Jackal Among Snakes

On the way back, Argrave consorted with each of the myriarchs, endeavoring to assess the sum total of Erlebnis’ presence. It was a somewhat cerebral task with Altan, Erlebnis’ faithful, among them. He had to act like he was acting that he wasn’t interested in how Erlebnis arrived. In reality, that was mainly what he was interested in.

From it, he concluded some things. Firstly, Erlebnis hadn’t been here long. The fighting force they’d just encountered had actually been smaller when the battle began, and they were joined by other emissaries later on. These new arrivals had broken the stalemate, largely. With his servants of limited quantity, Argrave took that to mean that Erlebnis’ power was only just beginning to manifest… and that was why it was important to get his plan together quickly. The earlier he fought back, the easier the fight would be.

Erlebnis’ short timeframe meant something else that was pivotal—this was no master plan, where Argrave had been manipulated into coming here and played like a fiddle to aid Erlebnis’ mastery of Kirel, the elven gods, and the Kingdom of Vasquer. If it had been planned long in advance, perhaps everything that Dimocles said would be true, and there would be no hope whatsoever.

Anneliese said she suspected the god of knowledge merely kept watch, and then acted accordingly when he found an opportunity to strike with Chiteng’s betrayal. Doubtless he’d have been paying close attention to this region, what with Kirel Qircassia manifesting so. Perhaps their party had simply caught his eye, and things spiraled out of control from there.

His presence on this realm meant Erlebnis had a breach of his own. Unlike the elven gods he had no strong ties to this land, and so a breach was necessary to manifest fully. All they knew about its location was that they came from the direction of the western coast, where the North Sea met the land. Depending on its location, Erlebnis was either quite far away geographically, or might potentially be in close proximity to Kirel Qircassia’s breach. If it was the latter… perhaps Argrave might be able to create conflict between the two.

Regardless, Argrave could obtain no more pertinent information. Indeed, he had to spin a suitable tale explaining why he did not arrive with Sarikiz’s aid as he had promised. He told them they were rebuffed by the same creatures that had engaged with the elven army and their gods.

After this long march of explanation and retreat, they made it to the central part of the Bloodwoods. Here, most were confident enough to be at ease, sending out thorough scouts to prepare for the next potential assault. Once there, Argrave had a brief respite in the high canopies of the Bloodwoods while waiting for a separate talk with Altan.

Argrave stared at the leaves of the redwoods from their spot, high up in the branches with his people. Kirel Qircassia’s ploy with the forest roots had left its mark—already, the green had turned to a faint brown, indicating that death had taken roots in even the branches of these titanic trees. Maybe they could be revived, but Argrave doubted it. The Veidimen were resting, exhausted, with Orion handling the situation on the ground. Anneliese and Ganbaatar were the only ones up here with him, and they stood by his side, totally exhausted. As his gaze wandered, his eyes met Onychinusa’s, as she stared at them from a distant branch. She turned her gaze away as soon as their eyes met. It certainly wasn’t shyness that made her do that.

“Okay,” Argrave said, turning back to the three of them. “It’s time to see if this will work. You’re going to talk to Batbayar?” Argrave asked Ganbaatar quietly despite the ward around them. These days, all of his conversations took place behind wards. He could afford no risks, not at the stakes he was playing.

Ganbaatar nodded, his eyes on the forest floor below. “…yeah. Yeah, I will. Seeing as you’re so persuasive, can you give me any advice? What should I say to him?”

Argrave blinked, then hardened and put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t try to be like me,” he advised. “Do your… your normal angry insistence. If you’re fake, he’ll notice.”

Ganbaatar looked at him bitterly, then took a deep breath and gestured for the ward.

broke it, letting him pass, and then reformed it against around

Anneliese glanced briefly but didn’t let her gaze linger

if you grab her, for as long as the contact lasts at least.” Argrave touched Anneliese’s arm. “Just make sure she doesn’t do anything impulsive. She’s a reluctant collaborator

nodded. “Worry not.

ward. She moved closer to Onychinusa slowly, almost like approaching a timid animal. For the first time

feigning cooperation. Though there were lights of hope, the shadow trailing behind seemed liable to swallow him and the whole of Vasquer. With that… there would be deaths. Indeed, there

Altan pulling herself up to the branch he

Majesty,” she said, kneeling

to grab her shoulder and help her up. “Why

accepted his guidance, rising to her feet. He studied her face. She had a thin, tall head, with sharp cheeks and chin marred by many scars. Her red eyes were small and seemed almost naturally hateful. She looked just as Argrave remembered… and in Heroes of Berendar, she’d certainly never been a worshipper of Erlebnis. He recalled her as a cynic, but a pragmatist. She was not this woman, who would stand idly by and watch the Supreme Myriarch

wish that to be,”

instructed her. “You

isn’t entirely secure,” she told him while crossing her arms. “Your aid

restrained his exuberance and instead acted disappointed, admonishing,

Supreme Myriarch,” Altan emphasized, seeming bitter about that fact herself. “But the title is chosen among the myriarchs. So long as you can help, it’s all but guaranteed I retain the position long term. And from there… I’ll

it’s going to be impossible to convince them to migrate to my kingdom quickly,” he began, taxing his mind to begin this elaborate play of his. “Even if I offer shelter,

“But in the end, it’s not a choice. Factors beyond their control will determine how quick the exodus comes; namely, we won’t have a home to stay in much longer. I’ll offer all the help

serving me?” Argrave questioned. When she tilted her head in confusion, he continued, “There won’t be any problems accepting your

it all,” Altan looked back down. “We have to serve somebody. Let it be

or it may be the lord…

a deep breath. It seemed it was time for him to put that