Jackal Among Snakes

In response to the news that Duke Sumner, not Margrave Reinhardt, led the triumphant army of the south to seize Dirracha, Argrave gathered everyone important for the decision-making despite the late hour. All talked idly around the table waiting for the last arrival: Elenore. Beyond Argrave’s inner circle, there were new arrivals: Leopold Dandalan Jr., eldest grandson of the Relizean leader and commander of most of the forces here, all three Magisters of the Order, and lastly… Melanie.

Argrave regarded the scarred red-haired mercenary curiously as she stood beside Durran. The two talked quietly as they waited for Elenore to return. Apparently the mercenary had asked Elenore to work directly under him, and further to earn a seat in Argrave’s parliament. It seemed that she thought Argrave was a good investment for the future. Important positions in leadership, however, could be as much of a detriment as they were a boon. He didn’t care to be exploited.

I’m being paranoid, Argrave thought, looking around at the others at the table. Yesterday I was worried about a cult following, and now I’m worried about insubordination. Things are going well. He rubbed his tired eyes, but the feeling of impending trouble didn’t dissipate. Then what am I worried about? What am I missing?

The door opened and Elenore entered, finally. Argrave straightened and looked to her. His gray eyes met her own, and she walked towards him with decisive steps. He was proud to see her walk every time he did but was disturbed by how urgently she moved. She sandwiched herself between Argrave and Anneliese. For a moment, her eyes lingered on Melanie and Durran chatting. Perhaps she was having similar thoughts as Argrave was.

“Time to talk,” Argrave said loudly, drawing everyone from their conversation. “Gather around,” he waved his hands, drawing everyone inwards. As the people moved to obey, he pointed to Melanie. “We have someone new with us: our royal auditor, Melanie. She’s here in an advisory capacity. She works under me.”

Durran lightly elbowed her as the red-haired mercenary smiled. Some people gave congratulations despite the empty title—Anneliese, Galamon, all those familiar with her. Elenore was notably quiet.

Some, though, were not so interested in this announcement. Vera could not take her eyes off Elenore and inquired, “Will you explain how the princess recovered her eyesight, Your Majesty?”

“That’s not pertinent,” Argrave shook his head. To step past the issue, he brought up something he knew would shut them up. “But I made a promise. I’ll announce it publicly, but you should know now—Hegazar and Vera will be named Duke and Duchess of Dirracha.”

The two could not help but smile. Argrave let them bask in the glow a bit before continuing, “On that front, there’s some landscape-changing news from the south that we all should hear.” He turned his head to Elenore and nodded, signaling her to begin.

Despite the curious gazes from most not privy to her recovery, Elenore crossed her arms and said, “Duke Rovostar tried to strike directly at the leadership of the southern rebellion in an ambush staged in a surrendered fortress. Duke Enrico of Monticci is missing, likely captured. Margrave Reinhardt suffered a blow to the head but has since recovered. During this recovery time, Duke Sumner split off with a force of his own and pursued the ambushers. After routing them, he carries onwards to Dirracha.”

Nikoletta’s father was captured. Argrave thought that didn’t bode well.

“They routed the loyalists?” Leopold Jr. repeated. Rather unlike his grandfather, he was sizable in stature, middle-aged, and had dignified air to him. With heavy plate armor and a stately white beard, he appeared every part the noble lord. He was Leopold’s successor, but Argrave thought the man was nothing like his father. “How sizable is this force to defeat the loyalists so soundly?”

“About five thousand,” Elenore said. “They’re heavy cavalry, mainly: knights. More worrisome is the large contingent of spellcasters travelling with them for the siege. It’s largely landed nobles who had the most discontentment towards the margrave.” Elenore looked towards Argrave. “However…the Magisters in their service have parted from the army and returned to the Tower of the Gray Owl. Castro pulled through, and they’ve been recalled to vote on an urgent matter,” she said with a slight smile.

“Surprised he can pull through that at his age. Any more details?” Argrave pressed.

Elenore looked back to the assembled. “Tower Master Castro has been calling Magisters back to the tower to initiate a vote. He’s been an advocate of Argrave’s, and I’m told the assembled council is one vote short of declaring complete support for Argrave’s cause.”

“Those old monsters?” Leopold Jr. looked surprised, and stroked his beard as he inquired, “The council of the Order of the Gray Owl has many more reclusive owls than it does social birds. Will there be enough for a full vote?” he vaguely gestured towards the three Magisters with them. Argrave was surprised at his bold talk right before S-rank mages.

“The head of those reclusive owls, Castro, sent us out to the north to persuade the Magisters there to return for the vote—Vasilisa among them,” Hegazar explained calmly. “We may have… been distracted by another matter,” his plain eyes settled on Argrave briefly. “The majority of the northern Magisters live in places so secluded they’re impossible to find, anyway. I think we can win it.”

Leopold Jr. clasped his hands together. “Well… by the gods. The Order, breaking its neutrality,” he said wondrously. “I will admit, Your Majesty… when I was marching into battle without you at our backs, I had some doubts. But now we’ve all of the far north under our banner, the majority of Atrus consolidated, and the Order of the Gray Owl on our side.” He lowered his head. “I apologize for harboring these doubts.”

“We’re still a vote short of the Order’s full support,” Argrave reminded him. “On that note… maybe one of you should return.”

“Hold on a minute,” Vasilisa held her hand out. “If the vote hasn’t been called, how can you deduce that we’re one short?”

“I know with surety who will vote in what way,” Elenore said simply.

“There’s, what, fifty-two Magisters?” Hegazar looked to Vera.

“Fifty-one,” she corrected him. “Did you already forget what we did?”

“Hmm,” Hegazar smiled with a self-content little noise. “Still… based on Elenore’s word… perhaps all three of us should go, make sure the vote can swing in our favor.”

Argrave’s voice was stoic as he asked, “Why?”

“Risk management,” Hegazar said.

“Besides, Elenore said the Magisters on the south’s side have all returned to the Tower,” Vera held her hand up to emphasize the point. “With the forces you have with you, it should be fine.”

Anneliese crossed her arms and said calmly, “You take Elenore’s word for the Magisters in the opposing force, yet not the count of the vote?”

“Well, that’s…” Hegazar began, searching for words.

“No need to argue,” Argrave held up his hands. “Hegazar, Vera, you can return to the tower if you want. If you travel with your transportation spell, it should be no issue to rejoin us later.”

Leopold Jr. leaned in. “Rejoin later? What does Your Majesty intend?”

Argrave looked to all present. “It’s obvious we need to head to Dirracha. Orion controls it. Correspondence indicates he’ll yield it to us upon our arrival. His only condition is preserving Felipe and Levin’s lives.” He clasped his hands together. “Provided we reach Dirracha, occupy it even with a small force… I think we can convince the south to lay down arms, even if its Duke Sumner instead of Margrave Reinhardt at the negotiating table.”

Durran held his hands out. “There’s the matter of the fortifications barring us from Dirracha.”

“I thought of that. As such, I did some tracking…” Elenore looked around, then spotted a scroll. She grabbed it and splayed it across the table. It displayed a map of Vasquer. “Some few soldiers got away. We tracked them to see what they would do. They’ll spread rumors of what happened here to all the lands they run across, I have no doubt.” Elenore’s finger drew a line. “I suggest we use the fear caused to seize on the advantage and offer generous terms. Doubtless the total victory here and the advance of Sumner’s force will make them more amenable to surrender… if the terms are right.”

Leopold Jr. stroked his beard, eyes distant as he looked upon the map. “What of Atrus?”

“We should take a small force to travel faster—that leaves plenty to wrap things up here,” Anneliese pointed out.

The commander nodded slowly, but his gaze was still unfocused.

“There’s the matter of delegating that duty,” Melanie stated. “I bet the princess will travel with Argrave. Her system of negotiating and administration is complex.”

All looked to Argrave, and he quickly made a judgement call. “Galamon, you’ll pick out the soldiers you think should come with us and take command of them. Anneliese, you’ll do the same for the mages,” he looked back at his two companions. They nodded, and so he looked back. “Elenore, you know the situation here better than I do. Who should stay?”

“I think Durran and Melanie would be fine for the logistics of things here,” the princess waved to them. “Leopold Jr. did a fine job of commanding the troops, too. I can think of no one better to stay on.”

The man pounded his chest with his fist. “The princess gave fine orders for me to relay, nothing more.”

“Hmm,” Elenore nodded, clearly not taking the praise to heart.

“You want me staying here?” Durran tried to confirm as he stared at Elenore.

Elenore didn’t blink. “Is that a problem?”

Durran stared for another few seconds, biting his lip until it grew a little redder. Finally, he shook his head. “No. No problem.”

“A mercenary and a tribal giving orders here—you don’t think that’s going to cause a little dissent?” Melanie leaned in on the table.

“You wanted more responsibility,” Elenore stared at her coldly. “Cold feet?”

Melanie smiled, then leaned away. “I think the princess likes me a little less than she used to, Durran. Or maybe it’s just that her eyes can finally show it.”

“Just run your orders through Leopold Jr.,” Argrave shot his thumb at the man. “So long as the orders come through him, it should be no issue.”

The heir to the Dandalan family nodded, content with his role.

“Alright. We get one last good rest before everything goes up,” Argrave planted a finger on the table. “Elenore, let’s work out a path.”

“You’ve forgotten something,” Elenore looked at him. “Ruleo. And Georgina, wherever she went. That matter is unfinished.”

Argrave pushed his tongue against his cheek. She was right—he had forgotten, almost completely. The jubilation at Elenore’s recovery made that matter an easy thing to shelve. He closed his eyes and said, “No use putting that off. Let’s go deal with that now.”