Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 662: Lunacy

Following Orion’s presentation of his findings, Argrave gathered together all of his closest counsel to consult about the path that they needed to pursue. It came alongside reports of growing unrest—for the first time, there was what could be called a riot in one of the cities. Dirracha, underneath the yoke of Hegazar and Vera, had a brief rebellion that was quickly put down by the effective, if at times excessive, pair.

“Just from initial reports, I can tell you that seventeen people passed away in the fighting. Elsewhere, we’re getting reports that tax collectors are being turned away,” Elenore recounted.

Argrave scoffed at the ridiculousness of the sentence. “Tax collectors? Even now, with things as utterly ridiculous as they are?”

“Ridiculous? That’s naïve,” his sister chided him unabashedly. “Cities are only able to support as large a population as they are because they tax rural settlements and their harvests. With outright refusal, we could have famines on our hands. It’ll be difficult to tax those villages without the army getting involved—and as it is, the army is stretched thin. Worst of all, we have some reports from my scouts that the undead and some stray few automatons have begun to rally under the banner of silver-armored knights similar to the ones that assaulted Blackgard many weeks ago.”

“And these reports are regional. We’ve not yet begun to account for my wife’s homeland, the Great Chu,” his brother Orion said, shaking his head in dismay. “Gerechtigkeit’s mental malignance is a global phenomenon, with global consequences. We were warned of as much, yet I never dared imagine it might manifest in this callously indifferent way. This makes it all the more imperative that we choose a route to focus on to block him.”

“My people are the worst affected by this,” Durran said, looking between them all with his arms crossed. These days, he was more proudly displaying the golden tattoos on his tan arms. “The only reason that they followed my lead in joining with Vasquer was because they thought they did so as equals. With Gerechtigkeit spreading poison, more and more people are beginning to view independence as a viable option. I’m doing my best to keep them cohesive, but I can tell that things are reaching a breaking point. It doesn’t help that the solution Artur has offered is insufficient, especially insofar as my people go.”

Durran wasn’t often serious, but when it came to his people, the southern tribes of the Burnt Desert, he could lay things out very rationally and calmly.

“It’s not the Burnt Desert alone. I have petitions from the Archduchy of the North to allot more of the mental-warding rings to their people. Clearly, it’s gripped the hearts and minds of just about everyone.” Elenore nodded. “I agree that we need to shift focus, and quickly, before it all spirals out of control. The only question is which route to focus on.”

“Alright, let’s run down the list.” Argrave clasped his hands together. “Anne. You’ve been keeping apprised on the research team. Do you think that we’re anywhere near coming up with a large-scale magical solution for the problem of mental corruption?”

His queen seemed to lose herself in thought for a long few moments, biting her lip almost as though she hesitated to say something. Finally, she said with a large degree of certainty, “No. We’re no closer. Druidi—excuse me. Soul magic is particularly fussy. It needs direct interaction with the soul. The only reason the rings work is because they contact with skin, allowing it to interface with the wearer’s soul to protect it.”

Argrave accepted her expertise with a quiet nod—of everyone, she was the only one barring one other who might even approach replacing Llewellen. He looked to that second person and prevailed upon him. “Raven.”

head, having anticipated the next question. “How they were created is beyond my ken. The gods that I consult are similarly clueless. If Erlebnis’ vast store of knowledge truly has nothing on the subject, then their fate is inevitable collapse. Gerechtigkeit assaults it artfully, pulling together the thread that ties it precisely where it

nothing can be made to replace it?” Argrave

long perished.” Raven held out his too-long arm. “It is a

some hunger on those stony gray eyes of his. He had been looking for other ways to demonstrate

opportunity, Your Majesty, we can empower the Vasquer family,” Orion promised. “Even as we speak, I’ve sent out Boarmask to the distant continent where the family related to dragons lie. If he establishes contact,

examined Argrave so utterly as to know more about him that anyone in the entire world. Additionally, I am intimately familiar with those that have assimilated the lineage of other creatures. There is nothing to unlock. There is

Road.

other creatures led him to conclude similar things. The bloodline of Vasquer was young, however, and wholly unique—never before had there been a species of human associated with the Gilderwatchers, and it was less than a millennia old. Erlebnis never had any contact with them. And Orion wasn’t one to make large promises without large

the opposition, did not grow incensed. He look at Raven and

pragmatic—preparing to do away with the Gilderwatchers. We need not genocide them as the gods of past generations intended. But we do need to remove them from Gerechtigkeit’s influence, one way or another. And if we cannot… at the very

Orion, but none came. Instead,

looked at him in

of the options,” Orion continued. “There is much sense in looking toward what needs to be done. That does not mean we should turn our

role is unlocking potential. It has been, of yet, difficult to wear her down… but these new developments in mortal society can surely serve to make her reconsider her hesitance to employ her ability to bring about your

would be best served in aligning her to our perspective, and our need of her abilities. Moreover, you stand as evidence of the full power of her ability, and dually a testament to the fact that your potential can be mastered and turned to a more benevolent, righteous cause.

about your kingdom. I’ll concede your point, however. Hause…” he considered the matter. “I can speak to her. I can… be the man that I once was, even if he existed

to Raven’s point, he is correct—we should prepare ourself for the grim task of fighting against the Gilderwatchers ourselves. But we need not close off to other options. Countess Melanie of the Low Way has been working closely with some of the dwarves and the Sentinels of the Low

as she sat in the

for the struggle against the Gilderwatchers to Melanie. Meanwhile, I beseech you, Your Majesty… allow me to walk this route with the might of our kingdom at my back. I swear