Jackal Among Snakes

Vera and Hegazar stood there, smiling at the new arrivals. Pavel Drawnwater was just beside them, silent but alert.

Vasilisa shut the door behind them as she said, “I do. Nice to see you two again.”

“This room is warded. We can talk freely.” Margravine Sophia nodded as she placed herself just beside her cousin, Pavel. “I explained everything sufficiently, I hope? You know why they’re here?”

Vasilisa nodded. “They’re supporting Argrave.”

“Not just them,” Sophia shook her head. “The entire Order is likely to, given Tower Master Castro’s predisposition to the idea. And they came here to broach that subject with us.”

“I understand. But… they came here?” Argrave asked, trying his best to act ignorant. “Why?”

“Well, His Majesty is very adept at finding out things,” Vera answered. “He knows well the situation in the north. And his information led him to believe that the margravine might possess not only the disposition, but the influence needed to make a foothold in the north.”

Argrave narrowed his eyes. “That’s… a little suspicious.”

“As I said, His Majesty is very adept,” Vera continued. “He has eyes and ears everywhere. He might as well be in this room right now…” she said coyly, grinning.

Hegazar laughed at her joke but quickly added, “And with us present, King Argrave is here, in effect. We have been authorized to handle things on his behalf. Indeed, we’ve been given a document marked with his magic signature.”

Argrave bit his lip, feeling that the Magister was tempting fate with her jokes. “…Vasilisa?”

“I know Elenore,” she said. “I have a connection with her. All things considered… if we can secure the Magisters…” she left her agreement unspoken. Despite her good-nature, Argrave felt the Magister was a decent actor.

“I think it’s in your best interest, Magister Vasilisa,” Hegazar smiled, then looked to Sophia. “His Majesty’s plan was rather simple. He intends to restore House Quadreign to power, and earn their allegiance.”

Sophia’s eyes narrowed. She opened her mouth to say something, then looked to Pavel. Her cousin seemed similarly bothered by this notion, yet they had more tact that to say so in the presence of Vasilisa.

“…House Quadreign has no power here,” Vasilisa said, and the two Drawnwaters nodded eagerly in agreement. “What’s more, our house always reigned as independent queens, not vassals to Vasquer.”

“That’s correct,” Sophia latched on to that eagerly. “House Drawnwater has near a thousand men-at-arms in our employ… and connections to many of the houses in the region. The reason why Margrave Ivan married me was for our house’s influence over the region.”

Vera nodded. “Our liege understands that. As such, His Majesty intends to reward your house appropriately for your aid. However, there is one detail we must consider: if House Drawnwater was made lord of the margrave’s land, that can only be interpreted as a usurpation. If House Quadreign was restored, however, and then swore fealty to Argrave organically… that is a righteous cause that offers just support. Indeed, that Vasilisa is entangled in things was a pleasant surprise, as this is what was always intended. It saves us some trouble.”

“But… their authority over the region…” Pavel began.

“You told me their flame would be returned to them,” Hegazar noted. “Their authority will be unrivalled. Thousands will flock to their banners if the flame is returned. All in the north remember well the power Quadreign wielded with the flame burning, with their clocktower ticking.”

Sophia and Pavel both looked distraught.

“Margrave Ivan is a Magister of the order,” Hegazar reminded them. “Vasilisa… do you think you, alone, can face him?”

“He’s far stronger, and more experienced in battle,” Vasilisa shook her head. “I could not.”

“Then a bloodless coup, as you wish, would be out of the question without our aid,” Vera nodded. “Indeed… you might not succeed at all.”

“The Drawnwaters have to be amply rewarded,” Argrave insisted, introducing himself in the conversation. “Without them, this endeavor would be impossible.”

At the unexpected support, the two seemed to brighten.

“Hmm…” Hegazar rubbed his chin. “How about… sovereignty over this island, named Counts of First Hope?”

The two Drawnwaters looked between each other. Argrave looked to Anneliese, and she shot him a thumbs down indicating the family’s thoughts.

“That’s not enough,” Argrave declared. “The coastal villages nearest, too, must swear fealty.”

“Silvaden…!” Sophia said, shocked.

Hegazar lowered his hands. “That is asking much.”

Argrave shook his head, acting defiant as he declared, “I think it’s proportional.”

“Proportional to what?” Vera pressed.

“To their contributions to Argrave’s effort,” Anneliese backed him.

Hegazar took a breath and sighed. “Do you agree?” he looked to Sophia.

“We… certainly will not disappoint,” Sophia nodded.

With their support declared, Pavel added, “His Majesty can rest assured.”

“And you, Vasilisa?” Vera looked to her. “This concerns your house’s welfare.”

“I… have no objections,” Vasilisa nodded.

Vera and Hegazar spared a glance, then stepped off to the side to speak in private. They stepped back a moment later and said, “Then it’s decided. The Drawnwaters will be named Counts of First Hope, lording over the whole of this island and its dependent coastal villages on the mainland. In return, we will aid in this coup to return House Quadreign to power. Thereafter, Diana of Quadreign will swear fealty to Argrave as the first Archduchess of Northern Vasquer, passing along the female line as is Quadreign tradition. You can speak for your sister on this matter, I trust?”

“I can,” Vasilisa said without hesitation.

Margravine Sophia smiled broadly. “I am glad to hear of it. As my cousin said, His Majesty will not be disappointed.”

“I should hope not,” Vera spared a glance at Argrave. “Well, let’s discuss out strategy.”

“Yes…” Hegazar nodded. “To begin with, I’m curious how you chose who would come to this meeting.”

Margravine Sophia clasped her hands together. “All present have been filtered carefully. They have personal and political dissatisfaction with Margrave Ivan and have expressed so publicly. Ivan detests them. On top of that, they have sway with those that matter.”

“That should be helpful,” Vera stepped closer. “Still, let’s play things out before we move…”

#####

A good deal of people sat in the dining hall of the Drawnwater estate. They numbered perhaps thirty. All seemed to know each other quite well, as the general temperature of the room was that of a relaxed party. People joked and talked freely, flitting about in conversation like old friends, all. They wore decadent furs, fine silks, and shining rings, necklaces, and earrings as comfortable displays of affluence. They feasted on food every bit as fine as their dress.

A harsh chiming echoed throughout the room, and all faces turned towards Margravine Sophia as she tapped a silver spoon against a crystal-clear glass. Soon, the conversations of the assembled in the room came to a stop.

“Ladies and gentlemen… I’m pleased that you were able to gather here under such short notice,” Sophia began once the voices had quieted enough for hers to be heard without question. Her head swiveled as she scanned the crowd, continuing, “I don’t think you’ll regret being here at all, today.”

“Of course not,” one man cut in. “With such fine food, we could never be regretful.”

A few laughed, but not enough to disrupt the proceedings. The margravine smiled icily, then continued, “There is a very pressing matter looming over all the citizenry and nobility in the north. My husband has not deigned to address this matter. As to why that is… I cannot say.”

Margravine Sophia paused, perhaps for dramatic effect.

“Must we speak of politics at all times?” a tired-looking young man spoke up.

Many looked at him, nodding in agreement. His dissent was some sort of social proof that others heeded.

“The war has come to our shores,” Sophia declared to kill the dissent in infancy. “If you would like to have the end result of the war culminate in the deaths of your parents and children, you may stuff wool in your ears and walk onwards mindlessly. I, however, believe ignorance and stupidity are sure ways to end up in the gutters. Look at Atrus’ fate—they wished for neutrality, and so King Felipe III had them all assassinated.”

The tired-looking young man crossed his arms defensively, but said nothing more on the matter.

“I’d like to introduce two other guests,” Sophia clasped her hands together, then stepped forward to the table to retrieve a bell. She rung it, and a few moments later, the door opened. A pair walked in—Magisters Vera and Hegazar, both wearing fineries of black and gold. There was a rather peculiar symbol worn where their heart was. It was a sun, four snakes forming from its sunbeams. A few raised their brows in recognition of the symbol.

“I have the honor of welcoming Magister Vera and Magister Hegazar, both of the Order of the Gray Owl,” Margravine Sophia held one hand out in demonstration, as though she was displaying an exhibit to auctioneers. “Everyone, please treat them courteously—they have come a long way, and we should show them northern hospitality.”

As the greetings came, Hegazar said simply, “Charmed.”

People sat up in their chairs, both out of respect and cognizance of the situation. If people did not recognize the symbol, they did not remain ignorant for long. Soon enough, the meaning of the snake-sun symbol on the Magister’s chest gained meaning: it was the symbol of the claimant, Argrave.

“The Magisters were kind enough to share me their knowledge of the inner circle in the Order of the Gray Owl. Simply put, the Order will declare its support for Argrave’s claim,” Sophia said simply.

If people were already at attention, now they were enraptured by this development.

“I know that I am in the company of friends and the like-minded, so I will speak plainly. The fact is, we of the north were betrayed,” the margravine declared. “Ivan, vassal to House Quadreign, betrayed the queendom and tore out our nation’s heart. After, he forced our house of Drawnwater into a political marriage, then spurned us in the same month.”

Sophia looked around as faces turned to shock, then continued, “But I am not content to let things remain like this. And I invited all of you here, today, because I know you share that sentiment. I have a proposal to share.”

A third person entered into the room—Magister Vasilisa, walking just behind the other two Magisters. They made way for her. And just as the other two… Vasilisa bore a golden sun on her chest, four snake heads biting out of the sunbeams.

“I believe it is time to restore prosperity to the north,” Sophia continued. “And I believe we are the ones to do it. The only way, dear friends… is to restore the proper rulers of the north. We must restore House Quadreign.”