Jackal Among Snakes

Though the siege against Kirel Qircassia persisted above the skies in the Great Chu, Argrave was infinitely more engaged with the changes that had taken place within himself. He and his family returned to Blackgard, and thereafter to the mountains, enduring Raven’s constant scrutiny. Along the way, he explained to his companions what he believed he had experienced. But rather unexpectedly, he received contact from the source of all of this the moment his foot stepped back on Berendar soil.

“You work quickly. I thought we would again speak long after Vasquer had remembered that which she has forgotten,” Lindon observed, his voice bringing pause to Argrave’s step. “You walk a route that few before you have travelled. Only the dead, by this point.”

Argrave looked around, only to see that none of his people were moving. Another trick of the mind brought about by Lindon, but seeing it still made nervousness flourish in Argrave’s chest.

“Seems like the first order of business I have is shutting you out, somehow.” Argrave looked around, trying to sound disaffected despite the futility of deceiving the deity. “I was in the middle of something, Lindon.”

“That’s the second order of business. I’m sparing you the time you’re about to spend,” Lindon countered.

“You could’ve spared me the time a long time ago.”

“No. The terms of the treaty I forged were clear. I am disallowed to reach out to people unless they seek me out first, under extraordinary circumstances. In return, I am entitled to be able to perform some protective mental measures, such as obfuscation of my presence or that of the Gilderwatchers. I never expected to be able reach out to someone. The dictates of the treaty are so strict it was a wonder you met them at all. But circumstances are extraordinary, and you did seek me out. Dumb luck? Some grand plan? Shrewd planning in the negotiation, millennia ago? It hardly matters.”

Argrave poked Anneliese in the forehead to be sure she was still, then said idly, “By extraordinary circumstances, you’re talking about the changes to Gerechtigkeit.”

“I’m talking about Traugott, actually.” Lindon manifested before Argrave’s eyes—now a small serpent, comparatively, about twenty feet long.

“Him?” Argrave raised his brows. “We learned a little of where he’s been when we were travelling through the Tree of Being. What did we miss?”

“The glaring red flag. The Shadowlands,” Lindon explained, coiling his body until his head rested at Argrave’s height.

Argrave broke free of his companions, coming to stand just before the silver serpent. “I thought this would be about the Undying Soul he claimed, but it’s the Shadowlands? I’ve read about them more. According to Erlebnis’ records, they always appear when Gerechtigkeit descends. The creatures there are brutal, barbaric… but they’re not new. Even if Traugott did open a large portal, what’s the worst he could do?”

“You and he are parallels. You possess mortal sensibilities, but with immortal husks.”

“That dream was real, then?

silver eyes flashed, and vivid memories rose to Argrave’s mind unbidden. “With Norman’s body, born of Sophia’s power, he had a template. Through experimentation, he found out how

only yesterday. There, Traugott had made Good King Norman be born again innumerable times. It was only a small comfort that apparently Norman experienced unimaginable torment during this process. Traugott had claimed hundreds of lives worth of

further experimentation in a location deep, deep into the ocean. His caution and resolve are admirable, as is the depth of his intelligence. He saw Sophia’s power not as just creation, but as the potential for recreation. He was rather efficient with his use of raw materials. You

the barking, and recalled Traugott possessing the thing

you admire

he could imbue that creation of his with the soul of a dog, why could he not imbue it with the soul of a

saying Traugott created a Norman with

in a dome of air that persisted despite the ocean all around it. Argrave saw another figure there, with him—Fellhorn. The two seemed to be collaborating deeper after their victory versus

Traugott experimented with imbuing memories and personalities into the core of Norman. Countless creations were cast away into the ocean after he was done with them, their human bodies succumbing to the high-pressure of

been taken without consent.

the progression, Argrave came to a rather eerie

an immortal husk…” Argrave focused on Lindon. “Did you mean Traugott managed

wholly incorrect one.” Lindon’s silver

from a misshapen black lump that exuded unpleasant energy. As it became more human, Argrave began to recognize it, too.

it?” Argrave asked, and received a silence he knew was affirmation. “This is why you said we’re

As you came to me and obtained the Fruit of

Unlike the others, who retained Norman’s skin and eye colors, this creation was darkness incarnate on every inch of its body—nails, eyes, mouth, all of it. The blackness was so intense that it was impossible to make out distinguishing features. Argrave thought that the way it moved seemed familiar, and knew in his heart of hearts that that thing was Traugott. The former Magister of

Traugott entered the Shadowlands. He’s yet to return—and believe me, my kind watch everywhere. Watching, waiting—in these things, we excel. Traugott has not revealed himself again.

anyone coming to him with a plan and help. Now, at the final hour, help

you out of their own volition. People like to feel good. There’s no denying that Traugott was able to come so far because of your intervention—most recently, the trade for his help with the Palace of Heaven. But I also cannot deny that you’ve done a world of good. And so,

Him? He’d always tried to be, yet to hear it had been the reason

intensity. “Do you know something about the Shadowlands that

the ones who placed her there. Traugott wants her desperately, and even I cannot say what he gleaned of her power from his constant experimentation. You cannot allow an inglorious psychopath to sabotage our would-be freedom from the hidden architects of the