Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave had grown familiar with making use of whatever he had on hand to get through all his problems—oftentimes, all he had on hand was himself and his companions. At the village near Mateth versus the Veidimen, or versus the Lily Lurkers, or the battle at Sethia… he’d always felt like he was at a disadvantage. He’d carved advantages from his own wit and the great blessing that was foreknowledge.

Working with Elenore, things felt fully reversed.

Once aware a threat might be approaching, Anneliese scouted out for approaching foes with her Starsparrow immediately. Elenore seemed quite impressed with druidic magic—she saw its tremendous utility just as Argrave did. And just as Elenore promised, a group did indeed come to ambush them. Elenore was quick in adapting strategy to accommodate the Starsparrow’s utility, contacting some of her people on the outside to better coordinate an encirclement.

The attackers were cautious and numerous—perhaps thirty elites poked near the entrance near the entrance to what was Rancor’s base. They took residence in a nearby building, waiting. Perhaps they waited in ambush, or perhaps they waited for an opportunity. Either way, they were ignorant they lacked the element of surprise.

“I don’t want a fight between armed men out in the city, even if we can get them inside that building,” Elenore said in irritation once Argrave informed her of this development. She had set up a bedroll beside Vasquer, where she’d been conversing with the snake while they kept watch. “The last thing I need is attention from the guard anywhere near the gentleman’s club marking the entrance to this place.”

“I believe we might draw them inside to the lower levels,” Anneliese suggested.

“Why would you think that?” Elenore asked, suspicious of the notion.

“The impression I get, and the things I overheard,” Anneliese continued confidently. “These men are decently trained but have a strange sense of urgency. So long as weakness is shown…”

Elenore looked uncertain.

“Anneliese knows people,” Argrave backed her. “Do you have people that can act well?”

Elenore nodded hesitantly, seemingly lacking confidence in Anneliese’s ability.

Argrave directed Elenore’s men to take guard on the second floor as watchmen but leave parts undefended deliberately. The opposing party stayed steady as steel until night fell, whereupon they got antsy and sent a man to probe things out. Seeing a route to the hidden entrance, they all mobilized, proving Anneliese’s hunch right once again.

When the enemy pressed deep within, Anneliese sent direction with her Starsparrow, and encirclement occurred rapidly and optimally. Their foes proceeded down the long, narrow flight of stairs that comprised the entrance. Those on the outside took position at the top of these stairs quickly, preparing bow and arrow before peppering their foes with projectiles.

The foes, though disciplined, had fallen into the trap. They smartly tried to retreat back, the mages in their number screening the archer’s fire as they pushed towards the top. Galamon and Durran, freshly clad in armor forged for royal knight standards, took the bottom of the stairs. Their foes panicked, clearly not expecting this level of coordination nor resistance.

shouted

so almost

interrogation revealed these men were quite out of their depth. Whoever employed them kept them in the dark, downplayed the numbers they were facing, and had essentially sent them

She quickly scribed a note which she requested

was a distraction. A royal messenger came by the greenhouse, inviting me to Induen’s funeral. Undoubtedly some ploy designed to reveal the fact that I’m absent,” she said

will come of

once again uncomfortable at the depth of his knowledge. “…yes,” she said after a time, rising to stand. “I have people able to impersonate me. Plenty have hair color this shade of black, and with a blindfold… I’ve gone out before, and I know how to avoid risks. This person, the betrayer… they’re not inner circle enough to know my tricks, but they know my identity. They’re a fearless

on her face. Argrave took notice of that and questioned,

royal this traitor intends to draw in?” Anneliese asked

has been doing behind the scenes. Levin isn’t willing to go for mutually assured destruction, given how safe and comfortable he is at Felipe’s side,” Elenore shook her head. “Orion… he’s been missing for two days. He hasn’t visited in years, so I doubt he’d recognize me. And I suspect the traitor would simply send

mused on her words, looking for a hole in her

Galamon, Anneliese, and

some stories,” Argrave shook his

walked around. “Well, things aren’t going easily. I suspect it’s a probe rather than an attack.” Elenore shook her head. “The worst has yet to come. The malice is exposed—they think I’m aware of them, now. They’ve shown their hand, and now they have to play it all.

to burn the table. I hadn’t planned to do this so early…” she took a deep breath,

Elenore was getting at. “Indeed I

that I’m ready to leave Dirracha,” she declared. “My original intent was to wait until the civil war advanced some, profiting from both sides until I eventually chose the winning team… yet I cannot afford to do that now. No, that’s not true.” Elenore walked up to Argrave. “I don’t

with Rancor led her to the great feathered serpent, Vasquer… from there, things progressed as one might expect. Elenore discovered and understood the danger

where she would trust the player, yet it took time, and one had to make the right choices. Now, things seemed different—better, even. Not just for her, but perhaps for all of Berendar. For the first time in a long while, Argrave had a sense he might be able to take things in a direction not simply matching

is no game,” Argrave said, referring both to his inner monologue and her analogous card game. “Let’s work

this will take time.” She appeared absent for a moment, yet then she lifted

awkward hug. Argrave was still as unprepared as he had

#####

decided to remain at Rancor’s base

mean… there’s only one entrance. You

full grasp of the situation coming,” Elenore said. “Besides, the force here with us is not small. They were meant to suppress a