javascript:;
chapter-664

“Argrave, some reports,” Elenore’s voice cut into Argrave’s ear the moment he was free of Raven’s lab.

“More?” He asked with surprise—she’d already delivered some on his journey back, something about riots.

“A claimant to the throne has risen in Dirracha. In the Archduchy of the North, edicts are spreading around with a declaration that King Argrave intends to systematically murder every person bearing red hair, as they share descendance from Gerechtigkeit.” Elenore’s reports flowed into Argrave’s head as constant as the rivers flowed down from the mountains. “Also, there’s… damn it. Someone’s come in. I think you’d best come over.”

Elenore’s voice faded from Argrave’s head. These incidents were like a bold declaration from their opponent. Even if they sought ways to counter his growing influence, Gerechtigkeit would occupy his time using what he’d already gained to tremendous effect. They had spent much of their time centralizing power around Blackgard, weakening regional lords—now, that lack of regional power meant a lack of ability to effectively enforce.

After rejoining with Anneliese, who was keeping similarly apprised and was similarly instructed to meet Elenore in person, they briefly came to similar conclusions before heading to meet with the head of the parliament. Argrave opened the doors to her office and stepped within.

“Elenore.” Argrave walked up to her desk. She spoke with several others, but gestured for them to leave at his arrival. Only once the others were gone did Argrave speak. “Anneliese and I had some words. It’s becoming clear to me that we won’t be able to hold out alone. We need to involve the gods. They’re the only ones with the potential to keep the peace around the continent. The local lords are insufficient.”

“Hmm. Funny.” Elenore placed her hands in front of her. “Did you happen to recognize those I was speaking to?”

Anneliese touched Argrave’s shoulder. “Those were the mortal envoys of other gods, Argrave. Do you remember?”

“What?” Argrave looked back to where they’d just left. “What were they doing here?”

“We’re not the only ones with eyes and ears.” Elenore rose to her feet, walking around her desk. “The gods are aware of what’s happening.”

Argrave brightened. “We don’t need to ask them for help, then? They’re volunteering?”

“Some may, I imagine. Mostly, they’re as terrified as we all are.” Elenore leaned against her desk. “They’re asking for answers, Argrave. I can only obfuscate and misdirect for so long. A great deal of them are convinced that you have the answers. Some lend it to your inheritance of Erlebnis’ knowledge. The older members, such as Law, remember that you testified knowledge of the fact that Gerechtigkeit would be stronger in this cycle in Law’s Court. They let you slip by without giving up too much, but now? They want answers.”

Argrave swallowed. He supposed he had been taking for granted the compliance of the gods after their victory against the Qircassian Coalition. He had been able to unite the wider world by virtue of their show of strength in defeating Kirel Qircassia, Erlebnis, and Sataistador. He convinced the older members to join forces, however, by spilling a select few beans—foremost among said beans was that Gerechtigkeit would be stronger this cycle.

“Hell.” Argrave brought his hand up to his face, biting his knuckle nervously. “Do they want me to go to Law’s Court to speak on the matter?”

Elenore nodded.

Argrave sighed deeply. He’d been hoping to receive aid without giving up the source of his knowledge—it might endanger Sophia. “Should I go?”

“Should you go?” Elenore stopped leaning against her desk and walked forward. “We have a fake bastard of Felipe III pressing his claim to the throne in Dirracha, and much of the city is in active revolt. The one lead we’re seeking about our bloodline is being undermined by Gerechtigkeit already. We have more riots and revolts every single day. We can’t make it through this without the aid of the gods, I’m afraid. Unless you intend on abandoning millions to die, which we all know you won’t, you have to go.”

Argrave looked at Anneliese, and she gave a quiet nod of confirmation.

“Listen.” Argrave rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I can talk my way out of a lot. But if I go there and subject myself to the inquisition, I don’t see a way to keep Sophia out of this. According to the Heralds, she’s the very reason Gerechtigkeit is so much more powerful this cycle. How can I obscure her any longer? And once she’s revealed to the world, how can I protect her? How can I ensure that things end up in our favor, in mortalkind’s favor?”

“It’s already a miracle we kept her secret this long to begin with,” Anneliese said, putting a hand on Argrave’s shoulder. “Like it or not, the gods remain a formidable force in this world. We cannot exclude them from this final hour.”

“It might not be a miracle,” Elenore disagreed. “It’s clear Gerechtigkeit wants to protect Sophia just as much as we do. Perhaps he kept it from the gods’ ears, but now he’s forced our hands. You shouldn’t forget we still have all the cards, Argrave. We can think of a way to remain the dominant party in this negotiation ahead of time.”

Argrave scratched his head. “I assume they want to talk in Law’s Court?”

“Yes. The subject, officially, is the collapse of the White Planes and the mental influence Gerechtigkeit presently exerts worldwide.” Elenore pointed at him. “But given how they fixated on your attendance, I can assume you’re the third, unspoken subject of examination.”

Argrave felt as though he overcame a great barrier as he accepted that he could no longer protect Sophia from the wider world. He gave a nod with a solemn sigh. “Alright. It’s clear we don’t have a choice. The question is, what do we want to get out of this?”

“We need to enlist the gods to protect our people,” Elenore stated clearly. “The army and our local lords are insufficient to quell this unrest. Moreover, Gerechtigkeit is rallying what few allies we didn’t deprive him of under the banner of intelligent beings like liches or knights similar to the silver one Orion fought. He’s building what might be called a cohesive army in various places. Without the gods, millions could die, crushed between the unrest and the coming invasion forces.”

“We need more than protection,” Anneliese continued. “Orion’s retinue and our own kingdom’s forces search for the lunar dragon’s descendants, but it’s perhaps only with the gods’ assistance that we have any hope. Gerechtigkeit is fighting to prevent us from finding this—that, at least, is a good sign.”

“Anything else?” Argrave looked between the two of them. When they said nothing, he managed a grim smile. “That’s good. We have fewer problems to focus on without only one enemy remaining. Elenore, I’d like you to get all of my top minds together—I’m not stepping back into Law’s Court alone. I need good advice. And… what’s Sophia doing right now?”

Elenore paused for a moment, speaking with someone in her head. “She’s in the middle of a lesson.”

“Have Orion bring her here,” Argrave instructed. “I’m going to bring her with us.”

“Really?” Elenore raised her brow.

“Yeah.” Argrave looked off into the distance. “I don’t like it, but I need insurance. Law will keep his word no matter what, even if he later learns I tricked him. Before all this begins, I’m going to get him to vow to help us protect Sophia no matter what.”

Elenore and Anneliese exchanged a glance. The following silence told Argrave of the gravity of that decision.

“He may feel tricked if you leave out why,” Anneliese pointed out. “It could be interpreted as a slight. He might not remain our entirely steadfast ally in what follows.”

“Sophia is more important,” Argrave said simply, closing his eyes. “She could decide all of this.”

Neither Anneliese nor Elenore brooked protest.

His sister said with some finality, “I’ll contact those who’ll advise you.”