Jackal Among Snakes

“You’re a rather difficult man to hold something over.” Argrave sat cross-legged before Ji Meng, Anneliese in a similar position just beside him.

“You can certainly hold your victory over my head.”

Ji Meng drank his tea with crushed Ebonice fragments inside of it. He’d been forced to ingest that for a long while. Even once he stopped, it would take a little while before his magic would begin to return. If they kept going, perhaps it might become a permanent thing. Perhaps he’d earn an Ebonice kidney stone. As it stood, all it was doing was preventing his recovery. If they embedded a shard of the stuff in his flesh as they did with Georgina, it would be ineffective—he could cast spells at A rank or higher without trouble. By ingesting, it dissipated any magic he’d gather ambiently.

“You have children—hundreds. I don’t think you especially value any of them, so it would be impossible to guarantee your cooperation that way.” Argrave tapped his fingers against his knee.

“I disagree. I love my family… but regardless, cooperation regarding what?” Ji Meng acted ignorant. He hadn’t been told the full plan outright, but he had been told enough to know what Argrave intended.

“Claiming your throne, and then ruling on your behalf, for a relatively peaceful conquest.”

“I see. That.” Ji Meng ran his fingers along his wispy beard. “I do love my children, despite your claims. Honestly,” he insisted. “But… if you decided to put one of them on the throne, none of the Great Chu would respect them. Some of them take after me—they’re intelligent, resourceful. But reputation is far more important than intelligence for you, as you need to use your puppet emperor to pacify the nation. Intelligence might harm your schemes more than anything.” Ji Meng sipped once more.

“I’m glad you understand. The simple fact is, I can’t gain any substantial ground in the Great Chu without your assistance. You can’t return to the Great Chu without mine.”

Ji Meng set his drink down and stared at Argrave. “So it seems.”

Neither party said anything, thinking and observing without any commitment. Argrave had been through a hellish journey to come here. There were more than a few times he thought he wouldn’t make it. Ji Meng’s journey was no less harsh, and he was Argrave’s senior by a large amount. Argrave had the upper hand currently, but even the smallest of misplays, and the war against the Qircassian Coalition could become one of the bloodiest imaginable.

“Do you have any suggestions?” Anneliese asked boldly.

Ji Meng looked surprised by the question. If it was not a ‘no,’ his answer would reveal a lot. He smiled and said, “Would it be too much to ask for trust?”

Both Argrave and Anneliese nodded.

“Very well. This tea, then.” Ji Meng pushed the cup. “It wouldn’t be especially conspicuous if I kept drinking it. Let that be a show of my surrender.”

Argrave nodded. “That’s certainly a start.”

Ji Meng ran his fingers along the rim of the cup. “My men, my spellcasters… keep them here, in Berendar, in your prisons.”

“It would harm your legitimacy too much if your men did not return with you,” Anneliese shook her head. “We will keep the spellcasters. But your honor guard—those still alive, at the least—will accompany you.”

“Without divine armaments,” Argrave added. “Instead, we’ll give them blades of Vasquer.”

“And how many men would that be?” Ji Meng asked, keeping his tone neutral.

“About thirty survived. Twenty-five aren’t…” Argrave trailed off, hesitant to use the word disabled. “Twenty-five are combat ready.”

halved,” Ji Meng lamented, spinning his cup. “How will you

hand, commander of all your armies and navies. I’m handling your protection, speaking on your behalf, handling the administration… after all, you’ve learned about the dangerous threat of the Qircassian Coalition and have enlisted my aid to put it down. I’m going to try and avoid having

We have a name in my homeland, and I

endearing. He was truly a fantastic leader. That made him all the more dangerous under Argrave’s thumb. This alliance was necessary, but he wasn’t totally certain

we understand each other.” Argrave rose to his feet. “We’ll be

be somewhat overwhelming for someone when they’re first introduced. It was certainly the largest learning curve for me when I became emperor. I can help you out, Grand Commandant Sun. The importance or unimportance of a position, the function of an office, the structure of our military, or the great houses and governors of the provinces… it can be enough to bury

might give good advice. But let’s not forget that’s what happened to you.” He pointed down at him. “You were buried by your own court. I’m the one digging you out, now.

smiled, watching as Argrave

#####

asked Anneliese. They had already returned to Blackgard, where their next task awaited. Their travels would take them back northward sooner rather than later,

will have our hands full,” Anneliese said

another child,” Argrave mused. “The man’s fully grown, and set in his ways. That, at least, means we know what to expect. We just have to watch

on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from

of quiet contemplation she turned her head. “Do you believe adults

contemplate in turn. “They call those changes midlife crises,

Be serious,” Anneliese said, sternly

It looked like a child had made it—and

goddess looked back. “Your

very happy you’re

heard says that you two are kind souls.

we should get

I suppose that’s the best way to go about things.

her last word, but fortunately for everyone Anneliese spoke

a proposal soon to go to the other gods, but not much more beyond that,” Lira said, looking between them. “But I suppose there must

“The fact is,

“I gave her blessings that she doesn’t even use. She has yet to

crossed her arms. “Every time I use your power, it drains my will. Given my position, I have to use my mind for other purposes. It would necessitate a great deal of my mental power to sustain that doorway if Argrave and all his

am listening,” Lira looked at Elenore

Coalition. Having a way to quickly

the kindness of the people I’ve met throughout my life to keep me alive,” Lira said

you if we didn’t believe it wholly necessary. The

in this war, but that can change

you to create a doorway between a great ship called the Sea Dragon,

“As could Raccomen. What do you intend to do with

incredibly difficult to break the coast of southern Great Chu. Once we do, it would be best if we never make the journey again. We’d like to use the Sea

precisely as I told you. The others may be thirsty for gain, but I am not. I hunger for harmony. I hope we can set aside