Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 344

Argrave hefted a crown in his hand—it had a black metal band, chicken egg-sized gemstones at several points, and gold decorating it gaudily. Everything seemed to be in order with it, so he looked up and said, “Thanks for bringing this, Leopold.”

“Hmm,” the wizened old man grunted. “Let’s not forget I provided even more manpower for those forts you took. Some of them had only seven loyal men inside. You really overextended to seize this place.” He wore black clothes in Relizean style, with a wide-brimmed black tellerbarret with a golden feather. He had Argrave’s snake sunburst on his doublet. “I don’t intend on being a paper tiger at this summit, Your Majesty. The people of Relize expect me to represent their interests, regardless of our alliance.”

“Be as papery or fleshy a tiger as you want,” Argrave nodded.

Leopold sized him up. As he did, two more footsteps echoed across the battered Dragon Palace, and Argrave turned his head. Hirnala and Anneliese walked side-by-side, catching up.

“I promised to show Hirnala the city. She almost made me write it down,” Leopold said quietly. “That one wants so many agreements in writing. It’s astounding.” The aged patrician sighed. “I should go do that. The road was long, there is time yet before the last arrive, and we can talk about how to approach this summit tomorrow. With your leave, Your Majesty.”

“Sure. Go.” Argrave waved him away.

The man walked away, speaking to the three of them while Argrave awkwardly held the crown. He didn’t want to wear the thing, but he didn’t have a place for it, either. Eventually, Anneliese broke off from the two of them and joined Argrave as they departed to see the city.

“Hirnala is fun. She says what she thinks, always,” Anneliese reflected. “I think… with the architects working on freeing Vasquer, we have all we wanted.”

Argrave nodded intently. “And Rovostar?”

Anneliese’s amber eyes darkened somewhat. “…no news, I fear. Elenore and I can only attest that discontent has settled there once the letters were sent.”

Argrave took one hand off the crown and rubbed his temple. “I had hoped to have Duke Enrico present for this…”

He left out his worry about the potential of Nikoletta’s loss. It bothered him to leave a matter unfinished for so long. Last time something bothered him this much, he’d gone to the north disguised as a snow elf. He didn’t think that particular solution would work this time.

“Oh,” Argrave said, drawn from his haze. “I got something for you.”

He handed the crown off to Galamon, who received it wordlessly. Then, he reached into his pocket and retrieved what appeared to be a wooden box. Upon further inspection, there were some intricacies to it. He held it out to Anneliese.

“Here,” he said.

Anneliese tilted her head, taking it in hand. She fiddled with it, quickly grasping what it was. It had moving parts that rearranged.

“Some vendor was selling it,” Argrave explained. “A testament to people’s resiliency if they’re trading even now, I guess. It’s not exactly like the one you described, but you said something about a puzzle box a long time ago that stuck with me. I—”

As she fiddled with it, it clicked, and the puzzle was complete. The top of it came open.

“Ah…” Argrave scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed. “Maybe… I should have gotten a more complex puzzle. I enchanted it with an active ward, so it should be quite durable.”

“You remembered.” When Anneliese lifted her head up, she was beaming. “I love it.”

smiled in kind, then quickly diminished her praise, saying,

you did not. I want to

it all works out,” he held his arms out. “Wish I could do simple things like this more often, but it’s not to be. We have to

the music comes

#####

upon Dirracha, perhaps four miles away. Despite the distance, the city was tall enough to be seen above the horizon. Their party of Magisters travelled by foot or horse, largely, to preserve their magic for this summit. Even this far, certain details were

master had always thought the mountain in that city too-large, yet the snake curled around it many times with her miles-long body. Despite the size of the rock she seemed hard pressed to fit, winding upwards in a great spiral that coiled around the mountain and the palace both. Her proud head stood tall at the apex of the building, gazing about the land

him walk—instead, his mantle carried him off the ground, supporting his body as though the fabric was a solid thing. “That must be the

his slumber. “I think you will be more surprised just how many

just me, or…” Vera began, trailing off. “The palace

Hegazar finished, concern on his

demon,” Castro reminded them. “I’m told

and Vera exchanged a glance of restrained terror. Hegazar suggested, “Perhaps we can… move a

“Margrave Reinhardt and his forces are moving past. It’ll only be a hassle if we rush to arrive

looked greatly disconcerted, and Vera even muttered beneath her breath, “…that

#####

Reinhardt and his trusted council rode at the head of their forces, a man followed by a dozen golden-armored troops stepped out of the capital. For a brief moment, Reinhardt swore he saw Felipe, and his

clothes instead of armor. “Let’s meet him,” the margrave decided, looking to Delbraun, Elias,

Slowly, their two parties converged. Standing, Orion

me out to retrieve you

inside he was surprised that the infamous Orion was acting so docile. His eyes wandered to the golden-armored knights behind him. They had the dreaded waxpox, he realized. He spared a glance to his

things in place,” the margrave

nodded. “I

glance at the Dragon Palace far above where the great serpent Vasquer waited. It was his time to enter this ancient city

#####

the mountainous Royal Road leading to the Dragon Palace, following Orion. Their party consisted of all Reinhardt’s close council, and those sworn to Duke Enrico coming to speak in his absence. The devastation in the city was far beyond what he

There are enough high-ranking mages to wipe us out without a thought,” he finished with urgency. “Not to mention… Sumner’s men are here,

Reinhardt did pause at that. “Sumner…?” he paused. “Could he have… worked

a new voice speaking caused them all

Margrave Reinhardt,” a woman greeted. Elias stared at her. He thought she resembled Nikoletta a little, but the more he stared the further the similarity faded.

said in

mine,” she said dryly. “That used to be an insult, but not so anymore. It has been a while,

and his eyes widened in shock. Elenore was rumored to be blind and maimed, yet

Count Delbraun

was healed,” she shook her head. “And before you ask… it was by His Majesty, obviously. He is rather glad you’ve come here today. The summit will be held in the throne room—until then, you might rest in some prepared chambers. I am to host you until that time comes if it

truly could be treated—he made up his mind to press on, no matter Helmuth’s caution. And looking to his father, he saw the same answer

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