Jackal Among Snakes

The Kheshig that came alongside Argrave seemed keen to take advantage of the centaurs’ position… but they bent to Argrave in a display of remarkable discipline. It was true that powerful spells might put an end to the centaurs, so closely gathered as they were. The man-beasts had rudimentary knowledge of magic, but nothing strong enough to defend from S-rank spells. They were generally hardy, and dispersed wide enough that magic alone was insufficient. Having them gathered as such was a rare occasion.

But it wasn’t to be. Argrave needed their strength—he just needed to turn it against the right enemy. So, they headed back. It was a mutual retreat, with the few centaurs free of the trap struggling to help their fellows out of their hole. With injuries galore, they would certainly take some days to heal—and these days would be time enough to enact all the elven gods intended to.

When Argrave returned, he had a rather different preconception of the reception that he’d receive. He thought that he’d be speaking to the Supreme Myriarch, brashly and confidently saying that Orion had faced the army of the centaurs on his lonesome and triumphed. His brother deserved a little bit of credit and praise—he certainly wouldn’t take any himself.

Instead, when they returned to the location of the elven city… Ghan, patriarch of the elven gods, sat on the forest floor. None of the other elven gods were here, but they didn’t need to be. This man alone had a presence enough to intimidate, and in terms of combat ability, he was certainly the strongest of them all. Even sitting, the gray-haired deity came to half the height of one of the towering redwoods. The wood elves in the trees far above looked down at him with both reverence and caution.

Someone was sent out to greet Argrave’s returning party. Instead of speaking to him, the first thing they did was recall the Kheshig back to the Supreme Myriarch’s side—that unnerved Argrave, and his mind immediately went to the prospect of news about Erlebnis leaking. Next, the messenger spoke to Argrave.

“King,” the man greeted—that his title was still used boded well. “Ghan has been discussing matters with the Supreme Myriarch. Now, he wishes to speak to you directly.”

Argrave stared at the man blankly. Was this what Erlebnis spoke of? He wondered. Light the fire, but don’t watch it burn? Was it a warning? Was this alliance doomed to fail?

But from the beginning, he had committed to this. The elves and their gods were too powerful an ally to leave to chance, and Kirel Qircassia’s disruption was too damaging to allow to fester. So Argrave nodded and said, “I’ll go.”

Anneliese grabbed Argrave’s arm firmly. “Not alone, though. Orion and I shall come.”

Argrave was torn between leaving her out of this to protect her and bringing her along to gain her insight into the conversation. At the end of the day, she had agreed to face every challenge that came by his side, and he could not rob her of that.

“Make camp,” Argrave commanded his Veidimen officer, Grimalt. “If you need food… I’d be a little disappointed if you couldn’t bag a big wolf or two, seeing as the centaurs flushed all the game in the forest in this direction.”

“We’re meant to guard you,” the bald officer protested. “That interrogation yesterday… was this what worried you?”

Argrave huffed, surprised this man had seen through their intentions. “Could you guard me?” He shook his head. “If he wants to stomp me flat, I don’t think a few more pointy sticks will help. I’ll be fine. Take care of the men.”

to have difficulty swallowing his pride and powerlessness, but his respect for Argrave proved a sufficient chaser for the bitter

headed to meet Ghan. Looking up at him, Argrave saw the dimmest shadow of Galamon. His white hair clearly came from age rather than birth, and the man had half a thousand too many scars, but there was an air of authority, command, and solemnity much the same as

wondering when the god might speak, but he never did, not even when Argrave was only a few feet

did you need from me?”

more than what I thought,” Ghan began. “My children bring to me a harebrained scheme… but the only detail I needed was that one sought to free us from our

that Sara was an old, abandoned name of the Holy Mother to the centaurs, Sarikiz. “I did.” Argrave nodded, then looked to the others with him. “But to talk

despite the fact that Argrave could see no magic within the deity. An S-rank spell completed, and it shrouded them all in a ward from which no light nor sound

a traitor.” Ghan didn’t seem angry, but he did state that without room

Your two parties had a disagreement about the direction

as you call it, we did battle. She was cast into a slumber through this entire millennium, while we were left removed enough from our people that

on the matter. At the same time, his nuanced analysis about the failure in their alliance wasn’t something that needed to be voiced. He was just pleased that this conversation

“What I propose to Sarikiz would benefit her and you in equal ways. Divinity is necessary to close Kirel Qircassia’s breach permanently—since I know you don’t want to volunteer one of your family members,

for her?” Anneliese

and then turned back to Ghan. The deity mulled over

family does not,” he admitted quietly, implying that

but the scope of her divinity will expand, I’m sure of it,” Argrave nodded. “Isolation will matter less for her than it will for you. And the centaurs will be out

up and clenched it. The ward fell

the Woodschildren. Their leader had words for you.

#####

rose up to the elven city, riding the pulley elevator for the first time. He felt a strong sense of relief watching Ghan return to the other elven gods. When the fast-moving platform finally came to a stop, Argrave

father, he… they think he… he might still be

serious?” Argrave asked

the eastern shore. He never even entered the Bloodwoods—far too scared for that. The elves have been watching him, but thus far he’s stayed far away from the woods, staying on the beaches. He seemed to be trying to make it to Quadreign. Movements along the northern border made him scare, and so he’s… he’s been camped out, five or six days

smiled broadly. “That’s tremendous news,