Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave, after stating that he needed to exhume Felipe, realized that this was one of the times where blunt honesty would not serve him as well as couching his speech in flowery language. After the fact, he struggled desperately to douse the rising flames of protest that Orion birthed. If Orion got any angrier, perhaps ‘dousing the flames’ would have been a literal activity.

But by the end of it all—Argrave desperately explaining his purpose in doing so, and Orion desperately seeking to honor the memory of his father… they sat side-by-side against the cave wall, Anneliese and Galamon standing near.

“In a way… you would be honoring his memory,” Argrave said optimistically. “With this, we can prove that it was Gerechtigkeit’s influence that corrupted him.”

Orion looked at Argrave. “Would you truly make that fact known?”

“…it might cause unnecessary fear among the people if it were to happen right away,” Argrave said, managing only that vague response to Orion’s question.

“If it helps…” Orion closed his eyes, then ran his huge hands across his face. “If it might help your cause, I am willing.” He turned to look at Argrave. “But you must hear out a request of mine.”

“Certainly,” Argrave answered, fearing no grand request from this ascetic brother of his.

“There are only two things I want,” Orion said, rising to his feet. “I wish to be free of these falsely named blessings once Gerechtigkeit lies dead and broken. Even I am not so foolish as to seek to have them purged in the midst of this mortal struggle, but I wish them gone nonetheless. As for the second…” Orion rubbed his hands together. “Please, fix my mother’s mind. Nothing else would please me greater.”

Argrave stared at Orion, then also rose to his feet. “The first one… the first one I can do without question. The second, however…”

Argrave’s words did not come to him immediately. It wasn’t because he hadn’t been thinking about Orion’s mother, Valeria—rather, it was because he had been thinking about her and didn’t care to share his true thoughts. His mother’s mental illness was so severe that she was incapable of living independently. Elenore was not related to her by blood as Valeria was Felipe’s second wife, yet the princess quietly bore the burden of paying servants to keep her from hurting herself. That alone was more than Felipe had done—he locked her in a tower, bound, and fed her like a dog.

Valeria had suffered much. The fact remained, however, Felipe’s corpse might not be a material good enough. And if the knowledge from the game was true—that Gerechtigkeit had broken Valeria’s mind to turn Felipe further into cruelty—then she was the best possible material remaining. That was a difficult road to cross. Even Argrave held compunctions about involving Valeria. Given that Argrave was fine, she might not be harmed should the Alchemist experiment on her… but even still, it was much to ask.

“You hesitate. I know that I mentioned taking her to that flame that House Quadreign bears, but you said it wouldn’t help,” Orion crossed his arms. “This Alchemist… he seems capable of everything. Is it impossible to free Valeria’s mind?”

Argrave had a little difficulty meeting Orion’s gaze, but he forced his head upward. “Honestly, I’m not even sure that it can be done. The brain… the brain is very complex. Even those things you saw, those Pawns—the best the Alchemist can do is copytheir memories to one another. He cannot implant knowledge. Erlebnis can. And given that, the only other I could think of…” He sighed deeply. “I know of a god who could heal her.”

Orion closed his eyes. “How I have come to loathe that word. Divinity feels an illusion, yet a powerful one difficult to break free of.” He opened his eyes, then focused on Argrave. “I will exhume our father, knowing it is for a good cause.”

Argrave said in relief, grasping his shoulder. “Then let’s

#####

given her to protect herself. He sat across from her, in a private dining chamber beside their guest room in

a lot different than getting a visit. Argrave hasn’t met the man yet,” Durran leaned his glaive

the easy out. And the idea of meeting with Mozzahr, working out some sort of agreement? If that tempts him, I’m not sure I can dissuade him.” She popped her fingers. “Perhaps… the only ones that know are… never mind,” she waved her hand and shook her

keeping it from him?” Durran raised a brow, then leaned in. “Interesting

up quite well,” Elenore glanced at him sternly. “We don’t need the risk, don’t need the discussion… but damn it all, I can’t hide this.

pointed out, moving his hand between his eyes and hers. “Maybe this can be a boon rather than a bane. An alliance probably won’t happen—if Argrave didn’t even consider it, the guy has to be

gray eyes dark and thoughtful. After a long moment of silence, the gray grew brighter, and she started to lift her head away from her

her head turned to it quickly. Durran rose up

have spotted a returning wyvern,” the man dipped his

her feet at once. “They’ve returned, then. Let’s

#####

royal family stood on the walls of House Parbon’s Lionsun Castle. Argrave was watching the wyvern as its rider fed it. Everyone was exhausted, but Argrave, Anneliese, Orion, and Galamon

literal version of his note. But then, narcissists never kill themselves. It’s why his letter didn’t work on me, and why mine wouldn’t work on him.” He rubbed at his eyes. “Ignore me. I’m tired

you should

Argrave repeated, looking at her with shock. “Did you say go? As in, go underground, into the homeland of the enemy? Well, conquered homeland, but homeland nonetheless,” he shook his head. “I don’t care to see an aurora borealis of death, even if Melanie said it was really pretty.” He looked at her suspiciously. “But you always

him solemnly, then sighed. “Maybe we should talk about this at another date. It’s clear you’re tired, and Mozzahr has waited long enough before this… so we have time

Yeah, okay. I want to sleep. Feels like I’ve been… turned inside out.” Argrave glanced to his queen. Anneliese shook her head upon hearing that joke only she would understand,

We have something of a show to put on tomorrow, anyhow. We have to announce Durran to the world, bring all the wyvern riders into

Orion. “True

“Yes?” Elenore pressed.

with us, Elenore,”

#####

to be polite about it. ‘Tried’ being the operative word, there. Then again, Orion must’ve been expecting such an answer. With that matter settled, they