Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 668

Chapter 668: Reality Comes Crashing Down

Though Argrave had been all but told that he might be expected to return the favor later down the line, for now, he wasn’t opposed to accepting the convenience of Jaray’s free help. Getting something for nothing had always been his preferred way of doing things. And help Jaray was—he helped Argrave mitigate any tension with Law, mostly by being a convenient cushion to the truth of the matter.

“Argrave was understandably terrified by the prospect of the White Planes collapsing,” Jaray had said to Law smoothly. “Is it any wonder he went to you, the only god who he could trust to keep their word? Truly, all that he asked of you was what was already established by the agreement made to form the Blackgard Union. Can it really be considered a wrongdoing, especially when done at the advice of others?”

Jaray’s intervention was rather like a mother swooping in to abate a father’s wrath. There was some disapproval expressed, some words of disappointment levied, and some questions about whether or not they were hiding further information. But with the setup Jaray had given him, Argrave felt like it was child’s play to bat all the questions aside and preserve the goodwill that had been established so long ago. Law went away renewing his vow to protect Sophia, but reminding Argrave that half-truths compromised authority and justice.

After, Jaray offered to help more, swaying favor toward Argrave regarding his intention to assume the role of the Blackgard Union’s leader. They decided instead to look to Jaray’s offer: attending the meeting. It was only then that they were free of him, and only then that they had the opportunity to relay what Jaray was like to their companions. Argrave told all—every beat of their conversation.

“You know what he likely is, don’t you?” Anneliese asked once he’d finished describing things to the others.

“A catspaw of the Heralds.” Argrave closed his eyes. “Meaning he’s hearing everything that we’re talking about, now.”

Elenore narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps you ought not call him a catspaw, then. Are you sure of this?”

“He dodged the question when we brought it to him. It was clear to me he didn’t intend to answer.” Anneliese shrugged. “That’s no proof, but there’s knowing something and knowing something.”

“You didn’t press him?” Durran asked.

“I felt we got our answer the moment he wormed his way past the first question.” Argrave tapped Durran’s shoulder. “But if it makes you feel better, I intend to pose it again when we meet outside of Law’s Court.”

“We’re going?” Galamon raised a brow.

Argrave looked at him. “We can’t afford to waste valuable days of time on a wild goose chase searching for lunar dragon descendants. Whether a trap or a genuine dialogue, this is worth confronting.”

The Veidimen commander nodded solemnly. “I urge caution. Securing safety around the world is more important than this meeting.”

Orion looked about to say something in disagreement, but Argrave beat him to it. “That’s why Anne and I are going alone.”

All Argrave’s advisors looked at him in shock.

“Their reactions don’t surprise me,” Anneliese said to Argrave almost as if the others weren’t there. “They didn’t see us fight in the Shadowlands.”

here, get a grip on things? In particular, while he’s absent, find

You’re sure about this?” Elenore

Anne said… you didn’t see us in the Shadowlands. If you had… you’re probably seek out

about Sophia?” Elenore

closed his eyes. “The next

is a

#####

distance. The location chosen was a mountain in Anorexhai—the continent that the Smiling Raven had wiped out, countless millennia before. It was deep inland, where the hum of the bugs in the rainforest echoed

more things you’ve picked

long as you maintain avenues of retreat, I believe you’ll emerge from this unscathed.” He lifted his arm, pointing.

when?” Anneliese asked in surprise. Raven shook his head to indicate it wasn’t a long time. Anneliese followed up curiously,

not advise inhaling.” He looked

nodded. They proceeded through the rainforest on foot, making their way to where Jaray was. They found him where Raven had pointed out, lounging on a fallen stump. In the humidity, his smoke seemed lazy, almost heavy. There was a gargantuan creature beside him—an overgrown lizard, frankly. Jaray fed it red

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the meat at the lizard’s feet, then stood up. He walked to a nearby stream, cleaning off his hand

of me wonders if I didn’t just see some divine symbolism. I walk in on you, Jaray, feeding a fat lizard red meat.

scenarios in their head about the future, present, or even the past. They suspect people are working with Gerechtigkeit, or the Heralds.” His dark eyes met Argrave’s, a smile graced his lips as he smoked. “Sometimes, it’s better to live

saying he knew their concern. “If that’s true,

truth is often far more

quick glance, the royal pair followed after him. Anneliese kept a grasp on the situation from above with her Starsparrow, and Argrave guided her along as she focused on her druidic magic. The hike wasn’t particularly long, but it was quite steep. Anneliese and Argrave, enhanced as they were, easily kept the god’s

to decide if they were real. The howl of wind was but a quiet whisper here, and above, the red moon shone down on

your friend?” Argrave asked

up to the sky, puffing smoke. He pointed his finger. “See that red

star or a planet or some other such celestial body. He shifted on his feet uneasily when he saw it grow in

somewhat insecure,” Jaray continued, smoking his pipe. “I don’t help, teasing her

Argrave questioned, narrowing his eyes as he stared at the rapidly-approaching red dot. It looked like a

he did—in rapt attention, in awe and fear. “I think…

think?” He looked at her briefly, then looked back above. “You want to elucidate how exactly you came to that

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