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.

the forest in the middle of a cold night. And you

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

hands to his chin, thinking. “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

rest for the wicked,” Argrave dismissed, contemplating. Bragan shook his head and walked away, gesturing his hands towards the

took a drink from his flask as Argrave

vampire super senses.

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

back into trying to get past

that.” Galamon pulled his helmet

Argrave probed. “I thought you were like Gary Cooper; the strong, silent type.

don’t know who Gary Cooper is.” Galamon

said Argrave, catching that Galamon

dock. The seagulls flew about. Argrave was paranoid about being the target of an air-bombing from the filthy birds, and that

someone,” Galamon

look at him. “You’re worried about

the crook of his arm. His white hair flowed in the wind. “I’ve fought in wars; I was a general once. I’ve

did well,” Argrave countered, not wishing to

to execute plans. Your uncanny knowledge makes both easier.” Galamon

on his feet,

It should bother you. It bothers me.”

fooled me,” Argrave rebuked

the docks, marking

a task, and you try to bury your 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, but the peace you seek to

it’s your duty to conquer the other races, and you’re talking

the world. I fight at your side because of our contract, but I believe Veiden will win

across the waves. “The war will end with a peace

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

in the face of Gerechtigkeit?” Argrave asked with a grim smile. “Your people know him by a different name, of course. ‘He Who Would Judge the Gods.’ It’s too damned long,

continued to ring. In the far distance, a trading ship came ever closer to the docks. The seagulls moved towards it, inspecting it for fresh

docks and stared out across the ocean. Time passed as both of them seemed to idly appreciate

wonder you move so frantically. You’re fighting against the end

the Veidimen are going to invade, a plague is coming, myriad monsters are going to appear, and all of this occurs just before an ancient calamity is about

“It seems Veid has planned a long atonement for me. You intend to stand in defense against He Who Would Judge

pro se litigant of the century. If the judge won’t listen, well…