JACKAL AMONG SNAKES

“Argrave, some reports,” Elenore’s voice cut into Argrave’s ear the moment he was free of Raven’s lab.

“More?” He asked with surprise—she’d already delivered some on his journey back, something about riots.

“A claimant to the throne has risen in Dirracha. In the Archduchy of the North, edicts are spreading around with a declaration that King Argrave intends to systematically murder every person bearing red hair, as they share descendance from Gerechtigkeit.” Elenore’s reports flowed into Argrave’s head as constant as the rivers flowed down from the mountains. “Also, there’s… damn it. Someone’s come in. I think you’d best come over.”

Elenore’s voice faded from Argrave’s head. These incidents were like a bold declaration from their opponent. Even if they sought ways to counter his growing influence, Gerechtigkeit would occupy his time using what he’d already gained to tremendous effect. They had spent much of their time centralizing power around Blackgard, weakening regional lords—now, that lack of regional power meant a lack of ability to effectively enforce.

After rejoining with Anneliese, who was keeping similarly apprised and was similarly instructed to meet Elenore in person, they briefly came to similar conclusions before heading to meet with the head of the parliament. Argrave opened the doors to her office and stepped within.

“Elenore.” Argrave walked up to her desk. She spoke with several others, but gestured for them to leave at his arrival. Only once the others were gone did Argrave speak. “Anneliese and I had some words. It’s becoming clear to me that we won’t be able to hold out alone. We need to involve the gods. They’re the only ones with the potential to keep the peace around the continent. The local lords are insufficient.”

“Hmm. Funny.” Elenore placed her hands in front of her. “Did you happen to recognize those I was speaking to?”

Anneliese touched Argrave’s shoulder. “Those were the mortal envoys of other gods, Argrave. Do you remember?”

“What?” Argrave looked back to where they’d just left. “What were they doing here?”

“We’re not the only ones with eyes and ears.” Elenore rose to her feet, walking around her desk. “The gods are aware of what’s happening.”

Argrave brightened. “We don’t need to ask them for help, then? They’re volunteering?”

“Some may, I imagine. Mostly, they’re as terrified as we all are.” Elenore leaned against her desk. “They’re asking for answers, Argrave. I can only obfuscate and misdirect for so long. A great deal of them are convinced that you have the answers. Some lend it to your inheritance of Erlebnis’ knowledge. The older members, such as Law, remember that you testified knowledge of the fact that Gerechtigkeit would be stronger in this cycle in Law’s Court. They let you slip by without giving up too much, but now? They want answers.”

Argrave swallowed. He supposed he had been taking for granted the compliance of the gods after their victory against the Qircassian Coalition. He had been able to unite the wider world by virtue of their show of strength in defeating Kirel Qircassia, Erlebnis, and Sataistador. He convinced the older members to join forces, however, by spilling a select few beans—foremost among said beans was that Gerechtigkeit would be stronger this cycle.

“Hell.” Argrave brought his hand up to his face, biting his knuckle nervously. “Do they want me to go to Law’s Court to speak on the matter?”

Elenore nodded.

Argrave sighed deeply. He’d been hoping to receive aid without giving up the source of his knowledge—it might endanger Sophia. “Should I go?”

“Should you go?” Elenore stopped leaning against her desk and walked forward. “We have a fake bastard of Felipe III pressing his claim to the throne in Dirracha, and much of the city is in active revolt. The one lead we’re seeking about our bloodline is being undermined by Gerechtigkeit already. We have more riots and revolts every single day. We can’t make it through this without the aid of the gods, I’m afraid. Unless you intend on abandoning millions to die, which we all know you won’t, you have to go.”

Argrave looked at Anneliese, and she gave a quiet nod of confirmation.

“Listen.” Argrave rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I can talk my way out of a lot. But if I go there and subject myself to the inquisition, I don’t see a way to keep Sophia out of this. According to the Heralds, she’s the very reason Gerechtigkeit is so much more powerful this cycle. How can I obscure her any longer? And once she’s revealed to the world, how can I protect her? How can I ensure that things end up in our favor, in mortalkind’s favor?”

“It’s already a miracle we kept her secret this long to begin with,” Anneliese said, putting a hand on Argrave’s shoulder. “Like it or not, the gods remain a formidable force in this world. We cannot exclude them from this final hour.”

“It might not be a miracle,” Elenore disagreed. “It’s clear Gerechtigkeit wants to protect Sophia just as much as we do. Perhaps he kept it from the gods’ ears, but now he’s forced our hands. You shouldn’t forget we still have all the cards, Argrave. We can think of a way to remain the dominant party in this negotiation ahead of time.”

Argrave scratched his head. “I assume they want to talk in Law’s Court?”

“Yes. The subject, officially, is the collapse of the White Planes and the mental influence Gerechtigkeit presently exerts worldwide.” Elenore pointed at him. “But given how they fixated on your attendance, I can assume you’re the third, unspoken subject of examination.”

Argrave felt as though he overcame a great barrier as he accepted that he could no longer protect Sophia from the wider world. He gave a nod with a solemn sigh. “Alright. It’s clear we don’t have a choice. The question is, what do we want to get out of this?”

“We need to enlist the gods to protect our people,” Elenore stated clearly. “The army and our local lords are insufficient to quell this unrest. Moreover, Gerechtigkeit is rallying what few allies we didn’t deprive him of under the banner of intelligent beings like liches or knights similar to the silver one Orion fought. He’s building what might be called a cohesive army in various places. Without the gods, millions could die, crushed between the unrest and the coming invasion forces.”

“We need more than protection,” Anneliese continued. “Orion’s retinue and our own kingdom’s forces search for the lunar dragon’s descendants, but it’s perhaps only with the gods’ assistance that we have any hope. Gerechtigkeit is fighting to prevent us from finding this—that, at least, is a good sign.”

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“Anything else?” Argrave looked between the two of them. When they said nothing, he managed a grim smile. “That’s good. We have fewer problems to focus on without only one enemy remaining. Elenore, I’d like you to get all of my top minds together—I’m not stepping back into Law’s Court alone. I need good advice. And… what’s Sophia doing right now?”

Elenore paused for a moment, speaking with someone in her head. “She’s in the middle of a lesson.”

“Have Orion bring her here,” Argrave instructed. “I’m going to bring her with us.”

“Really?” Elenore raised her brow.

“Yeah.” Argrave looked off into the distance. “I don’t like it, but I need insurance. Law will keep his word no matter what, even if he later learns I tricked him. Before all this begins, I’m going to get him to vow to help us protect Sophia no matter what.”

Elenore and Anneliese exchanged a glance. The following silence told Argrave of the gravity of that decision.

“He may feel tricked if you leave out why,” Anneliese pointed out. “It could be interpreted as a slight. He might not remain our entirely steadfast ally in what follows.”

“Sophia is more important,” Argrave said simply, closing his eyes. “She could decide all of this.”

Neither Anneliese nor Elenore brooked protest.

His sister said with some finality, “I’ll contact those who’ll advise you.”

#####

Sophia looked about the golden chambers of Law’s Court in relative awe. “This place… where’s the exit, Argrave? How did we get inside? I can’t see the sky…” She craned her head looking up.

Argrave was distracted, but he focused upon hearing his name. He looked around at the others that’d come with him, then answered Sophia, “This place doesn’t have a true exit, Sophia. I can’t explain it now, but I promise you I will. Have a seat for now.” He patted her shoulder, and she obediently sat down on the couch beside him.

The golden rooms of Law’s Court set a feeling of deep unease within Argrave on this visit. He didn’t like bringing Sophia out of Blackgard, and even less so bringing her to this place. But Law was dictated by his own sphere of divinity to be confined by his word and bond. He was held to strictures within his divine realm preventing unjustified aggression. Others, too, were similarly restricted. There were few other safer places than the god’s Court.

The giant golden doors leading into this room swung upon, and in walked one of Law’s Justiciars. The white-armored titan put an armored gauntlet where its heart ought to be in a salute. “Argrave. I’m pleased that you responded to the union’s request for a meeting in such a timely fashion. I understand you have no obligations, and your own burdens beside.”

Argrave rose to his feet, realizing it might be time for them to head out. “Well, I’m sure we’ll all walk out of this with a greater understanding of the situation, and a more cohesive union.”

The Justiciar nodded. “I cannot speak with finality, but from what I heard from others, it sounds to me as though the Blackgard Union is becoming all the more closely entwined. The coming collapse of the White Planes promises to bind us all closer, not create distrust—heartening, considering what power Gerechtigkeit is already demonstrating during this cycle. Are you ready?”

“I am,” Argrave confirmed, then when the Justiciar began to turn, he said, “But I need to ask something of you, first, Law.”

The Justiciar looked at him, golden essence within its white armor gleaming. “I’m listening.” It planted its sword on the ground, and the scales hanging from its hilt dangled.

“Sophia,” he said quietly, then took her in his arms. She clung to him tightly as he walked toward the giant, clearly uneased by the divine construct. “Law, this is Sophia of Vasquer. I’d like to make a request of you regarding her.”

Sophia looked at him in some surprise when he introduced her using his own surname. The Justiciar, meanwhile, waited for Argrave to continue.

“There are many people that wish ill upon Sophia. Considering how the Blackgard Union—and in particular, because of the Kingdom of Vasquer’s efforts—has benefitted you, I’d like to ask a favor of you. Sophia… she has some people targeting her. People I’d qualify as equal strength to the gods themselves. This worries me greatly. She’s…” He looked at her. “She’s rather like a daughter to me.”

Sophia’s brilliant red eyes shook at this declaration. He’d always treated her as such, but he’d never stated it outright. Judging from her expression, she was in utter disbelief he’d use such terms for her. It didn’t seem to be an unpleasant thing to her, fortunately.

Anneliese put her hand atop Sophia’s own, and added, “To us both.”

Argrave focused back on Law. “I’d like you to vow to help keep her under the protection of Vasquer, or those she would choose as her guardian, no matter what should happen to us.”

The Justiciar was silent for a moment, then the titan of metal knelt down. “I, Law, god of rulership, justice, and authority, do vow to protect Sophia of Vasquer, and keep her safely in the protection of Vasquer or her chosen guardian.” The construct turned its head toward Argrave. “Is that sufficient?”

Argrave nodded, sighing with relief as a monumental weight was lifted off him. “Yes. Yes, that was more than sufficient.”

The Justiciar rose up. “I do wonder what’s the nature of your divulgence today, that you should ask so serious a vow of me.”

Argrave set Sophia back down on the ground, then looked ahead. “I’ll tell all. It’s the very least I can do.”

“Very well.” The Justiciar turned back, hefting its large sword along. “The assembly awaits.” frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Argrave kneeled down, looking at Sophia. “I need you to stay with Vasilisa for a long while. Is that alright?”

Sophia looked sobered by his words, and gave quick nods to show her confirmation.

“Alright. Law’s given his word you’ll be safe. That mean’s he’ll stick to it.” He tousled her hair. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

As he made to stand, Sophia dared to ask with a trembling voice, “Did you mean it?”

Anneliese knelt down with Argrave. “Of course we did.”

“Come on. Cute kid like you, well-mannered, diligent… who wouldn’t want you as a daughter?” Argrave stood up. “Just keep on like you have been, Sophia. Everything’s going to be alright.”

Argrave felt very good to see the beaming smile consume Sophia’s face, and her eyes grow wet with barely-restrained tears. He let that warm him as he turned, using it as a ward as he started toward the cold deities that had ruined the landscape of countless cycles of judgment past.

#####

Argrave and his company—which included most of the people he’d come to rely on in this journey, from Galamon to Melanie—followed after the Justiciar somberly. With Gerechtigkeit showing his hand so overtly and rallied his forces so efficiently, it was time for the rest of the world to get involved in the fight.

But to get involved… it meant they’d need to learn what Argrave had been planning. Barring that against Law, he could use no more tricks to ensure compliance. The White Planes were defunct. Unless he wanted all that he’d built to fall apart, he’d have to muster the persuasive ability to bring the gods of countless millennia together, working toward a single end—the total erasure of Gerechtigkeit, on mortalkind’s terms.

So much could fall apart here. Or, on the other side of the spectrum… this terrifying faction Argrave had built could be harnessed toward an ending to things. A good ending.