Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave stared at a plaque on the side of the wall. It read ‘Nikoletta of Monticci.’ He carried a stack of documents wrapped by a few strings in his right hand. He felt calm. All of the faces that he saw in the Tower he recognized. Indeed, there was nothing to suggest that anything had changed from the original ‘Heroes of Berendar’ in terms of setting. He had even gleaned the date from passing conversation. It was a month before Acolytes had to submit their research to the Order, and therefore, near a month and a half before the game began in earnest.

While cleaning, he had found a peculiarly well-hidden stack of papers, which now rested in his hands. In the original plot, Induen of Vasquer, Argrave’s half-brother and heir to the throne, used his influence within the Order to steal Nikoletta’s thesis. When her research was stolen, she presumed it lost, and consequently tried to remake it hastily. The remake was deemed a shabby copy of the original copy Argrave held—thus, Nikoletta was expelled.

It would do him no good to gain the enmity of one of the main characters. Nikoletta was the daughter of a duke. Argrave adjusted the stack of papers pulled his gloves tighter across his fingers. Then, he raised his hand to the oaken door and knocked thrice.

He looked around as time passed. People stared at him, he noticed, but they refused to meet his eyes. His reputation was already quite bad, it seemed. After receiving no answer, Argrave knocked again.

More time passed. Argrave wondered if she might be out. He knocked one last time.

The door swung open, and he was greeted by a fierce glare from a very disheveled-looking black-haired woman. Nikoletta had not been expecting his presence, evidently, and she lifted her head up very slowly to look up at him.

“Cousin,” he greeted calmly. Come what may, Argrave always had confidence in his words.

“U-uh…” she fixed her hair and stood with a straighter posture. “Hello, Argrave. I thought you were my friend… forgive my appearance.”

“I am not your friend,” Argrave noted. “How hurtful.”

“That’s… erm.” She took a step back. “I didn—“

“I kid,” Argrave interrupted. “You were expecting Mina of Veden, I presume. That one always seems to hang around you.”

Nikoletta stared at him blankly, eyes wide. Her eyes were a dark, rich pink. Argrave found the color pretty.

“May I come in?” Argrave asked when she did not speak.

Argrave’s words brought her back to attention. “Now isn’t a good time. I’m in the middle of something,” she said firmly, grasping the door as though to shut it.

Argrave had a notion as to what that ‘something’ was—frantically trying to recreate the research that had been stolen from her.

“I would not come here for a social visit,” Argrave said cryptically.

Nikoletta’s hand fell away from the door and she stepped back. She looked at what Argrave was holding, scrutinizing him carefully. After some time, she pushed the door open and gestured. “Come in.”

the door and bumped his forehead. He cleared his throat in the awkwardness

Argrave had been expecting it to be so. Nikoletta was a playable character, so her personality was somewhat determined by player choice. By and large, though, she had

Research materials and equipment were plastered all over the place. Perhaps the only saving grace of this den of wretchedness was the lack of half-eaten food. Besides Nikoletta’s bed and desk, there was one set of

past Argrave and picked up a stack of books, clearing room for the two

a seat,” she

the couch like it was a snarling dog, a blank look in his

of your time, so you can resume what you were doing in short order. Though… I suspect you will not need

and his eyes. She wasn’t slow-witted—he had given enough hints for

tired of dancing around

hands. “I knew

sense,” Argrave conceded, pulling his gloves tighter as he stepped back. “Figuratively, though, I

half-laughed. “You didn’t steal these papers. You just happened to find them. How am I

them. They were given to me by Induen. My half-brother, your cousin, the heir presumptive of Vasquer. You may know him,

and set down the papers on her desk angrily.

head again. “No, I imagine he has people for that; thieves and such.

you is my cousin,” she said, entirely ignoring

his forehead. “I wouldn’t be returning this if I was at fault. I’m

crossing her arms. She sized up Argrave, then sighed and sat at the couch.

to me as a gift. It doesn’t fit, so I’m returning

long

Acolyte within the order to suppress you—to suppress House Monticci. There is no greater stain to your

try and suppress one of the king’s faithful vassals?

Argrave pointed at her face. “Being descended from my aunt, King Felipe’s sister, marks you as one of very few with a legitimate claim to the throne

breathe. “My… father,” he said reluctantly, “is old. Succession is a pertinent issue. Induen is a paranoid man who prefers to crush problems before they arise. But I am no bludgeon,

tired she looked. Eventually, she lifted her head and mumbled, “…it’s plausible, but… I… don’t know what to

is ultimately the end to the matter. I didn’t come to ask for a favor or broker a deal. I merely came to do what

with his gaze, and both were silent for a time. Then, she

though—buy an enchanted lockbox. They’re designed to keep things safe, especially precious things that might determine your future

a lockbox is,” she said in

Argrave finished her sentence, already turning around. “If