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.

feet. “The caravan comes to take me

at you.

Argrave laughed, waving to Elenore as

put his hand on her shoulders and guided her. “Here. Drink this—it’s supposed to help with that. Failing that, I suppose healing magic could

she said,

all people look like

“Never been drunk before… curious what it was like.”

go,” Argrave said, his voice distant. “You drank with Elenore? However did that come

her head, then downed

thought back to Elenore—she didn’t seem particularly affected. “Seems like I’ve already been beaten. She likes you more than me,” Argrave lamented. “Not that I

talking for once,” Anneliese

did his best

#####

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 of Leopold’s personal guard. Argrave bid Anneliese rest, and she agreed to

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

dark secret. His nephew had been afflicted with vampirism—a botched attempt at infiltrating a

had been dealing with too many vampires of late. He supposed it was inevitable, given Galamon’s presence—his promise to cure the man spurred him towards the things. Only this time, they wouldn’t be coming for his throat. He’d be coming for theirs… at least, in a metaphorical sense. Not all were bloodthirsty fiends. And some people

made him feel a bit dirty, frankly… but he was doing a good thing, even if he was going about it in an immoral way.

#####

left?” Orion asked the man who went by the name of

an oasis in the town of the southron elves. The helmet that gave the man his name leaned against his foot as he sat cross-legged, gentle winds rustling his

did. They all did,” Boarmask confirmed. “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. A few grievers might seek vengeance for the deaths that Titus caused, his deliberate slaughter…” he shook his head. “Won’t work. He's well-protected, well-loved, and paranoid. An unbreakable

looked to Boarmask. “I

and the two held their stare

we to decide what people want? Who are we to decide what

thought at that a moment. “…the gods ordain all. That’s why Argrave did

damn thing. This isn’t a matter of

Orion posited. “I know you are a faithful of

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

the oasis, peering into the water.

their voice has left

the pool ahead. “Then… no. I would never

saying nothing more. He left Orion alone with his thoughts. After a time, he watched him. “Why did you come here,

To grow on