Jackal Among Snakes

“You’re a rather difficult man to hold something over.” Argrave sat cross-legged before Ji Meng, Anneliese in a similar position just beside him.

“You can certainly hold your victory over my head.”

Ji Meng drank his tea with crushed Ebonice fragments inside of it. He’d been forced to ingest that for a long while. Even once he stopped, it would take a little while before his magic would begin to return. If they kept going, perhaps it might become a permanent thing. Perhaps he’d earn an Ebonice kidney stone. As it stood, all it was doing was preventing his recovery. If they embedded a shard of the stuff in his flesh as they did with Georgina, it would be ineffective—he could cast spells at A rank or higher without trouble. By ingesting, it dissipated any magic he’d gather ambiently.

“You have children—hundreds. I don’t think you especially value any of them, so it would be impossible to guarantee your cooperation that way.” Argrave tapped his fingers against his knee.

“I disagree. I love my family… but regardless, cooperation regarding what?” Ji Meng acted ignorant. He hadn’t been told the full plan outright, but he had been told enough to know what Argrave intended.

“Claiming your throne, and then ruling on your behalf, for a relatively peaceful conquest.”

“I see. That.” Ji Meng ran his fingers along his wispy beard. “I do love my children, despite your claims. Honestly,” he insisted. “But… if you decided to put one of them on the throne, none of the Great Chu would respect them. Some of them take after me—they’re intelligent, resourceful. But reputation is far more important than intelligence for you, as you need to use your puppet emperor to pacify the nation. Intelligence might harm your schemes more than anything.” Ji Meng sipped once more.

“I’m glad you understand. The simple fact is, I can’t gain any substantial ground in the Great Chu without your assistance. You can’t return to the Great Chu without mine.”

Ji Meng set his drink down and stared at Argrave. “So it seems.”

Neither party said anything, thinking and observing without any commitment. Argrave had been through a hellish journey to come here. There were more than a few times he thought he wouldn’t make it. Ji Meng’s journey was no less harsh, and he was Argrave’s senior by a large amount. Argrave had the upper hand currently, but even the smallest of misplays, and the war against the Qircassian Coalition could become one of the bloodiest imaginable.

“Do you have any suggestions?” Anneliese asked boldly.

Ji Meng looked surprised by the question. If it was not a ‘no,’ his answer would reveal a lot. He smiled and said, “Would it be too much to ask for trust?”

Both Argrave and Anneliese nodded.

“Very well. This tea, then.” Ji Meng pushed the cup. “It wouldn’t be especially conspicuous if I kept drinking it. Let that be a show of my surrender.”

Argrave nodded. “That’s certainly a start.”

Ji Meng ran his fingers along the rim of the cup. “My men, my spellcasters… keep them here, in Berendar, in your prisons.”

“It would harm your legitimacy too much if your men did not return with you,” Anneliese shook her head. “We will keep the spellcasters. But your honor guard—those still alive, at the least—will accompany you.”

“Without divine armaments,” Argrave added. “Instead, we’ll give them blades of Vasquer.”

“And how many men would that be?” Ji Meng asked, keeping his tone neutral.

“About thirty survived. Twenty-five aren’t…” Argrave trailed off, hesitant to use the word disabled. “Twenty-five are combat ready.”

“Mmm. More than halved,” Ji Meng lamented, spinning his cup. “How will you present yourself?”

“Simple,” Argrave said. “I’m your new right hand, commander of all your armies and navies. I’m handling your protection, speaking on your behalf, handling the administration… after all, you’ve learned about the dangerous threat of the Qircassian Coalition and have enlisted my aid to put it down. I’m going to try and avoid having you appear in public, but when I prod you, you’ll need to say what needs to be said. Is this something you can do?”

Emperor Ji Meng laughed. “I came here bearing the crescent moon, and you fought me bearing the sun. We have a name in my homeland, and I think it will suit you well.” He grabbed his cup and raised it into the air. “A toast to you, Grand Commandant Sun.”

Argrave tried not to get swept up in the emperor’s nicety. The way he carried himself, the way he acted, was all rather endearing. He was truly a fantastic leader. That made him all the more dangerous under Argrave’s thumb. This alliance was necessary, but he wasn’t totally certain how long it would last before Ji Meng acted out.

“I’m glad we understand each other.” Argrave rose to his feet. “We’ll be leaving within the week.”

“Best hope the gods favor your winds,” Ji Meng looked up at Argrave. “The bureaucracy in the Great Chu… it can be somewhat overwhelming for someone when they’re first introduced. It was certainly the largest learning curve for me when I became emperor. I can help you out, Grand Commandant Sun. The importance or unimportance of a position, the function of an office, the structure of our military, or the great houses and governors of the provinces… it can be enough to bury a man alive without another by his side to dig him out.”

Argrave studied him. “You might give good advice. But let’s not forget that’s what happened to you.” He pointed down at him. “You were buried by your own court. I’m the one digging you out, now. You can live a long time, happy and well-fed, if you show the proper appreciation. I promise you that much, Ji Meng.”

Ji Meng smiled, watching as Argrave turned and left.

#####

“What did you think?” Argrave asked Anneliese. They had already returned to Blackgard, where their next task awaited. Their travels would take them back northward sooner rather than later, though.

“We will have our hands full,” Anneliese said slowly and simply.

“You make it sound like we’ve adopted yet another child,” Argrave mused. “The man’s fully grown, and set in his ways. That, at least, means we know what to expect. We just have to watch him as carefully as if he is a child. Not for his safety—ours.”

Anneliese nodded and walked in step with Argrave, but after a long moment of quiet contemplation she turned her head. “Do you believe adults can change as children do?”

Her question made him contemplate in turn. “They call those changes midlife crises, I think.” Argrave laughed at his own joke.

“We’re here. Be serious,” Anneliese said, sternly yet kindly.

Argrave and Anneliese opened the door to Elenore’s office. Sitting across from her was an old woman who wore a poorly-sewn scarf. It looked like a child had made it—and given the appearance of the old woman, that seemed likely. But she was no old woman. She was Lira, goddess of connections, and Elenore’s patron.

The old-looking goddess looked back. “Your family has arrived, Elenore.”

“Indeed we have,” Argrave nodded. “I’m very happy you’re meeting with us, Lira.”

“What reason would I have to refuse?” she pointed out. “Even if I had some reasons, I might still come. All I’ve heard says that you two are kind souls. The more one has of those in their life, the more the world blooms around them. I’m certain Elenore would agree—right, sweet?”

Elenore nodded. “Yes. But we should get to the serious topics.”

Lira tilted her head in concession. “Aye, I suppose that’s the best way to go about things. Work before play and your heart will stay gay.”

Argrave felt juvenile tendencies long buried threatening to surface after hearing her last word, but fortunately for everyone Anneliese spoke first. “Has Elenore mentioned what we intend to ask of you?”

“She’s mentioned that it’s a proposal soon to go to the other gods, but not much more beyond that,” Lira said, looking between them. “But I suppose there must be a reason that you speak to me first.”

“Just so,” Argrave nodded. “The fact is, your power will be invaluable.”

“And Elenore cannot use it?” Lira looked to her champion. “I gave her blessings that she doesn’t even use. She has yet to create a single connected doorway.”

Elenore crossed her arms. “Every time I use your power, it drains my will. Given my position, I have to use my mind for other purposes. It would necessitate a great deal of my mental power to sustain that doorway if Argrave and all his companions so brazenly walk through it. But… that power is precisely why we’ve called you here.”

“I am listening,” Lira looked at Elenore patiently.

“We’ve decided to war against the Qircassian Coalition. Having a way to quickly travel between continents—”

“My power is meant to be use to facilitate harmony, interconnection. I rarely involve myself in wars. I am an old woman who relies on the kindness of the people I’ve met throughout my life to keep me alive,” Lira said sternly. “And you intend to use my power to wage war? To bring an army across continents?”

Argrave stepped behind Elenore’s desk to stand beside her. “We wouldn’t be asking this of you if we didn’t believe it wholly necessary. The Qircassian Coalition is working with Erlebnis to barrage this area with foul magic. No doubt you’ve felt it.”

“It’s true. I saw those ships, saw that god you brought before us. You’re not the aggressors in this war, but that can change as quickly as the tides.” The old woman kneaded her wrinkled hands. “Tell me your desire.”

“We’d like you to create a doorway between a great ship called the Sea Dragon, and this continent. Is that something you can do?”

“It is,” confirmed Lira without hesitation. “As could Raccomen. What do you intend to do with this doorway?”

Anneliese walked to join Argrave and Elenore behind the desk. “It’s going to be incredibly difficult to break the coast of southern Great Chu. Once we do, it would be best if we never make the journey again. We’d like to use the Sea Dragon—”

“As a point of transfer for your armies.” Lira shook her head. “It’s precisely as I told you. The others may be thirsty for gain, but I am not. I hunger for harmony. I hope we can set aside all of our ambition and focus on the one thing that is truly an enemy—Gerechtigkeit. This siege isn’t too harmful.”

Argrave walked forward and sat on the edge of the desk. “That’s just it. The true enemy. The reason why we speak to you separately, Lira, is because that remains your focus. Erlebnis, Qircassia—the two of them together are responsible for more destruction than most other gods alive. We can end that. We have the opportunity to become the foremost power in this divine race. And once we are, we can finally establish true peace between divinity.”

“It’s one thing to fight the coalition… but suggesting to slay both Erlebnis and Qircassia? Young man…”

Argrave looked at Anneliese, and she gave him a nod. He looked back. “Can I trust your secrecy?”

Lira hesitated, then said beneath her breath, “To an extent. I will not harm my allies.”

“We’re all bound by the White Planes to defend one another,” Argrave pointed out. “But can I trust you?”

“Betraying confidences ruins friendships. I never do it,” Lira said, confirming Argrave’s memory of her.

“Sataistador will be fighting with us,” Argrave said plainly. “He will help us kill both ancient gods.”

Lira stood up. “With us, or merely near us? Are you mad?! That lunatic has no regard for alliances, no regard for anything. Nothing is sacred in his eyes, least of all himself!”

“We’ve been communicating for a long while,” Argrave explained. “He’ll fight with us. With that knowledge… how will you proceed?”

“I’m rather tempted to proceed right out that door, young man.” Lira shook her head. “I ask again: are you mad?”

“I never suggested he was a steadfast ally. We’re using him as much as he’s using us, but I know for certain that he’ll help us because he already has been. Knowing this new variable, will you help us? And beyond that, will you help bring the rest of the Blackgard Union around?”

Lira looked between Argrave, Anneliese, and Elenore, then sighed deeply. “I’m afraid I can’t, in good faith, agree at present. I’m even less inclined now that I know Sataistador is to join the chaos. I will keep this information to myself, but I suggest that you inform the Blackgard Union with due haste. Sataistador is an ill omen to any alliance. He worms his way into them, tears them apart from the inside, and then reaps all the rewards when dissent breaks out.”

Argrave clenched his jaw, somewhat bitter. He’d thought Lira might be the easiest to bring around, but even she was resistant to the idea. “I appreciate your consideration, Lira. I intend to bring this matter before everyone of the union tomorrow. It’s my hope you’ll see things my way.”

“I’ll be leaving, now.” Lira caressed her forehead, then walked slowly to the door. She stopped and turned back. “If… if you do truly intend to persuade us… I suggest you hold this meeting in Law’s Court.”

Argrave raised his brows. “Law’s divine realm?”

“Yes. Only in Law’s Court do I think you have any chance of bringing the other gods along with you in this plan. Sataistador’s stigma is too large for them to bear, and the fact you’ve kept this detail from us will be a huge barrier for acceptance. If you want to maintain any goodwill, I advise you have this conversation in Law’s Court, where you will be judged.”

Argrave thought, then gave a steady nod. “Thank you, Lira. I hope you reconsider.”

“I hope you do, too,” she said, then walked out the door.

Silence consumed the room as all three of them silently groaned.

“Not a promising start,” commented Elenore.

“Not at all,” agreed Argrave, biting his thumb’s nail in deep thought.

Law’s Court. Argrave had hoped never to go there. Was it truly necessary?