Jackal Among Snakes

Few things could compare to the beauty of the palace garden around them. The greenhouse in Dirracha that Elenore had been consigned to might’ve been a contender for natural beauty, but these gardens wove architecture and greenery far better. The cherry blossoms contrasted sharply with the marble walkways, yet there were so many other artfully placed plants that Argrave couldn’t recognize in the slightest and they all evoked awe. There were large waterfalls flowing off aqueducts, filling lakes that contained fish that gleamed like jewels and precious metals. There were wooden bridges leading to pavilions in the center of these manmade lakes. These pavilions had floors of glass so that one might see the fish swimming beneath.

“Beneath the whole of this palace, there is an incredibly intricate enchantment. I daresay it’s the most intricate enchantment in the entire world,” Governor Zen explained as they walked through the imperial gardens. “As far as I’m aware, it’s the only enchantment in the world to employ shamanic magic. It’s a closely guarded secret of the Great Chu that’s allowed the imperial court to resist the machinations of deities for countless cycles of judgment.”

Argrave listened quietly with Anneliese and Elenore. “I think you mentioned something about that enchantment array to the emperor.” He looked at the governor. “But I asked you what you wanted.”

The governor declared calmly, “I broke that array.”

Argrave cast a glance at Anneliese, and she nodded in confirmation he wasn’t lying. Argrave said tensely, “You’re the reason the Qircassian Coalition was able to all of this?”

“You sound angry. It helped you, didn’t it?” the governor sounded confused. “Your invasion never could’ve gotten this far without an attempted coup from the divine. Ji Meng would’ve resumed his place as emperor easily, and crushed you. Which even now, he’s trying to do.”

“I can attest to that,” Empress Tai Si nodded, holding her father’s arm. “The army is his crude arm. He’s always had their loyalty. But he also had the loyalty of the administration, by and large… now, that’s broken. Their trust in him is broken.”

“I’m concerned you’re collaborating with Erlebnis,” Argrave continued. “You’re his type. Powerful, influential mage with a vast network of information and finances.”

“Of course I’m not working with him,” the governor sounded offended. Anneliese didn’t indicate that was a lie. “I didn’t know Erlebnis was even involved—I thought this was the Qircassian Coalition alone.”

Anneliese gripped Argrave’s hand lightly—Zen had been truthful of being uninvolved, but lied about being ignorant of Erlebnis. Argrave could guess that—the governor’s source was Sataistador, after all, and Sataistador knew of Erlebnis.

“I meant what I said back in the throne room,” Zen continued. “The Great Chu would keep existing even if this palace was razed. I only set a fire in the palace, watched it burn. It made it easier for me to spread my roots as the divine blinded the emperor.” He gestured. “Come—let me show you the hot springs.”

Argrave and followed the governor across a bridge, passing by a group of eunuchs in silence.

“You made the empire lesser, breaking that array,” Elenore criticized.

The governor shook his head with a faint smile playing about his lips. “I can recreate it. Me, and only me.”

Argrave hoped Anneliese would spot some deception. She didn’t, however.

head. “Why

once knew,” Governor Zen nodded, stopping in front of a cavern that exuded steam. “But violent coups over the centuries killed off the original bloodline, until eventually that knowledge died out. I

how did you discover that?” Argrave pressed

could create such arrays anywhere. This palace. Your capital of Blackgard. Within these arrays, everything —ranging from divine blessings, to the gods themselves—would cease to function properly. I say this to demonstrate my value before we talk about what I want. More than all I already have, I could give you one of the keys that allowed the Great Chu

had gone through great lengths to place himself in a position where he was too useful to be disregarded. Between his political clout

disrupt the power of the gods? It cut away innumerable undesirable influences, and could ensure the safety of numerous places for millennia…

since Sataistador was looming behind Governor Zen, it also spoke of darker things. Perhaps the gods of the

what’s your real price? The one you’ve been teasing since the very beginning,” Elenore

further marriage ties. Insurance, you see. But the big one… it’s humbler than you might expect.” Zen looked into the cave roiling with steam, then walked inside. “The Great Chu has come so far because of meritocracy. Every administrator must pass a civil service exam, for example. Every general has to meet a certain standard of prowess, and they must know how to read and write.

this story on Amazon, report

being?” Anneliese

breath of the hot steam in the cave, then gestured toward crystal blue pools. “Shall we take

just hear

monarch. It no longer needs aristocracy of any kind. Both institutions, even though greatly diminished from their

many answers from the governor. This was not one of

us, Zen?” Anneliese asked, genuinely surprised. Argrave suspected

you gain the title of emperor. But it would not at all be like it was, where the imperial decree is law.

be popular in one, but wholly repulsive in another.

“Why go through such lengths to seal an alliance

to betray those who become family, even if only through marriage. It’s a simple strategy, but it’s proven to work.” Zen shrugged. “You know I have a source that delivers me information on your people. I haven’t been unsubtle about that fact. They’ve told me of your exploits; the parliament you’ve built, the methods you’ve employed, like with the dwarves or the elves of

our nations when this test from the heavens is over.” Zen shook his head. “But I will not give you our great country in anything other than name. You lack the men and

then asked the obvious question. “Why not be honest from

your character, nor your aims. I thought you were a conqueror. Bluntly put, you would be forced to rely on

felt doubt fester—was Zen’s source Sataistador,

crossed her arms. “You’d give up the opportunity to have an emperor in

But my family has ascended because we stress merit, hard work, and the benefit of intertwined connections with other meritorious people. Like your family, Argrave. Despite how my kin may ebb in power in the long-term, I fully believe it will be better for this nation

seconds was the sound of