Jackal Among Snakes

Though most places in the Great Chu remained under the control of the enemy, there was one place that Vasquer could claim complete dominance over—the ocean. They had utterly vanquished the Imperial Navy of the Great Chu, partially repurposed it, and brought with them the naval might of the Veidimen in their struggle. On the divine side of things, Kirel Qircassia was only god of land and sky. At sea, he was weakened beyond compare.

After some further coordination with Governor Zen, they agreed to meet far out at sea during the night aboard a gigantic pleasure barge that’d been appropriated from a coastal settlement near their landing area. It had picked up Governor Zen and his small entourage of children and guards, and now sailed deep out into the ocean where Argrave and his family waited.

“The goals of this meeting are manifold,” Elenore told Argrave as they watched the horizon where the barge was liable to appear. Their own ship—a simple Veidimen longship, brought out to avoid attention. “Anneliese needs to study him with her [Truesight] to see if he’s made a pact with any gods. If he has, we break immediately. Furthermore, we need to find out how Governor Zen learned so much about Vasquer. It irks me that he seems to know as much as us as we do of him. As far as I’m concerned, if we can’t find out that information, we should kill him.”

“Need we thirst for blood so much?” Orion, sitting across from them on another of the ship’s benches, clasped his hands together. “He brings his family. We bring ours. That says much of a man’s intent.”

“No, I’m concerned just as much,” Patriarch Dras shook his head. “He knew me by name. Most in Vasquer are aware of the alliance between our peoples, but not so much the personages leading Veiden. That implies a deep infiltration of our higher power. We’ll come to know, or we’ll come to kill. There can be no middle-ground.”

Argrave looked at everyone. “We’ve experienced nothing but setbacks infiltrating their nation. Governor Zen has proved his capability. Now, we have the opportunity to gauge his malleability. He could prove to be another ally, or another like Ji Meng—a double-edged sword. Making him an enemy or a corpse should be a last resort, not the first or second.”

“I concur.” Anneliese stared down at her staff, placed atop her lap, as the longship gently rocked in the serene darkness.

“Chances are, his family won’t be half as good as ours,” Durran noted, lying down on the ship. Apparently, he felt ill. Indeed—a wyvern rider grew ill on a boat. The Sea Dragon had been an exception, for magic stabilized its surface, but now he was subject to the whims of the tides.

“We’ll know, soon. The barge approaches.” Orion peered out into the silent and dark ocean.

Everyone peered at the water. Given time, Argrave saw the square barge cut silently across the ocean, still and solid. Like the Sea Dragon, it had magic to stabilize its voyage—it was a high-class vessel meant for the Great Chu high society.

“Melanie’s looking after Sophia?” Argrave asked Elenore.

other time you asked,”

his new arrival. One thing was certain—they wouldn’t be leaving this ship

gargantuan barge finally made its way by their ship, its huge bulk sending thick waves that made the waters harsher. Argrave’s Veidimen guards aboard lowered a ramp down to the longship, and Orion dutifully tied it to the ship until it was secure.

were his grandchildren. Only the guards were dressed for war, but the five grandchildren were amply capable of it all the same. They waited, now, in a room at the heart of the barge. Without delay, Argrave and his party made their way to that room. Casting one glance out at the endless black ocean,

his grandchildren sat at a low-lying round table atop satin pillows, wide-brimmed cups set out before them yet not filled with drink. Governor Zen was an S-ranked spellcaster. Both of his grandsons were between A and B-rank by quantity. Grimalt claimed they had several divine weapons on their person, and they’d not been confiscated. His

brilliant reds studded with gold along the sleeves, the collars, and had necklaces and rings bedecked

but had a glamour equal to any witch of lore. Their faces were an impeccably smooth pale peach, their lips were a lovely bright red, and their cheeks had ample blush. Their eyes had black liner with faint red shadows, and their eyebrows had elaborate drawings that seemed to blend naturally into the brow—one a bird, another a dragon, and the third a blossoming tree. Their long and silky

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affected all the same. The Great Chu was infinitely more developed than Vasquer, and as such, its elite society was developed far beyond what existed in Vasquer. The trappings of that high society pervaded what they wore—he suspected there was as much weight in makeup as there was gold on their heads—but Argrave had seen its like before back in Earth. Rather than stunned by their beauty or their wealth, Argrave was more simply stunned they’d go to this much effort even in a meeting miles

gold ornaments on their hair jingling. Notably, they all used his title; King Argrave. Even

to wait some time. I’m glad to know that you don’t perform cheap

that Anneliese was sitting at the head of the

results of our last conversation, or shall I set the stage before introductions are in order?” Governor

of the

filled them for all including his own people. “You’re all rather stone-faced. Don’t worry—I just do my research, know who I’m speaking to before I play the game. I know that Lira is part of your Blackgard Union, and I know what her blessings are.

speak to gods, what?” Durran asked, then picked up a cup and drank. Argrave thought he was bold for drinking, but he supposed Grimalt would’ve

are many ways to learn, King Durran. So many ways…” Governor Zen put the bottle down, then drank himself. He cast a glance at one of his grandchildren. It seemed to be a

Ming, Gold Scribe for the Grand Imperial Bank,” one of the sons introduced formally. “I handle

Da, grandfather’s belt ornament,” said