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 they’d all be

the room, opening it and pilfering a bottle of perfume

looked to Vasilisa, trying to act ignorant of Vera’s petty theft. “When you and

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

her. “My sources tell me these ‘decorations’ are hiding rather elaborate

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

Magisters…”

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

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

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 they can improve his defense. He might be able to use trap spells woven into the stone. On top of

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

“I want to ask him some questions… about

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

crossed her arms. “Haven’t I earned this, Silvaden—no,

Galamon 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 Majesty’s safety

guttural voice coupled with his firm words had an authority to them that was

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

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for the coup was considerably less time-consuming than preparing for the act itself. Even still, time was of

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

on the side of the Drawnwater family, or ready to

was clearly a point of disagreement between the Drawnwaters and Magister—the margravine had

So, too, did their method of disposing of Ivan. And now… the day and

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