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?”

to be sure you’re alright,” he told

“If there’s nothing else,

placing between them. “You know… we’ve managed to convince Garm

Durran claimed that the

interested in speaking to Vasquer once

a long stretch. Then, she shook her head. “In

but double-take at her cold words. “But wouldn’t it

limited time he has,” Elenore reminded him. “We have to pick and choose very carefully. As such, we cannot waste it on someone who is neither a combatant nor a useful

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his eyes. “Garm could still experience her last thoughts and convey them. Not just him, either—for Orion, he could speak to our other siblings, or Felipe III,

to be reminded of Therese, the maid that had served her loyally and died as a consequence. He was trying to buy back Elenore’s affection because he couldn’t stand being disliked. It was why he

me?” Elenore prompted, perhaps knowing

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

else except this last thing.” He dipped his head to her. “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

at the corner of the room. “…you should go join Anneliese,” she said quietly. “I believe she has much to say

But he felt, just maybe… her words were a little

#####

who’s speaking with Llewellen?” Anneliese whispered to Argrave

don’t know,” he shrugged, though he

said with joy. “I told her about him hoping it might help her come out. I had some plans to get them talking.

his brows

she’d been incredibly reclusive. Her aversion to people was even greater than that of the Alchemist’s. She lived somewhere in the mountains—only Vasquer had known precisely where—and

inclined to share his opinion. Many times, I would get halfway through a story before

form cast magic, as Raven

unsure,” Anneliese confessed. “We hadn’t the time

the door. “Your Majesty, Your Highness. A visitor from the Hall

to attention. “Send