Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 288

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…”

him. He conjured a ward to hide their

not suggesting…” Elenore stepped back

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…

by ship soon,” Elenore shook her head, then got closer to

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 take a personal hand in the north. So, I’m going to see Vasilisa.

Elenore’s brows rose in shock. “Argrave,

a straight shot to claiming the fortresses of central Vasquer, and then heading to Dirracha. Why should I rely on whoever Castro sends

a hesitant nod

touched Argrave’s shoulder. “We should discuss

I don’t think anything’s missing. I head to Quadreign, work a little magic, and it all falls down like dominoes. Elenore handles

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.

saying calmly, “You’ve stayed here thus far because it’s not safe outside of Relize. Even the small

that’s the thing,” Argrave nodded. “It isn’t safe. I got some of my best work done

is this, superstition? Don’t be ridiculous,” she shook her head. “How will it look if you depart for Quadreign

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

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were not so rowdy. Indeed, any that were there this early in the morning were likely looking to leave quietly as their heads would be pounding. A few

miss,” a voice interrupted Magister Vasilisa’s thoughts as she

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. And

Vasilisa said at once, turning back to her drink. “I have

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

from Quadreign,” the man continued. “Your house ruled the region as queens before Felipe III came and conquered your

him, but further scrutiny exposed this man as a 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 him, too,

the bar stool, then turned her whole body. “Speak

your region was home to spellcasters entirely unaffiliated with the Order of the Gray Owl,” the man continued. Vasilisa looked at his eyes—they were peculiar. His iris was dull gold and gray at seemingly random points. “Furthermore, you

hiding her interest as best she knew how.

interested in this flame,” the man

on the counter loudly, fed up

man said. “My wife… her ascendency to A-rank may hinge on coming into contact with that flame. As

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