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—”

the

swallowed uncertainly.

as Durran has,” the Alchemist gestured. “Let me

the more he thought on it, the more he was certain his brain and soul

mean I’ll rob Erlebnis’ vault—if I don’t like what

from his chest. His armor of bone parted for his fingers as they grabbed at his skin. 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

you 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

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

his voice quiet and subdued far more than it usually was. “Once I use the Lodestar’s ability, we will draw all opponents. And remember well that vow, lest you kill

#####

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

If one peered closely at a challenge, it might reveal itself

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

through me, Mozzahr reflected. When was the last time that anyone did that? He saw me not as a nemesis nor

he came to realize that the same was true from his end. But if Argrave had seen him as glass, Mozzahr had seen him

his mutant subordinate were just as much an 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 at the height of its power and wrought a plague upon Erlebnis. He

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

advantageous position. Whether high or low, physical or metaphysical, Mozzahr could only find it, seize it, and wring the advantage out of it. And when Argrave came to

working his power through its body to probe its construction. In time, its lifeless limbs began to move, and as it stood Mozzahr leisurely walked up to its shoulders. Soon, the golem stood tall once more, its once-red eyes and joints now glowing with teal. It

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

temperament had best change as much as

#####

marked by the Alchemist, Argrave and his companions were taken away to a distant part