Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 401

Argrave and Anneliese spent their time stuffing their packs full of the valuable things in this library. There were bags enough to carry more than they probably had a right to. Onychinusa looked a little taken aback at their blatant raiding, but this place was a point of research for shamanic magic. There were many spells to go around. Unfortunately, the old emperor had no care for enchanting--in the end, that didn’t matter. The search parties sent out to scour old ruins undoubtedly would unearth just what was needed.

And so, with their pockets overflowing, they returned to Orion, where he was promptly given several packs to carry.

“I promised I’d deal with the mandragora,” Argrave reflected, looking back as he offloaded the last of the bags.

“...and the Yateveos,” Orion reminded him, carrying several bags on his arm like he’d just gotten home from the grocery store.

“I think we can, and without fear. But the library might fall,” Anneliese said innocently.

At this, Onychinusa looked a little distressed. “Wait...” she said quietly, her voice trailing off as she suppressed her speech.

“What? You don’t want the library to crumble into that bottomless abyss, never to be recovered?” Argrave asked, hamming up the description.

Onychinusa looked pained, but she eventually managed a nod of confirmation.

“I did make a promise,” Argrave said, as though his promises held great weight. Onychinusa looked to the side while tapping her feet, and so Argrave continued, “Does this library mean a lot to you?”

“No,” she shook her head.

“If it doesn’t mean a lot, then you’d be fine if everything inside was buried in stone and tree parts, forgotten by the world...” he provoked, and when he saw the effect on her temperament quickly continued, “But if it does mean something to you, I can find a way out of it.”

“Really?” Onychinusa looked at him.

“Sure. I appreciate you enough to do that much," Argrave nodded.

Onychinusa looked at the library and the mandragora, then back at Argrave. "Knowledge has to be preserved, right?"

He smiled back. "Sure. Then, let's go. You have a dryad to talk to."

#####

When they returned, they saw Batbayar and the mother dryad having a conversation. The two turned their heads when they saw the returning four, and Anneliese asked Onychinusa, “Might I come with you, or do you wish to be alone? I am curious about what recovering your lineage entails, and have some questions of my own to ask.”

Onychinusa’s gaze was distant, and her mind was elsewhere enough it took her a moment to process a question had been asked. “What? Oh. I don’t care,” she said, completely out of sorts.

Anneliese took the agreement without a word, leaving the ancient elf to her thoughts. Meanwhile, she whispered to Argrave, “I’ll do my part. Trust me,” she said, her breathing tingling his ear.

When she pulled away, Argrave gave her a nod. Once they came near the dryad, Argrave called out, “Batbayar. A word?”

sitting underneath the dryad's home tree, but when called stood up and walked to where Argrave and Orion awaited him. As with most people, he seemed a little intimidated having two towering people nearby, but he

just catching up with the dryad, fishing out some information...” Batbayar looked at him, while Argrave was doing his best to make his face

didn’t think that anything he did would pass, there. At the end of the day, he did admire and respect the elven army’s discipline. And so... perhaps it was best for

I went behind the backs of the other myriarchs

stared with those fierce red eyes of his. “I thought you had told

Argrave explained. “Not until I was totally certain myself. Understand, though, that it’s because if I didn’t have proof,

you have that proof now?” Batbayar

Argrave nodded. "I’ll say it straight: one of the myriarchs

noticeably, but something about his mien became all the scarier in half a second.

told you about the end of the ancient elven empire, about your true origins in

looked hesitant to speak, but he slowly said, “We’re rebel slaves. It’s a secret privy only to

imperial family. The very same being that orchestrated the death

listening intently. He set down the bags he held

army was taken by surprise. We know Chiteng betrayed your gods, but if I’m right... perhaps one of your Tumens was not hit as hard as the rest. Perhaps its leader quickly got control

was, since I wasn’t sure I could get a straight answer from

aren’t supposed to talk, damn it all, Argrave

true," Argrave didn't deny it, and

who I've lived and died beside than

neck, saying firmly,

Orion's wrist as Batbayar struggled

isn't. You bleed for ingrates. All of us remaining are good, and you are the best of

that," Argrave gripped his

though his anger did

said was too much, but that response was the same. Let's

myriarchs, you doubt my family... so I understand. And I hope you understand

Then, he felt a rush of confidence, and so said, "I don't think she's a servant of Erlebnis. After all, she's

Batbayar narrowed

will heal this forest," he nodded, going all-in on Anneliese's

if she doesn't... guess it's all over,

#####

does he do it? Anneliese thought

words to lead Onychinusa toward subverting Kirel Qircassia's presence

less so, for the ancient elven woman broke past her haze and asked, “What does rediscovering my lineage actually

will claim all that any citizen of the empire had... and from there, you will claim your birthright as last heir to the

here?” Onychinusa

given the decay of the empire... but if you do as you must, you will have

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