Jackal Among Snakes

Anneliese held her finger up to the air, and her Starsparrow settled atop it as a perch. Argrave looked out where he could see the dust clouds left by the retreating army.

“I think they head to Rovostar’s fiefdom,” Anneliese guessed. “Whitefields. I remember seeing it on the map.”

Argrave nodded. “It’s a poorly defended place, considering it’s both newly constructed and in central Vasquer. But... they still have Enrico of Monticci. And Nikoletta, Mina, those two…?”

“I saw naught of them,” Anneliese shook her head as the bird walked down her wrist, up her arm, and to her shoulder. She reached into her pockets and retrieved some black seeds, feeding the golden Starsparrow.

Argrave sighed. “I’ll tell Elenore to—”

“Tell me what?” a familiar woman’s voice called out.

Argrave turned his head to see Elenore return. He waved to her and greeted, “Sister.” As he watched her, he followed up with, “Are you alright? Look a little…”

Elenore shook her head. “My head is burning. This pain won’t go away anytime soon, I think. I can barely think.”

Argrave shifted on his feet and said guiltily, “I am thankful you did that, you know. You’re the only reason this worked.”

“Levin and Felipe are dead,” Elenore said, locking eyes with him. “They… fell.”

Argrave took a deep breath in surprise. He looked off to the scenery, soaking in the atmosphere for a moment as he processed this information. Reluctantly, he admitted, “Tell you the truth… I’m relieved. What a blessing. I was dreading dancing around that issue with Orion.”

Elenore joined him in looking out across the land. “It’s a net benefit to us. Rovostar’s primary driving force for maintaining cohesion in his ranks just crumbled. He has a lot of personal charisma, but not enough to send his men to their deaths against an overwhelming force with no cause.”

“I’d agree,” Argrave nodded. He could tell she didn’t wish to linger on the subject of Levin and Felipe. “Rovostar in Heroes of Berendar had been a Felipe loyalist, too. After his death, he was still firmly on the Vasquer camp, however. Now…”

“With Sumner having offered his aid, I see nothing preventing the whole of the south from joining us. The north is under Quadreign’s reign, and by extension yours… though I do wonder how firm their grip is. Either way, any weakness they might have can be remedied, and we already have their spellcasters regardless. Durran and Melanie are subjugating the rest of Atrus, and I see no reason why they would have trouble. You, as king, have a great deal of personal fame: the plague, the battle at Castle Cookpot, and now here. Once things settle at the Tower of the Gray Owl…” Elenore looked back to the city. “We’ve won. The only problem, as I see it, is that Duke Enrico is held captive.”

“We were just talking about that,” Argrave nodded. “Do you have any ideas?”

slowly. “If Duke Rovostar’s head is delivered to us, Duke Enrico is released, and they surrender to the crown, their treason will not be punished

her, raising

Felipe despite everything. He stood by Felipe because of everything,” she said, her voice wavering with emotion. “He would never have changed. He couldn’t have changed. He was indoctrinated, and he believed all he did was justified. It’s no use thinking about it,

had been in moments past. He felt compelled to put his hand on her shoulder and say, “I agree with you. Don’t get worked up. And don’t

eyes. Her lower lip trembled, and

you get some sleep? You’ve been running about, straining your mind, and riding on horseback for days, now.

have things to do,” Elenore shook her

king commands you to sleep,” he pointed his finger at her face, then pushed her nose. “I can finish things up around Dirracha. Got enough talent at hand to fill the whole

Anneliese nodded to show her support, Elenore stared at him blankly. “I would lay down on the ground here as a joke, but I’m much too sore.” She sighed. “Fine. Fine, Your Ever Gracious Majesty, sovereign of all Vasquer. I will heed your

Then,

do this after battles,” she noted dryly, yet did not

think you’re alone,” he told her, clutching her head with his hand. She seemed small and fragile after today’s events. Maybe she always had been. “You’ll only be alone

to Orion,” she reminded him. “And… you’ll need to know about

#####

Galamon as he recovered. They all stood about in a dining room, planning

badly damaged. It had been bent in many places to the point where some of it had to be

too hard,” Vasilisa noted, eyes, darting around the stone house as though

as he slid the gauntlet on firmly. “Until I

man’s shoulder with his fist. “Thanks, friend. As much as I hate

only wounds that could be healed by magic,” Duke

no part,” Anneliese shook her head. “Galamon

introductions… but now the duke knew his company and knew their relations to Argrave. He hadn’t

proposition for Your Majesty,” Sumner changed the subject, turning his gaze to Argrave. “I’d like to propose a

his finger against it, testing

nodded. “Consisting of all nobles at the rank of count or above, to discuss what happens after this war—no, rather, how Your Majesty intends

to Anneliese. She brooked no protest, so he faced Sumner and said, “You’re getting a bit ahead of

the future,” the duke shrugged his shoulders. “Holding this could officiate support

of your men died against that thing, I think