Jackal Among Snakes

“What reason have I given you to suspect me of attacking people allied to you?” Governor Zen looked at each of them, eyes narrowed.

“None at all. It’s why we have to ask—because we can’t reasonably deduce who you are.” Argrave looked at Zen, stone-faced. “But what we can deduce is that you have sway in the armies here. Elsewise, you’d never have been able to contact us.”

“I don’t see why I’d mitigate that influence by having commanders killed,” Governor Zen shook his head.

“You should stop dodging the question,” Durran chided him. “Straight answers are best.”

“I did answer you. I apologize if I wasn’t clear enough—I’ll endeavor to change that in the future.” Governor Zen dipped his head.

“You knew the name Grand Commandant Sun,” Argrave confronted him. “That’s been shared in a very small circle of people. The commanders are the only ones that can’t be accounted for. You brought your grandson, here, who’s a Gold Scribe at the Grand Imperial Bank—a key person for our plans, if you knew them. That information could only reasonably be gathered from torture of the captured commanders.”

Governor Zen smiled as he drank from his cup, then set it down smiling at Argrave. “Listen… I really like you people. You’re precisely the sort of change the Great Chu needs to see. You have the capacity to enforce; my family has the capacity to allow you a relatively peaceful usurpation. I can tell from our interactions that we would work together incredibly well. We can do this. We can win, together. But we need to discuss how that’s going to look. To begin with, I’d like to suggest this; a marriage between Orion and Ji Li.” He looked at Orion. “You aren’t dissatisfied with my daughter, are you, Prince Orion?”

“I cannot say I’ve given it much tho—”

“Orion,” Argrave cut in, glancing at him. Orion straightened his back, giving a curt and understanding nod. With the diversion ended, Argrave looked back at Zen. “Are you refusing to answer our question?”

“What question?” Zen tilted his head.

Argrave stared at him in silence. Then, he chuckled and took another drink of the clear rice wine Governor Zen had provided. He set it down and dictated, “So, you captured some of the commanders of the Great Chu we were working with and tortured information out of them. I can’t exactly extend them the same umbrella of protection I would to one of our commanders—I barely knew them. But it does cast a certain light on you. Just as this conversation does, it indicates your nature.”

“Torturing commanders…” Governor Zen rubbed the moustache crowning his goatee. “Sounds like something the imperial court would do. Me? All I am is a man that’s had many children and a few successful businesses. Then, I sent these many children and many businesses across the Great Chu, building scale, building prestige, building wealth… point being, I can be a vehicle for complete and total usurpation of the throne.

“You want the Grand Imperial Bank, served on a platter? My grandson can oblige, if he’s taken care of. You want information, even control, on the canals? Together, my two sons manage traffic on the whole east and west of the Great Chu. You want armies? Zen Da has never lost a battle. But better yet, he takes care of his men using my funds, and they all love him for it without question. The imperial harem—my daughter’s been in control of it for decades by this point. And with the Zen family backing you, that control can be gifted to you like a bird in its cage.”

Quietude settled like a heavy smoke in the room. “Orion,” Argrave looked at his brother again. “You were saying earlier?”

Orion came to attention, and started to speak to Governor Zen about his granddaughters. Argrave merely used it as a break from the conversation to speak to Elenore through their connection.

you ever catch him saying ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ I’d be surprised.

he truly believes everything that he’s saying. I’m

as Orion continued to discuss his standards in a romantic partner—something which he’d likely never considered until this moment. “Zen’s family must know where he’s gone. He must’ve taken some measures to prepare in

a quick wit enough that I don’t think we’ll ever get anything out of him with conversation alone. But Anneliese said she has an idea. I suggest we follow her

back, and

idea was once taboo to me. But ever since I was freed of my religion, I suppose it is not so.” His brother’s face contorted in serious consideration, and then brightened as he reached enlightenment. “At the same time, if I were

were wholly serious. The emperor’s daughter remained as

been taken

in the first opportunity, asking, “I am curious to hear why you neglected

looked at her, uncomfortable with this

laughter died. “I’m sure she is a lovely child. I merely assumed that this meeting would

stared

his cup to his lips to stall for an answer, but Argrave seized the bottle and started pouring it into Zen’s

as I am.” Argrave mirrored Anneliese’s faux-confusion as he poured incredibly slowly,

quite terrible, confusing such

stared at Argrave as he poured the

then set the bottle down.

In a monogamous arrangement,” Anneliese pressed—once again, Argrave grew incredibly uncomfortable at

source of information, he thought it was incredibly trustworthy. He’d never considered the notion of a marriage in light of Sophia’s age—not even a betrothal, in fact. “Zen

Bo hasn’t, father,” Zen

the… well, the drainage systems in two major cities,” Governor Zen

large error there. It means he hasn’t factored us into the long-term… which suggests he doesn’t intend for a long-term. I

and all present looked at him. “Let me ask again, governor—you

now that they veered to more comfortable topics. He said quickly, “We might use the emperor for initial momentum. But after we’ve wringed him dry, he should perish unfortunately or fall into the sidelines, having divested the vast majority of his

goals, afterward,” Argrave continued. “Goals regarding the sky tower, the Qircassian Coalition. You

have their grip in this country. I assume that was a

told Elenore through their connection, “Ask Orion