Jackal Among Snakes

When Anneliese returned from her visit to Onychinusa far later than she normally did, and with a large smile on her face, Argrave knew she had made a significant advancement in helping the wounded ancient elf. In truth, hearing of her descriptions of her condition day after day was quite saddening. She had been broken in body and mind as a result of their actions… but in the end, perhaps it was possible to have a cake and eat it, too. They’d just have to make two cakes.

“Was beginning to worry,” Argrave said as she walked up to rejoin them. “It’s dark. Do I need to set a curfew next time?”

“Perhaps you should allow me to accompany you, Your Highness,” Orion suggested, and Argrave cast a glance back at the towering prince.

“It should not be many times more, and I will spend no more spirits on each journey,” Anneliese said, then amended, “…unless she has a particularly bad day, of course. I cannot discount that.”

Argrave put his hand on her shoulder, leading her forward as he explained what she’d missed. “The myriarchs have been electing the new Supreme Myriarch.”

“Still?” Anneliese looked at him in surprise.

“Mmhmm.” Argrave nodded. “Doesn’t matter who wins, really. All of them seemed to agree with the alliance we proposed.”

Orion cracked his knuckles, and said under his breath, “As they should.”

“While we wait… let’s visit with those still with us,” Argrave suggested, and Anneliese gave a nod of confirmation. “We have to broach that idea of ours with them…”

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Artur, Vasilisa, and Moriatran sat around the fire, somewhat removed from the Veidimen nearby.

“Reflecting magic? All of it, all of those S-rank spells, just bounced?” Artur said in a grim whisper.

Vasilisa looked at him with her cold blue eyes. “If His Majesty hears you know of this, he won’t be pleased. You were supposed to be fighting alongside the Veidimen, as we ordered us. Instead, you were spying on him.”

Moriatran gave a sagely nod, but added nothing more.

“I’m not eager to go into battle anywhere the king’s not,” Artur shook his head. “It’s too risky. Easy to send a man into death, but harder to march into it yourself.” Artur rubbed his squat hands together. “But by all extent, he fought the harder opponent than you faced. Surely you felttheir power when we confronted them… but His Majesty faced them head on. All the might of their magic.”

Moriatran scratched at his brow with his wizened hands, asking, “And you’re claiming Argrave made these spells bounce?”

“S-rank spells,” Artur nodded. “Hundreds of them, maybe thousands. Definitely thousands, given how long he kept doing it. This was a barrage that put gods in their place… the same gods we saw tear through this forest those weeks ago…. and Argrave was the most important combatant, not them.”

In the Veidimen camp, all of the snow elves came to attention. Artur craned, looking to see what was happening. It seemed that Argrave had returned. After receiving a brief status update from Grimalt, Bastel, and Rasten, he quickly left them indistinguishable words and headed for the three Magisters by the fire.

Argrave began as he joined them. The three offered subdued greetings, and so Argrave quipped, “If you stay so solemn, I might think I stumbled across

king glared sternly. Then, his face shifted into a grin and he laughed loudly, patting Vasilisa’s

king mused, settling down by the fire. Artur’s heart took minutes to slow again. “Not going to be here longer,” he continued, the flame reflecting off his

the king,” Moriatran said simply, prompting him

You’d be merging with an organization she already had partially established, and you’d be subordinate to the crown. The finer details of pay and authority can be worked out… but I’m confident

straightened his back. “Your Majesty, that’s…

him. Orion came to stand guard at the back of the royal pair. “Fact is, we’re going to need to prepare for threats like we’ve faced here on every corner of the kingdom. I can’t imagine you’ll get more than two

in. “We must actively combat the opportunists in

right,” Argrave nodded. “Elenore tells me the expeditionary parties we sent out are coming back one by one, bringing grand spoils to Vasquer. You need to receive, copy, and distribute them en masse. You’ll have plenty of resources, and even more responsibility, Artur. I hope you enjoy

her head. “Whatever it is, I’m going to my sister in the north, and

“Fact is, proactivity beats reactivity. We need to locate and destroy problematic gods, and forge alliances with beneficial gods as they appear. Naturally, I’ll need to employ a large contingent of powerful mages, who will in turn learn even more

is beyond

unreached on that level… partly because they couldn’t be reached, and partly

it let up a plume of flame as the branches

ones I

her ear. She looked at

upon them. He thought on her question as the Magisters grew drowsier and drowsier from the flame.

to see,” Argrave

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next Supreme Myriarch had been chosen from their ranks. He remained entirely uninvolved in the process, though most of the elves knew that he supported Batbayar. And as it turned

coronation, no grand ceremony, no proclamation… but when Argrave next walked among the elves, all referred to Batbayar as Supreme Myriarch. He walked with Ganbaatar, addressing his old Tumen member-by-member. Argrave wondered if the man really did remember all ten thousand names. In time, though, they

greeted him. That name would never be used—at least,

him. “I’m told the leader has to receive the most punishments

thought you ignorant of that… but perhaps you are a step ahead of me, hearing your tale to liberate this forest,” he referenced, looking to

your promise, Argrave. Some centaurs still linger, left behind, but… they’re no threat to us, now. And in time, we will purge the forests of all that threatens

“You ought to represent us in Vasquer, Ganbaatar. I will

an eye that told me the locations of powerful vampires… and in it, only two persisted. One with white eyes—Galamon, who was cured. The

but Argrave said, “You won’t find him for

why not?” Ganbaatar

Argrave gestured toward the Supreme Myriarch. “But enough of my

of them made to move. “You know of

was right… it was best for Ganbaatar to stay in Vasquer. There, Argrave would make great use of him as the poster boy for the Vasquer dream… and soon, motivated by his good treatment, elves would come to Vasquer in droves. Indeed, he might need to make an Ellis Island

explain who this vampire is, I have to explain something else... specifically, about the Castellan of the Empty and the Ebon

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