Jackal Among Snakes

“...and that's all I can say about Fellhorn,” Argrave told Elenore, giving advice to Melanie through Elenore as he and Raccomen made to confront Erlebnis. They intended to fight him outside the Palace of Heaven, as it kept him from interfering with the operations within and, if all went well, they might turn the Stormfield against him.

He continued advising, “And the lich, his phylactery... it's hidden within a stuffed animal: a black bear, with big floppy ears. That's all I have, Elenore. No communication henceforth. Need no distractions.”

“Good luck,” his sister told him in parting. Then her voice was no more, and Argrave stood on the empty walls of the Palace of Heaven with Raccomen beside him.

The deity asked, “You’re done?”

“Yeah,” Argrave answered.

“I’ll keep it brief.” Raccomen played with the decadent rings on his fingers. “Erlebnis knows he’s outmatched. He’s given up on winning the fight.”

“You’re sure of this?” Argrave narrowed his eyes.

“He’s using his divinity to empower his attacks. He wants to leave nothing left for his foes. The god I killed for my domain did something similar.” Raccomen stroked his chin. “Eventually, though, our god of knowledge is going to get too weak to resist both of the ancient gods wearing him down. It’s our job to make sure his killer is someone on our side.”

“We all agreed that Law should inherit that power. His domain compels him to be our most steadfast ally,” Argrave pointed out.

“We did agree it would be best for all involved,” Raccomen confirmed. “But we should be happy simply if Sataistador doesn’t claim it.”

“So that’s your angle, volunteering to help me.” Argrave fixed him with the side-eye. “Whatever. If it plays that way, it plays that way. This is a partnership, not a subordinacy. Just don’t end up dead, like Rook.”

“Like Rook?” Raccomen laughed—a new noise from the god of space. “I won’t end up like him at all. The god with mastery over space—it’s a coveted title. It could be said that few other domains are its equal. For that reason, my champion, Melanie, has proven her worth countless time.” He looked at Argrave. “For this reason, the gods of space are often killed by those seeking to claim their domain. I’m the youngest of the gods in the Blackgard Union… yet throughout history, I’m still the oldest god of space. Does that make sense?”

“This is you being brief?” Argrave shook his head. “You’re a tough guy, I get it. What’s your point?”

when I cannot win. Now—let’s wait for our opportunity.” Raccomen put

long and protracted fight. “Why’s it taking so long, anyway? Thought the man had a

#####

all around them on this mountain peak. Law had fallen back temporarily, perhaps grouping up with some reinforcement. “Tell me—did

me, as ever,”

to do to get you to end Argrave?”

a fiery hell in moments as the phases of the Stormfield shifted. Amidst all this,

Erlebnis

despite their tremendous success, I don’t doubt for a second Argrave is willing and able to retreat if things turned that quickly. But let me offer an alternative.” Sataistador raised his hand up. “Surrender, let me gorge myself on your flesh. The king’ll die as a natural

have their own plans. They’ve regrouped. Doubtless Raccomen is lurking, now, ready to step in and bring his friends at a moment’s notice.”

aware that it has been stolen.

go of those a long time ago. Sure

always a mistake.” Erlebnis straightened his back, standing tall. He still looked small before the hulking figure of the god of war. “But there are ways out of this for

mouth shut instead of saying you’d desecrate the king’s wife, there might be some arrangement you could make… but after you talked, Argrave has no reason to trust a deal from you. This ends, Erlebnis, with you dead. The hand has been dealt. All you can do

mouth more… and maybe tell them why

be eight. Weapons lashed out at him in an inferno of fury. Erlebnis called upon his divinity, putting a vast amount of might in repelling the

not. Or better yet, do fret, louse. You think I don’t know you? A vagrant like you only cuts that mop for one

say nothing more. I put a lot of time, a lot of effort, into this. If you don’t waste my effort, you can harass Argrave

burn this scheme of yours to cinders—I’m not above that, not anymore. You deprived me

doesn’t even make sense!” Sataistador shouted in rage. “It’s irrational. If

now. The odds stacked against me. Kirel Qircassia, my ‘ally,’ stays on high, while I scramble in the mud for

paused, then pointed his finger. “You’re going to try something devious, aren’t

“Yes. I want to make Argrave suffer. Death alone isn’t the only way one can go about such a thing. Grief is painful. Despair is painful. I’ve learned a lot

on his waist. “I ought to take my chances, keep fighting you, your blathering