Jackal Among Snakes

After Dario seemed to vanish, Argrave looked to the Alchemist, hoping the man might have some insight on what had just happened. It seemed that Dario had overpowered the terrifying being, but Argrave needed explanation.

“He used something warped to disrupt my magic. Not just my magic—the ability that Hause bestowed upon me, all those years ago.” The Alchemist held his hand up and clenched it. “I observed him with [Minor Truesight]. The power within him is beyond its scope. Would that Anneliese were here, she might look upon him with the more thorough eyes bestowed by Yinther.”

“Do you think Gerechtigkeit is making his move?” Argrave looked up at him, despite the watching crowd. “Is Dario… someone deluded by him? Tricked?”

The Alchemist retrieved the vial of Gerechtigkeit’s essence extracted from Felipe’s corpse. “This did not react—neither upon seeing him, nor when he called upon whatever power he did. But he is beset by a foreign power, this much I can say for certain.” He looked back to the spot Dario had been standing. “It’s tearing him apart, whatever it is. He’s dying.”

“He started bleeding after he swiped at you,” Melanie reminded them. “Seems like he thinks what he’s doing is worth dying for. Also says a little about who might be standing behind him, if they’re fine allowing their power to whittle him down to dust.”

“I’ll admit…” the Alchemist looked to the senate hall. “I don’t think I can catch him. If he uses that power, I’m powerless before it.” He looked to Melanie. “Your mastery over space might falter, too. And our magic would have no effect. With that strange augmentation on his arms and legs, he would be faster and stronger than all of us. And the more he uses that power, the more he dies—we’d likely be left with a corpse at the end of it all.”

“But it seems he’s going to get in our way.” Argrave grabbed at his chin, frustrated. “He said that he has no wish to fight. There’s a big ‘yet’ that he left unspoken, I think. And I don’t want to fight him.”

Melanie nodded. “The tenor of that conversation was a bit odd. Seemed sympathetic, almost.”

“I’d agree. That’s what’s so damn bothersome about this whole thing.” He shook his head. “We don’t have much time until the senate meeting. Let’s not be late—won’t set a good precedent.”

#####

Anneliese watched as Veidimen longships glided atop the surface of the rippling waters of the eastern ocean. Slowly, they took their place at the docks to Blackgard. As they settled, there was a little unease in the dockworkers. They had grown used to Veidimen traders, yet now, true warships took their place in the city. Still, they were here as allies, not as enemies. And perhaps to prove this, Patriarch Dras was the first to step off the ships. He was followed by several hulking guards, wearing thoroughly enchanted armor. They’d wasted no time in integrating that magic into their people, it seemed.

Anneliese walked out to meet him. “Some years ago, the only reason you would have stepped off a longship to these shores was because you were their conqueror.”

perhaps, in a more foolish, more senseless time.”

“I thank you for coming. We

You seemed to employ shamanic magic to

as guests, for now. But you’ve come at an opportune time. Elenore has received word

Dras looked surprised. “By

of the guards reacted—who would dare protest at the patriarch’s adopted daughter touching him? But then they vanished, ferried away

She and the patriarch appeared just beside Onychinusa, who sat on a seaside

at the water below. “Where is this? Not Veiden, certainly,

edge of all Berendar. This place is cliffside rock and desolate wintry steppes. Nothing grows here, really, and we have no way of defending it adequately. The nearest settlement is many miles away—few people live here.” Anneliese walked to the edge, where the ocean raged against the rocks. “And this place’s lack of settlement

They’ve a sail, and oars… but

the front, but otherwise, the whole ship is armored and enclosed. A god aids them,

float. These are our

lesser deities.” Anneliese crossed her arms and looked at Dras. “This is where we’d like to build your fortress. If you look back, there’s a long ravine—it’s a safe, sheltered pathway we

Dras’ mind already seemed to be planning his battles. “But these are men, yes? No different from those of

safe harbor. And when they encounter opposition, their Imperial Navy

like the shores of Veiden. Icy. Treacherous. Tremendous glaciers lie just beneath the surface of the water, threatening to gut ships that lack vision.” Dras traced the distant raging waters

you cooperate so readily. But a part of me wonders if I have been missing something about the why of it,” Anneliese asked, diving

we were wrong. It was not glory, but rather what is best for our people. This is what she wished.” Dras looked at her firmly. “So, I’ve set aside glory. And I do what is best for all

Anneliese couldn’t keep some

Blackgard. Looking at a map is dull work, but it’ll help coordinate our movement. Even if the agreement to integrate Veiden into your parliament is not made now, we can get to

#####

effects in the days that followed. In his haze, Dario had merely presented the method and recipe to forge dwarven metal to the

was best served leaving Mundi altogether. Argrave had proven himself a very persuasive person, and given the time, he would allow more to come into this place—likely Anneliese, with both the empathy bestowed by her heritage and the Truesight vested in her by Yinther, god of curiosity. He could not afford to fall under her scrutiny. It was time to leave. The dwarves