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.

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Argrave declared to the three Magisters once they were in a private place—another room in the Drawnwater estate. It seemed to be a guest room and had many exhibits out on display coupled with luxury goods to please guests. The family had generously offered to lodge them, but after this conversation

and pilfering a bottle of perfume hidden

petty theft. “When you and I went to his tower… you saw that

thinking back. “The walls were covered in furs, silks, all that sort of stuff. The room was so stuffy and warm it was

me these ‘decorations’ are

of the shelves in the room. He picked up a wooden figurine, twisting it about

but three Magisters…” Argrave trailed off, leaving his disagreement

elsewhere,” Vera concluded, shutting the drawer

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

the Rose stuff, like this…” Argrave raised his arm up and tapped the silver bracer there that stored his vital liquid for blood magic. “Can’t be made anymore. I don’t know specifics, but let’s guess: they’re probably protective, perhaps wards. They won’t be able to enhance his attack, but

still felt it 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, and the prominent would possess a weakness they might exploit. He didn’t trust Vera

want to ask him some questions… about the

monologue before the fight? That generally gets people killed, despite

dialogue,” she crossed her arms. “Haven’t I earned

cut 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

authority to them that was psychologically difficult

him on this. We go in with a plan, we adapt to any incongruities in this plan, and we execute

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the act itself. Even

with Ivan and agreed to 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: Vasilisa

tower were supposed to be ‘indisposed’ on that day. Administrative positions were either on the side of the Drawnwater family, or ready to be replaced in the same

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 fear of exposure or simple refusal to cooperate—would be imprisoned, to be

things were established, the day the act would occur crystallized. So, too, did their method of disposing of Ivan. And now… the day and the method came to

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