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 Alchemist

uncertainly.

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

hesitated upon hearing that, but the more he thought on it, the more he was certain his brain and soul would

will continue working with you for the duration of this heist. That doesn’t mean I’ll rob Erlebnis’ vault—if I don’t like what I

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

you accept?” the

Argrave nodded. “Yes.”

chills ran all down his body. He felt as though his flesh was being massaged, strangely enough,

with a measure of smug satisfaction, Anneliese with concern, Orion with unease, and Melanie with

usually was. “Once I use

#####

around, wisps of teal energy drifted—remnants from his quick dispatch of all of the emissaries that came to

were different. In this grand sea of life and existence, Mozzahr knew hardship was 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

tall men can 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

me, Mozzahr reflected. When was the last time that anyone did that? He saw

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

was brought away and dropped into this land as a loud distraction. In so doing, the king spared his army

through his foe, and so reeled away upon discovery he was more solid than he appeared. But one who stumbles needs not

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 advantage

the body of the fallen bronze golem, 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 walked forth down the empty streets, and Mozzahr stood steady as it

and destroy it. If he could pull it off, it would truly be a pearl pried from the hard shell of an oyster, for

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

#####

a distant part of the Annals, ferried away by