Jackal Among Snakes

Nikoletta leaned over a map of Mateth, Mina and Elias standing across from her. The map was clearly different in style than the ones that the Dukedom owned, and it was not fully completed. Beside it, there were detailed reports about the knight’s schedules, their composition and weaponry, and other such comprehensive military information about the Dukedom of Monticci.

The silence dragged out as Nikoletta read through the information. Mina paced nervously, but Elias stood firm with his arms crossed.

“Why are you wearing travel clothes, Nicky?” Mina asked, breaking the silence.

“My father was talking about marriage cand—” she paused. “No, that’s not important now. I can’t deny these are genuine,” she finally concluded, standing up straight. “Argrave found these?”

“Yes. He said one of the snow elves tipped him off,” Mina confirmed. “He…” she shuddered. “He found their scouting party and dispatched them. These were in their leader’s shack, alongside a bunch of spell books that he made us haul.”

“A scouting party?” Nikoletta asked.

Elias explained what Argrave had told them about how the druids were spying on Mateth.

Nikoletta’s expression slowly morphed into one of worry and confusion as the story proceeded. Finally, once Elias had finished explaining, she looked at him and asked, “Why isn’t Argrave telling me this?”

Elias shook his head. “He had burns, cuts, and some damage from a strange potion. He went to be healed by one of the wizards in Mateth and mentioned that he had some preparations to do. The fight was… intense.” Elias lowered his head and frowned.

Nikoletta crossed her arms, catching on from their expressions that they were bothered. “What exactly happened in this fight?”

“He and his companion ruthlessly massacred them. There was a high-ranking wizard, B-rank at least… or high-ranking druid, whatever,” Mina amended, waving her hand dismissively, “but Argrave killed them all.”

“Nearly two dozen snow elves,” Elias added grimly. “Thoroughly planned, flawlessly executed. Maybe it was his companion that planned it, I don’t know, but it was undeniably Argrave at the center of things.”

“When it was done, he vomited and cried, but after a minute or two, he went back to usual. Joking, laughing, like nothing happened,” Mina added. Her words sounded more concerned than horrified.

Nikoletta’s expression hardened, and she turned away from the two. She stared at the window of the Duke’s estate, eyes distant and unfocused.

She had been hesitant to admit it, but Argrave reminded her of someone strongly: her brother, Elwind. Even now, as she tried to remember him, their faces seemed to overlap. It did not help that they shared the same obsidian color hair. Both were hopelessly facetious, excessively confident, and above all, self-sacrificial.

Just before he’d died, Elwind was cracking wise, ensuring that Nikoletta did not worry herself about his safety. Some tears came to Nikoletta’s eyes, and she wiped them away and collected herself. She turned back around, clearing her throat.

“I’ll bring this to my father. He and I are… arguing,” she put simply, “but I don’t think he can ignore this. I certainly can’t.”

#####

“I’m sick?” Argrave said incredulously, staring at the middle-aged man before him: Bragan. His head was shaved bald, and he looked more a bodybuilder than a healing wizard, but Argrave knew he was one of the best healers in the city of Mateth.

fragile constitution. You drank the blood of a Winter Nymph, for some ungodly reason. You were traipsing about in the forest in the middle of a cold night. And you had a

putting his hands on his hips. He contemplated things for a second, then he turned around. “I don’t think any healers in Mateth know the B-rank

“No. None I know, at least. And besides, it’s quite expensive for such a minor affliction.” Bragan reached to the counter and grabbed the bag of gold coins. “I recommend simply resting for a few days,

dismissed, contemplating. Bragan shook his head and walked

from his flask as Argrave

frowned. “Stupid vampire super senses. Whatever

mentioned having more to do. Sounds like you don’t intend on canceling those plans.” Galamon

a minor affliction. Besides, ever since I saw Tirros cast that spell, I’ve been itching to dip my hands back into

to like that.”

you were like

Gary Cooper is.” Galamon looked around

walk,” said Argrave, catching that Galamon felt this place

flew about. Argrave was paranoid about being the target of an air-bombing from the filthy birds,

first time you’ve killed someone,” Galamon said plainly, stating instead

turned to look at him. “You’re worried about

beneath the crook of his arm. His white hair flowed in the wind. “I’ve fought in wars;

said I did well,” Argrave countered, not

both easier.” Galamon raised his gauntleted hands up. “I won’t pry for details. I’ve talked more today than I

feet, waiting for

should bother you. It bothers me.” Galamon touched his chest

me,”

out across the docks, marking the arrival of a new

fears, your worries. I am no better. I have done the same my entire life. The fact that it bothers you, that battle… let it not serve as a reminder of the carnage you’re about to face,

your duty to conquer the

all to bring peace to the world. I fight at your side because of our contract, but I believe Veiden will win this war. Such is

out across the waves. “The war will end with

Argrave. “Diplomacy will not suffice. Veiden will win, or it will die. That

him by a different name, of course. ‘He Who

trading ship came ever closer

he crouched to the docks and stared out across the ocean. Time passed as both of them seemed to idly appreciate the breeze. Eventually,

you move so frantically. You’re fighting against the

are going to invade, a plague is coming, myriad monsters are going to appear,

pulled his hair back and put his helmet back on, taking another long drink from his flask. “It seems Veid has planned a

court case. Apparently, even without a juris doctor, I’m the best defense attorney in the world; pro se litigant of the century. If the judge won’t listen, well… such