Jackal Among Snakes

“We can get into the specifics of what I intend to prove, of course,” Argrave told Elenore. “On top of that, I have some information that leads me to believe there might be a traitor in your group. I’m sure you’re curious about the items I’ve just onloaded onto you. That said, I’ve also not slept for what feels like days. The drainage gate passage—there’s a safehouse in it. Is it empty? Can we use it? I’d like to stay within Dirracha, and considering what happened with Induen, I can’t exactly roam about freely.”

Elenore let out a shocked chuckle. “Yes, it’s empty. Considering no one has used it before, of course it’s empty. You may use it as you please.”

Argrave’s claims of otherworldly knowledge gained more credence with every new detail he revealed, but Elenore had to remain skeptical. A traitor? Was he hinting at something, or being genuine? She might be drawn into a trap if she too readily accepted what he told her. Argrave was a very valuable piece she could utilize—despite the south’s compunctions with his close ties with foreigners, he remained a closely-considered candidate that the rebels might herald. Having him at hand could be very useful for her future.

“I appreciate it. We’ll convene tomorrow.” She heard the chair shift, and presumed Argrave rose up to his feet. “I hope that we’ll come to work together closely in the coming month. If I know you, you’re thinking that you should go along with me out of practicality above anything… Anneliese?”

Elenore did her best to keep her reaction to his accurate words muted. She wondered why he had called out his fiancée’s name.

“Yeah,” Argrave said after a moment. “I hope you enjoy the gift. I think you… deserve it.”

Elenore caught his pause. She wondered what it meant—was there some drawback to these pieces, a cost of some sort?

“Well, have a nice day, Elenore. Don’t stay up all night reading. It’s bad for you.”

Argrave walked away, and his companions followed just after him.

“Wait,” Elenore called out. “Induen.”

Argrave scoffed. “Him? Oh, I imagine you’d like his signet ring. Given its uses in forging and the like, I imagine you’ll find more use out of it than I will…” she heard him rummaging through his pockets.

“No,” Elenore said, moving her head to where his voice came from. “Induen sought to ally with you. He avoided my informants because he sought to avoid conflict with you, opposite my intentions. So, why did you decide to act as you did?”

“He made some very untenable suggestions,” Argrave said with some degree of levity. His next words were completely serious as he continued, “More than that… he was a tumor. I had a chance to excise that tumor before it could cause more damage than it already has. He wanted to kill you, you know. Everybody’s future is a lot brighter without his shadow over it. You can trust that.”

“Without doubt,” Elenore confirmed.

“But… well, Induen is just one limb of Felipe’s shadow,” he said grimly, then paused for a long while. “And our true enemy… has yet… to reveal himself,” Argrave finished, mimicking some strange accent. His voice trailed off as

was only after near a minute had passed that her posture relaxed somewhat. She ran the claw ring across the pink metal table, the book, and

coarseness of the wood that had rolled against the ground for months on end, the light brown impeccably polished. She stopped at a point. She knew where to stop—not

She smiled and tore it free, and the glow doubled in intensity. As she enjoyed the unprecedented sensation,

sighed. Had she really had that conversation? With whom? Who

#####

as he weaved through this familiar maze

and profoundness—the greens felt deeper, the purples more regal, and the sunlight itself warped through the glass above into something that cast beautiful shadows over the marble

are some things that

As though shaken from a stupor by Argrave’s voice, he shook his head and turned back, walking to rejoin them. “Nothing. Sorry. Move on,

forgot. You like gardening. Of course you’d be

“When did I say I

have you needed to tell me things about yourself?” Argrave reminded

in his throat like he realized any denial would be fruitless. “…pisser,” he cursed beneath his breath. “Fine. Yeah. Whatever. I was just thinking… wasn’t bad enough your dad cut off her feet

she can probably work something out about letting you come here often,” Argrave said. “And I’ll keep to my word. After the things you did in the wetlands, I’ll give you some money, let you have a little bit

if Orion’s here? Bit of

handle of the situation with

adjusted his helmet. “I am

the stuff we looted from the fortress,” Argrave looked to Anneliese. “We’ll prepare a nice little package for Elenore to sell, earn some additional financing. Returns

“Certainly,” Anneliese agreed easily.

to take risks. “The ball will start rolling here. And I imagine you’ll be just as eager to see this

Argrave’s words seemed

moving to action once again. “Let’s enjoy

#####

Do not bar me further,” Orion