Jackal Among Snakes

“What we need most, more than almost anything, are bodies for this war,” Elenore told Argrave. “We must take advantage of Mozzahr’s arrogance to involve the dwarven nation persisting below even the Ebon Cult.”

Argrave listened to her proposal intently, and then leaned back into his chair. “Elenore… those people, the dwarves… they’ve been removed from the struggles of nations for decades. The most they face is the odd monster breaking through their mines, or… even lesser threats.”

“That’s not important, Argrave. Think about this for a moment.” Elenore gently slid her goblet of wine aside and leaned forward. “Should they sit in the underbellies of the earth, removed from all conflict, and reap all the benefits of our protection while they do nothing? This is a fight for the world; they have to get involved, even if they’re pacifistic rock-eaters. We must involve them. If Gerechtigkeit is the arbiter, then they must step to the stand and bear witness right alongside us. Their testimony must be given in steel and spell, just as ours. And the tool to making that happen is Mozzahr.”

He stared at her for a time, the silence interrupted by Durran’s light snoring. “It’s not the same. Provoking a war is markedly different from persuading people to take up arms.”

“Mozzahr would be starting the war,” Elenore said. “The dwarves, the Ebon Cult… if you asked me to choose between them and us, I’d much prefer them to fight while leaving Vasquer yet more time to grow and strengthen itself.

“It sets a rather terrible precedent.” Argrave leaned on the table. Perhaps this was one of the vicious cycles that Castro warned Argrave of avoiding. On the other hand, dismissing the possibility outright… perhaps that was arrogance. “I’ll consider it. But my foremost concern with Mozzahr is not what we do once we meet him—rather, the idea of meeting him itself is the subject of biggest concern. I like living. Meeting him might cut that short.”

Elenore nodded at his not-quite-rejection. “Of course. I’ll have Melanie working on that front. Pretty soon, we’ll have established a firm foothold in the abandoned dwarven cities.”

“Alright. Then… I say, enjoy the rest of your night. We can deal with the things we talked about in the morning, but I have to stay up in case the Alchemist arrives. It wouldn’t do for him to have an improper reception.”

As Argrave rose, Elenore called out, “Hang on.”

“Yes?” He looked down at her.

“I’m… not being totally honest,” Elenore admitted. “It isn’t like I lied, but perhaps I ought to be more forthcoming.”

Argrave glanced at Anneliese, then back to Elenore. “Alright. Go ahead. Trust me with anything.”

“You’re bringing the Alchemist here to look into the possibility of circumventing the cycle of judgment,” Elenore said, her eyes wandering to Durran. “If Mozzahr seeks that same thing… if Mozzahr might help us… perhaps there might be cooperation.”

Argrave blinked. “It’s a little hard to bring an egomaniac to the bargaining table. He seeks to circumvent the cycle of judgment by becoming the cycle the judgment. It was never explicitly stated, but I theorize he believes he’s the ideal candidate to judge whether or not the world should continue to exist. He wants to be the one who decides everything.”

stared at Argrave. “Durran did something stupid, wagering his life on something this far-fetched. But gods be damned, I’ll do most everything I can to get him out of it. And if this is something that might…!” She placed

wrapped his arms around her. She was reticent at first, but seemed to gladly surrender after a few seconds. He could practically feel some of her tension melt away. Hers was a silently born burden, but she was as human as everyone else. Her constant

efficient ruler, who makes rather unemotional decisions and has the charisma to see them carried out by his legions of adoring followers. We dug our father’s body up today because Felipe failed

Felipe… by the gods… I suppose when you see someone looming over you for so long, they become larger than they truly were in your memory.” She tapped his back, signaling that she was ready to be released, and Argrave

Argrave asked with a

be,” Elenore nodded. “Sorry for babbling. This is why I abstain from this…” she muttered, twirling the

a heart like mine, fix that problem forever,” Argrave tapped

#####

The place was freshly built and empty as anything, accommodating only Argrave’s personal retinue of Orion and Galamon plus a gargantuan caravan. Considering what—or rather, who—it held, perhaps it was best to call it ‘suitably large.’ He didn’t quite understand how this thing had gotten here so quickly, but he didn’t care

back of the carriage, opening it up. A large gray-skinned hand gripped the top of the carriage, and then its owner clambered out. The Alchemist straightened to his formidable height, and then

Alchemist said

Ingo were likely back there, and they’d be retrieved by the humanoid chimeras

had in mind for you has two others. My ancestor, the Gilderwatcher Vasquer, and an ancient elf by the name of Onychinusa.

elf?” the Alchemist repeated—a rare

empire of the last

green for half an instant, then settled down

is,” Argrave disagreed.

Now, take me to my space. Show me the body you claimed bears

bitterly. “Alright. You’ll need to hide yourself—invisibility or

was so solid that Argrave thought he was staring at nothing at all. He could see him if he willed his eyes to

of the carriage, capably supported, he

slowed for a moment, and then he gave a slow

focused on Ingo. He watched them go until his people escorted them out. Only then did Argrave look at the Alchemist and say,

#####

The Alchemist blended in so completely that Argrave more than once thought to ask if the thing was still following. He never did, but he thought about it. The only indication the spellcaster

they did arrive at the mountaintop of Blackgard housing both Vasquer and Onychinusa, his two bizarre allies watched with obvious paranoia. The Alchemist ignored their prying eyes, more concerned with the subject of his observation than the icy reception around