Jackal Among Snakes

“I know that it might seem ridiculous,” Argrave said, one hand hovering near the other which held a wriggling salamander. “But these things… they’re the key.”

Reinhardt shook his head. “We’re the ones to ask you for help, Your Majesty. Why would we doubt what you do?”

Argrave looked down at the margrave. It had been perhaps three or four months since last they spoke, and now the situations between them had reversed entirely. It was a very strange thing to see Margrave Reinhardt and think of the past. That point of comparison struck home how much had changed. Argrave had done a lot. Some of it was worse than in Heroes of Berendar, and some of it was far better.

“Your Majesty?” Elias asked politely.

Argrave was drawn from his thoughts. “You’ll have two options. The first is to eat these things, daily…” he began.

Argrave explained the intricacies of the process to the two members of House Parbon, calling upon Anneliese to relay her experiences treating Elenore when necessary. When it was done he asked, “Any questions?”

“None.” Reinhardt shook his head.

“Good. Then, these things aren’t immortal. You’ll want to get this over with quickly.” Argrave looked down at the salamander. “You’ll either want your wyvern, or you’ll want to leave now. I’m curious where it is.”

Reinhardt looked instinctually defensive. “It’s… safe.”

Argrave smiled at the margrave’s paranoia. As he stared, he heard a knock on the door. Galamon, who was still acting as his knight-commander for now, stepped to the door and opened it up.

“I need your help,” Elenore said, her voice entering the room before she did.

“That’s rare. What is it?” Argrave tossed the salamander at Elias, and the one-eyed man grappled with it frantically in his surprise. “If there’s nothing else, margrave…”

“Nothing more, Your Majesty.” The man dipped his head respectfully, and his mane of red hair covered his face.

Argrave bit his lip, reminded once again of how much he enjoyed being undercover in the far north. It was hard to make fun of someone when they treated him like a king. It felt unfair. He turned to Elenore, and then he and his entourage walked out.

“You looked distressed,” Anneliese noted at once, and they walked down the hall following the princess’ fast pace.

“I have news,” Elenore began. “Rovostar… he’s abandoned his forces. On the bright side, they’ve surrendered to us and sent his family as hostages. His eldest son was killed while resisting.” She looked at him, gray eyes somewhat bright. “No more armies oppose you.”

Argrave raised a brow. “I only care about Duke Enrico by this point.”

“That’s the thing.” Elenore crossed her arms as she walked. “Rovostar took Duke Enrico with him alongside his small force. They marched right past Blackgard and Relize—the garrisons tried to stop them, but they travelled light and our sallying defenders were unable to even wound any of them. They have a spellcaster with them, I’m told. Last word I got… they’re headed for the Bloodwoods. It might be they enter, or it might be they look for a way out of this.”

Argrave sighed and placed his palm against his face. “I can’t… good lord. I knew I should have acted personally…” When he thought of what he might say to explain things to his cousin, he quickly asked, “What about Nikoletta?”

“We did find her,” Elenore nodded. “She was injured chasing after Rovostar’s party. She’s taking respite at Blackgard with another—Mina of Veiden. Her wounds are already healed, but the garrison is retaining her. For her own safety,” Elenore added positively.

nodded. “We’re due to head to Blackgard again soon, anyway. Damn it all. Everything was going so well…” he looked to Elenore. “What did you need my help

Elenore sighed. “We’re here.”

moved into the room. Argrave saw Orion sitting on the left, Vasquer situated on the balcony, and Elenore moved to sit opposite Orion. Vasquer barely fit: it was extremely evident

Orion gestured to a

his brows. “Is this… an

has been bothering me ceaselessly.

defensively. “A good family is open and communicative. That’s what she told me. I insist we meet monthly, to update

feeling a bit dizzy. Even here, he could not escape forced family

Orion repeated, pointing. “You as

couch between Elenore and Orion, and then sat until he sunk into the cushions. He

said happily, running one hand over his beard.

“Why don’t

is old and ailing. It was trouble enough for her to move from the underground position after years of suffering. We have to develop these family skills

sunk further into the couch, then fiddled with his ring as he stared off into space. The silence persisted for

said. “Then…

time with this whole ordeal?” Elenore interrupted. “All of this is just a pretext to moralize about the fact I’m disparaging our

to know why you don’t care. This is about understanding,” insisted

further into the couch, fiddling with his ring faster.

this nonsense about family—I don’t want to hear it. You were father’s lapdog for years, jumping to his whim just as eagerly

Orion has mellowed out so much, he noticed. Ordinarily, he’d be stomping and getting close to her

what he’d done in the past. And Elenore… she’s getting a lot more emotional than she normally does. Anneliese told me

down at Argrave as he attempted to escape inside the couch. Her amber eyes watched him almost expectantly. On the other side, too, Vasquer stared with what seemed to be hope. Argrave slowly sighed and closed his eyes as he realized what they wanted

hands on his knees and leaned in, saying loudly, “Alright, alright, enough!” He looked between the two of them. Elenore crossed her arms and

anywhere. Forget Felipe, forget what Orion’s done, let’s just start with simple, ground-setting crap.” Argrave looked between the two

I want.” The big man closed his eyes. “I cannot keep making… no, I cannot be as I was. And most of all… I don’t want to lose more than I already have.” A silver tear

a family. A true family. I wish for what was illusion to become reality: love, respect, mutual struggle for prosperity. I thought I had these things, but I wronged Elenore, Levin, Induen, and Magnus in service of parents that did nothing more than weave a tapestry of falsehood. I enjoyed the lie I lived, as much as it disturbs me. But now I want to make that

a few moments, then looked away, blinking quickly.

be a true brother to you, as I

lips and said, “I can’t

I need you two to be utterly comfortable with each other. And so…”

#####

Tower Master Castro opened the door, stepping in. Argrave and Anneliese, who were eating

greeted. “You

returned. “Don’t do the majesty stuff. It’ll make what I’m

shot his head back. “What might

Righteous stepped in, and the two men locked eyes. Rowe was larger than Castro by a