Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave crossed his arms. Frankly, he was leaning toward accepting this offer. But he wasn’t ignorant of the leverage and the opportunity he had, in more ways than material alone.

“If we do this… I need to know exactly what your relationship with Erlebnis is.” He shook his head. “Not just that—all of who you are. I don’t even know your name. I need to know I can trust you absolutely, beyond the dictates of deals of convenience. I need to know you.”

“Even now we speak too long for comfort,” the Alchemist said, his voice harsh and judgmental. “Do you expect me to stand here speaking of my history spanning centuries?”

“You won’t need to say a word, and it won’t take any longer than a few seconds,” Argrave shook his head. “If this is personal, like Anneliese said, then there will be records of yousomewhere here in these Annals,” he waved his hand around. “Use the Lodestar’s ability. Take me to these records. Let me learn.”

The Alchemist’s hand grew in size and clamped down harder upon the spear. He took a few steps forward. “You don’t understand what you ask for. You can’t conceive of it.”

“Awfully high opinion of yourself.” Argrave narrowed his eyes as the looming figure towered above him.

“Just… agree,” the Alchemist insisted. “I act in our best interests. We are bound by your union of the other gods.”

“That’s my condition,” Argrave shrugged. “Take it or leave it.”

The Alchemist lashed out, kicking the railing that Argrave leaned up against. He stepped away in panic, before he realized that no harm was meant—the man was merely venting his frustrations.

“We really don’t have all day,” Melanie reminded them urgently. “Especially not if you’re drawing attention like that.”

“Decide,” Argrave gestured toward him. “I won’t relent.”

“You must swear that you will see this heist through, no matter what you learn,” the Alchemist finally looked over.

Argrave blinked. “We’re trapped together, so why would I—”

it,” the

uncertainly. “Sure.

has,” the Alchemist gestured. “Let

he was certain his brain and soul would be juiced regardless

with you for the duration of this heist. That doesn’t mean I’ll rob Erlebnis’ vault—if I don’t like what I learn, I retain the right to refuse. You may mark me

They gripped his flesh tightly, then tore a strip of skin off like parchment. He wrote something on it, then held it out before Argrave. The writing repeated what he had just said—no matter what Argrave learns, he would work with the Alchemist even still, elsewise the Alchemist may liquify his brain and shatter his

accept?”

Argrave nodded. “Yes.”

felt them touch the back of his neck, and chills ran all down his body. He felt as though his flesh was being massaged, strangely enough, and when

with a measure of smug satisfaction, Anneliese with concern, Orion with unease, and Melanie with what looked to be respect, tempered by a heavy degree

usually was. “Once I use the Lodestar’s ability, we will draw all opponents. And remember well that vow, lest

#####

husk missing its head. All around, wisps of teal energy drifted—remnants from his quick dispatch of all of the emissaries that came to attack. These things were never something that posed a genuine threat to him. All of his rampaging had been for the sole purpose of drawing Argrave out, and doing damage to Erlebnis’ realm

often opportunity in disguise. If one peered closely at a challenge, it might reveal itself as something with a hard shell with valuable innards. And looking upon this bronze golem, he saw the pearl

possess mettle to match. His talk of Gerechtigkeit, of robbing Erlebnis, of allying with the Ebon Cult… there was bite to back that bark. As much was proved by the gaping wound in Mozzahr’s chest, stitched together by his Emptiness and

When was the last time that anyone did that? He saw me not as a

his end. But if Argrave had seen him as glass, Mozzahr had seen him as air. He

unwanted presence here as he was. Mozzahr was brought away and dropped into this land as a loud distraction. In so doing, the king spared his army the wrath of the Ebon Cult

he was more solid than he appeared. But one who stumbles needs not fall so long as they kept their wits about them and strive for balance. Though it was difficult by nature, purchase could be found amidst crisis. And by nature, it was only in crisis

Argrave of Vasquer, his opponent in this battle, had come to this realm for a reason. Knowing that objective would enable Mozzahr to take an advantageous position. Whether high or low, physical or metaphysical, Mozzahr could only find it, seize it, and wring the

stood Mozzahr leisurely walked up to its shoulders. Soon, the golem stood tall once more, its once-red eyes and joints

pried from the hard shell of an oyster, for this knowledge wound benefit the Ebon Cult and its future immeasurably. But regardless

the king’s sake, his temperament had best change as much as

#####

his companions were taken away to a distant part of the Annals,