Jackal Among Snakes

What did it take for a mortal to sit on an even level with the gods themselves? Rook thought that was plainly on display here, today. Argrave had proven his worth long ago. There was not some divine characteristic separating man from god—at least not in his experience, during his ascension to this so-called exalted position. Gods were as vulnerable to mortal failings as they were before. Indeed, with their sphere of influence deciding their desires, it might be said that mortal failings were more present. Oftentimes, Rook lied without reason for terrible consequence. Not even ten thousand years of introspection had cured him of that affliction.

What made a god was all merely a matter of character and power displayed during the cycle of judgment. Argrave wielded both in abundance here at this trial.

After the terms of equity for the trial were established, Argrave did not hesitate in accepting the shackles of law that bound him to the trial. The terms weren’t overly punishing—this trial was about delivering the truth, and nothing but.

“I’m going to get right out with it—rip the bandage away, so to speak.” Argrave looked at each god in turn, and Rook found himself eagerly awaiting what would be said. “I’ve been working with Sataistador, and now, we’re going to invade the Great Chu to destroy both Erlebnis and the Qircassian Coalition.”

Law’s Court was no stranger to theatrics, but the silent drama after that declaration put most of them to shame. Rook had heard many tall tales—and been a part of some, himself—but he’d seldom heard an opening to a trial more ridiculous than that one. Many of the Blackgard Union looked at the golden shackles around Argrave’s wrist binding him to the dictates they’d established. They were looking to see if they were broken, somehow. That made Rook’s day. He was certain that this conversation was going to be quite the entertaining one.

Almazora and Stout Heart Swan, who’d had dealings with Sataistador, almost made to leave immediately. The dictates of the trial made sure that they could not interrupt Argrave during his initial telling of the tale, but that didn’t stop them from leaving. It was only Argrave’s insistent voice that made them stop their trot.

“It was Sataistador that leaked out to me that the Imperial Navy of the Great Chu was coming. We met in the White Planes. I’d intended for him to be a part of the Blackgard Union, but one of my own refused and humiliated him. From there, we brokered another deal. It was to meet up in the mortal realm, to have a personal conversation.”

Everyone looked to have the same questions—had Argrave made this deal in the White Planes? Was that why he was so confident about this going according to plan? But as they were all without the right to speak, Rook watched, chuckling as all others fumed in silence. The boyish Yinther looked liable to explode from curiosity. Only Veid looked like she had the same grasp on things as Argrave did.

“First, I will speak to practicality. All of you fear Sataistador—rightly so. I do too.” Argrave shifted in his throne, patting his chest to emphasize his heart with a sympathetic look donned on his face. He gave quite the performance—even Rook had his heart of stone moved slightly. “He’s a maniac who seems able to appear anywhere and everywhere, and the idea of him wreaking havoc through my territory gives me no small amount of stress. However, what I can be sure of is that he will most certainly try something if I cannot muster something to represent me in this war.

“As I’m sure that you all know, Emperor Ji Meng, ruler of the Great Chu, still lives. He’s in my custody, well at hand. The Great Chu has long resisted the machinations of all manner of gods. Their forces cannot be underestimated. The vast constructions they’ve built, the great magics that they’ve harnessed, are beyond any other mortal nation on this world. But the Qircassian Coalition, with the aid of Erlebnis, had managed to put their lock over the nation. Emperor Ji Meng is the key.” Argrave clenched his fist together boldly.

Rook tilted his head curiously. When, exactly, had all the gods put their eyes on this king? Sometimes it was hard to attract the attention of the gods, but from the beginning, they felt his resounding echoes. To loosen Fellhorn’s grasp over the Burnt Desert, to steal from him and give to the feeble elven gods of the Bloodwoods, to defeat the burgeoning alliance between Erlebnis and Qircassia in infancy… it was not the work of someone amateurish at this divine game of power. Was there merit to this plan? He listened closely as Argrave proceeded.

“If we, together, can get Ji Meng in place at the head of the Great Chu, we can defend against all comers—Sataistador, Qircassia, Erlebnis, it doesn’t matter. The Great Chu has done it before, as I’m sure you know. And with us at its back, your reach can extend beyond Vasquer. You can tap into the most fertile lands in all the world. And best yet, if we succeed, we may go further yet to grasp the whole world of divinity in our hands, if only for this one cycle. That is the practical.”

Argrave looked at all of them just as Rook did so. The plan sounded decent enough from Rook’s scrutiny. He was probably the one the argument appealed to most—just after him, Raccomen and Stout Heart Swan. But the huntress was too afraid of Sataistador to listen to practicality, and Raccomen did not like sharing spoils overmuch.

“Aside from the practical, there are other reasons. On a righteous level, I doubt anyone can deny the damage that Qircassia and Erlebnis have done together. I learned the truth about the fall of the ancient elven empire that once occupied Vasquer. Erlebnis was solely responsible. That may be news to some, affirmation of rumor to others… but I can assure you it is true, as I have the last living ancient elf as some of my closest counsel.”

Rook smiled. A good card to deal, and dealt prudently.

“His attempt to aid Qircassia was an attempt to hide that fact. But even should we exclude his atrocious act against those people… let us speak of the Smiling Raven.”

Argrave looked around. The name was just as reviled as Sataistador’s—no, even more so. Rook himself remembered hearing the tales of that monstrosity. It had killed more gods in that cycle than even Gerechtigkeit, whatever the beast was.

“Erlebnis was the catalyst for the Smiling Raven’s rise to power. His machinations led to its existence. His schemes led to the destruction of an entire continent, wiped down to the very last man. No animal, insect, or any life at all was spared the wrath of the Smiling Raven, and it came about because of Erlebnis’ actions. That is what I learned in his archives, gods and goddesses,” Argrave raised his hand up and pointed to the sky. “And that is why I so strongly hasten us to act.”

Rook grimaced a little at his melodrama. Not the best performance, but looking around, the more justice-minded gods seemed to like it. Perhaps Rook was being overly critical. Bringing up the Smiling Raven was certainly a potent persuasive tool.

“Qircassia is less subtle with his cruelty, so I’ll give you nothing more than a reminder. The Coalition itself was built on betrayal, and the total destruction of a great nomadic empire.” Argrave shook his head like it bothered him. “These are not enemies ill chosen. They are the reasons why this cycle has become as bloody as it has. At the same time, both have never been weaker. Qircassia’s realm was fragmented by the goddess of the centaurs at my behest. Erlebnis has lost the vast majority of the resources that he uses for his ill-conceived schemes. They are at their lowest, and we are at our apex.

“Beyond mere timing, allow me to explain my reasoning for this. This is not something that I wish to do, if I’m to be frank. I want nothing more than to remain at home, in Vasquer, taking care of my family as best I can while we prepare for Gerechtigkeit. But information in the archives has led me to discover information of vital importance about this cycle of judgment in particular. It’s special—different. When the judge descends, he will not be as he was in all other cycles. He will be magnitudes stronger. And for this reason, we must strengthen ourselves.”

Argrave let that statement sit with them for a moment, looking at each in turn. He focused on Law’s Justiciar, sitting in the center of the half-circle. “I understand that this is much to consider. At the same time, there’s something I’d not like you to forget.” Argrave tapped his chest. “I don’t pick fights I can’t win. Fellhorn, Mozzahr, Qircassia, Erlebnis—all walked away from me licking their wounds, battered and broken. The only reason I speak to you now is because Gerechtigkeit looms above. I do need you. Not for a victory—we believe I could secure that on my own. I need you for a decisive victory. If you wish to right a vast wrong, prevent something as foul as the Smiling Raven from emerging ever again, then you should fight with me, at my side. That’s all.”

Rook leaned back in his throne, smiling as all those around him waited with questions ready to burst free of their lips. With the announcement of the Justiciar, they’d be open to ask questions. Argrave had done a tremendous job. Now, all that remained was the questioning. It was sure to be a lengthy thing. Rook has inquiries of his own, but he wanted to wait and see what the others would ask.

Law’s Justiciar officiating the trial pronounced grandly, “The interrogation begins. Law claims the first question, by right of hosting.”

Law’s other Justiciar, leaned in. “How did Erlebnis create the Smiling Raven?”

Argrave fixed him with a steady-eyed gaze, and Rook knew that the king already had an answer. “The Smiling Raven was once a man known as Raven. Erlebnis warped him and twisted him into something dark and inhuman, and as a result, Raven broke, becoming what some of you here remember. There’s another key detail—Erlebnis might be capable of making the Smiling Raven emerge again.”

Rook grinned. The king was deftly keeping the subject on the Smiling Raven, and away from his weak point—Sataistador.

Law almost looked dissatisfied in his emotionless shell of metal, but his question was asked. Next came Almazora.

“How could Erlebnis create the Smiling Raven again?”

“Raven’s still alive, that’s how, and he still has all of his powers. Erlebnis kept the body of the Smiling Raven in his vault.”

Argrave fiddled with the black stone hanging from his neck. It seemed a nervous tick—but the answer seemed fairly ironclad. Rook leaned in curiously.

Yinther was called upon next, and he asked, “Where is Raven now?”

“I don’t know,” Argrave said simply. Rook thought he noticed a well-concealed smile, but wouldn’t bet on it. “We lacked the time to do something to the Smiling Raven’s body. We had to leave with what few spoils we had. Instead, I got this.” He held up the Ravenstone. “This came about from further research into the orb the Smiling Raven was holding. It can trap Raven. So, in essence… I nullified the problem, but not the Smiling Raven entirely.”

Rook’s turn was next. He respected Argrave’s game, but he had to get back to the issue at hand. “What arrangements have you made with Sataistador?”

“We made no agreement in the White Planes. We have a verbal agreement to destroy Erlebnis and Qircassia, but nothing more. Initially, the idea was to defeat the Qircassian Coalition when they tried to invade, then pursue and destroy them separately.” Argrave held his hands out. “Circumstances changed. Now, they siege our continent. That’s untenable. I’m well aware promises from Sataistador are worth little. Hopefully, what I’ve disclosed here today stresses why this is all-important.”

Rook was a little satisfied by that answer. At least the king had agreed to nothing. Around and around the questions went, diving at things again and again. Rook listened carefully to every word spoken, every argument had, and slowly came to a conclusion. Not about this issue, no— about Argrave.

The king was really quite good at this.

Whether the issue of Sataistador, the issue of their opponents, the issue of the reward from participating, the issue of why Gerechtigkeit would be stronger… he had an answer at hand in seconds. After hours of this rigorous dance, they made it to the last part of the trial. Sentencing. Who would stay, and who would go? Even Rook didn’t know how he’d choose.