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.”

you not feel any grief, Your Majesty?

“But I was considerably less affected than you and Elenore. I

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

Argrave defended. “We can’t reach him. While we can build up our defenses, if this was a distraction intended to divert our intention away from Traugott, we might miss

you made the decision that random chance was a preferrable method to distributing the Fruit of Being than listening to my request born of heavy-hearted conviction? Regardless of the enemy we were fighting,

uncomfortable emotions at the direct confrontation. “It was done in such a way that I allowed the Fruit of Being itself to choose who best it suited. Anneliese can attest to

eyes fixed forward, right on Argrave’s face, in total silence. Then,

to request a weeklong leave of absence from my duties as knight-commander

leave?” Argrave repeated.

permit it, I am duty-bound. I will stay and perform my duties as

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

your leave, then.”

turned on his heel and

Argrave walked out from behind the desk. “Where are

you command me to return, I shall,” he interrupted. Then, he opened the door and walked out. He nearly bumped into someone, but gave her a nod and walked

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his head and scratching his forehead. “If you could, it would ease my mind if you check in on him. Maybe

Elenore also

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

you were there when I

voiced protest at the idea.” She

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

this would happen?” She shook her head. “I know you didn’t. You put on this little

out of left field, or perhaps it

guide and direct us. These difficult decisions are left upon you to make. And if you make the choice and some of us feel wronged, we’ll

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 hadn’t, we might’ve never had access to the sort of knowledge that Garm opens up to

grant us all the opportunity to know what Vasquer thought in her last moments, to grant us some peace.” She stepped forward, staring up at Argrave boldly.

mean?” He stood

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, and I’m tired, and I’m riddled with anxiety,

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