Jackal Among Snakes

Elenore heard a knock just outside her tent, and her head darted to the side. It was strange for anyone to knock given the fact her residence was cloth, and the knock itself sounded like a knuckle tapping against metal. Only one person knocked like that, and she could perceive him wholly just beyond the tent with her extrasensory jewelry.

“Come in,” Elenore called out.

Durran pushed aside the flap and walked in. He walked in his gray wyvern scale royal-forged armor with his wyvern bone glaive. Ever since the attack, he remained ever vigilant.

“I think I’ve parsed through all the inconsistent reports your agents have been collecting,” Durran said. “The leader of the Unhanded Coalition has been in close contact with the people in Central Vasquer, even Duke Rovostar of Whitefields. And I think I’ve figured out their name, at least. Georgina.”

Elenore raised a brow at once. “That’s one of the player characters in ‘Heroes of Berendar.’”

“It is?” Durran scrunched his face together as he vainly tried to recall that detail.

“It is,” Elenore nodded. “I made a point of remembering the names once I learned of Argrave’s knowledge. Each and all have tremendous potential. Nikoletta, Durran, Ruleo, Dimocles, Boarmask, Ganbaatar, Georgina, Melanie, and Stain.” The princess rose to her feet and stepped around the tent. “Georgina… she was a spellcaster primarily, a rogue secondarily…”

“The memory on you,” Durran stepped closer, shaking his head as though to dismiss his admiration. “She’s heading the Unhanded Coalition. From what I can tell, even if they aren’t officially supported by the lords of Atrus, they’ve been receiving arms, armor, and supplies from them on the down-low. Were I to guess, the various lords of the region want to destabilize things to earn more favorable positions in negotiations.” Durran smiled. “But this coalition struck at you. So I’ll end them.”

Elenore crossed her arms and said waggishly, “Is that right? Can I expect that done by tonight?”

Durran laughed. “You can expect that, but you might be disappointed.” His smile wiped away quickly. “In all seriousness… something needs to be done about them. They’ve been attacking foraging parties, hunters, messengers, and camp followers with great success. They target our vulnerabilities so adroitly it’s uncanny. Even with your men scouting with druidic magic, they avoid capture.”

“Ending them won’t come easily,” she nodded, following his thoughts.

“Maybe,” Durran nodded. “Maybe not. They target vulnerabilities. Let’s give them one,” he suggested, leaning his glaive against his shoulder as he popped his knuckles beneath his gauntlets.

“Should we lay on the ground, show them our bellies?” Elenore waved at him for a continuance, knowing he had more to say.

Durran looked to the flap that marked the tent’s entrance, making no point to lower his volume as he declared, “I think Argrave’s royal guards have a chance to make up for their display of ineptitude. I’ll go with them into a rather ambush-prone location deep in enemy heartlands. When they come to gut us, we’ll turn the tables on them.”

“We should deliberately risk some of our best troops… and you, a vital component by this point… for what, exactly?” Elenore asked with an almost mocking tone.

kill a lot of them or we learn something useful, it doesn’t matter—something changes, and it makes me feel… I don’t know. It makes me feel the good feeling,” he said with

bit at her lip. “I think walking out into the taiga waiting to be ambushed is rather reactive, but then I’ve been told I’m insufferably semantic. Well…” she sighed. “You can’t just walk out into the wilderness like a duckling lost from its mother. There needs to be purpose. I think we can figure out something for you to do, a genuine task… and moreover, I won’t tolerate you

“That one? The

than most veterans, yet still she lives. She’s a formidable ally, and one I’ve underutilized considering how much I pay her. Much of that is your fault,” she noted,

being so talented and freely available,” he responded, clearly not sorry. “It’s something of a curse of mine, being so good at what I do. But the way you’re talking… it sounds like you’re in agreement with this

nodded. “Let’s start making some plans for this excursion of yours. I don’t care if Georgina is a player character.

a risky conflict… something about it bothered her, made her stomach uneasy. Was there a detail that she was missing? That would be revealed in

#####

Hegazar, supposedly a ‘hostage.’ The blonde-haired Magister of the north had a rather big heart, so her idea of taking him hostage was merely standing behind Argrave as they had a conversation with the other two.

had something denoting Castro’s authority—a peculiar badge. To learn that Castro intended to declare the Order’s support for Argrave was surprise enough, but Vasilisa was doubly shocked when they discussed the reason: namely, Gerechtigkeit

named Silvaden. To hear of this calamity nearly turned her brain to mush. Despite the surprise, she was convinced of as much as was possible with no evidence for the claim beyond Castro’s

not. Argrave… he makes a habit out of fooling Magisters, it

of his habitual duplicity. Lying was supposed to be a bad thing. He didn’t wish to be remembered as Argrave, the pathological liar. That was a poor reputation to have as a king… and even worse, it might make people finally wise up

where the four of them were staying with an increased understanding fostered. Argrave felt some burden lifted, even if he would need

needed a drink more than I have now,” Vasilisa declared

held the door for her. “It’s early morning after dealing with

nodded, rubbing her eyes as though she’d

the ‘hostage’ situation. Now, both stepped towards Argrave, eager to reunite. Argrave hugged Anneliese, then extended the same courtesy to Galamon, if a bit less

by. She’d like to have another meeting today—with

Vasilisa sighed. “Good gods…”

pleased. He had felt things were moving too slowly, and now it seemed the new addition to their scheme was committed to her role. “No rest for the wicked. Did she ask for a

drink,” Vasilisa decided, stepping off into the room

with this start

assume things went well?” Anneliese asked. “Looking

well as it could have, reasonably,” Argrave looked to her. “Vasilisa is

Anneliese clasped her hands together. “Shall

her. “Out of curiosity… how’d you figure out she met

a little gamble based on speculation. You mentioned Svetlana was a player companion. You also mentioned the attacker was elven. I recall you mentioning one playable character was elven… and given the liberty the playable characters had in their life paths, I assumed that might be

he beamed at her, reminded once again why he loved this woman. His face started to fall as he thought of another matter. “Playable character… then it’s Ganbaatar,” he said, looking at Galamon. “Looks like the owner of our glass eye was looking for you