Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave truly hadn’t known what to expect with Sataistador. When he thought of a god of war, he pictured the honorable general type, someone like Galamon—hard and brusque, one who talks harsh and short. He supposed the addendums of ‘chaos and ruthless destruction’ should’ve tipped his mind toward the direction of someone like Genghis Khan. He had tried to worm his way into disrupting Argrave’s plan, even despite the safety the White Planes offered.

And Melanie had been the one to pull them out of the fire.

He briefly thought himself careless, but upon seeing Melanie step away from Sataistador to stand by his side, adjusted that perception. Careless wasn’t the right word—he’d brought people that he trusted to the White Planes, where safety was assured for a cohesive party, and he’d only been proven right in his judgment. There was a reason Melanie was one of his favorite player characters.

That wasn’t to say he wasn’t immensely grateful for Melanie’s choice. And not just her choice—her quick thinking in extracting information. He knew Sataistador was old, but had no idea he came from the first cycle of judgment. And she had brought him here, exposed that invaluable knowledge. Still, they’d leave ignorant of that fact if no accommodation was reached.

The White Planes are a double-edged shield, thought Argrave as he stared upon the giant war god. However that metaphor works. We could part ways here, and I’d go back to thinking Sataistador might possibly be a swell guy. I don’t want that.

But after hearing about Sataisdor conspiring to snake on him for Erlebnis, Argrave had no high hopes about a long-lasting alliance. At the same time, if Sataistador truly was from the first cycle of judgment, there was knowledge to be gained. His mind whirled, trying to think of something that couldbe made of this.

Argrave advanced. He had been around Orion and Galamon too much to be afraid of tall and wide muscle freaks. And considering Melanie wished to be looped in, he simply said, “Melanie is right. You died, Sataistador, where I’m from. You see, I played this game called Heroes of Berendar. And this reality we exist in was simulated within it repeatedly. But no matter the outcome, no matter the choices… you, Sataistador, were stomped beneath the boot of your opponent—Mozzahr.”

Anneliese and Galamon both looked at Argrave as though he was mad, but Melanie grinned a little wider.

“A tall tale. The weak do so love to talk when it has no consequence,” Sataistador shook his head. “You won’t remember offending me, and I won’t remember being offended. This is an exercise in futility.”

“So you are offended?” Melanie pointed out. “Well, so am I. I’m offended you thought I’d be so cheap.”

“We have nothing more to discuss,” the god of war said, rolling his shoulders as though preparing to leave.

“You can still benefit from this,” Argrave said. “And I’m big enough to let bygones be bygones.”

“I have no interest in you,” Sataistador said as he looked upon him coldly. “You’ve avoided war at every turn. Your only virtue is fighting battles you can’t win and coming out on top—admirable, I’ll admit, but I have no blessings to give, and I will not ally with someone I hold in contempt. Your continued charity will be your undoing.”

“I meant what I said, though,” Argrave stepped closer. “Mozzahr did beat you. He has such an advantage over you that you can’t ever come out on top.”

“Useless provocation will never turn my weapons against your foes,” Sataistador shook his head. “I have naught to prove.”

“What can I do to prove it to you?” Argrave spread his hands out. “Fact is, you have a fatal flaw. Mozzahr knows it. I know it.”

say, wrapped in safety,” Sataistador glanced at the White Planes

Would

a few moments, without words for the

him. “Hey, I

to meet me?”

You were never a part of my plans. I can change that. We can

cautiously, “Argrave,

let me

is giving them a cookie they tried to steal,” Argrave wagged his finger. “If

wish for an assurance of your safety during our meeting outside

care whether you come to fight me or flatter me. Fight

Silence existed in these endless White Planes as he considered his next words. “If you would invite the god of war to your home, there is an… expected outcome. Do you

war, not the god of war. Like I said, if you fight me, I’ll be flush with spirits, nothing more.” Argrave

“And one still surviving after uncountable millennia. And you

not him.” Sataistador was not pleased by the disparagement, and stared ahead at Argrave wordlessly.

can know. But I’ve agreed to

choice you have is this: sit down or step up. If I know you right, I can expect to see

breathing as all parties waited for the deity’s answer. “Expect me there,” he said with a slow nod. “If this is the deal you intend

“Wonderful,” Argrave said.

writing, you think?” Melanie asked a

what you’ve said here today. If you bluff, now would be the time to accept that embarrassment,” his green eyes glimmered with expectation.

It was gigantic, just like the rest of him. But as Argrave held his out to grasp it, he

“What to

#####

hell were you thinking?!” Melanie demanded once Sataistador walked away. “When I said you should work your magic, I meant… I don’t know, getting him to fight for us, or turning him against

Melanie. And you’d better believe I won’t

and she dismissed, “Yeah, thanks, but…

guy,” Argrave pointed out where the aspect had walked away to. “A vagrant. A street person. Most homeless are mentally ill, sadly, and this one in particular wanders around fighting people. Could I offer anything that might turn his head enough to help us? I doubt it. I don’t trust him enough to involve him with our overall goal, but I have two