Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 394

After days of protracted tension and combat, much of which Argrave survived on little sleep, he finally laid his head down in one of the tents the Veidimen honor guard had pitched. He wasn’t alone, as the tent was shared with Anneliese and her acting-sister Onychinusa, and he wasn’t at peace, as the threats all around demanded his attention even still. Despite all of that, he felt now might be the time to finally rest, even if only for a few hours.

But then armor clanged into the tent, and when he opened his eyes Grimalt knelt before his bed.

“Your Majesty. One of the myriarchs is trying to see you. He’s being rather insistent.”

Argrave sat up, trying not to let his bitterness seep into his voice as he asked gruffly, “His name?”

“Batbayar,” Grimalt answered succinctly.

Hearing that was an awakening far more effective than a cold bucket of water to the head. Beside him, Anneliese also roused, sitting up as he did. With a partner to share the frustration of being roused, his bitterness died somewhat. In a more distant corner, Onychinusa—who had eliminated her need for sleep in light of making the whole of her body constructed of magic—came to attention.

Argrave reached forward and grabbed his socks and boots, instructing Grimalt, “Tell him I’ll be with him shortly.”

The Veidimen nodded and left the tent, heeding Argrave’s directive. Anneliese also crawled to grab her footwear but Argrave touched her, catching her attention. “Stay,” he told her, thinking first of Onychinusa. He didn’t want her listening in on this meeting.

With Anneliese, he didn’t need to elaborate further. She gave a nod of confirmation and sat down on their bedding, rubbing her tired eyes. He gave her long white hair a rustle, put on his gloves last, and then made for the exit of the tent. Grimalt waited, ready to escort Argrave. He gave him a nod to lead on, and the Veidimen led the path.

It was a quiet walk for some time, but then Grimalt spoke, saying, “Your Majesty, if I may be presumptuous…”

“Presume away,” Argrave answered back quickly.

“I am rather skilled at judging people’s disposition,” the elven warrior explained. “Ask any near me, and they’ll tell you the same thing. If that can be of service to you, then…” Argrave paused walking, causing Grimalt to look back in confusion. “You’re… shocked?”

He sized up this Veidimen officer. He kept the top of his head shaved and grew no facial hair, but looking at his eyes in the dusk… they were amber, certainly. If this meant what he thought it might, then… well, frankly, Argrave didn’t know what to think. He and Anneliese had a system of body language to convey much of what she learned from her near-supernatural empathy. If Grimalt had this same thing…

“Can you notice lies?” Argrave asked.

“I think I’m better than most, but I’ve been tricked before,

what you think, after.” He followed behind again, realizing that this probably warranted further conversation. But for now, he would need to speak to Batbayar

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sat there with her knees against her chest. She wore simple brown clothing,

the kingdom, and most importantly to her, its king. But seeing the last living elf from the ancient

fleeting encounter, Anneliese thought. But knowing that it is fleeting makes it all

could restrain her. As soon as she came near, the elf was guarded and cautious.

woman would answer no questions like this, she knelt down beside Onychinusa, asking quietly, “Would

staring ahead with the same

ground, drawing four lines in the dirt that crossed each other. “Argrave showed me this. It’s called tic-tac-toe. We take turns—I draw circles, you draw crosses. Line up three in a row… you win,” she explained, demonstrating a win. Once that was done, she smoothed the

while… she did eventually lean forward and draw a cross. Anneliese took the corners and soundly won. Onychinusa looked miffed, and then drew the next board herself. Like most games of tic-tac-toe between adults, it rapidly devolved into a festival of ties.

that happened, Anneliese stood up and walked away, leaving the elf to ponder her motives. The mounting displeasure died in its infancy, leaving Onychinusa with only confusion. When she took

ten or so minutes, Onychinusa walked over and said,

on her tone, Anneliese played into that by asking, “It is quite

Is this a message?”

her head. “Not at all. I just thought it might be more fun that doing nothing. I have a good friend who never had to sleep because of his condition,” she

at her, saying nothing as she thought. When the thoughts in her head seemed to overwhelm her, Onychinusa walked back to her corner

about why we asked for you to come with us, instead of Dimocles or someone

half a moment, and then did so with a huff while giving no answer. Her

Dimocles,” Anneliese

responded almost brightly.

and though Onychinusa seemed surprised by the noise she

sent Dimocles because he’d be good with people,” she said almost

guard had largely dropped, Anneliese searched for her next words, trying to find a way to interject her questions about this ancient elven woman. Experiencing this, she felt firsthand why Argrave seemed to like manipulation so much… unfortunately, Anneliese was uncertain her ‘skills’ would

come to this point, she’d make the most of it. And along the way… perhaps this might serve a larger

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