Jackal Among Snakes

“All of that work to return without finishing?” Ganbaatar stepped to Argrave, concerned but with anger held tightly at bay. “What was that conversation?”

Argrave watched the ship docked with knights and his cousin aboard, then looked to Ganbaatar. Behind, Moriatran and Artur moved off, speaking to each other as they spoke of the battle they’d just endured. Argrave waited a moment, then conjured a ward around himself and the elf.

“Kirel Qircassia is in league with another god,” Argrave said to Ganbaatar flat out.

It pained him to phrase it in such a way, deflecting blame from himself… but what he needed most was Ganbaatar’s cooperation. He could practically hear Dimocles saying, ‘You know best, Argrave. That’s why you deceive this man.’ But then, shame had never been in Argrave’s repertoire.

“What in the blazes does that mean?” the wood elf stepped closer. “Why are we here? Why are we standing about? And… ships?”

“I’m going to fix this,” Argrave said point-blank. “But I’ll level with you—things are desperate. We’re on the backpedal.”

Ganbaatar took a deep, angry breath through clenched teeth. “The backpedal,” he repeated.

“I need to get to the dryads,” Argrave continued. “And I’m hoping you can help with that.”

“Do you realize what you’re asking?” Ganbaatar gestured towards him. “The dryads are the sole thing kept secret, kept protected. Elves can move, relocate, build new homes… but the dryads are linked to the forest, bound by their roots. To give that up…” he clapped his hands together. “I give up everything, everyone.”

“I don’t need to engage with them so much as the place they’re taking root,” Argrave continued. “You’ve been, haven’t you?”

“I was eight years old. Most everyone that goes there was,” Ganbaatar looked to the side. “Blindfolded, carried miles… no way I remember where it is.”

“But the place you did see—did it remind you of anything?” Argrave gestured.

Ganbaatar didn’t need to think long before answering, “It was like that place we met with the elven gods. Those hanging gardens, that colosseum…”

“Ancient elven ruins,” Argrave told him. “Well… ancient elven style, at least. That’s irrelevant. I need to go there, Ganbaatar. Please, help me.”

“You don’t know how to go there?” the elf stared with his red eyes pointedly.

“I don’t,” Argrave shook his head. It was half-true. He knew where it was on the map, but the place was accessible only by cutscene, even with the game stretched to its limits. He didn’t care to chance risking his life to defy that principle. The dryads had protection in place.

Ganbaatar looked off to the side, debating with himself. Then, with his mind settled, he said idly, “The Supreme Myriarch and his Kheshig know. Contacts among any of them are pointless. The myriarchs know, too. The only contact I have among them is my mentor, Batbayar, but…” he looked at Argrave. “Is it bad? This… this change in the battle, I mean.”

boldfaced. Instead he said truthfully, “There’s been betrayals. Chiteng.

with this a thousand times before. Argrave was impressed despite the terrible situation. “They they’ll all die,” he said distantly. “Betrayals like that don’t happen without certainty from the opposition. And given the way you had us

get you to talk to Batbayar… could it be done? Could you persuade him to take

Not a chance,” Ganbaatar shook his

Then he looked back down

Argrave. “How would you make that happen, dire as things

couldn’t find a way to put it diplomatically. This man had come to him for help, and now it was his time to admit that he’d

#####

sure you head the right way, Your Majesty?” Orion inquired as Argrave’s gaze wandered the

I’m not sure,” Argrave said in slight irritation. “All the landscape’s been turned around, churned by the roots like raw cookie dough, all thanks to Kirel. These trees are big and impressive, but there’s so damn many of them that they

her eyes instead of her bird in a rare occasion. “Big tree, slightly hollowed stump, cavern hidden by roots…

of the party. Argrave had the others doing as he bid—and ‘as he bid’ mostly meant doing whatever to draw no suspicion from Erlebnis. Though he sent Nikoletta along to Elenore, he didn’t have high hopes that his sister acquired any shamanic magic from the search parties sent to loot valuable locations

seemed to almost feel some relief when he heard of Argrave’s mistake, like it was some sign he was truly human.

three of them made it to the place that Anneliese had noticed, and upon looking at it some familiarity dawned. Argrave could say the same about most of the places on this continent, so it wasn’t quite special yet. Nevertheless, they proceeded

statue that was all too similar to many that Argrave had seen before, be that in Heroes of Berendar or in this life. The stone tablet and the statue

he opened his mouth… speaking to Erlebnis’

letting thousands of elven refugees come into my kingdom without a proper plan,” Argrave said decisively, feeling half a

came the

the cave’s entrance. The prince paused when

past them both. “And how does

need to be away from the coast. Away from those boats of yours,” the emissary continued, its thin lips speaking precisely. “Your party could screen the retreat. As I understand, your queen’s

her arms, somewhat guarded as she looked at the abominable creature. Though Argrave shared her discomfort the emissary knew of her power, Argrave answered on her behalf, “Yes,

her to endure. She endures, buying time

would be the right move. Personally viewing the battlefield gave

do

in her amber eyes, he surrendered and said, “If she’s fine with it… then I am too. But given you’re volunteering Altan, that would mean the Supreme Myriarch

his Kheshig, yes,” the emissary

favor from my

on our side,” the emissary said, not

looked on

blankly, giving no

to give it up—more specifically, to take me where the dryads live. I understand this might interest Erlebnis,” Argrave said, almost