Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave, Anneliese, and Melanie sat behind a pure white judge’s bench, lined up side-by-side but angled inward as though to surround something. Durran, Elenore, and Galamon stood behind them, serving in an advisory role. And across from them sat gods—but it wasn’t as though either occupied a position of authority over the other. Rather, god and mortal had the same domineering bench, and neither rested at an elevated level. Argrave had just finished explaining his offer—the heist against Erlebnis, and the hope for a mutually beneficial alliance in the fights to come.

Now, all that remained was a grand hearing, where the three of them judged the gods while they were judged in turn.

He saw a sword rising from the ground, its hilt a scale—a medium to convey the will of Law, formless god of rulership, justice, and authority. He saw Almazora, the pale-skinned goddess of magic, in a quaint purple robe with her long hair that seemed to be a window into space. He saw Yinther, god of exploration, discovery, and curiosity, who appeared to be little more than a blonde-haired boy with rough clothes and a large backpack.

And then, in the back, Raccomen and Rook sat atop the benches. Raccomen governed space, and wore a decadent burgundy outfit with jewels on it that seemed to contain infinite space within. Even his rings contained small galaxies. Rook, meanwhile, wore all black. His skin was dark, too, and even his eyes and hair were shadowed. He had a smiling face that made it hard to dislike him.

“The reason I called upon all of you, in particular, is that each of you have no love for the Qircassian Coalition or Erlebnis. I can promise you and your followers access to Berendar, under the expectation that no harm is done to my people,” Argrave tapped the white judge bench firmly. “From there… let us speak of further costs, and whether or not this alliance we proposed entices you.”

“I could bless Anneliese with Truesight, and name her my champion,” the boyish Yinther declared first, gesturing toward her. “I have no further cost for this. She embodies the spirit that gave birth to me: a childlike curiosity, where the whole world needs to be understood. And the heist with Erlebnis… sounds interesting. I can get involved.”

Argrave nodded, expecting this. As he did, Law began to convey its will. Its presence emanated out from the sword, and though no words came, Law’s thoughts were conveyed in complete clarity. In order for it to participate in the heist against Erlebnis, they must declare the act beforehand. Failing that, Law will give its blessings to Argrave, and name him champion, if he builds a church to Law in Blackgard.

Argrave smiled—building a church was amenable, but there was no way in hell he’d declare his heist before he did it.

“Is the declaration necessary?” Argrave pressed.

Law’s will came again—even in war, there must be law. It was a necessary condition.

Argrave nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself.

Almazora spoke next, saying, “I will allow Anneliese or Argrave to champion me, giving them the blessing of formless magic. They pleased me greatly with their advances into magic, and their contribution to the field in Berendar has earned my favor. All I ask is that they allow me access to their minds, that any knowledge of magic they gain comes to me at once. My privilege would end there, mind you.”

Argrave looked to Anneliese, nodding in silence. Formless magic would benefit her far more than it would him.

“We’re happy with either Melanie or Argrave,” Rook and Raccomen said from the back, in tune with one another.

Melanie exhaled in relief—she seemed glad that one, at least, had called her out.

I tried one on Erlebnis,” Rook said with a smile. “I can bring some guys—trusted guys. On top of that, I can allow either of you two the ability to hide any object he can carry with one hand, obscuring it from sight. But changing the face at will, which I can do… wouldn’t help Argrave much, being the size he is and all. You, Melanie… that’s different. And on top of all that, I can allow you to shroud your surroundings in a darkness only you can see through. All I’d ask is for a taste of something Erlebnis has. The details can

proximity. Provided you’ve been there before physically in the last ten minutes or so, you can create gaps between two locations that shouldn’t exist. You fold the plane inward onto itself, allowing short distance teleportation of things, or people, in rapid succession. Could be spells,” he pointed at Argrave. “Could be your chains, or that sword of yours.” He looked at Melanie next. “As for my cost for this boon… you have to accept the presence of me and my followers in Berendar on a

section,” Argrave shook his head. “But the whole

“Which section?” Raccomen asked.

then looked back to Elenore. She quicky stepped forward and suggested something, which he repeated at once. “The uninhabited plains west of the

Birall,” Raccomen pressed. “Where no living beings inhabit, I

thought if he needed that land, and Elenore gave him a nod. “That’s

over. She whispered to him, “You can’t champion more than one, right? But you can get

in essence, that’s promised until our death,” Argrave explained. “It weakens them, even if only in part. I can’t imagine we can manage to get

her lip, thinking hard. “Can

free,” Argrave raised his brows curiously, then beckoned everyone

After an intense but quiet discussion,

an alternate idea,” Argrave began,

individual representing Vasquer and an individual god… why not make this into a more cohesive, if temporary, union? A total alliance between all parties. This would include those who our

at Argrave, and he gave her a thumbs up. He hadn’t known she could speak that

“But if Almazora would join this union and offer her blessing of formless magic, I can represent her interests in Veiden as well

champion Law, and I would agree to establish a church in Blackgard,” Argrave held his arms out, leaving out the part about refusing to honorably declare that

cooperating with your brother’s champion, maybe giving a little extra help,

raised her

Argrave looked at all of his companions nervously. In time, Argrave saw those who had already blessed the others appearing, piece by piece—Veid, Lira, and Stout Heart Swan. And finally, their

does appeal to all parties,” Almazora spoke for them all. “But more

deep breath to

bless her with formless magic. For Rook and me to overextend ourselves like this, however, we need a mortal champion of suitable stature.

is an expense borne by you, Argrave, we would ask that you merely not restrict

then… all these arrayed before him were largely good, save perhaps Rook, and even he was mostly neutral. And if they did

once again, and talked with them. And after

one more adage,” Argrave began. “Even after this cycle of judgment, however it might end, Vasquer… or its successor states, I suppose, should be given the opportunity to renew this union. If they refuse, so be it. But I want them to

looked between all of them. “Done,” she declared. “In honor of your

minority as relief flooded