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Jackal Among Snakes Chapter 313
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Jackal Among Snakes Chapter 313

Published at 18th of April 2023 12:12:43 PM


Chapter 313: Used Kingdom Salesman
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Argrave stared up at a gargantuan moving gear that clicked every second. One might think the clocktower of Quadreign would be rather elaborate on the interior, but no—it was one large gear with a much smaller one at its center. The smaller received the directed power of the Flame of the Tenebrous Star. Anneliese watched right alongside him, both showing their curiosity openly. Argrave knew this place by design, but neither of them knew how the flame made the clock count the seconds.

Footsteps echoed into the room, and Argrave turned his head. The top of the clocktower was more a living area than a lookout. There was only one window from which to see all of Quadreign below, and the room itself was occupied with homey wooden furniture—a rocking chair by the window, a small table in the center, and a small library nestled in a corner. It looked a private and informal place. Argrave was very curious why Diana had requested to meet here.

Baroness Diana of Quadreign stepped up the stairway and into the clocktower's highest point. She paused for a moment, examining their party—Argrave, Galamon, and Anneliese—and then stepped in.

“We meet again, 'Silvaden,'” she called out. Diana had a rich voice and a fair face. Now that she was tumor-free, she reminded Argrave a little of Elenore in demeanor. Just behind her, the other Quadreigns walked up—Vasilisa and Svetlana.

“You look well,” Argrave said as he walked closer, followed by his companions. “And those aren't empty words, either. I'm very glad that you've made such an astonishing recovery. Vasilisa has told me of how you've toiled to keep the people in your territory prosperous despite the tremendous devastation the war wrought to your land,” Argrave looked to the Magister, giving her a nod. “I very much wished to have a longer conversation with you at the time, but… I cannot exactly fault that it was delayed until today.”

Diana's steps slowed as she neared Argrave, staring up at him with some measure of caution in her face. And she was right to be cautious—Argrave had a battery of psychological tricks in his sleeve he'd learn in negotiating with the patricians. He'd already used one—flattery. Argrave found people loved flattery when they didn't know that's what it was.

The baroness held out her hand. “I don't think it's so astonishing a recovery given our flame's nature… but yes, it's nice to speak with the three of you once more with my wits about me.”

Argrave shook her hand. “I agree. On that note, I have something for you.” Argrave reached into his coat with his free hand and pulled something out—the second of his tricks. “A little gift to celebrate your recovery.”

It was a golden ring with a sun wrought atop it, four snakes as its rays. It was one of the enchanted rings Argrave had made. It was nothing special, but it was a gift. Human nature is that of reciprocity. Thus came the old proverb, 'there is nothing more expensive than something free.' By giving a small, inconsequential gift, Argrave had gotten people to agree to much more beneficial deals later in the conversation.

“I made this—an enchanted ring that conjures a B-rank ward,” Argrave described as he held it in his palm. “Perhaps you might consider it in poor taste to bear something with my personal heraldry… but I hope to change the relationship between Quadreign and Vasquer. I won't deny that my family, and more specifically my father, ravaged this land. What's been done can't be changed, but I hope that it can be remedied. I thought this ring might stand as symbol to that. Let my symbol become a shield for you and yours.”

Diana was caught off-balance. Argrave left out key details, making the ring seem a personalized gift when it was really something Argrave had made far prior for another reason.

Hesitating, the baroness held out her hand in rejection. “That is far too expensive. Please, keep it.”

“I insist. Your protection is important,” Argrave held it out further.

Diana pursed her lips, then slowly accepted the ring. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Argrave didn't reject the title in favor of acting closer to Diana, as retaining authority was another trick of the mind he'd learned. His title of 'king' had weight, he found. But he wasn't about to let up the pressure.

“Vasilisa has already volunteered you as Archduchess of the North.” Argrave smiled. “Something I'm sure she told you of.”

Diana found a foothold in the conversation, and butted in, “That's precisely what I wanted to talk to you about, Your Majesty. I—”

“Good,” Argrave interrupted her. “Wandering through this northern land, I learned a lot. I can't say that I have the knowledge a local might have, but I think I understand what historical good your house of Quadreign has done for this land. I greatly admire your dedication to the people of this land. Food is scarce, the wilderness is dangerous, yet the Queendom of Quadreign served as protectors for all. I think it's the duty of a leader to do precisely as much—I think we have similar mindsets on this.

“Furthermore,” Argrave turned his gaze to the window. “I believe the north has unique needs compared to the rest of the continent. The taxes levied here aren't quite right. Your villages cannot afford to give their harvest like those of the south. To that end, I think that any agreement we reach in terms of vassalage should differ accordingly.”

“I agree,” Diana managed to get a few words in. “Food is valuable here.”

“Indeed. As such… I believe it would be best for both if this newly established Archduchy needs only pay something it has less need of—coin,” Argrave suggested. He had more in mind, but he would leave it out until Diana pushed back.

“Coin?” Diana furrowed her brows. “But what of military responsibility?”

“I would take no soldiers,” Argrave shook his head. “I have need of spellcasters, Diana, and nothing more. I would take all magical forces you can muster, but your men are needed for hunting and tending the herds. I could not pull them from that in good faith.”

“But coin… Vasquer coin is not that present in the north,” Diana crossed her arms. “It's here, certainly, but not as integrated as it is in the southern territories.”

“Yes. I hoped to foster trade,” Argrave nodded. “By necessitating coin, the people here can be incentivized to trade with the south—I believe there are many opportunities. You have beautiful furs that could be luxury products in the south, coupled with gemstones from precious mines in the hills and pearls from the coast.”

“It's… a little…” Diana hesitated. She turned her head back to her daughter and her sister, but none could offer advice.

“Hmm,” Argrave mused, touching his chin. “How about this, then? In trading foodstuffs or seeds—things the north sorely needs—there will be neither tariffs nor taxes. The people of the south will come here with food aplenty if things turn out that way. And… you will be exempt from all taxes for the five years.” Argrave spread his arms out. “I believe we have a deal. You need only accept these terms,” he said, implying she might lose out if she refused now.

Generous terms? Perhaps. But if the deal finished here, Argrave earned all of the northern spellcasters, a very positively predisposed figurehead, and an amply loyal populace. Above all, he did want the north to prosper. What he'd said wasn't wrong. Someone foolish might think he was losing a lot, but he had come here with three people, and earned the entire northern portion of Vasquer.

Diana had been hit with a vast array of tricks Argrave had accrued over his life, and it showed. Her face betrayed that she was desperately looking for a way she could reasonably get more, yet various factors at play in her head screamed at her to say something in particular.

“We have a deal,” Diana agreed, like someone conceding defeat in the face of overwhelming force.

Argrave beamed. “Wonderful.”

#####

The Quadreign family and Argrave's companions, with the negotiations settled, enjoyed a pleasant time in the clocktower's chamber. Though Argrave had been a bit competitive when it came to negotiations, he relaxed and found himself enjoying the company of the three people in the new Archduchess' family. Anneliese got along with Diana splendidly. Galamon, though he was still more reticent than usual, enjoyed Vasilisa's company.

They talked of much—Argrave's plans for the kingdoms, Gerechtigkeit, and the war. More mundane topics came up as well, like simple hobbies. At the end of it all, Argrave and his coterie left before the moon grew too high above. Once they were well and truly gone, Diana plopped in the rocking chair by the window.

“By the flame…” she sighed.

“Mom?” Svetlana questioned, coming closer.

“I never stood a chance,” Diana reflected.

“What do you mean?” Vasilisa, slightly sloshed, didn't follow.

“Svetlana… I think you should go with them,” Diana said. “I think you have to be a part of that parliament our new king is building. You can learn a lot more from him and those he keeps near him than you can me. I can at least be smart enough to realize… a new order is coming to this continent,” she looked out the window, watching as the three of them moved across the courtyard.

#####

“That was pleasant,” Argrave reflected as they walked back to the guest house. “Isn't that right, Galamon?”

“Hmm,” he grunted back, nodding.

Argrave bit his lip, seeking conversation points. “You seemed to like Vasilisa,” he noted.

“I'm married,” he said at once.

Argrave scoffed. “You can be friends, no?”

“Hmm,” he grunted once again.

Argrave looked for something more to say but found nothing. As they walked in silence through the courtyard, dormant thoughts occupying his attention rose to the surface. Before long, he found himself thinking about the rank ascension he'd been obsessing over.

“Hey, Anneliese,” Argrave called out. “I learned a lot about the general makeup of rank ascension from Vasilisa. I think I can learn about projected constructs from Hegazar. And I can learn about specialization into a field from Vera,” he pointed out, turning his head to look at her.

“All true,” she nodded, following.

“There's something missing in that equation,” he pointed out. “Involving the soul. And I… well, I'm getting a crazy inclination that I can't shake.”

“Let me help you shake it,” Anneliese insisted, knowing well that when Argrave said 'crazy,' it generally meant dangerous.

“Well, I know about a shrine. It's far, but not exactly across the world. We'll have to wait regardless for the spellcasters to gather, so we're not wasting any time,” he said hopefully.

Anneliese closed her eyes as they walked. “…we will have to stay in this region for another few days regardless,” she admitted hesitantly.

Pleased she agreed, Argrave continued rapidly, “It's guarded by a ferocious creature that I think Durran would like very much. And this shrine… I've been to one like it in the past. I'm thinking my rank ascension, your rank ascension, and Durran's druidic bond... we might knock them out in one fell swoop. We get that pet, we get knowledge about using my living soul as an anchor, and you experience that presence Llewellen insisted helped him so much.”

Anneliese stepped ahead and stopped. “You cannot mean…?”

“I can,” Argrave nodded. “I've got an itch to visit an old friend. And the more I think of it, the less of a bad idea it sounds.”

Chapter end

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Chapter 470
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Chapter 468
Chapter 467
Chapter 466
Chapter 465
Chapter 464
Chapter 463
Chapter 462
Chapter 461
Chapter 460
Chapter 459
Chapter 458
Chapter 457
Chapter 456
Chapter 455
Chapter 454
Chapter 453
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Chapter 448
Chapter 447
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Chapter 445
Chapter 444
Chapter 443
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Chapter 440
Chapter 439
Chapter 438
Chapter 437
Chapter 436
Chapter 435
Chapter 434
Chapter 433
Chapter 432
Chapter 431
Chapter 430
Chapter 429
Chapter 428
Chapter 427
Chapter 426
Chapter 425
Chapter 424
Chapter 423
Chapter 422
Chapter 421
Chapter 420
Chapter 419
Chapter 418
Chapter 417
Chapter 416
Chapter 415
Chapter 414
Chapter 413
Chapter 412
Chapter 411
Chapter 410
Chapter 409
Chapter 408
Chapter 407
Chapter 406
Chapter 405
Chapter 404
Chapter 403
Chapter 402
Chapter 401
Chapter 400
Chapter 399
Chapter 398
Chapter 397
Chapter 396
Chapter 395
Chapter 394
Chapter 393
Chapter 392
Chapter 391
Chapter 390
Chapter 389
Chapter 388
Chapter 387
Chapter 386
Chapter 385
Chapter 384
Chapter 383
Chapter 382
Chapter 381
Chapter 380
Chapter 379
Chapter 378
Chapter 377
Chapter 376
Chapter 375
Chapter 374
Chapter 373
Chapter 372
Chapter 371
Chapter 370
Chapter 369
Chapter 368
Chapter 367
Chapter 366
Chapter 365
Chapter 364
Chapter 363
Chapter 362
Chapter 361
Chapter 360
Chapter 359
Chapter 358
Chapter 357
Chapter 356
Chapter 355
Chapter 354
Chapter 353
Chapter 352
Chapter 351
Chapter 350
Chapter 349
Chapter 348
Chapter 347
Chapter 346
Chapter 345
Chapter 344
Chapter 343
Chapter 342
Chapter 341
Chapter 340
Chapter 339
Chapter 338
Chapter 337
Chapter 336
Chapter 335
Chapter 334
Chapter 333
Chapter 332
Chapter 331
Chapter 330
Chapter 329
Chapter 328
Chapter 327
Chapter 326
Chapter 325
Chapter 324
Chapter 323
Chapter 322
Chapter 321
Chapter 320
Chapter 319
Chapter 318
Chapter 317
Chapter 316
Chapter 315
Chapter 314
Chapter 313
Chapter 312
Chapter 311
Chapter 310
Chapter 309
Chapter 308
Chapter 307
Chapter 306
Chapter 305
Chapter 304
Chapter 303
Chapter 302
Chapter 301
Chapter 300
Chapter 299
Chapter 298
Chapter 297
Chapter 296
Chapter 295
Chapter 294
Chapter 293
Chapter 292
Chapter 291
Chapter 290
Chapter 289
Chapter 288
Chapter 287
Chapter 286
Chapter 285
Chapter 284
Chapter 283
Chapter 282
Chapter 281
Chapter 280
Chapter 279
Chapter 278
Chapter 277
Chapter 276
Chapter 275
Chapter 274
Chapter 273
Chapter 272
Chapter 271
Chapter 270
Chapter 269
Chapter 268
Chapter 267
Chapter 266
Chapter 265
Chapter 264
Chapter 263
Chapter 262
Chapter 261
Chapter 260
Chapter 259
Chapter 258
Chapter 257
Chapter 256
Chapter 255
Chapter 254
Chapter 253
Chapter 252
Chapter 251
Chapter 250
Chapter 249
Chapter 248
Chapter 247
Chapter 246
Chapter 245
Chapter 244
Chapter 243
Chapter 242
Chapter 241
Chapter 240
Chapter 239
Chapter 238
Chapter 237
Chapter 236
Chapter 235
Chapter 234
Chapter 233
Chapter 232
Chapter 231
Chapter 230
Chapter 229
Chapter 228
Chapter 227
Chapter 226
Chapter 225
Chapter 224
Chapter 223
Chapter 222
Chapter 221
Chapter 220
Chapter 219
Chapter 218
Chapter 217
Chapter 216
Chapter 215
Chapter 214
Chapter 213
Chapter 212
Chapter 211
Chapter 210
Chapter 209
Chapter 208
Chapter 207
Chapter 206
Chapter 205
Chapter 204
Chapter 203
Chapter 202
Chapter 201
Chapter 200
Chapter 199
Chapter 198
Chapter 197
Chapter 196
Chapter 195
Chapter 194
Chapter 193
Chapter 192
Chapter 191
Chapter 190
Chapter 189
Chapter 188
Chapter 187
Chapter 186
Chapter 185
Chapter 184
Chapter 183
Chapter 182
Chapter 181
Chapter 180
Chapter 179
Chapter 178
Chapter 177
Chapter 176
Chapter 175
Chapter 174
Chapter 173
Chapter 172
Chapter 171
Chapter 170
Chapter 169
Chapter 168
Chapter 167
Chapter 166
Chapter 165
Chapter 164
Chapter 163
Chapter 162
Chapter 161
Chapter 160
Chapter 159
Chapter 158
Chapter 157
Chapter 156
Chapter 155
Chapter 154
Chapter 153
Chapter 152
Chapter 151
Chapter 150
Chapter 149
Chapter 148
Chapter 147
Chapter 146
Chapter 145
Chapter 144
Chapter 143
Chapter 142
Chapter 141
Chapter 140
Chapter 139
Chapter 138
Chapter 137
Chapter 136
Chapter 135
Chapter 134
Chapter 133
Chapter 132
Chapter 131
Chapter 130
Chapter 129
Chapter 128
Chapter 127
Chapter 126
Chapter 125
Chapter 124
Chapter 123
Chapter 122
Chapter 121
Chapter 120
Chapter 119
Chapter 118
Chapter 117
Chapter 116
Chapter 115
Chapter 114
Chapter 113
Chapter 112
Chapter 111
Chapter 110
Chapter 109
Chapter 108
Chapter 107
Chapter 106
Chapter 105
Chapter 104
Chapter 103
Chapter 102
Chapter 101
Chapter 100
Chapter 99
Chapter 98
Chapter 97
Chapter 96
Chapter 95
Chapter 94
Chapter 93
Chapter 92
Chapter 91
Chapter 90
Chapter 89
Chapter 88
Chapter 87
Chapter 86
Chapter 85
Chapter 84
Chapter 83
Chapter 82
Chapter 81
Chapter 80
Chapter 79
Chapter 78
Chapter 77
Chapter 76
Chapter 75
Chapter 74
Chapter 73
Chapter 72
Chapter 71
Chapter 70
Chapter 69
Chapter 68
Chapter 67
Chapter 66
Chapter 65
Chapter 64
Chapter 63
Chapter 62
Chapter 61
Chapter 60
Chapter 59
Chapter 58
Chapter 57
Chapter 56
Chapter 55
Chapter 54
Chapter 53
Chapter 52
Chapter 51
Chapter 50
Chapter 49
Chapter 48
Chapter 47
Chapter 46
Chapter 45
Chapter 44
Chapter 43
Chapter 42
Chapter 41
Chapter 40
Chapter 39
Chapter 38
Chapter 37
Chapter 36
Chapter 35
Chapter 34
Chapter 33
Chapter 32
Chapter 31
Chapter 30
Chapter 29
Chapter 28
Chapter 27
Chapter 26
Chapter 25
Chapter 24
Chapter 23
Chapter 22
Chapter 21
Chapter 20
Chapter 19
Chapter 18
Chapter 17
Chapter 16
Chapter 15
Chapter 14
Chapter 13
Chapter 12
Chapter 11
Chapter 10
Chapter 9
Chapter 8
Chapter 7
Chapter 6
Chapter 5
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