Jackal Among Snakes

“And how would backing you benefit Relize?” an old man with a clean shave asked Argrave, sitting across from him on the couch. His name was Victor. Ansgar poured them both a cup of wine. “The king has ever had little bearing on our city. We members of the council dictate all.”

“That’s true. Most kings think it’s beneath them to consort with the merchant class. But as this city is testament… money makes the world move,” Argrave explained, sitting just beside Anneliese. He leaned forth and picked up the goblet Ansgar had poured wine into, then raised it to toast Victor. “And I can promise… Relize will benefit monetarily like never before,” he declared, then clinked his glass together with the man opposite him.

The scene changed—the shadows were cast a little differently from the windows, and the man sitting adjacent Argrave had changed.

“How might my house of Fetrullen benefit if you were to become king?” this new man asked—broad of shoulder and thick of brow, with clothes so bright pink it was hard on the eyes. Fabian, this one was called.

Argrave watched as Ansgar filled his goblet full of wine once again, and commended the man, “A good question. But a land as vast as Vasquer… it needs proper management. Merchant families like yours of Fetrullen—your education rivals, if not exceeds, that of the great noble houses of this land. A new king needs capable, reliable members in his council…” Argrave picked up the filled goblet once again, raising it to the pink-dressed man. “Well-educated and ambitious people like those found in Fetrullen? I think you will be a welcome addition to my council, bringing this kingdom’s management to a higher level.”

Their two goblets clinked together once more. Time passed as Argrave finished drink after drink, answering concerns and making offers to many members of the Grand Council.

“What makes you think you can win this war? Relize is a strong force, make no mistake, yet even still…” a new patrician asked of Argrave, the young man sitting rather uptight.

Argrave knew him well—Drudeth of House Rotswell. He gave the player pirate-hunting quests and was quite the renowned seaman himself. Argrave hoped to recruit him as the head of their naval forces.

“What makes you think we can’t?” Argrave shot back, holding his goblet up for Ansgar to fill it.

Anneliese, sitting just beside Argrave, pinched his side—Drudeth didn’t like his comment. He’d have to change his approach.

“I know how large of an undertaking it is to tackle Vasquer, Drudeth. In truth, I’ve been moving frantically the past few months to deal with this,” Argrave said seriously, handing his cup off to Anneliese and leaning in close. “I’ve forged strong ties with the south. Coupled with the forces we have in Relize, we’ll be trapping the north in with a vice grip. I want this to be fast and decisive—an encirclement that quickly tears out the roots of Vasquer power and restores stability in the realm for all.”

Argrave held one hand out. “I’ve heard of your abilities at sea. You broke the pirate fleet at the Myresh archipelago. The Mideast coast of Vasquer remains firmly in my father’s grip—I believe you’re the best candidate to blockade them and prevent further supplies from reaching in the event of sieges. I’m working hard to make this war work… but I won’t deny I need someone like you. So, Drudeth… can I count on you? We have to restore this land back to peace and prosperity.”

After a few seconds, Drudeth reached forward decisively and shook Argrave’s hand. Argrave stood and walked the man to the door, speaking firmly and decisively… and not ten minutes after Drudeth had gone, another patrician took his place. Argrave led him to the seat.

“More wine,” the big, hearty man demanded, after a time. Ansgar stepped up and filled his cup. Despite being a head shorter than Argrave, this patrician must’ve been twice his weight. He was like a bear—a big, hairy bear. He drank wine like a bear might honey, too.

“More for me, too,” Argrave directed. Ansgar gave him an uncertain look, but Argrave gave him a certain nod.

bear of a man grew briefly competitive… but Argrave’s tongue and mind moved as fast as ever while his dimmed. Before long, the man was declaring Argrave his brother. Ansgar

offer of wine. Kretthan was an old, shrewd-eyed man who defied traditional Relize standards of dress, wearing instead almost monastic robes. Argrave noticed his eyes lingered

bright smile. “I imagine Leopold has already brought you

“I

future of the realm?” Argrave

of

can do,” Argrave said with a pleading sarcasm. “Oooh—I know. I’m told your nephew is rather fond of a curious drink of late. It’s rather common, I’m told—everyone alive has some. If I send

and Argrave leaned

to family… but you can do too much for your family, you know. Sometimes, they drink your blood like leeches until you die,”

quickened, and he looked to Ansgar. “You’re blackmailing

I think you should keep in

questioned if the man would try and strike him as his hands clenched into fists.

always the

won’t be much longer before father intends to introduce you. I can still introduce

then there’s me. Worst part is the constant trips to the bathroom.

a beat to rest, Ansgar went off to receive his

to bring you out after this. He says to remind

was that Argrave would be standing and walking while he talked instead of

intend to approach the war?” the last one asked—a woman. Nicolesa was the sole female patrician on the Grand Council, and one

as he began,

may?” Anneliese cut

away—Anneliese felt it best to demonstrate to this

This city—all of it was built by industrious earth mages. Indeed, the architects in Relize are renowned across Vasquer,” Anneliese summarized

her fingers to emulate what she was talking about, though Argrave thought it was of dubious effect. “The divide is blocked off on the northern side by a great mountain. This mountain… it prevents passing from north to south and hinders the relatively isolated Indanus from prospering by trade. All the same, it has the potential to be an excellent natural fortification rivalling the Lionsun Castle. We intend to use the architects of Relize to sculpt this mountain into both a fortress and bridge across the river. This would create a strategic location to both supply and garrison our troops in a position utterly disastrous

open a new trade route between north

obviously catching on to what this meant for Relize. Seeing the culmination of his efforts, Argrave felt rather proud—he felt he offered an objectively amazing deal to the patricians at Relize. They would prosper if they helped him.

Argrave leaned in.