Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 667: Glad I Could Help

Argrave, exhausted after a long session, went to explain the exchange that he’d had with Jaray to those that had come with him. Anneliese and all others listened with rapt attention, taking the matter as seriously as it likely was.

“This Jaray would forego the certainty, the impartial justice, of this place?” Galamon questioned suspiciously. “A trap.”

Argrave nodded in agreement. “Could be. But I was thinking it had to do something with our incorporeal friends that need a body to get around. The wiki doesn’t say much about Jaray. He and Erlebnis had dealings, and the man has his hands in a lot of pie… but he’s never been a major player, and he’s certainly not omniscient. Just a wheeler-dealer type, who wants everyone to get along.”

“Heralds are involved?” Melanie questioned, looking about this place nervously.

“It fits. Their silence has been broken only by the machinations they perform in the background.” Orion crossed his arms, an expression of scorn about his face. “They are not worthy of our time. Still, I suspect it prudent to give it to them.”

Melanie scrunched up her face, confused by the oxymoron, while Elenore supported her brother. “If it is the Heralds, all the more reason to go. You could find out what they’re up to.”

“I don’t know.” Argrave ran his hand through his hair. “The man seemed important, somehow. He’s no pawn, that’s for certain.”

“I concur. As far as the eye could see, I saw respect writ on the faces of the gods. I—” Anneliese cut off, turning to look at someone approaching with a frown.

“Jaray sent me,” a lesser god walked up, acting somewhat obsequiously. “He wanted to have that conversation now. He said you’d know what that meant. Ah—and Law has joined him.”

Without waiting for a word of gratitude or any acknowledgement whatsoever, the god snuck away into another corner of Law’s Court. The assembly was over, largely, and thousands of gods were having thousands of conversations about its contents to decide their course of action. Argrave had done far better than he was even expecting, largely due to the glazing Jaray had given him that’d soften the stances of everyone approaching thereafter. But it wasn’t over, because decisions had yet to be made.

“I think we go,” Argrave said decisively, but he did confer with his allies briefly. None seemed to have any protest. “Then, let’s.” He gestured, walking onward with a small bounce on his step. He was eager and nervous. He couldn’t fully pin why that was true.

#####

When Argrave and his coterie opened the door to one of the many chambers in Law’s Court, they found the scene precisely as it had been described. Inside the drawing room, Jaray sat hounded by a cloud of smoke above his head. Opposite him, one of Law’s Justiciars stood behind the couch.

“Ah.” Jaray raised his pipe up. “You’re here, at last. Fortunately, I’ve had the time to say what I needed to Law. I was explaining to him, you see, your relation to Sophia. I’m sure you can better fill in the blanks than I can, as a third party… but I’ve told him much of what he needs to know.” He looked at the Justiciar. “Law… could you…?”

“I’ll let you two speak,” came the deity’s voice, echoing somberly from within his Justiciar. “Argrave, I would speak to you after this.”

Argrave gave him a nod. “Certainly.”

Law exited. Argrave and his party started to enter, but Jaray held up his hand.

“I’d prefer to speak to you and your wife alone, if it’s not too much trouble.” Jaray exhaled smoke. “You could insist against it if it makes you uncomfortable, but it’s just how I’d prefer things.”

nod made Argrave’s decision for him. “Check on Sophia,

sat across from Jaray on the couch as the others shut the door behind them. Jaray looked more an artist than a politician—unruly dark hair, deep eyes, and handsome tan skin. His clothes were neither too luxurious nor too poor, striking what could be called an amicable balance. He had that same charm to him Argrave had noticed earlier—he couldn’t pin it down, but he could notice

past his own tension. “Why does it seem like you’re

Law, so he listened to me. I helped you, so you’re here. And I’ve set it up to where I can help you again, if you’ll let me. I can smooth over any and all tension you might’ve

to this meeting,” Anneliese

either of you like to partake?” He opened it up, revealing another pipe of similar make to his own. He retrieved a vial from the case filled

already are. Room’s filled with smoke,” Argrave pointed out, refusing it with a gesture. “Not

offered it silent to the other in the room, but Anneliese similarly

you’re both in a no-nonsense mood, so I’ll be sensible. You’re

this story on Amazon, be aware that

some surprise. “For the low

in his pipe, then renewed its flame. “I’m helping you, and I’m helping another. This is a mutually-desired meeting. I’d call it a blind date, if not for the implication, and the fact

“Do you realize

of it all?” Jaray smiled. “It’s merely my

secret coalition?”

glide smoothly against one another. It’s giving a favor to get a favor. It’s the alignment

finished, leaning forward and clasping

you have it. I’m sure you’d agree that a leader of convenience might not be the best man for the job. Instead, that role should fall to someone like you two. Or your sister, bless her heart.

He had already helped immensely, yet he offered more without an obvious condition. It was difficult to tell if this silken bed was

pursed his lips, then asked, “Are there any conditions to this

the location,”

with an army at our

wants to make her presence known, especially not in Law’s Court. But I’ll be there, in person. I’ll help to make sure it doesn’t become hostile

Argrave asked. “Does the

insisted. “People talk, I listen. They write, I read. They do, I see. I’m glad I was able to help illuminate how much you’ve helped others before a crowd that needed to hear it. Needless to say, I can keep on that path, if it pleases you. And

in his head—this guy’s a patsy for the Heralds, without a doubt. He didn’t think further pressing would yield anything better, so he decided to try another approach.

your help? What if we tell you

away from Argrave. “I’d have to go back to my friend and disappoint her. I’d be a little hurt, if I’m honest. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you and yours. I hope that my dismissal of your companions didn’t cause any bad blood between us. If you’d

Anneliese than he was being deceitful, but none came. Either he could fool her, or he was being earnest. Both outcomes would be equally

whispered under cover