Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave looked up at two great stone owls, hanging over the entrance to the Order’s hub in Mateth like gargoyles that were a quarter as scary. Argrave thought that owls were far too rotund and bizarre to ever be as scary as the other birds.

“Just wait out here, if you would,” Argrave directed Galamon. “I think they only let Acolytes and higher inside the Order itself. Annoying, but what can you do?”

“Understood,” said Galamon.

Argrave bit his lip a little. “Just find a quiet place. I’m sure some ignorant people might be troubled by a Veidimen standing right out front the—”

“I know,” Galamon interrupted.

After a nod, wave, and a wink, Argrave entered the Order’s Mateth branch. As long as he had one of the badges of the Order—his was a copper owl marking him as an Acolyte, kept in his leather gear’s chest pocket—he could enter the premises freely. Without the badge, one would be restricted by some particularly powerful enchantments.

This place was much less busy than the Tower of the Gray Owl. The Tower was a bona fide school, with instructors and students abounding. The branches throughout the major cities in Berendar were more like libraries, with only minimal services needed by wizards. Mostly, it referred members of the Order to private businesses that would fulfill their arcane needs.

Argrave ducked beneath the doorframe and stepped into the administrative office, where a brunette woman busily tended to papers. She looked up when she saw Argrave approach.

“How may I help you, sir?” she asked drearily.

“Hello, Miriam. Nice to see you again.” Argrave said, recognizing her. “I am here to inquire about the results of the Acolyte graduations.”

“O-oh,” she stuttered, coming to attention. Argrave wondered why for a minute, only to catch her looking up at his face. What is she…? Oh. I know her name, but she doesn’t know mine. She thinks she forgot we met before. I see. Argrave suppressed a smile with his gloved hand. He’d stumbled onto a fun new hobby—making people uncomfortable by knowing random details about them.

“The results arrived by owl early this morning. I can tell you the results, but you’ll have to go see Bern to get a Wizard’s badge.” She shifted some papers aside and pulled out a slightly crinkled parchment. “That is, if you passed, sir.”

“And? Did I?” Argrave pressed gleefully.

“Erm…” Miriam’s eyes darted to the paper, and at Argrave’s face. He could practically hear the gears turn in her head, desperately trying to remember a name she’d never heard. “Perhaps you’d best look for yourself, sir.” She handed the paper to him, escaping the pitfall Argrave had set up. He clicked his tongue and took the paper.

Argrave didn’t need to look for long before he found his name. It was at the very top of the paper, beneath a label glamorously decorated with gold and stars reading, ‘Special Consideration.’ A few other names were below and above his—Mina of Veden, Reichard, and Svetlana of Quadreign. All of them were powerful spellcaster characters in ‘Heroes of Berendar.’

“’Special consideration,’” Argrave said, angling the paper. “What does this mean for me?”

“Acolytes entered for ‘Special Consideration’ have submitted something that has value to the Order beyond a mere advancement from Acolyte to Wizard. Some of the High Wizards of the Order are taking the

his hand to his chin. High Wizards are those capable of B-rank magic… He felt a nugget of worry festering in his heart. You need A-rank blood magic to learn [Blood Infusion], and I left plenty out of my concept of [Blood Infusion]. I don’t think they’ll be able to complete the research independently … Ugh. I suppose some positive attention is what

get my recognition as a Wizard,

until the

paper back to Miriam. “Look at me, so special, barred from getting the only thing

that horse. I can’t purchase from some sellers without the badge of a Wizard of the Gray Owl. Argrave lost himself in thought at this wrench in

I can help with that, little brother,” came a warm, pleasant voice from behind Argrave. Chills ran up Argrave’s spine the second he processed who

His face had a strong resemblance to Argrave’s, though it was far less gaunt. He had obsidian hair and bright blue eyes. His clothing was black, highlighted with gold and studded with gems tastefully. On his collar, sleeves, and shoulders, a sewn symbol depicted a golden snake weaved around a sword—the symbol

heir to the throne. He was also the last person Argrave wished to

the chair he sat on creaked loudly. He placed his

shouldn’t call you ‘little’ brother anymore, seeing as you’re taller than even me,” he joked with all the geniality a normal, sane older brother might possess. Argrave

words were insincere. Being this tall was terribly

from the doorframe. “Come, now. We should speak in private. I believe I can help you

terrifying because, like most of his siblings, he was incredibly arbitrary. Worse yet, he was both a powerful warrior and a great mage. He was a High Wizard in the Order of the Gray Owl, and well on the track to mastering A-rank

so. He was petty. Unlike his other siblings, though, his revenge was more insidious. He enjoyed torturing people psychologically. Argrave considered if this encounter was karma for his

because of the metal and the powerful enchantments

of the manager of the Mateth branch of the Order, and the branch manager stood off to the side in grey-white robes, hands clasped behind his

quite annoyed, Argrave,” began Induen, the endearing term of ‘little brother’ dropped now that they were in privacy. “After all the trouble I went out in choosing a gift for you, I find

the desk without sitting. “What do you want me to say, Prince Induen? The gift

the branch manager’s chair.

at, it’s talking. Argrave thought. After obeying Induen’s command to sit, Argrave waited patiently for

have returned it.” His icy blue eyes stared Argrave down. “It makes me question if you were trying to

came to know during my time at the Tower of the Gray Owl that Nikoletta was no threat to your succession.

took a deep breath, then exhaled. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the branch manager’s desk. “Do you remember when I

the question, and he sat in stunned silence for a few seconds. This was a tidbit of lore that Argrave did

lowering his voice in impression of King Felipe III. “Our mothers are the most loving creatures in our lives. Their love makes us weak. I thought to teach

other main character’s story revolved around seeking revenge for their parents. Induen’s primary pleasure in life was orphaning

with Nikoletta of Monticci, brother?”

cousin, at that.” And she’s a

I COULD EVEN BEGIN TO CONSIDER…!” Induen slammed his fist on the desk and inhaled deeply, then muttered quietly, “…how you could