Jackal Among Snakes

Ruleo pointed both his index fingers at Elenore. “It’s over for you.”

With that, Ruleo didn’t hesitate a second in running away. The men that had come to restrain him simply let him pass, obviously more concerned with the news that the king was coming than trying to restrain someone from leaving.

Argrave’s mind felt like it restarted after Ruleo left, coming back to focus on the task at hand. Given what the man had just leaked, all those present would be rattled. Elenore’s troops were her lifeline, and having them lose faith, having them choose between the king of their country and her operation? He wasn’t sure of their answer.

Elenore stepped forward boldly into the space Ruleo left behind. “That fool would be better off with us. The king coming here—it’s unexpected, but well within the realm of what we can handle. Have you forgotten who I am? Have you forgotten this man, who stormed those catacombs of vampires not minutes ago?” she moved to Argrave. “Gather everyone. I must set some things into place, and then we’ll leave together.”

The effect of Elenore’s confident words was like a spell that warded away their doubts, and her men set off to gather people. Even Argrave felt soothed somewhat, but when he looked to Anneliese, the uncertainty on her face told him it was mere bravado to keep all in line. Elenore held her arm out, gesturing for Argrave to escort her. Argrave took her arm.

“Take me to Vasquer,” she told him.

Without another word, Argrave took off towards the giant golden snake in the back of the giant room.

“Are you oka—”

“Save it,” Elenore interrupted. “Do you know of any other exits to this place?”

“The vampires would have used it,” Argrave told her at once. “As far as I know, front door is the only door.”

“Felipe is coming here personally… and I know him, I know how he thinks,” she said, a grim calmness to her. “Therese wouldn’t know of Vasquer… so there’s another traitor in our midst. No, no… forget that. Felipe is the pressing matter.”

Elenore didn’t look daunted by the prospect as she continued, “We have to leave here as soon as we can. Felipe seeks possession of Vasquer. He wouldn’t dare harm her—a symbol of legitimacy as valued as the founder’s companion coming to harm under his watch would mar his reign indelibly. He would never take such a risk. Though it’s best we ask her thoughts on the matter, I believe she would agree—we cannot stay here, yet Vasquer will remain safe if we leave her.”

“Agreed,” Argrave nodded, following thus far.

“In a small group, we could leave now… but escaping the capital would be impossible without my people. My men aren’t loyal by cause—they’re loyal by benefit alone. They won’t die for me, won’t screen our escape. On top of all that, a lot of people here are very valuable links to distant places. Lastly, let’s not mention the blow this would have on my reputation. It’d cripple my capabilities. I’d be of much less help to you in the future.” Elenore outlined to him. “Levin… I was not expecting this. He’s captured Therese.”

Her footsteps faltered, and Argrave stopped. “What?” he asked.

Elenore appeared briefly distressed, yet she resumed walking not a moment later. “Ruleo said she looked worse than before. Presumably, despite torture, she’s not surrendered truly valuable information... elsewise, I would have no opportunity. She’s given me time,” she noted, voice faintly tremulous.

“Can we delay the king, evacuate?” Argrave questioned, moving steadily towards Vasquer.

“If he knows of Elenore’s capability, he would immediately know it’s a diversion,” Anneliese chimed in on the opposite side of Argrave. “Given the Bat’s reputation, he’ll know what’s happening.”

Elenore nodded. “Yes… he wouldn’t delay his arrival. Owning Vasquer would be too valuable for him to dare delay. But nonetheless, now is not the time to be frugal. I’ll send a few talented people out immediately to work at causing distractions around the city. It will divide the guard, make our escape easier. Even Felipe would not let his city burn to the ground before his eyes—his paranoia might make him think this is all just some diversion to ruin Dirracha.”

“No. You can send messages quicker with my Starsparrow,” Anneliese suggested. “It will be nigh undetectable.”

Elenore nodded, brightening somewhat. “That’s right. I can… yes, that’s the best way. All I need is to deliver one message to a trusted agent—Merren. From there, he can get word to all of the others. A mass of arson, a series of minor attacks in the royal palace, calling in what few favors I have in the royal guard… we have to sow disunity, ensure they come here divided and uneasy.”

“With the royal knights leading a siege against this place… I mean, it’s as though we’re taking the place of the vampires we just wiped. The knight-commander, Jezuit, is an A-rank mage and master warrior well-equipped with old relics. We don’t stand a chance,” Argrave counseled.

“These favors aren’t mere trifles, Argrave,” Elenore said coldly. “The sway I have in the capital is enough to cause serious damage.”

Argrave nodded. “I believe that. But even if only ten royal knights holed up in the stairs, can we win? They’re some of the best-equipped and best-trained fighting forces in Berendar. It’d be impossible to assail, impossible to escape. We’re in the heart of the kingdom’s power. They can leisurely starve us out, if they want.”

“…I know this,” Elenore said after a moment of silence. They stopped before the gargantuan golden snake, still bound as ever. Her golden eyes followed them. “Things are as I said. The king wants to possess Vasquer. There is a reason everything happens so quickly, so recklessly. The king’s greed, his desire for Vasquer—that will be our best bet of manipulating things in our favor. Once he knows this is no fool’s quest, he will stop at nothing to come inside and secure this place.”

Elenore slowly slid out of Argrave’s grasp, coming to stand on her own. Argrave rubbed his hands together and asked, “Vasquer is the crux of your plan?”

“Probably,” Elenore nodded. “Do you know why those in central Vasquer remain loyal to Felipe? In war, he always led the charge, fought side-by-side with his vanguard. Trust me, I know him. We can bait him in. As for Vasquer…” Elenore turned to the snake. “She… I still need to talk to her, work things out. But before I do that, I need to know one thing. Levin—does something like this have precedent? Precedent in this game of yours?”

Argrave’s gaze narrowed as he thought. “Levin is… a bit power-hungry, but he’s a coward. He stays by Felipe’s side because he doesn’t think that his father is capable of being usurped, of being defeated. He’s an opportunist. He’ll take risks, but only if he can mitigate any harm that might come of them. Simply put, no. I don’t understand why he’s doing something like this.”

“Nor do I. My people have evidence of underhanded things he’s done—Magnus’ murder, embezzlement, abuses of power… he hired men to provoke Induen’s royal guard into attacking the people here at Dirracha, effectively starting a battle between the Margrave and the royal family, and by extension this whole war. That last one has no proof, but a woman under my employ testifies as much…” Elenore shook his head. “The first order of business is to get that all of that evidence out there. But given what he’s just done, I have to assume he’s planned for as much. Not to mention… he has someone planted among my men, getting word out. The traitor still needs to be dealt with.”

Argrave frowned sharply at the revelation Levin was behind Magnus’ murder. Elenore either didn’t catch or didn’t care about his expression, for she turned to Vasquer and reached out. “Quickly. No time for thoughts, feelings, distractions. It would be best if you talked to her with me,” Elenore urged.

In truth, the prospect of speaking to Vasquer again brought Argrave pause. Nonetheless, he pulled free his glove and reached out, hand resting against the metallic-feeling scales of the gigantic golden snake.

Once again, the nearly violating presence seeped into Argrave’s mind. The snake was once again quite accommodating of his discomfort… yet Elenore must have sent some knowledge of the situation over, for an inquiry came about their present situation.

Argrave simply plainly laid out the last conversation he’d had in its entirety, offering it to Vasquer. Understanding and concern returned. Argrave felt strangely nostalgic. It was like having a phone call with his mother where he’d told her some of his problems, and he’d receive a genuine offer of help. At once, understanding fell upon him—understanding of why Elenore valued this big snake so much.

That made him hesitate to leave her to Felipe’s clutches.

Yet before the thought could take root, something came—human thoughts, this time, and human feelings. Argrave accepted them. At once, Elenore’s plan of action came rushing into his mind, soon after supplanted by Vasquer’s promise of cooperation.

Argrave stood there for a moment, grinding his teeth. Then, he slowly took his hand off, and turned back to his companions. “It seems I’ll need your help. The binding around Vasquer’s jaw—it needs to be removed. And we’ll be needing a sharp blade.”