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

it and pilfering a bottle of perfume hidden

and I went to his tower… you

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

me these ‘decorations’ are hiding rather elaborate

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

one, not two, but three Magisters…” Argrave trailed

drawer

hidden enchantments do?” Anneliese

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

game, he disguised it under the veil of deductive reason to avoid inquiry. He 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

want to ask him some questions… about the

the fight? That generally gets people killed, despite what stories

want to dialogue,” she crossed her arms.

a stupid risk because of your unanswered questions. If you talk out of turn, I’ll consider

his firm words had an authority to them that

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

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the act

and agreed to expose her debt to Vera and Hegazar to reduce some of it. Apparently, the

Vera. Sophia’s people, amply persuaded, set to work in compromising key positions. The captain of the guard was instructed not to interfere. Prominent spellcasters who had taken residence within Ivan’s 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 manner. Ivan’s vassals would be

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

act would occur crystallized. So, too, did their method of disposing of Ivan. And now… the day and the method came to them. Consequently, they

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