Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 16

Elias trudged up the hill leading to the Monticci estate with heavy steps. Embarrassingly, he had been caught by Argrave’s escort in seconds. He still recalled the giant of a man cornering him, staring him down with those pure white eyes of his. They had the same cold steel glint that he saw in his father’s eyes, sometimes—a war veteran, a man of many battles.

But at least that unfortunate encounter told Elias that Argrave’s escort was not someone from Vasquer. None of Vasquer’s royalty had white eyes. He looked more a mercenary than a knight. Elias was unsure what Argrave intended to do. Consequently, he decided to take the matter directly to Duke Enrico.

He stopped a fair distance away from the gated wall leading to House Monticci’s grandiose estate. Unlike most noble houses in the kingdom of Vasquer, House Monticci resided in a mansion—the city of Mateth was a fortress in and of itself, and House Monticci always prided itself on treating the commonfolk fairer than most houses. What better way to symbolize that than to live in the same area as they?

Elias straightened his clothes and walked up to the gate. Two knights stood on guard, and they watched him passively. A blue swordfish, the symbol of House Monticci, decorated their shield and breastplate. Elias walked to them, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a seal bearing the golden lion of House Parbon.

“I am Elias of House Parbon, heir to Margrave Reinhardt,” he greeted the knights levelly. “I would speak to Duke Enrico on urgent matters.”

The knights out front of the gate straightened. They looked at each other, each trying to puzzle out how to respond. The first to speak wasn’t the knights, though.

“Woah, hey,” came a higher pitched voice from behind the gate. Elias stepped to the side and peered into the estate. Mina walked up to the gate and grabbed the bars. “It’s Elias. Wow, guess the Margrave sent you personally, huh?”

“Mina,” Elias greeted. “I came to speak to the duke.”

At the gate, one of the knights decided to head into the estate, presumably to bring the news of Elias’ arrival and decide whether or not he should be allowed in.

“Why would that be, I wonder?” she asked sarcastically. “Missing a prize horse? Angry dad? Maybe a little bit of both?”

Elias paused, not wishing to admit he’d come here without his father’s permission. He decided to change the subject. “And why are you here, and not in Count Elgar’s territory?”

“Pfft.” She scoffed, and then climbed up the fence until she sat atop one of the stone pillars between the metal bars. Her golden hair reflected the sunlight brilliantly. “I doubt the ninth child—a daughter, especially—will be missed sorely. Nicky’s a lot more fun than any of my family, anyhow.”

“I see.” Elias nodded, and then repeated what he’d told to the knights. “I need to speak to the duke.”

“About what?” Mina pressed.

imprisonment,” he

Argrave?” She said amusedly. “You’re not so

Elias didn’t respond.

mute. If it is about Argrave,

waters, if only just.

of the Gray Owl’s branch here at Mateth, and then Grave walked out caked in poorly-cleaned blood. Nicky thinks that he got punished for returning the thesis Induen stole from

immediately. “He probably staged the whole

and jumped down in front of Elias. “Considering we stumbled

“He crippled my sister years ago. He stole my father’s horse with his

he talked your father into letting

Elias paused, unable to remember the details of what his father had said. “It

“And he was ready to kill Nicky’s escort if he didn’t comply. I consider

how to proceed. Nikoletta was a person of good character. Mina had a reputation as a trickster, but if she was friends with Nikoletta, she could

with some giant man—a mercenary or a knight, maybe. I tried to follow them, but his escort spotted me in mere minutes. He was a powerful man.

tilted her head. “Grave was talking about the Baretta Troupe Auction, but he suddenly left on ‘urgent business.’ Some kind of magic item was glowing.” Mina sighed. “Listen, Elias, I’ll be honest with you—Nicky has already made up her mind to give Grave some trust. He had the opportunity to cause great friction between Parbon, Monticci, and Veden, but he instead decided to go with the

shaken after talking to Induen, she’s only more committed to that trust. Even if she knew something, I doubt she’d tell you.” Mina

turned away, sighing and

average marketplace swindler. She’s misplaced her

you getting at?” Elias asked,

a dad like mine, you learn very quickly that being unseen is better than standing out. I can even help keep you out of sight. I want to trust Argrave, but I also like to give my trust carefully. Even if he likes to make fun

Didn’t seem to

C-rank illusion magic?” Mina

furrowed his brows. “You’ve

at the young age of 19… Of course, Nicky says I should focus on other fields of

out what he’s up to?” Elias

I need to confirm he’s trustworthy.” Mina crossed her arms. “I might’ve done it alone, but now that you’re snooping around, I can’t

He walked to Elias and bowed. “Young lord Parbon. The duke said

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