Jackal Among Snakes

“This is our favor,” Chiteng said, holding a silver coin out.

Argrave took it, examining it. It looked old and battered, more like something out of an archaeological dig site than something actually used as currency. Even the image was barely discernible as a face. Perhaps it was something sentimental to them—the last coin of the ancient elves, something like that.

“That is valuable. If you intend to cheat us, you have already received more than you offered as tribute,” Chiteng smiled, then looked off to the distant red ocean they’d returned to. Argrave stood on the white harbors before the elven god’s throne. It was disconcerting seeing both the giant sitting up there and the smaller form right beside Argrave.

Argrave hefted the coin, looking at Chiteng uncomfortably. He supposed that meant this coin had more divinity inside it than the medallion of inheritance they had taken from the Burnt Desert after defeating the Lord of Silver. But something about the way he said it made Argrave weary that he might know of the stolen berries, and so he asked, “What does that mean?”

Chiteng kept smiling, but his face slowly returned to the bleak stoicism most of the gods displayed. “Divulge your plan. I listen.”

With that, Chiteng stepped away into the red ocean. It looked like his body turned to liquid as it met the ocean, and he made no splash as though to affirm that theory. When Argrave looked up, the giant Chiteng opened his eyes and gazed down at Argrave, waiting.

Argrave put the god’s favor in his pocket right beside the bronze hand mirror, then looked up. Orion stepped to the pool’s edge and looked around the red ocean in confusion, while the rest of his companions listened just as intently as the elven god of flesh and blood did.

“To begin with, you’ll be set free from this realm. All of you, though one at a time. Anneliese has been working on that side of things—she’s the white-haired elven woman one of your kin might’ve seen upon being roused. That part takes some doing, but it’ll get done. She’s capable. And with your favor, I’m confident it’s in the bag,” he tapped the coin in his chest pocket.

“Once that’s done, the elves need to be persuaded to accept us—us meaning both my party and your divine selves,” Argrave pointed between the two of them. “I think it should be easy to win their loyalty—if gods return on the eve of drastic conflict, the salvation narrative is going to be easy to buy into. When we entered the forest, they were already resisting something foul in the heartlands. I can’t imagine things have gotten easier for them.”

Argrave stepped around, almost thinking aloud by this point. “What was a huge disadvantage for you in the past that prevented elven dominance—other belligerent parties in the woods, backed by gods of their own—can become a decided strength, now. When we entered the forest, your Woodschildren had this great big horn that could be heard for miles. It was meant to attract beasts just as much as it was signal allies.” He tapped his temple. “That gave me an idea.”

Emulating his plan with his hands, Argrave continued, “The elves have entrenched against Kirel’s advance. He’s a dual aspect god, embodying both land and sky—small wonder he’s so powerful. His servants can dominate both the ground and the air. Nevertheless, the more land and sky they seize, the thinner they’ll be stretched.” Argrave slammed his fist against his hand to emphasize that point, then continued, “The entrenchment should end, with retreat ordered. The elves will fall back, and the further they go, the more they’ll attract the attention of the others in the forest—giants, Amaroks, Mishis, maybe even the centaurs. All the while, the elves will be coalescing into a single unit; a single unit, where you and your family will be ready to join their forces. There, you can unite, punch a hole through the enemy’s thin ranks, and lead us to victory.”

and Mina had been listening, and now as Argrave divulged his plans they

would be quite difficult for any army,” Ganbaatar

army I’ve seen. They can coordinate this—I know it. You must know this, having served in a Tumen,” he tapped the elf’s shoulder, then looked back to Chiteng. “All that remains is endearing myself to the elves, making sure that they trust enough to follow this plan. I need a

and so Argrave continued slowly, “I’m sure we’ll face some resistance, especially near the end.

with the centaurs’ response? Can you ensure they will stay idle?” Chiteng’s booming voice echoed

I’m certain that you and yours were scratching your heads, wondering how exactly you could beat Kirel black and blue and send him back to whatever idyllic realm he’s crawling out of.” He wagged his finger. “Who says you have to get your hands dirty at all? What if there’s a willing

speak so grandiosely. To the point,” Chiteng waved

“The point

#####

the real world. Nikoletta stood waiting on the other side, holding up a vine

don’t want them to fall on the ground, or in these damned puddles of

strawberries, though they were an imperial purple and the seeds outside the fruit’s skin looked like flakes of gold. He had to admit, they looked very

“If you wanted to serve the crown, you might’ve just saved us a famine or

my druidic bond. I’ve kept him lingering above the earth to track where we were, roughly, and I can say proudly he’s still

in mind.” Argrave patted her shoulder, then looked to Artur. “Anything

happen?” Artur asked in

sight, and the smell of iron far out of nose… and then rise early tomorrow morning. Or night. Damn, I’ve lost track…” he rambled, stepping past all of them in good spirits despite his

walked away. His eyes were dark and nervous, but he said nothing more as

#####

lit even in the heart of night. The clean marble streets seemed like gleaming pearls when reflecting

asks much,” Leopold grumbled