Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave and Anneliese stood together flanked by many Veidimen guards. At Argrave’s feet was the broken god of storms, while Ji Meng waited cross-legged in the snowy coast with his hands bound behind his back. Despite the frigid air, he didn’t shiver a bit. And ahead of them, gods walked Vasquer as allies, for perhaps the first time in its history.

“Who are these people?” Ji Meng looked back and up at Argrave.

Argrave stayed silent for a moment as he looked at all who came, and then decided to answer. “The pale-skinned woman in the purple robe with the weird hair that looks like a night sky is Almazora, goddess of magic. The blonde boy walking with her is Yinther, god of exploration, discovery, and curiosity. The man in the luxurious burgundy outfit is Raccomen, god of space. The buff lady with the wolfskin and the body paint is Stout Heart Swan—a hunter, as you might’ve guessed.”

“Hmm.” Ji Meng nodded, his cold eyes watching them dispassionately. “And the one in black?”

Argrave was puzzled for a moment, but Anneliese answered. “That’s Rook, god of deception.”

Argrave only realized after she spoke that Rook was hiding in their number. He blended in far too well.

“And enshrouding them all is Law,” Anneliese finished. Argrave looked at her, confused, and she asked him, “Do you not see him?”

Argrave looked back at the scene of them walking through the snow-ravaged valleys. It was vague… imperceptible, almost, but there seemed to be an aura of gold enshrouding them all. As they drew closer, Argrave felt something tugging at the blessings within him. They were strengthened, magnified. It was quite the empowering feeling.

Argrave rubbed at his chest to dispel the feeling, but his hands met only the ornate breastplate he wore beneath his coat. “The only absentees are Lira and Veid. But Lira’s power isn’t well-suited for combat, and I suspect Veid will be coming along shortly.”

“These are gods?” Ji Meng narrowed his eyes as he watched. “The gods we know are grander, larger. They dominate the battlefield with their sheer size.”

“And these can, too. But just as they can stand above us, so can they walk among us.” Argrave looked down at him. “Perhaps there’s a lesson there. A lesson being taught at your imperial court.”

Their group went silent as the guards came before them. Argrave could hear the noise of the Veidimen entourage behind stiffening, every instinct they had screaming at them that these new arrivals were dangerous people. But Argrave walked forward, falling into Law’s presence. The god Law, like Erlebnis, was formless. His formlessness was somewhat more mystical than the monstrous liquid metal that Argrave had encountered. Regardless, Law, Erlebnis, and Qircassia were ancient gods. Sataistador fit the category too, but his lack of a true divine realm and mortal servants often excluded him from the title.

“I’m glad that all of you were able to come on such short notice,” Argrave held his arms out as he walked up, then bent down to grab the god of storms that the Qircassian Coalition had sent. He dragged the broken man along by one arm, then laid him before his fellow coalitionists. “By luck, we noticed their scouting attempts, and with adequate preparation we were able to beat back the first wave the Qircassian Coalition sent. We thought it was an invasion by the Great Chu alone at first, but… this bastard here should tell you all you need to know.”

It looked Celtic, but the explorer god seemed to recognize it. “Ah. This is Tyx, god of storms.

other two are dead,” Argrave

know that they certainly serve the coalition. How did you manage to

his hands on his hips, and then looked at the huntress Stout Heart Swan. He further misdirected, adding, “Your champion, Durran, was instrumental in this battle, you know. He’s been hunting gods for a while, and it

Swan seemed the strong and silent type, but she did

the first time sticking out of the crowd. The remainder studied the site of the battle with curiosity as Rook prodded the broken god of storms with his black boot. “Some allies, capturing him alive like this. Must

minor deception, and the situation might spiral out of control. “Like I said, we got lucky.” He looked back at Ji Meng. “Doubly so because we’ve caught the Emperor of the Great Chu. And he seems utterly ignorant that the

with gold jewelry, and he carried a peculiar silver walking stick. He studied Ji Meng closely. “The Great Chu have refused my

rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the

he looked into the god’s eyes. There was something in there, and

these sorts of interrogations, but sometimes they’re… needed. I didn’t manage to get much before he became like this, but I got enough. The reason that the Qircassian Coalition was able to pierce the Great Chu was because they’ve allied with

and now that their bid for a foothold failed, they’ll come in force. I have to do everything I can to prepare my armies and my

all around them in a perfect circle. He smiled as recognition dawned. Metal hands pushed through the small slits, widening them before jumping out. Eight armored knights—featureless, expressionless, and with resplendent white-gold armor, took their gigantic

all were easily equal to the Shadowlander that Argrave had fought in the heart of Dirracha so long ago… and it served as Law’s answer to his question. He would fight.

let down our budding faithful. Let us demonstrate their reverence is not misplaced… and next century, let us

wandered elsewhere,

they will pray your names, I suspect.” Argrave bowed his

#####

under the scrutiny of all the Veidimen and the gods. Many matters remained unfinished there, but these battles against the Qircassian Coalition were not to be a brief thing. Ji Meng’s fate could not be worked out until the gods had been routed. He did genuinely need to mobilize his army to prepare

perhaps it was steam—rising high up into the air as a marker of what was being done. And not only that, he saw their work. Lava poured out from thick pipes in gooey, honey-like flows of red-hot molten rock. Deeper down, he saw

hot…” Anneliese complained, in a

her shoulder,

“Tomorrow.”

quickly, where the Alchemist stood above them. He watched the lava flow almost hungrily, a great mouth wide open on his chest to speak to them. Argrave stared