Jackal Among Snakes

“Levin is going to be coronated soon,” Elenore informed Argrave. They were alone in a lounge, save Ansgar—Anneliese had not yet awoken. “Two weeks’ time, perhaps less. Your coronations may end up being at similar times, as things end up. I sincerely hope one ends better than the other.”

Argrave took a drink—it was quite potent. He swallowed it and winced, then looked to Ansgar.

“A tea suited for dispelling the morning sickness from alcohol,” the aged man explained. He had become the intermediary between Leopold and their party, despite the fact both resided within his mansion. “Leopold thought you might need it.”

Argrave shook his head. “I appreciate it, but no.”

“Shall I get something else?” Ansgar asked.

“Thank you, but no need to trouble yourself,” Argrave waved his offer away.

Ansgar put his hands before him. “You ought to get used to accepting help of this sort.”

Argrave looked to him, realizing he had a point. “Then… something minty, and sweet. Leave this for Anneliese—she’ll need it.” Argrave directed his attention back to Elenore as Ansgar left. “Speaking of… Anneliese told me you two drank together. It was rather hard to understand that from her slurred haze, and she was impossible to rouse this morning, so I thought I might ask you.”

Elenore watched the door shut behind Ansgar and said, “Yes. She had never gotten drunk before and expressed interest. I may have urged her onwards to gain some… candid details. She may have a rough time today.”

“Candid details?” Argrave repeated. “And what did you learn?”

“I learned sometimes it is better to remain ignorant,” Elenore said at once.

Argrave grinned, feeling rather pleased they were getting along. After a moment of silence, he leaned in, scratching his nose as he asked, “That’s good. But what exactly did you learn from those delegates? Things were too busy for us to talk last night, it seems.”

Elenore’s face grew serious as she recounted, “Levin wanted Relize on Atrus’ side… or merely opposing Vasquer. He was prepared to offer them some great deals, but upon hearing of our intent, the delegates decided to completely renege on their intent to back House Yiasten.”

Argrave leaned back into the couch. “Good fortune for once. Things are going well. Now is usually the time that things turn to hell.” Argrave scratched the top of his lip. “I’ll be careful with my publicity stunt, I guess. What will you be doing?”

“I have to go away for a time. Until I can have some of my key operatives learn druidic magic, I’m limited in my influence based on distance. Things in Atrus need to be stabilized—given how things went with the delegates, that’s possible. So, I’ll be travelling closer,” Elenore explained evenly.

“Going away?” Argrave leaned in, putting one hand on his knee. “Kind of… uncomfortable with that, honestly. But if you say it’s necessary, I trust you. Just be safe. If you want, I can have Anneliese screen the people you’re with for traitors. I’m sure she’ll agree.”

Elenore shook her head. “Like I said, I need to leave today. Doubtless she’ll have a rough morning. That won’t be necessary—she’s done it once before, after all.”

The door opened, and a greatly disheveled Anneliese stood there, still in last night’s attire. Argrave rose, uneased, until he saw her rubbing her eyes and clutching her head, shying away from the early morning light.

rose to her feet.

then stepped to Anneliese. “Look at you. Are you alright? Wouldn’t fault

waving to Elenore as she walked out. “My

supposed to help with that. Failing that, I

she

all people look like this?

me a bottle,” Anneliese said. “Never been drunk before… curious what it was like.” She drank the tea,

Argrave said, his voice distant. “You drank

shook her head, then downed it all

like I’ve already been beaten.

talking for once,” Anneliese quieted

did his best

#####

in the city like wildfire, and sentiments that had quieted since the outbreak of the war redoubled. With the news out, Argrave could walk without fear of being discovered… yet ‘freely’ was not quite the right word. He had an escort—Galamon, Durran, and many

city even busier. He was calling in all of his family and business ties to show what, exactly, would be the price of refusal. Some of the patricians couldn't care less about politics, preferring to leave that matter to others… yet Leopold showed them that the two

was about to do. Kretthan, a prominent patrician, had a rather dark secret. His nephew had been afflicted with vampirism—a botched attempt at infiltrating a patrician family by the local vampiric coven. Though Kretthan announced his death, in truth, he harbored

the things. Only this time, they wouldn’t be coming for

it in an immoral way.

#####

left?” Orion asked the man

by an oasis in the town of the southron elves. The helmet that gave the man his name

“And even despite Titus using his people’s ancestry as a cudgel, the southron elves do not care. The people don’t care. After all…” Boarmask laughed. “Someone else’s fate doesn’t affect them. And Titus does the ‘right thing,’ at least now. I suspect even if damning evidence was posted right before their face, nothing would truly happen.

looked to Boarmask. “I

and the two held

shook his head. “I understand it. Who are we to decide what people want?

gods ordain

He looked to the prince. “The gods don’t ordain a damn thing. This isn’t a matter of faith.

Orion posited. “I know you are a faithful of

adopt whatever gods I feel are good for this world, no matter their pantheon.

stood and kneeled before the oasis, peering into the

said their voice has

on the pool ahead. “Then… no. I would never learn, and so could

more. He left Orion alone with his thoughts. After a time, he watched him. “Why did you

To grow on my own,” the