Jackal Among Snakes

When Argrave, Anneliese, and Orion made to return to the elven camp, Anneliese’s scouting discovered that it was simply gone.

...but further scouting showed that it had moved to another location, seeking an advantageous position in wake of the sudden shift of roots in the forest. With the ground cleared up, traveling was a much faster, if much stranger, thing. All of the soil was loose and unpacked, and felt a little squishy beneath their boots. Whatever the case, they made it to the elven camp where the rest of his company had prudently relocated alongside.

After a somewhat rough greeting by scouts watching for approaching enemies, Batbayar was the first to find them. They talked quietly as they walked back into camp.

“I’ve put people on the most likely suspect... Altan. These are good men, maybe the best I have. They’ll follow her every move,” the myriarch swore.

Argrave’s first reaction was not approval, but a question: “Altan, is it... the Acting Supreme Myriarch. I suppose it does make sense. These men of yours: you’re sure they’re not playing for the red team?”

“Red team...?” Batbayar repeated, then shook his head. “No. These men are faithful adherents to the elven gods, just like most in the Holy Army of the Wind.” He grew silent for a minute, then sought counsel once more, asking, “If things truly are as you say, do you have more direction for me to follow?”

Argrave considered his words, and as they walked they soon landed where the Veidimen had made camp. “Well... you should ask for Ganbaatar’s help. He’s been hunting vampires-- something like this will be no trouble for him at all. If he can sus out those that drink blood, he can find a few heretics in your ranks without trouble. And maybe you’ll trust his findings a little more than mine. Only go public if you have ample proof,” Argrave told him insistently.

“That was always the plan,” Batbayar responded a little angrily.

“I’m not joking. Do not act early if you want this to be effective. Erlebnis is the god of knowledge, and he’ll have something prepared if he catches even a whiff of this,” Argrvave told him insistently.

A bird’s cry split the air, and Argrave whipped his head to look at it. He saw a big black bird approaching him and stepped back by instinct, but moved forward again when he recognized it. Behind, Grimalt pursued Nikoletta’s druidic bond.

As it landed on his arm, the Veidimen officer explained, “This bird has been waiting for you for some time now, Your Majesty. None of us touched the parcel it had, and we made sure no one else did either.”

Batbayar came to his side and said quickly, “I’ll leave you be, let you catch up with your men. As you said, you’ll leave this to us,” the myriarch reminded Argrave firmly. “We can handle our own. I just hope... I hope you’re wrong about this, in all honesty. But...”

The myriarch shook his head and left, leaving Argrave to finish his statement. He hoped the myriarch meant to say, ‘but I know you’re right.’ After letting the elf go, he looked at the parcel on the bird’s leg.

“Thank you for this, Nicky...” Argrave muttered, untying the binding around the bird’s leg to free the package. “Say hello to your dad.”

the parcel in hand, the bird gave a rather unbirdlike nod and lifted off, its claws leaving

that mean

He saw a quaint mini-cabinet. It had two little handle knobs

cabinet fondly. “You smug, blue-eyed prick... let’s see if you can smile when the secret police

about to open up the cabinet to see if the most vital bit remained, but someone walked up to him.

the person said, “The Acting Supreme Myriarch would like to see you. She waits in

the person departed just as quickly. Argrave stood there, clenching the

go?” Orion

definitely would-- see them meet. But as Argrave

send someone over to find Batbayar. Tell him Altan wanted to meet me. Tell him... tell him that I’m expected to explain my absence to her, but that I have an excuse handy.”

#####

forced to climb up the giant redwood trees to meet with Altan. He brought Anneliese and Orion, both for safety reasons-- Anneliese to ensure Altan suspected nothing, and Orion to ensure

her coil a long blonde hair around her finger again and again until it wrenched free of her head. When she saw Argrave, she practically dove through the

something to do with this?” Altan demanded at once. “The roots

sure ruined my damned plans. Do you think I wanted to come back with a miniature cabinet in my hands?" Argrave waved it before her face, feigning wrath. "Whole

before his acting. In time it reflared, and she insisted, "And Batbayar... what was that

through my guy Ganbaatar. He'll be

to erode a centuries-old military structure from within. Pardon me

be a problem?" Anneliese demanded coldly, like she was the cruelest manager in the

can handle it,” Altan raised both her hands up to stop

sure to change in time, as word spread from

assistant manager in contrast to Anneliese’s performance. “We’re here. We can help with the politicking. And with one more myriarch on our side, things should sail a

“Still, you can only shovel so much into the abyss... this

the happenings while I was absent. It wasn’t exactly a seven day vacation, but I surely missed some things

pulled on one of the diamond knobs with his

a letter. Tell the emissary that it needs to reach Dimocles,” Argrave said with