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.”

Argrave wasn’t that boldfaced. Instead he

panicked—not normal panic, but a soldier’s panic, as though he’d dealt with this a thousand times before. Argrave was impressed despite the terrible situation. “They they’ll

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

troops in desperation? Not

steeling himself to admit he brought this upon everyone, unwittingly or not. Then he looked

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

couldn’t find a way to put it

#####

you head the right way, Your Majesty?”

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 all look the same. It’s been two years since I last played the game, and memory isn’t forever.” He

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

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 in Vasquer. Locations that

to almost feel some relief when he heard of Argrave’s mistake, like it was some sign he was truly human. Regardless, Argrave hoped Batbayar would be as accommodating toward his apprentice as he had been in Heroes of Berendar. Elsewise… the plan

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 deeper in. And when they did,

cave ended quickly with a stone 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

answer, he opened his mouth… speaking to Erlebnis’

up a conversation. I’m not letting thousands of elven refugees come into my kingdom without a proper plan,” Argrave said decisively, feeling half a madman as he

the answer at once, from

had already pulled back his fist to punch the emissary at the

happen,” Argrave repeated, stepping past them both. “And how does it

yours,” the emissary continued, its thin lips speaking precisely. “Your party could screen the retreat. As I understand,

her discomfort the emissary knew of her power, Argrave answered on her behalf, “Yes, that’s the gist

but enough for her to endure. She endures, buying time for Altan to

answer, ill at ease with placing the woman he loved in the line of fire. Practically speaking, that would be the right move. Personally viewing the battlefield gave them the

do it,”

fire in her amber eyes, he surrendered and said, “If she’s fine with it… then

all of his Kheshig, yes,” the emissary

can I ask a favor from my newfound

emissary said, not quite

here… other than securing the loyalty of the elves… it was to secure the assistance of the dryads, too,” Argrave looked on unflinchingly. He had never told Chiteng this part, and so he divulged it now to earn

emissary stared blankly, giving

get the elves to give it up—more specifically, to take me where the dryads