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.”

feel any grief, Your Majesty? Or rather, do

less affected than you and

you would continue to

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 our opportunity. Then, everything could be lost. I have to use

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, you would prefer it be given to me only

emotions at the direct confrontation. “It was done in such a way that I allowed the Fruit of

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

would like to request a weeklong leave of absence from my duties as knight-commander of the royal guard, Your

leave?” Argrave

Your Majesty does not permit it, I am duty-bound. I will stay and perform my

the implications immediately. Orion was indicating he would do anything that Argrave needed of him while expressing his desire to be granted a break.

your leave, then.”

on his heel and walked toward

walked out from behind the desk.

shall,” he interrupted. Then, he opened the door and walked out. He nearly bumped into someone, but gave her a nod and walked

Amazon, it's taken without the

and scratching his forehead. “If you could, it would ease my mind if you check in on him. Maybe just talk through the mental link. He’s not happy about how

Elenore also shut

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

there when I gave it

you’ll recall, I only ever voiced protest at the idea.”

her. “Garm is

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

response immediately. Perhaps it was because this all came out of left field,

make the choice and some of us feel wronged, we’ll know that we

“And I 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 us. I made

I can’t deny that Garm will bring us incredible utility. He might even 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. “But you didn’t

mean?” He

in peace, 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

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