Jackal Among Snakes

“You’ve already declared your intent to take the throne, Your Majesty,” Leopold reminded Argrave. “This revelation doesn’t change that, so far as I’m concerned. And need I remind you… of the promises you made?”

The six of them stood around Leopold’s grand council room—Argrave’s companions, Elenore, and Leopold. The room was far too large for them alone, but no one else was around to take their seats. At the very least, not for now.

“My brother’s actions did not shock me so badly as to make me forget promises. All I promised Relize will be delivered,” Argrave said pointedly. “If Orion is in Dirracha… if he’s spoken to Vasquer… that means he probably knows our intent,” Argrave spoke to Elenore.

Leopold frowned. “Vasquer? Your Majesty means… the tales of that snake being unearthed are more than simply tales?”

Argrave nodded. “Yes, Vasquer is real. We’d hoped to keep her hidden, but not all went as planned.”

“Do you truly believe Vasquer would trust Orion enough to disclose our intent?” Elenore questioned. “She might not have shared everything. Or anything, even.”

“Orion, erratic as he is, genuinely wants to do good,” Argrave shook his head. “I think I can say with relative confidence Vasquer shared… something. It’s the only explanation for why he might do something so drastic. The Orion I know would never harm family. He was blind to Induen’s malevolence, and would not rebel against Felipe just the same. He has to have learned.”

“If he has, the way he’s gone about it is simply madness,” Elenore shook her head.

“Does the possibility of cooperation exist?” Argrave posited. “I think, at the very least, it’s worth making contact with him.”

“I can try and do so,” Elenore nodded confidently. “I’m… hesitant, given his nature.”

“More important than Orion…” Anneliese cut in. “The king, alone, is one man. The kingdom is the key. As Elenore said, even if Orion declares that Argrave is well and truly king and his intentions match perfectly with our own… I cannot see this lessening the burden of war. Indeed, it may intensify things. Naming oneself king does not grant one the kingdom, after all.”

Durran stepped into the conversation, sitting atop the table. “Our enemy’s leadership has crumbled. I should think this is a good thing for us.”

“So long as Felipe lives, things get… murky,” Elenore said grimly. “Orion’s actions will win him no support. They are… bluntly put, reckless and alarming. Orion already has a reputation for unpredictability and has no steadfast allies. I imagine the nobles of central Vasquer will reject any orders he might give and take this as opportunity rather than hazard. In essence, the authority of the monarchy… it’s been subverted, and very nearly dissolved. All Orion has is his personal guard—Waxknights, he called them. He has no allies, none that would support him. And so… this is why I claimed things would be madness.”

Argrave raised a brow, surprised that name for Orion’s knights had been adopted. So far as he remembered, he’d never said that name out loud to Orion specifically. Either he misremembered things… or Orion had seen into his memories. Slowly, he crossed his arms and stepped into the center of the council room.

“We’ll wait for Orion’s response to Elenore,” Argrave declared. “But… Galamon. You and Patriarch Dras conquered all of Veiden in a time past. And all of these conquests… were they by the sword?”

Galamon shifted once he’d be called upon. “No, Your Majesty. As many were by promise and alliance as by sword and spell.”

“Precisely so,” Argrave nodded. “Consequently… if they’re disillusioned by the idea of Orion as a monarch, it’s our time to reach out to them. We may be able to win over many heads bloodlessly.” Argrave looked at Elenore. “This is somewhat what you intended at Atrus, but at a grander scale, yes?”

Many have strong ties with each other. Above all, they’re upstarts… and the most loyal to Felipe, personally, as a consequence. If we advance too strongly, they

into vessels of war, marshalled all of their forces, and gathered enough supplies to provision that army,” Argrave fixed his gaze upon Leopold. “I cannot betray that faith. They place all on the line. I have to give them a

am glad Your Majesty keeps this in

will not forsake the promises I’ve made because of this new development. If I can win some to my side without bloodshed, good—I will treat

there’s more than five people listening. Er, Your Majesty,”

to the head of one of the tables, all five of those present in his eyesight. “So, we tread delicately. We approach things optimistically yet maintain the realistic aspect of things.” Argrave adjusted his collar. “I think some delegates to central Vasquer are in order, for starters. I know these nobles well—I’ll take a personal hand in that arrangement. Once the fortress at Indanus Divide is established, we move a great bulk of our troops to take position

#####

feels… more and more real,” he noted. “What’s your plan for the rest of the day…

being a bit resistant to the changes. Nothing out of the ordinary, I guess. I’m a negotiator with

“Talk to you

“Sure.

Argrave to a quiet window far from the areas of

wrong?” Argrave

off. “I’m seeing a little bit

his cheeks almost by instinct. “Really now? That’s… wow, yeah, that is good news.” Argrave was smiling, but it slowly faded. “Something tells me you had other things on your

out the window. “Yeah. I… thought you should know, considering your relation and all… even if it is a bit superficial, given the whole ‘Heroes of Berendar’ thing, whatever in the world that’s about…” Durran turned his head a little further away as though Argrave had suddenly become Medusa and meeting his

presence of mind to avoid patting Durran on the shoulder enthusiastically as a little something entertaining took root

solemn. “She’s a very valuable member of this team—you know

then held his hands out. “Of course I’m

mean,

him whatsoever. “I mean… she

he tried to keep

like that, it would be…” Durran finally looked at Argrave,

he was talking about from the beginning, Durran kicked him in the shin. Argrave stepped away to

he found the humor in

Go for it. Just…” Argrave straightened. “Far be it from me to

that

someone stepped out. When the woman caught sight of Durran and Argrave, she meekly bowed and said, “Your Majesty,” then moved away

she left. “Completely forgot. I just… I just

bitterly. “Yeah, well… try not to

bigger and bigger. Can’t act so freely. Always thought I would be the main figure in the story. Now…” Durran shook his head. “Not that I’m

a duke, since you’re so worried about the gulf between us,” Argrave