” Mina

nodded eagerly. “Good. Then

#####

by a knock at his door. Without giving him time for

and Argrave stirred. Elias paused after seeing them together, but after a brief scan to be

good eye jumping between the two of them. “A legion of ghostly snakes? A thousand giant knights of an age past fighting at your side? What

word mixed with disbelieving laughter. He threw the blanket off himself and Anneliese

thousand snakes—ghosts of some sort. Thereafter, innumerable titanic knights joined your side, battering Induen and his

Argrave said. “Electric

arms out. “Does

what do people think? Have

are so many rumors it’s difficult to keep track of. We’ll have to wait a bit for one to prevail. In the meantime, I’m having Stain spread rumors of his own—that you

tired

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