Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave’s feet felt light, but his steps were still a little metaphorically heavy. Looking down at himself, he could tell his body and armor still bore the remnants of battle. Still, it felt a little wrong returning to people who’d been fighting for him while he was away in some mystical god’s realm. The cramped areas of the underground felt a little less confining than Erlebnis’ vault, but the walls might as well have been bearing down on him.

Argrave passed out from beneath the pathway. The dark sight was strangely comforting—when last they’d been here, Mozzahr’s Emptiness marred the open cavern like a declaration of his power. That it was absent now was like a token for their victory. Argrave stared into the abyssal darkness beyond for half a moment, and then continued onward to where his troops awaited.

The fortress was in far worse shape than it had been. There were large piles of cracked stone scattered over the previously immaculate courtyard, and Argrave saw tents where immobile people wrapped in blankets and bandages waited. Some he could tell were dead—it was strange, but there was something different about a body when it was dead, something beyond common perception. It was as though they lacked presence. Beyond the victims of this battle, everyone was tense and watchful, packed densely beneath cover while mages stood boldly.

Durran and Melanie emerged from the darkness, rejoining Argrave. Soon, their arrival drew the attention of the waiting soldiers, and rumors spread through the fort. Argrave expected it to be with a somber note; ‘the bastard king dares show his face here?’ That sort of thing. Instead… they started getting riled up. Not from anger—from excitement. And before long, cheers rang out, accompanied by jeers. Not jeers at him, rather, his troops taunted the enemy.

Argrave cast a puzzled glance back at Anneliese and Orion. The golden-armored knight, now largely recovered, gave Argrave a supporting nod, and then Anneliese led him along that they might stand upon the ramparts of the fortress and display themselves boldly before the enemy. There, Castro and Onychinusa stood, vigilant defenders against magical assault.

“Took you long enough,” Onychinusa looked at Argrave tiredly.

Castro’s eyes did not waver from the scene ahead as he said, “I think you’d best negotiate an armistice, Your Majesty. Your knight-commander, Galamon, sallied with a detachment to deal with a particularly ornery group. It went well, but even still… best end it now.”

Argrave nodded at the Tower Master’s words. “You did well.” Argrave looked back and shouted, “All of you did well. And I won’t forget this.”

Argrave stepped up to the fortress parapets, looking upon the abandoned dwarven city shrouded in darkness.

Argrave held out his hand, casting a spell that conjured forth a huge ball of light. It illuminated the city ahead, yet shone on Argrave strongest of all. “Your mortal leader is defeated,” he shouted, words coming to him quickly. “The man you thought a god was a mortal just as me. And where he faltered, I did not. Put down your arms, men and women of the Ebon Cult. Send your spellcasters forth, their hands bound. I am not without mercy, and your story needs not end here, miles underground. If you cooperate, you may see the surface. I urge you, surrender. Live to see sunlight, and your future.”

As Argrave looked out, people walked into view. These men and women… they’d been bold and strong, surrounding him in the heart of this city. Yet now they were defeated. The first of their weapons clattered to the ground as they accepted their fate.

#####

Argrave looked at Galamon as he entered into a humble room carved out of this fortress centuries ago. It was little more than a cot for soldiers, but it would suffice for this meeting. He’d talked to some of the soldiers, and they’d said how boldly Galamon had defended this place. Sallying from a siege was generally only done when there was no option, or when it was a very good option. He’d gone into the heart of danger, utterly dismantling the Ebon Cult’s primary attackers and looked no worse for wear.

“Your Majesty,” the elven commander greeted. “You’ve won.”

“Thanks to you, largely,” Argrave nodded. “Everyone is singing your praises.”

“No. The men know what you did,” Galamon shook his head. “This cult… they were monstrous fighters. The majority of our casualties occurred in the first half of the battle. But their power drained as that teal energy left their bodies.”

Argrave raised his brows in surprise. He supposed that explained the positivity. “And… how many died?”

Galamon removed his helmet, then set it aside. His white eyes were tired. “Too early. Need to count. One thousand, at the very least.”

Argrave sighed in dismay, closing his eyes and shaking his head. One thousand families that lost a member, all because he could not persuade Mozzahr with words alone, and instead dragged him away into Erlebnis’ realm by force.

“This is an exceptional victory, Your Majesty. Our forces were of equal strength, and we won without massive damage,” Galamon argued, his deep voice trying its best to be consoling.

and when Argrave looked

up slowly. He didn’t want to insult Galamon—from what little Argrave knew of battle, it was an exceptional victory. Their opponent had shamanic magic, and yet

back. Anneliese and Onychinusa entered, bringing someone along with them. She was a white-haired elven woman, wearing purple and bound in chains. She was most similar in appearance to Onychinusa, though her shorter ears and paler skin

then hissed in pain. Argrave looked at Onychinusa, who’d

said in loud

were we, at one point,” Anneliese said tactfully. “She

defensively, and then stepped

some show of your mercy, feigning kindness

pulled a chair up and sat, then looked down at her. “I’d want a larger audience. Everyone here already likes me.” He

staring down at the ground. “But it doesn’t matter. There is only one person whom he would never reclaim his Emptiness from. And that is me.” She

bash his head against the wall a few times, and I’d say I definitely came out a winner. But you’re right, he’s alive. He’s like a damned cockroach.” Argrave nodded. “I dropped the closest thing to a nuke that I could, but

off to the side. Anneliese looked at Argrave intently, and when he raised his brows, she

something, don’t

Mial shook

you do,”

power has stopped

flitted between them. “Is she

know that?” Mial

nodded. “I think it’s safe

old-fashioned way—namely, the same way Erlebnis enters the mortal realm. He’d emerge where Erlebnis is descending.

you brought me here for?” Mial’s eyes darted between

“Most interrogations are unilateral, right? Well, I won’t torture you for

“No,” Mial refused. “Never.”

many other prisoners,” Argrave pointed out. “All I want to

focused on

“Only that,” Argrave nodded.

that,” Mial shook her head and looked at the ground, defeated. “What’s going to happen

manages a return, I can’t have his faithful, like you, talking him up. The rest… I’ll split them up, relocate them. Might be hard, but I can’t afford to keep a dangerous element combined as one unit. I’m friends with some real gods. I’m thinking… they might find their first converts in the Ebon Cult.

become one. I know, in

stood, pushing the chair away. “That’s the thing. It

#####

more buildings with varying purposes. He was happy to see more elves among their number, both from Veiden and the Bloodwoods—many were here as traders,

group of warriors waited, standing in a roof circle. At Argrave’s approach they rose, regarding him cautiously. These

speak to Hause,” Argrave

giving a whistle. Some of

said, tense as though they