Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave had déjà vu to something that had occurred not months ago—namely, Margravine Sophia’s campaign to sway the northern nobles rather strongly reminded him of Leopold’s to sway the patricians of Relize. Things were markedly different in the aristocratic circles of the north, yet they remained the same as the patricians in many ways. Instead of wealth and value being the primary concern, it was prestige, lands, and social security dominating their attention.

Argrave had a new, and rather valuable, perspective. He was not operating as King Argrave. Rather, he took up the role of Silvaden, a foreign encroacher and supposed employee of Vasilisa. In effect, he was at the bottom looking up rather than the top looking down. At the same time, he had his hands in the pockets of three of the leading figures—the Magisters present.

Argrave felt like a fish returned to water. Back at Relize, things had been too easy, too safe— he’d achieved his aims, and now he had to sit atop what he’d built and maintain it rather than build it. Here, though, he felt dynamic, alive, and entrepreneurial. And on top of that, he argued for another—House Quadreign. To say the least of things, it was a very personally enriching thing, and Argrave absorbed all that he could.

But the day could not last forever, and eventually many returned to their estates.

“We’ll be keeping a close eye on all of them,” Pavel Drawnwater promised Vasilisa. “We’ll make sure that none of them speak to anyone they shouldn’t be speaking to. We’ll keep a tight ship.”

“…I wasn’t expecting things to end up this way,” Vasilisa shook her head. “Even still… I hope you know House Quadreign will not soon forget the Drawnwaters. My sister is even more generous than I am.”

Margravine Sophia smiled. “I think we will prosper under Argrave—ah, King Argrave, I mustn’t forget. I’ve heard whispers of an institution he intends to establish—a parliament. I believe the king would be willing to give a seat to… well, never mind,” she shook her head, perhaps reminded of Vera and Hegazar’s presence only then. “I’ve heard tell that Vasquer loyalists in the center have gained a slight advantage in the stalemate with the south, while Argrave’s faction subdues Atrus with a mechanical efficiency. It seems these two are destined to clash. With the Order’s support… victory seems preordained for Argrave’s side.”

Argrave furrowed his brows but said nothing on the matter. This talk of the loyalists beating out the south was concerning… but Argrave would have to speak with Elenore to have any certainty on the matter.

“Soon enough, we’ll have a battle of our own,” Vera noted. “I think the plan is rather simple. Hegazar and I will go to meet him, under the ordinary circumstances… you’ll arrive, Vasilisa, as he wants you to… and then we’ll cut off the head. A simple, concise battle.”

“It is his home,” Argrave reminded them. “He’ll have the advantage. His tower was built by the Order of the Gray Owl, and the protective enchantments within more than match those without. Three-on-one isn’t necessarily an advantage.”

“You’re coming too, lest you forget. With surprise and numbers… I’ll say it is an advantage,” Hegazar rebutted. “But I’ll take your concerns in mind… Silvaden.”

“On that note… perhaps we ought to plan,” Argrave suggested.

#####

Drawnwater estate. It seemed to be a guest room and had many exhibits out on display

and pilfering

you and I went to his tower… you saw that all the walls were

silks, all that sort of stuff. The room was so stuffy and warm

me

have the meeting elsewhere,” he suggested, examining some of the shelves in the room. He picked up a wooden

two, but three Magisters…” Argrave trailed off, leaving

it elsewhere,” Vera concluded, shutting the drawer and leaning against the table. “What a rather

the hidden enchantments do?” Anneliese asked Argrave, taking a seat on the couch

for blood magic. “Can’t be made anymore. I don’t know specifics, but let’s guess: they’re probably protective, perhaps wards. They

best to keep the source of his knowledge closely under wrap—it did him no favors if his past spread, both to his legitimacy as king and his respectability in widespread circles. The peasants might decry him as a body-snatcher,

to Ivan,” Vasilisa said. “I want

there, agape. “You want to monologue before the fight? That

she crossed her arms. “Haven’t I

in brusquely from his spot just behind Argrave. “I won’t tolerate a stupid risk because of your unanswered questions. If you talk out of turn, I’ll consider that a cue to start the fight. His Majesty’s safety is paramount. Even his presence is

voice coupled with his firm words had an authority to them

silence. “I trust him on this. We go in with a plan, we adapt to any incongruities in this plan, and we execute it as best we’re able.” He rose to his feet. “But we have days to plan. It’ll take some time for Margravine Sophia’s people to prepare to mitigate all of the chaos of

#####

the people suitable for the coup was considerably less time-consuming than preparing for the

expose her debt to Vera and Hegazar to reduce some of it. Apparently, the figure wasn’t small. Nevertheless, Ivan’s supposed generosity did not sway her:

Administrative positions were either on the side of the Drawnwater family, or ready to be replaced in the same manner. Ivan’s vassals would be persuaded both by his death and their quick seizure of First Hope, plus a few other… persuasive

some difficulties on that front—she insisted that no people were killed because of non-compliance. Argrave did agree with her assessment and supported her as best as he was able. It was clearly a point of disagreement between the Drawnwaters and Magister—the margravine had no issues killing the innocent. As compromise, prominent people that did not comply—either from

day the act would occur crystallized. So, too, did their method of disposing of Ivan. And now… the

#####