Jackal Among Snakes

Artur had been examining the small diamond-sized portal into the Shadowlands in total silence for near an hour. He might’ve expected that behavior from Raven, or a cat, but not him. Argrave had attempted several calls to pull him out of the trance, and even considered removing him physically. Every time, Artur insisted that he remained silent. Raven assured Argrave that there was nothing ailing his mind, but he wasn’t so sure.

Then, after that hour-long period, he floated up above the altar and leaned up to one of the daggers looming above the altar. He tapped the side of it. “Cut this off. Remove it immediately.”

“What?” Argrave looked at Raven. “Are you sure that’s—”

“Do it!” He shouted ferociously. “I’m returning to Blackgard. I need it to be back there as soon as possible. You’ll also need to bring me that jade staff that I’ve sometimes seen you carrying around. Bring me a few samples of the obsidian here, each about the size of my fist. Gold, silver… I can get those at my shops. I may need gemstones in short notice.”

Argrave looked at Raven intensely, trying his best to question with his eyes if he was certain nothing had permeated Artur’s mind. But the Alchemist remained steady, and he made no attempts to stop Artur from what he was doing. Before they could do anything more, Artur started to do as he said—return to Blackgard.

“Well…” Argrave examined the altar. “Give me a hand, Raven.”

#####

It had been incredibly strenuous work to remove the dagger made of Shadowlander bone from the altar that it hung over. Despite Raven working alongside him, Argrave had needed to call upon blood magic to create something sufficiently powerful enough to remove it from the pillar. With it at hand, they returned to the Hall of Enchantment. The mood was strange.

Every bit of production in the Hall of Enchantment had come to a stop—for the capitalist overlord that was Artur, this was unusual indeed. Instead, they were all hovering around the room where Artur resided, heeding his every whim as he made his people fetch him various materials. He allowed no one to work on the project besides himself. Though Argrave had some intense reservations about surrendering a weapon that had saved his life on multiple occasions, he did eventually bring both dagger and the Resonant Pillar to Artur.

“You know what this does, don’t you?” he asked the craftsman as he handed it over. “It can absorb attacks and—”

“And deliver them back. I know. Go. Get out of my space.” He waved Argrave away, floating around the forge with several different utensils on hand. “No project has ever called to me like this. I won’t have your unwanted lingering ruin my masterpiece.” He turned to one of the people and pointed. “YOU! Fetch the electrum!”

Though the people nearby gave Argrave pleading eyes to stay and make sure they weren’t abused by their boss, ultimately he felt a strange sense of hope that whatever Artur was doing would turn out to be worth their time.

“I’ll send for you with further requests,” he dictated. “There will be plenty. This… nothing will surpass this. I can see it in my head, so clearly…”

#####

Argrave returned to the parliamentary hall, and presently stood in front of Elenore’s desk.

“I will do what I can to meet his whims,” his sister promised. “Was there anything else you needed?”

sure you’re alright,” he told her.

icily. “If there’s nothing

was placing between them. “You know… we’ve managed to convince Garm to bring back those

has already returned. Durran claimed that the

speaking to Vasquer once last

stretch. Then, she

at her cold words. “But wouldn’t

the limited time he has,” Elenore reminded him. “We have to pick and choose very carefully. As such, we cannot waste

from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report

Not just him, either—for Orion, he could speak to our other siblings, or Felipe III, even. And for you, there’s…” he paused, realizing he might be overstepping in his attempt

a consequence. He was trying to buy back Elenore’s affection because he couldn’t stand being disliked. It was why he ended up in this mess in the first

perhaps knowing what he

be cautious. Wait for a moment to show your sincerity. For now, he would leave

“I’d like to apologize for the way I handled the matter with the fruits. You were right in every word you said, all the way down to my motive. Thank you for continuing to put up

should go join Anneliese,” she said quietly. “I believe she has much to say

easily. But he felt, just maybe… her words

#####

with Llewellen?” Anneliese whispered

I don’t know,” he shrugged, though

him hoping it might help her come out. I had some plans to

Argrave raised his brows in

to people was even greater than that of the Alchemist’s. She lived somewhere in the mountains—only Vasquer had known precisely where—and the only time that she spoke to people was when Anneliese occasionally came to visit, or when they had

causing harm. He reminds me of Castro, in many ways… yet he’s quite sharp, and he’s oft inclined to share his opinion. Many times, I would get halfway through a story before he finished it for me,

cast

hadn’t the time to do any

on the door. “Your Majesty, Your Highness.

came to attention. “Send him