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?”

a beat. “But the nobles of central Vasquer—they have not experienced chaos or a loss of leadership. Many have strong ties with each other. Above all, they’re

that Vasquer must be reunified. Relize is risking nearly everything on this war of ours—they’ve suspended trade, turned their galleys into vessels of war, marshalled all of their forces, and gathered enough supplies to provision that army,”

this in mind,” Leopold

long ago committed to this path,” Argrave stepped around. “I 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

than five people listening. Er, Your

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 there. Regardless… this civil war must

#####

as he and Argrave walked down a hallway. “Every day, this feels… more and more real,” he noted. “What’s your plan for the

the shipyard better than anyone, so I’m told, but he’s being a bit resistant to the changes. Nothing out of the ordinary, I guess. I’m a negotiator with a fancy title. After that… don’t know,” Argrave stretched. “Probably unwind with Anneliese, study magic. These are the last precious days of peace

Argrave’s elbow. “Talk

turned. “Sure.

Durran said, leading Argrave to a quiet window far from the areas of heavy

wrong?” Argrave raised a

seeing a little bit of

touched his cheeks almost by instinct. “Really now? That’s… wow, yeah, that is good news.” Argrave was smiling,

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

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

kill her,” Argrave said, keeping his face solemn. “She’s a very valuable member of this team—you know that. What are you

his hands out. “Of course I’m not talking about that.

what do you mean, ‘go after?’” Argrave

him whatsoever. “I mean… she and I… gods, I don’t know what the hell

twisting as he tried to keep

that… something like that, it would be…” Durran finally looked at Argrave, his brow lowering as he caught sight

in the shin. Argrave stepped away to protect himself, finally letting free his laughter as

heart out to a mocking mannequin,” Durran lamented, stepping away. After a time, he found the humor in the situation and turned around, pointing at Argrave as he declared, “You’ve got problems, you know

it said,” Argrave rubbed his shin. “In all seriousness—I appreciate the heads up. Go for it. Just…” Argrave straightened. “Far be it from me to give advice

that until you reminded me,”

opened, and someone stepped out. When the woman caught sight of Durran and Argrave, she meekly

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

try not to make it a habit, I

bigger and bigger.

duke, since you’re so worried about