Jackal Among Snakes

“This is our favor,” Chiteng said, holding a silver coin out.

Argrave took it, examining it. It looked old and battered, more like something out of an archaeological dig site than something actually used as currency. Even the image was barely discernible as a face. Perhaps it was something sentimental to them—the last coin of the ancient elves, something like that.

“That is valuable. If you intend to cheat us, you have already received more than you offered as tribute,” Chiteng smiled, then looked off to the distant red ocean they’d returned to. Argrave stood on the white harbors before the elven god’s throne. It was disconcerting seeing both the giant sitting up there and the smaller form right beside Argrave.

Argrave hefted the coin, looking at Chiteng uncomfortably. He supposed that meant this coin had more divinity inside it than the medallion of inheritance they had taken from the Burnt Desert after defeating the Lord of Silver. But something about the way he said it made Argrave weary that he might know of the stolen berries, and so he asked, “What does that mean?”

Chiteng kept smiling, but his face slowly returned to the bleak stoicism most of the gods displayed. “Divulge your plan. I listen.”

With that, Chiteng stepped away into the red ocean. It looked like his body turned to liquid as it met the ocean, and he made no splash as though to affirm that theory. When Argrave looked up, the giant Chiteng opened his eyes and gazed down at Argrave, waiting.

Argrave put the god’s favor in his pocket right beside the bronze hand mirror, then looked up. Orion stepped to the pool’s edge and looked around the red ocean in confusion, while the rest of his companions listened just as intently as the elven god of flesh and blood did.

“To begin with, you’ll be set free from this realm. All of you, though one at a time. Anneliese has been working on that side of things—she’s the white-haired elven woman one of your kin might’ve seen upon being roused. That part takes some doing, but it’ll get done. She’s capable. And with your favor, I’m confident it’s in the bag,” he tapped the coin in his chest pocket.

“Once that’s done, the elves need to be persuaded to accept us—us meaning both my party and your divine selves,” Argrave pointed between the two of them. “I think it should be easy to win their loyalty—if gods return on the eve of drastic conflict, the salvation narrative is going to be easy to buy into. When we entered the forest, they were already resisting something foul in the heartlands. I can’t imagine things have gotten easier for them.”

Argrave stepped around, almost thinking aloud by this point. “What was a huge disadvantage for you in the past that prevented elven dominance—other belligerent parties in the woods, backed by gods of their own—can become a decided strength, now. When we entered the forest, your Woodschildren had this great big horn that could be heard for miles. It was meant to attract beasts just as much as it was signal allies.” He tapped his temple. “That gave me an idea.”

Emulating his plan with his hands, Argrave continued, “The elves have entrenched against Kirel’s advance. He’s a dual aspect god, embodying both land and sky—small wonder he’s so powerful. His servants can dominate both the ground and the air. Nevertheless, the more land and sky they seize, the thinner they’ll be stretched.” Argrave slammed his fist against his hand to emphasize that point, then continued, “The entrenchment should end, with retreat ordered. The elves will fall back, and the further they go, the more they’ll attract the attention of the others in the forest—giants, Amaroks, Mishis, maybe even the centaurs. All the while, the elves will be coalescing into a single unit; a single unit, where you and your family will be ready to join their forces. There, you can unite, punch a hole through the enemy’s thin ranks, and lead us to victory.”

Nikoletta and Mina had been listening, and now as Argrave divulged his plans they grew uneasy.

“That would be quite difficult for any army,” Ganbaatar said incredulously.

“Near impossible,” Argrave nodded in agreement. “But the elves have a structure and discipline unlike any other army I’ve seen. They can coordinate this—I know it. You must know this, having served in a Tumen,” he tapped the elf’s shoulder, then looked back to Chiteng. “All that remains is endearing myself to the elves, making sure that they trust enough to follow this plan. I need a long-term alliance.”

Chiteng said nothing more in protest, and so Argrave continued slowly, “I’m sure we’ll face some resistance, especially near the end. But our destination is simple: the breach.”

“And how will you deal with the centaurs’ response? Can you ensure they will stay idle?” Chiteng’s booming voice echoed out from his giant form.

“That’s just the thing,” Argrave said, a little less daunted by the gods after what he’d been through. “That’s the magnum opus of this whole plan. I’m certain that you and yours were scratching your heads, wondering how exactly you could beat Kirel black and blue and send him back to whatever idyllic realm he’s crawling out of.” He wagged his finger. “Who says you have to get your hands dirty at all? What if there’s a willing participant to charge into a wide-open land and sky?”

“You speak so grandiosely. To the point,” Chiteng waved his big hand.

Argrave smiled bitterly. “The point is this…”

#####

Argrave stepped out of the elven realm, back into the harsh and unpleasant reality of the real world. Nikoletta stood waiting on the other side, holding up a vine full of berries.

“Be careful with those things,” he reprimanded her. “I don’t want them to fall on the ground, or in these damned puddles of blood at this altar.”

Nikoletta glowered, but Argrave focused on the small fruits. They looked a little like strawberries, though they were an imperial purple and the seeds outside the fruit’s skin looked like flakes of gold. He had to admit, they looked very delicious.

“Excellent work,” he told Nikoletta. “If you wanted to serve the crown, you might’ve just saved us a famine or twelve.”

“It still needs to be delivered, doesn’t it?” Nikoletta asked quickly. “On that note, I volunteer to transport these using my druidic bond. I’ve kept him lingering above the earth to track where we were, roughly, and I can say proudly he’s still there.”

“Thinking ahead, I see. Don’t get ahead of yourself. I have something in mind.” Argrave patted her shoulder, then looked to Artur. “Anything happen while we were out?”

“Why would anything happen?” Artur asked in turn.

“Fair point,” Argrave shrugged. “Now… good lord, I’m certain it’s been days since I slept. Let’s get the color red far out of my sight, and the smell of iron far out of nose… and then rise early tomorrow morning. Or night. Damn, I’ve lost track…” he rambled, stepping past all of them in good spirits despite his fatigue.

Artur’s gaze lingered on Argrave as he walked away. His eyes were dark and nervous, but he said nothing more as he followed behind, drifting along wrapped in his mantle of velvet.

#####

A pair of two travelled down the dark streets of Relize, which remained brightly lit even in the heart of night. The clean marble streets seemed like gleaming pearls when reflecting the light of magic lamps and torches both.

“This king of yours asks much,” Leopold grumbled to Elenore.

“He’s no king of yours?” the princess returned as they walked the marble docks of Relize.

“I crowned the man, but he’s your brother. It’s more intimate,” rebutted Leopold, then came to a stop to look out across the ocean. “Our ships supplied the war in Atrus, doing more than their part… and now they’re being requisitioned again, bound for an even fouler port. Indeed, there’s no port at all—just savage elves and giants and the gods only know what else…”

“Argrave said they’re needed, and so they’re needed. He insisted they come this way. ‘Water is the enemy to land and sky, so they’ll make it safely,’ he said, whatever that means.” She peered down at him, her gray eyes cold. “Don’t act like you don’t receive fair recompense, Leopold.”

“Aye,” the aged patrician nodded. “Everyone’s getting fair recompense… you’ve made some very rich people in this city with your conquest of Atrus. Money comes from that place like they have tributaries, not indebted people.” He looked at her. “But I hear tell of the undead sprouting from every corner of Vasquer. Necromantic abominations, seeking to raze cities and tear down castles. Can knights truly be spared?”

“Why did feudalism come about?” Elenore asked him. “It’s simple. To own land in a king’s stead. The crown’s armies and administrators could not be everywhere, receiving orders at all times directly from the throne. Whenever insurrection or enemy raids occur, his representatives—his lords—rise to the occasion. In return, they’re entitled to the land they defend.”

Elenore looked out across the ocean. “In simpler terms… the threat of undead arriving everywhere is precisely the sort of threat feudalism was designed to combat. The land is theirs, and they’ve their own troops to defend it, granted autonomy by the crown to govern and defend. The lords are eager to die in defense of their land, precisely because it’s theirs.”

When next Elenore looked at Leopold, her eyes were solemn. “All the while… the crown and the parliament will build itself up. A standing army. Thorough infrastructure. More efficient governance. The first waves of Gerechtigkeit will erode old powers, but when they fail, instead of disaster befalling the people… what we build now shall rise to take the place of the old, sheltering all within the kingdom beneath our rising wings. And there will be no resistance, only acceptance. A new order will be well needed to fight the coming threat efficiently.”

“You mean… subverting the nobility entirely?” Leopold furrowed his bushy brows.

Elenore said nothing.

“This is Argrave’s aim?” Leopold continued.

“It’s my interpretation. In case you’ve missed it, he likes to leave me to handle things,” she smiled. “But don’t worry. Those of Relize have a rather prominent position, focused on merit as they are.” She began walking down the dock again. “By the way—I’ve heard whispers your wife is pregnant. Congratulations,” she told him.

Leopold shuddered. He had only learned of that himself this week, yet already this woman knew that fact. He scratched his cheek nervously and followed after, saying, “Perhaps House Dandalan can spare a few more ships…”