Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 622

Argrave finished explaining what had happened with Durran and Garm to Anneliese, and leaned back in his chair with quite the sigh. She sat on the edge of his desk, listening patiently for her chance to interject.

“I would be very interested to know what kind of person Llewellen was,” Anneliese commented. “Garm… I suppose we might change the name of our first son, if he’s returned.”

Argrave laughed. “I already said that.”

“If it’s any consolation, I got Artur to agree,” she said with a subdued brightness. “Given the trouble with Durran and the fact the research team assembles tomorrow morning, I suggested that he hold off from consuming it. Still, he’s ready, and he has conviction.”

“Thank you.” He looked up at her, nodding with a smile. “Thanks.”

Quiet set in between the two of them, and then there came a knock at the door. Argrave came to focus, then asked, “Who is it?”

“Knight-commander Orion, Your Majesty.”

“You don’t need to knock,” he called out. “It’s an office, not a bedroom. Come on in.”

Orion opened the door. From the way he carried himself, and the strangely formal greeting he had offered, Argrave could tell that this was something that warranted close focus. He stood up from the chair.

“What’s bothering you, Orion?” He asked intuitively.

Orion shut the door, then walked up to Argrave’s desk. “When were you going to tell me?”

“About the lottery?” Argrave guessed. “I’m sorry, but a lot came up today. I was intending on letting everyone know as soon as possible.”

“I know.” Orion nodded seriously. “I spoke to Elenore. She told me everything that came up today.” He leaned in and placed his arms on the desk. “Did Your Majesty even ever seriously consider my offer?”

Argrave’s jaw tightened uneasily. “Of course I did.” He nodded.

“Then why did you decide against, Your Majesty?” Orion’s voice was calm, but it still unsettled Argrave.

“Orion…” He softened his eyes as he looked upon his brother. Orion remained firm and unshaking in waiting for an answer. After casting a glance at Anneliese, he looked back at Orion. “It was my judgment that requests made in the throes of grief might not reflect the true desires of, or the best option for, the parties involved.”

that decision, did you not feel any grief, Your

gaze. “But I was considerably less

do, then why do I hear word that, rather than Vasquer’s attacker, you would

defenses, if this was a distraction intended to divert our intention away

listening to my request born of heavy-hearted conviction? Regardless

that I allowed the Fruit of Being itself to choose who best it suited. Anneliese can attest to the

in her direction. He simply kept his gray eyes fixed forward, right on Argrave’s face, in total silence. Then,

weeklong leave of absence from my

Argrave repeated.

stay and perform

he would do anything that Argrave needed of him while expressing his desire to be granted a break. He

leave, then.”

heel and walked toward

out from behind the

nearly bumped into someone, but gave her a nod and walked by. Elenore walked inside, a question

tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent.

it would ease my mind if you check in on him. Maybe just talk through the mental link. He’s not happy about how I handled

Elenore

her. He could tell from the look on her face that she had similar things on her

when I gave it

at the idea.” She walked into the room. “Now,

going to work out,” he assured her. “Garm is already thinking of ways to separate himself

the fruit to Durran knowing this would happen?” She shook her head. “I know you didn’t. You put on this little display to avoid the responsibility of the choice being yours, because you didn’t want to be perceived

Perhaps it was because this all came out of left field, or perhaps it was because he couldn’t deny what

These difficult decisions are left upon you to make. And if you make the choice and some of us feel wronged, we’ll know that we were wronged because we chose you as our leader. It would be our fault as much

think… no. I made the right choice,” he rephrased, showing conviction. “Without the die, I probably wouldn’t have chosen Durran, if I’m being frank. And if I

to know what Vasquer thought in her last moments, to grant

you mean?”

then acted like it was your own choice.” She shook her head slowly. “But you had to do this show, had to let everyone know what you were doing. You didn’t want anyone to think less of you. You didn’t want anyone to think you had chosen others before them. But as a result, all of us ended up bearing witness to…” she trailed off. “I’m upset,

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