Jackal Among Snakes

The double doors to the council chamber opened to a grand room that beckoned Argrave in with a deafening silence. There must have been three hundred people in Leopold’s council room. It was certainly a place built to accommodate banquets and councils. The Dandalan patrician stood just beside the door, gesturing for him to enter in the reigning quietude.

Looking around, Argrave felt he was in some sort of Roman senate. Four marble pillars held up the ceiling twenty feet above. There was a great mahogany ring table in the center of the room, split at four sections as if by a cross to allow people to move past. Inside this ring, there was a large round table bearing a parchment map of Vasquer, masterfully painted and tied to the table. If viewed from above, the arrangement probably looked like a target.

“This man is the reason I believe Relize should have a leader at present,” Leopold declared loudly. His voice had a markedly different intonation to it than it had in normal conversation—this was his political tone, Argrave supposed. “Gentlemen of the Grand Council, I introduce to you Argrave… the man who will be king of Vasquer.”

Argrave scanned the room as people stared and talked. The expressions were many—revelatory, shocked, or simply the smugness that came with knowing this was coming. But there was judgement. Judgement was all they had, for now. And Argrave, standing arm-in-arm with Anneliese, stood proud in the black and gold garb of Relize, his fiancée beside him in white and amber like contrast to his own figure.

“Leopold,” Argrave dipped his head slightly, feeling a bit small without the tellerbarret he’d been wearing. A bare head would add dramatic effect later. “Leaders of Relize. I am glad of the opportunity to speak with you here today.”

Leopold nodded at Argrave and then turned back to the council. “By now, you’ve gleaned why I sought to host this council after the unfortunate accident in the Assembly. I will not apologize for what I’ve done, but I must beg forgiveness for concealing my intent. But given what Trumat Yiasten has brought here—or rather, whom—I believe I am wholly justified in doing so.”

The patrician that Leopold called up raised his head up and shifted, obviously uncomfortable at being called out.

“I mean no offense towards the delegates of Atrus. You are welcome here,” Leopold said accommodatingly.

Count Edgar Yiasten, a white-haired older man Argrave recognized, held his hand up. “Thank you, Leopold. But allow me to clarify… Atrus did not send us here to gain Relize’s allegiance to our kingdom. We merely sought… to verify your position. We hope our presence here won’t impede things in your leadership,” he said diplomatically.

So… Elenore persuaded them to stay neutral, or that was their intent from the beginning. They aren’t backing Trumat. Wish I knew more, Argrave lamented in his head.

“Wonderful,” Leopold nodded and clasped his hands together. “We have been discussing minor disputes in Relize—tolls charged improperly, rivals raided, petty thefts, embezzlements… but now, it is time to speak of the elephant in the room. We need leadership for the war. If we do not have it, this city will tear itself apart by feuding factions, each backing different sides in the war. This cannot happen,” Leopold declared firmly.

Silence took over the council room. Then, Trumat Yiasten stepped forward, asking somewhat haughtily, “Are you done, Leopold? If you are, then I will simply declare this—I agree with you in that Relize needs a leader. Disunity in war could devastate the city, its population, and many burgeoning industries. Yet we of Relize stick to our own devices. We need, just as Atrus has established, a figurehead to keep us far from the war. Playing kingmaker is folly. We do not need a leader who has already sworn fealty to a claimant.”

agree,” an aged patrician contributed. “We have no place in war. We are traders. Outside of Relize, our status is that of

same?” Drudeth of House Rotswell contributed, making Argrave hide a smile. “You must be blind to think Leopold would act without an intent to benefit. He was made a patrician in his lifetime, yet already his family stands shoulder-to-shoulder with us of the Grand Council. We meet

and said, “Leopold acts to

have worked out arrangements with Argrave, yes. What did I request of you?” Leopold

I lift trade restrictions, tolls, and tariffs imposed by Induen and Felipe. I agreed. Leopold requested I grant the Grand Council of Relize governance of certain ports in the North

request for a marriage—the

all of you have suffered beneath the yolk of my father and his former heir.

tariffs since the war started,” one patrician pointed

or not, we are beholden to the might of Vasquer. If we choose prudently, we can benefit. If we remain neutral, things remain as they are… or grow worse, depending on who the throne falls to. Their military has always protected us. It can devastate Relize

spoke quietly, and though others spoke at the same time, they fell silent for the man in a show of respect. Argrave recognized him—Potien of House Contini, one of the more respected patricians. “Relize has grown and prospered. Our city is larger in population than the greatest of those in Vasquer, and each of us patricians have retinues that rival those of mainland nobles. We are a pivotal part of Vasquer. Any that take the throne must respect us—indeed, two would-be-kings or their

at the end of it all,

clear. Everyone seemed to digest his words like they had great meaning, even the ones Argrave thought

continued. “So long as the south has not openly declared their support, their ‘positive predisposition’ towards you means nothing.” The patrician shook his head. “In addition… the one at your side. There has never before been an elven

nodded. Argrave released his grip and she stepped away, heading

It’s easy to remain comfortable, keep the status quo alive. And yet… since the war began, none of you can deny the fact that it has hurt Relize,” Argrave spread his arms out, walking around. When none protested, he continued, “Regardless of the lack of tariff collectors, or taxes, or tolls… the war has given rise to a great loss of business. It’s not safe to travel—no doubt your goods have been seized, either by bandits or feudal lords seeking to commandeer supplies

the faces of some—no doubt he’d

this city has a great impact on the direction of the war. The south will come to support me, yet Relize is a force every bit as potent as the Margrave’s army. That is why I have come here,” Argrave put his hand to his chest. “When I met with Leopold, he expressed disdain for having to get involved

the people using his son as a cudgel.” Argrave pointed to a man who’d spoken earlier. “You claimed the common man does not mingle with the elite. And you, Potien—you rightfully pointed out that many of the patricians present here today rival mainland nobles in terms of military

remains, though… these vows were broken. And not

with the symbol of Vasquer on it, and the ornate crown of the first king

Vasquer, alongside the regalia that he wore throughout his reign. And yet… I will hold no coronation, not yet. Something needs to happen,

but from all the people of his realm. Despite your influence in this city, and despite your contributions to the crown and the people, the common

intend to establish a Parliament of Vasquer,” Argrave declared loudly. “In it, men of influence will have a say in governance. Seats in this parliament will be open to all, regardless of the nobility of their blood or the divinity of their station. And above all… this parliament will retain