Jackal Among Snakes

“So… would you want to rebuild a world like the one you lived in once you’re king? One of peace, personal freedom, great luxury for all—nearly post-scarcity, as you called it?” Elenore asked Argrave.

They were all once again on the grain cart, though having entered Relize itself, the smooth roads made for a nice ride. Argrave looked at his sister, thinking over her words in detail.

Argrave rubbed his eyes. “Anneliese asked me if I’d like to run away and look for answers about my situation once Gerechtigkeit is stopped.”

“Well?” Elenore tilted her head. “Which would you want to do?”

“I’ll tell you the same thing I told her,” Argrave lowered his hands. “We have to get there first, you damn dunce.”

“Things advance with the passage of time. Great progress comes at unexpected times,” Elenore said, tone distant.

Though Argrave was about to question, Anneliese drew him away, saying, “I cannot recall you calling me a damn dunce.”

“I got much more—” Argrave began but was cut off by the cart shifting.

The shifting ceased, and eventually the cart came to a stop. The back doors opened, shining light down upon the five of them. Melanie stood there, waiting. Elenore’s guardsmen swarmed throughout the warehouse, attending to various things. “Welcome to Relize, lady and gentlemen,” Melanie greeted.

Elenore was the first to stand. “Excellent. Melanie—are the enchanted chests I sent for here? I want a place to store some of our valuables, like the regalia we retrieved.”

“Saw some shiny metal boxes, so maybe,” Melanie nodded, looking back.

Elenore accepted Melanie’s help and descended down to the warehouse floor. Argrave made sure that everyone else had got out before he did so.

Elenore looked around at the wide-open stone warehouse. It was largely empty—there was plenty of space. “I’m going to have some beds delivered. I know it’s not ideal sleeping in a shared area, but its best we minimize exposure to the streets. Inns are hotbeds for rumors. If we’re seen, it’ll get to all the people we don’t need to know.”

“Well used to sharing sleeping areas,” Argrave held out his hand to stop her from continuing. “I appreciate what you’ve done.”

“Alright,” Elenore nodded, and placed one hand on her hip as she continued, “I have to take care of Melanie’s parents—this arrival was abrupt, and they want some sort of explanation why their daughter is wantonly using their warehouse. Beyond that, I’d like to get apprised of the situation here in Relize, look into the Dandalan family, and possibly establish contact.”

“Durran will be handling some things for me outside,” Argrave said, placing his hand on the tribal’s shoulder.

“I will?” he turned his head.

Argrave nodded. “Yeah. You’re the one least likely to attract attention to all of us.”

Elenore crossed her arms. “He was followed by Ruleo last time.”

“Bit different, no?” Argrave raised a brow. “Just don’t bring the glaive this time, Durran.”

“How am I to protect myself?” he said indignantly.

Galamon pointed at him. “You’re a spellcaster.”

“I need a sidearm, that’s what I need,” Durran shook his head and sighed.

“Buy one,” suggested Argrave.

As Durran nodded at his suggestion, Elenore asked curiously, “Why do you need him to go out?”

“Just a little survey of my own. A promise for Galamon,” he looked towards the vampire. They were fast-tracking his cure, by this point. Relize, a populous city, was a naturally nice place for vampires to congregate, and some had. “Beyond that, I have an idea that might make us a lot of money, and I need to see if there are viable partners in Relize as I recall,” Argrave explained.

“Alright…” Elenore stepped closer. “Pitch it to me.”

“What’s the biggest limiter for enchanters regarding imbuing magic into enchanted items?” Argrave questioned. “What’s stopping them from producing thousands of items a day?”

“Magical capaci—oh.” Elenore paused, her brows rising. “Do you… know how to imbue? Your blessing matters little if you cannot do so properly. Imbuing is a difficult and time-consuming, art.”

“Elementary stuff. Did a little with Galamon way back in the day on glass bottles,” he looked to the elven vampire. “I can’t exactly break the world economy by releasing one thousand enchanted items onto the market, but I think it’s time to learn something new. I need to hone my magical supply, and this seems a productive way to do so. The burden lies on you, though. Getting inscriptions will cost plenty of money.”

Elenore turned around and paced for a bit. “Let me think on it while I take on tasks.”

#####

Argrave and company settled into Relize comfortably, even despite the fact that they were staying in a warehouse. Having Elenore on his side was such a huge boon that even Argrave felt briefly overwhelmed. For example, he recalled mentioning in passing that he would enjoy some chicken—before night fell, he had some.

Even despite the luxury afforded by having his rich big sister on his side, Argrave did not grow lax. He spent his time delving into the B-rank spells that he had not mastered, Anneliese acting as his tutor. He was worried he would be holding her back, but she claimed that teaching actually made her work harder at something—she felt she had to press herself to stay ahead of Argrave.

After the first day…

“You never told me the head of the Dandalan family was one hundred and fourteen years old,” Elenore said, interrupting Argrave as he read on his bed beside Anneliese.

Argrave took off his glove and put it in the book, then shut it. “Didn’t realize you hated old people.”

“No, what does tha—oh. You’re joking,” she realized, coming to stand over the both of them. “One hundred and fourteen years old, nearly sixty children, and an absurd number of grandchildren… it’s like some bad fairytale joke.”

Argrave placed one hand atop his book and sat up. “The man’s a B-rank mage, so he looks much younger than that. Seventy, maybe. He’s a… he’s a character.”

“He was the last beneficiary before the Rescindment of Profligacy and Corruption,” Elenore continued. “You really think this man can help us?”

Argrave placed his elbow on his pillow and leaned against it, staring up at the princess. “He’s very good at hiding it, but I know for a fact his family is the wealthiest in Relize. The Dandalans are high in number, steadfastly loyal to their patriarch, and more than willing to marry for power. He profited tremendously from the Rescindment. He’d marry his children off to the wealthy in exchange for favors and money. They wanted their grandchildren to have patrician status, he wanted power. He made this thing into a cash cow,” Argrave shrugged. “Match made in a ledger.”

“I was going to bring that up,” Elenore nodded. “Given how powerful his family has grown from the mandate, would he really want to kill off his… cash cow?” she repeated, evidently liking the phrase.

Argrave pointed at her. “We’ll talk to him. I’m sure he will.”

Elenore took a deep breath. “I need to borrow Anneliese. I need her for something.”

“I need her for everything,” Argrave frowned. “Why?”

“I’ve secured a meeting with a Dandalan,” Elenore explained, waving her hand. “I’d like her to be there, gauge things. Won’t take long. Just passing on a written message.”

Anneliese placed her hand on Argrave’s shoulder. “I can be there,” she promised.

“I’ll go too,” Argrave decided.

“You should stay,” Anneliese disagreed. “You cannot risk being seen.”

“And you can?” Argrave rebutted. “She can?” he pointed at Elenore.

“I won’t be going,” Elenore shook her head. “Anneliese won’t even be visible. Ideally, she’ll watch with her bird. Gods, but you are a lovestruck fool.”

“And I’m proud of it,” Argrave said, then buried his head in his pillow. “Well… damn. Lonely afternoon, I guess.”

“In the coming days, my workload is to lighten. I’d like to begin talks about how you plan to approach this war,” Elenore informed Argrave.

Hearing those words, Argrave was reminded of the reality of what he was doing. “I’ll be there. Anneliese and I did come up with something.”

“That something may have shifted,” Elenore informed him. “I have it on good authority that the rumors of Levin intending to found his own kingdom are entirely true. The northern region of Atrus will split from Vasquer and form the Kingdom of Atrus. That’s most of the northwest. They’re bordering Veden on the Midwest.”

Argrave fell into deep thought, closing his eyes.

“This is something new to you?” Elenore pressed.

“The kingdom itself… No.” Argrave rubbed his forehead. “No, the nobles in that region were always closely linked. After the civil war was won, and Felipe was killed… if it was the rebels that had won, that kingdom would form. It was one of many successor states after the balkanization.”

“Balkanization?” Elenore repeated.

“That is… a separation of one country into several smaller successor states.” Argrave opened his eyes. “I never imagined Levin would cause this much trouble. He’s… he’s convinced Felipe will lose. That’s the only reason I can picture why he’d do all of this.”

“It’s not difficult to imagine why. I don’t think he has a single ally remaining. His knight-commander is largely crippled. Even his royal guard must question his legitimacy after what we did,” Elenore said, not able to disguise some measure of pride. “I’m thinking a riot may happen, end him independent of our actions.”

“Orion is still around,” Argrave reminded her.

“Still missing,” she disagreed. “This kingdom of Atrus may yet prove to be a boon. I would much sooner face Levin than Felipe… and I may do just that.” The princess let out a long sigh. “Even still, it is impossible to avoid anxiety. We make our move.” She stepped away. “I ramble. I will send for you, Anneliese, giving you some advance notice of when I will need your aid. Until then.”

“Take care, Elenore. Do not overtax yourself,” the elf counseled.

“Take care,” the princess repeated back, not addressing Anneliese’s concern.

Argrave watched Elenore walk away. After she had long departed, Anneliese sighed.

“What?” he asked her.

“She drowns herself in work to bury her grief,” Anneliese said. “She is just like you.”

“More like you. Too smart for her own good,” Argrave picked up his book, ready to resume reading.

“I know people better than you do,” Anneliese asserted.

Argrave laughed. “Alright, take it easy. It was a compliment.”

Anneliese pushed his book away from him. “I think this deserves attention.”

“If she is like me… I turned out alright, didn’t I?” Argrave leaned close to her face.

“Because I forced the issue,” Anneliese said, giving a pointed frown.

Argrave paused inches from her face. “Well… you’re going to be spending time with her.”

Anneliese raised a brow. “This is true.”

“I trust you,” he told her, then gave her a light kiss and grabbed his book once again. “You tell me to do something, I’ll do it. Just tell me how I can help.”

“I will think on the matter,” Anneliese decided.