Jackal Among Snakes

Though Argrave had consulted her for advice occasionally throughout this ill-advised trial, after a time, he went deafeningly silent. Elenore contacted him through their connection time and time again without receiving a reply, and her head worked quickly. Was Argrave sulking, despairing? But then, it wasn’t like him not to reply.

When he suddenly returned to them in Blackgard, not saying anything at all, she grew worried. He walked past everyone and entered her office, then walked over near her desk.

“Is it bad, Argrave?” she questioned, standing just behind him. “Just tell me. Tell me how it’s gone.”

Argrave didn’t say anything more. In frustration, she grabbed his arm and pulled, only to catch a faint smile on his face. He turned to look at her.

“Raccomen tried to squeeze more land out of me, but I called his bluff and talked him down to claiming a desert in the Great Chu. Rook just wanted more material wealth—couldn’t talk him out of it, unfortunately, so we’ll have to oblige him once the invasion’s done. Almazora, Veid, and Lira came along without strings attached. Law wanted me to make his faith that of the state, and I obliged, but the way it’s set up, it’s really just a ceremonial title; we’ll tolerate other faiths.

As for the bad… Stout Heart Swan and Yinther won’t be coming. Our huntress just kept the status quo, and Yinther claims to be ill-suited for combat roles. In summary, six winners, two losers. They intend on dividing the spirits gained from this invasion amongst themselves.” He took a deep, proud breath with a smile on his face. “We’d best be preparing for the voyage. You have to receive Lira. She’s going to modify the Sea Dragon to our specifications.”

Elenore felt tension drain from her body. She wanted to hit him for playing around with her this way, but she was too happy to be free of this burden to manifest it as rage. “What exactly happened?”

“I killed it, that’s what. We made a binding agreement in the White Planes to cooperate against the Qircassian Coalition and Erlebnis in a joint invasion. The only other caveat—all of us have to communicate with the others whenever something with Sataistador occurs. It’s for safety.”

“That’s it?” Elenore narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“It’s a pretty good day to be us,” Argrave chuckled, patting Elenore on the shoulder as he walked by. He turned on his heel and walk backwards as he called out joyfully, “Let’s get to work. Now that Lira’s cooperating, I had an idea. Why don’t we make the Sea Dragon into our base of operations? It’s a little unconventional as a home, but I think Sophia would enjoy it. It’s certainly got enough room to be a palace. Might need a little redecorating, a little childproofing… but what do you think?” Argrave stopped at the doorway. “A new palace, prebuilt.”

Elenore could only nod, a little numb and dumb by his enthusiasm. He pointed at her and walked out the door happily. Hearing the results, she’d never been gladder for her advice to be ignored.

#####

Dario’s ballistae one after another until they ran out of space. Lira worked her powers on the Sea Dragon, creating a portal between the gargantuan flagship and a separate location outside the mountains of Blackgard—Argrave didn’t dare have the exit inside the city, in case the worst

coupled with support from a hefty magic squad, he thought his troops every bit the equal of the Great Chu’s basic infantry. But it was the battle among the

know the fleet. Eight hundred longships, Dras claimed, each of which could carry fifty warriors. Veiden had twenty-two S-rank spellcasters of varying quality—some had been born the past year or so. With Veid watching over them, they would be indefatigable, and with Galamon commanding them, they’d be able to amply use that

the fields imbued with a fruit from the elven realms made them

taken

Dras. “But the others ships… we can’t reasonably distribute supplies from the Sea Dragon and keep a timely schedule. Separate ships will need to bring enough supplies to last the whole journey. Conservatively, I expect us to need a

as he thought, then said, “Nothing

now we’ve spent long enough in

for when things get desperate. Despite undead and lesser deities roaming the countryside, we managed to improve our crop harvest. Your diet might be plain,

staring at her. “That was all you,

that it happened,” Elenore dismissed

not forget to bring fruit.” Argrave held up his apple. “The freshwater situation is dealt

them. “All

the mostly-finished apple down and crossed his arms. “You mean

Dras

the noble conqueror that created a great empire from which Anneliese and I reaped

brows. “Of all things, I didn’t

go off

your reasoning, and I intend to be as good