Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave returned with a much smaller entourage than what he’d left with, and he was glad to have it that way. Elenore waited outside Relize with a similarly small escort, and when he looked upon her, he could tell she did not bear happy news. They joined somberly, and Elenore caught him up to speed as they walked through the city.

“Traugott was looking for me?” Argrave repeated, turning to Elenore as they walked through the streets of Relize. They headed for Leopold’s mansion, escorted by his royal guards.

“I’m worried for your safety,” Elenore said. “A man like that is as easy to predict as a grasshopper—namely, not at all.”

“We should first tell Castro that his choice of aid wasn’t exactly stellar,” Argrave said.

“Already done, though I put more politely than that,” Elenore confirmed. “Even still, Durran has been eyeing the shadows like they’re diseased, and I am similarly paranoid.”

“Relax. With vigilance, we can be prepared for anything might try. Traugott’s shadow is only a link to the Shadowlands, another realm beyond this one,” Argrave said evenly. “Beings far greater than you or I roam in that senseless abyss. He can travel short distances, maybe transport the odd object. It’s too much of a risk for him to do much more. His shadow itself has the same offensive capability as a blanket; resist, and you can get out fine.”

Elenore nodded, somewhat comforted by that.

“Anything happen while I was absent? Papers to sign, troubles to solve?” Argrave pressed somewhat hopefully.

Elenore thought for only half a second before responding, “No. Some matters did arise, but I handled them in short order. We can talk details later, but for now… we should talk about safety measures.”

“You seem to have run this place well,” Argrave noted. “That shouldn’t surprise me. All along, you’ve been the engine and the oil for this machine.”

“What do you mean?” Elenore looked to him, perplexed.

“I told you long ago that I wanted you so that you could be regent in my place while I handled other matters,” Argrave told her. “You remember, right?”

“Argrave?” Anneliese asked worriedly, recalling their conversation.

“You want to go into hiding?” Elenore guessed. “I… can certainly run things in your absence, but…”

Elenore paused, hesitant to mention that she’d facilitated his arrival.

“Hiding? Far from it.” Argrave smiled. “I think that’s been my issue, why I’ve felt in such a rut about this upcoming war. I lost a bit of my proactivity. I’m just waiting for reports from you, acting accordingly,” Argrave looked at Elenore. “Not like I’m ungrateful, but…”

armies… it’s unwieldy,” Argrave said, looking around at all around him. He conjured a

Elenore stepped back to

if he knows that I’m here… if I can say one thing about that man, it’s that he endeavors to learn things that fascinate him.” He rubbed his hands together as he gained momentum. “We have a problem with our spellcasters. So far, all I’ve done is wait around for old man Castro to send some support… when I’m forgetting how I got here in the first place.”

Elenore shook her head, then got closer to him and asked

always had trouble predicting what I’d do. I’d say that worked to my advantage a lot of the time.” He took a deep breath. “I think it’s long overdue for me to

Elenore’s brows rose in shock. “Argrave,

to our enemies, I’m sure of it. Once we have sufficient magic, it’s all but a straight shot to claiming the fortresses of central Vasquer, and then heading to Dirracha. Why should I rely on whoever Castro sends to earn support? Have I forgotten how I got here? On top of that, Galamon

hesitant nod

should discuss

down like dominoes. Elenore handles the army, that side of things… while I patch

helm doing very little at all other than looking handsome, we can be working on two problems concurrently. I deal with the far north, you deal with the near north… and we converge in the middle. What happened in Atrus—it’s something I haven’t been taking ample advantage of. I

far because it’s not safe outside of Relize.

Argrave nodded. “It isn’t safe. I got some of

Don’t be ridiculous,” she shook her head. “How will it

held his hands out. “This is all going to be very low-key. It might be for the best if I stay out of sight, out of mind.” Elenore’s face remained steeped in disbelief, and so Argrave hurriedly said, “I think Anneliese is right. Let’s go somewhere else, talk about what I had in mind… for starters, let’s talk about how Magister Vasilisa’s presence is

#####

leave quietly as their heads would be pounding. A few sat at the bar: among them, a tall blonde woman. She drank slowly and seemed more lost in thought

interrupted Magister

head to get a better look at them. They were ridiculously tall, all three. One was a brawny man with long white hair wearing sailor’s clothes. The other was a woman wearing some heavy white furs that concealed most of her.

at once, turning back to her

had taken a snow elf to wife. Beyond that, the king kept one as company—rumor whirled she was his fiancée, but those mutterings were never confirmed officially. Regardless, elves wandered the docks at Relize frequently, and Vasilisa had seen some of them about. Their goods were in very high demand, foremost among them being fur. The Relizeans certainly did not discriminate how coin entered their pockets, and so

ruled the region as queens before Felipe III came and conquered

mage. She could not say for certain what rank he was, but his magic pool was certainly capable of being A-rank. The woman beside

straightened on the bar stool, then turned her whole body. “Speak carefully,” she warned the man. “If you

man continued. Vasilisa looked at his eyes—they were peculiar. His iris was dull gold and gray at seemingly random points. “Furthermore, you assured your supremacy

and exhaled slowly, hiding her interest as best

in this flame,”

set one arm on the counter loudly, fed up with how slow this conversation

to enter into contract with you, Magister Vasilisa,” the man said. “My wife… her ascendency to A-rank may hinge on coming into contact with that flame. As such, I would re-ignite it. In return, I hope you