Jackal Among Snakes

“To begin, we would obviously make whatever concessions necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of your artificers,” Argrave assured Therapont. “If they want no one on the site, they’ll get no one on the site. If they want to keep the land after the pump station is built, they can keep it.”

Therapont crossed his arms. “My opposition thus far was predicated on the idea that you already would institute these things.”

Argrave swallowed and smiled. “Then your predication was correct. I’m going to be blunt with you, Therapont. Both our nations have some degree of leverage over the other.” He leaned forth on the chair. “I very desperately need to have this pumping station built. If I don’t, ash will blot out the suns, famine will wreak the land, and we’ll endure the harshest winter imaginable. But you need spirits for dwarven metal—spirits that we have in abundance.”

“Yet you aren’t our only avenue to reach the surface.” Therapont uncrossed his arms, then jumped up to sit on the front of his desk.

“Yet our established relationship will make us the only easy access to spirits.” Anneliese held out her hand calmly. “We intimately understand your needs. Elsewhere, different nations will be dealing with tremendous turmoil as the cycle of judgment comes to a head. Even supposing they have our capability, will they maintain the same level of cooperation? And even if they would cooperate, what will they expect in return? Something equally as grand, no doubt.”

Therapont ran his hand across his beard. “If you know of this eruption, there are other ways to prevent it. You could rummage together any number of patchwork solutions. You have an abundance of magic-wielders and laborers at your disposal, and seem to have talent enough to muster an unorthodox method. Yet you insist on employing secret dwarven technology.” He looked between the two of them. “Can you see why this draws my concern? It seems unnecessary for you to surrender your leverage for this project before you attempt to solve it yourself. That is why I sense something remains unsaid.”

That Therapont was sharp enough to grasp this fact unsettled Argrave. He was hesitant to bring up their true goal—ending the cycle of judgment permanently. He thought they would think him a lunatic. It was an insane proposition as a mortal to step forth and declare that he would be the one to do what no one else had.

But then… he had connections, didn’t he?

asking as the King of Vasquer. I’m asking as a member of the Blackgard Union, a coalition of divine and mortal forces,” he said. “To tell you honestly, we believe that Gerechtigkeit has something stored down in

what Gerechtigkeit is, what he does, manifests solely as destruction and death. You would ask my people to aid in you finding such a thing? Do

authority as a member of the Blackgard Union and requested the deities vouch for his plan, he would need to involve the gods in their quest to end the cycle of judgment. That harkened back to what Dario said. Dario wasn’t solely worried about Argrave finding the truth about Gerechtigkeit—he was worried about those

their godly allies. “And we believe we can find it down there. Ending all of this—the tyranny of the divine every millennium, the wide-spread destruction—is that not something worth fighting for? Does that not open your people to move beyond

Therapont shook his head.

shook her head. “I could take you through all of what we have learned. Every step taken, every

of the argument have merit and strong, logical points supporting them. I know Argrave has a sharp mind, and given the deference he shows to your opinion, miss Anneliese, there must be something of that edge in you.” He stopping sitting on the desk, and walked behind it once more until he sat at his chair. “There is

chair as though relaxing. “I do find that people tend to become more risk-averse as they get older. I’m almost a little

after me. Should you turn on us, seize our technology, enslave our artificers, that would have disastrous consequences for future generations, not me. At

desk. “But right now, you have overqualified journeymen squatting in an abandoned district because they want change, Therapont. The younger generation is not happy with the current state of

raised his hand, looking miffed. “Don’t act as though you have a grasp over dwarven politics after a day or

indicating that he should continue, and Argrave focused back on Therapont. “But you know I’m right, don’t you? People have been maintaining Alexander’s status quo for many millennia, Therapont. They’ve abided by his words like he was a deity, even as time

journeymen, they’d be less valuable were they

guarantee the dwarves will be willing.” Argrave tapped the desk. “You have thousands of professionals held back by the old system of guilds. Do you think that, if I explained things clearly, offered to pay and support them, we wouldn’t have people lining up to help us? Don’t you

as well as we senators do,” Therapont dismissed with a shake of

even now, you have people choosing to live outside it, despite the risks, because they hope for change.” Argrave tapped his chest. “Do you think I can’t recognize a desire for change when I see it, being who I am, having done what I’ve done? It’s