Jackal Among Snakes

“…so, which cup has the coin?” Mina asked, running her hand over an array of three identical cups. Elias sat in a chair at a rickety yet clean table, while Mina sat atop it. Argrave was buried beneath blankets in a bed at the corner of the room, forming a shivering hump as he peered at a book dimly lit by sunlight through a boarded window. Some days had passed. Mateth had been a hive of activity as the troops were rallied.

Galamon sat at the foot of the bed, watching fumes rise into the air from a brewing potion. It was a potion that calmed the mind—Argrave considered it the reason he had been able to do what he had in the battle and had elected to make more before the invaders arrived. Its ingredients were the last of Argrave’s funds, barring that set aside for necessary expenses like food.

“This one,” said Elias, pointing at the center cup. Mina lifted it; it was blank. Elias lifted the other two with both of his free hands, but none of them had the coin. “What?”

“Check behind your ear,” said Mina gleefully.

Elias retrieved the coin and widened his eyes. Argrave frowned, his annoyed face peeking out from the blankets. “You’re supposed to be helping me with C-rank magic, Mina.”

Mina hopped off the table, striding to his bedside. “I told you what I know, Grave. Fourth-dimension magic, for me, was like looking past a veil, or finding out the secret to a magic trick. Looks complicated, but it’s simple deep down.”

Elias stood, setting the coin back on the table politely. “It’s useless to ask for help. It’s different for everybody.”

“Why are you two at my house, anyway?” said Argrave, burrowing deeper into his blankets.

“Your house, Grave? You said it was abandoned,” Mina countered. “My father won’t miss me; he barely knows I exist. Mom might make a fuss, eventually, but that’s beside the point. And Elias here decided to stay and help.” Mina gestured at Elias, who still refused to meet Argrave’s eyes.

“Whatever. Do s-silent magic tricks,” Argrave shivered. “And stay off the table. You may be like a cat, but you aren’t a real one. People eat there. Namely, me.”

Mina scoffed, yet still sat at the chair. “You don’t look like you do much eating.”

Someone knocked at the door. Galamon’s head whipped cleanly, and he stood, drawing his dagger and holding it close at attention. He opened the door slowly, peeking through. Then, he opened it wide and walked away.

“Hey, Nicky.” Mina greeted.

Nikoletta entered. She wore custom-fitted leather armor, the blue swordfish of Monticci painted on the breastplate. As testament to the wealth of the Dukedom, it was thoroughly inscribed, and enchantments shone along those inscriptions brilliantly. It was a familiar set of armor.

In the normal course of ‘Heroes of Berendar,’ after Nikoletta was expelled from the Order of the Gray Owl she would be involved in the civil war briefly before returning to Mateth after hearing it was invaded by the snow elves. The armor set she wore was an heirloom and was found in the Duke’s estate, which had been overrun by Veidimen.

“Hey Mina.” She looked around the room, giving a nod to Elias. Galamon sat back down in front of Argrave’s bed, staring at the brewing potion like a dejected puppy. Nikoletta spotted Argrave and walked up slowly.

“Argrave. You look terrible…,” she said in concern.

“Don’t lie to me. My superior good looks are my one benefit in this beanpole body,” Argrave put his hand to his face to accentuate his handsomeness. His hand was warm, but his face still felt too cold.

Nikoletta elected to ignore his comment. “Every time I see you, you look more and more unhealthy.”

Argrave closed his book. “The Baretta Troupe Auction.

the Dukedom of Monticci should this invasion truly occur, it is a matter of honor

some vainglorious perversion of both gambling and mercantilism.”

know what

paused, and then threw the blanket off. He strode across the room and pulled aside a decrepit plank, then pulled out a piece of paper. He

together while shivering intensely. Galamon stood, taking

incredulously. Galamon walked away, off to fetch clean

after giving some… tough love, I

apartments during

a stable income. I need loads of lucre now,” Argrave said quickly. Galamon walked back in with fresh

“Why?” Nikoletta inquired.

Argrave said cheerily, then started shifting to cover all of himself with the blankets. He became a woolen caterpillar in seconds. “Kidding, naturally. Blackjack doesn’t exist

would be willing to buy Foamspire for a

he remembered that Nikoletta was one of the ‘good’ player characters, and she probably wouldn’t be overfond of

to the auction and

this money,” Nikoletta pushed further. She grabbed a chair from the

frowned. “Money is a precious thing in a country at war. The

we talk, you sound so certain there will be a civil war,”

the where, it’s all just backdrop to the inevitability. Most of the commonfolk hate the royal family on account of increased taxes and rising serfdom. Beyond that, this was, from the very beginning, a scheme by Vasquer. I know because they sought to involve

civil war would always happen. Some

abandoned house had grown very quiet, and everyone had turned to look at

target, but they have many friends and I’m sure much of the south—Monticci included—will join in favor of those against Vasquer. The north will remain firmly under heel of Vasquer, though. Most of the northern nobles

strands of hair covered her face. Elias stood and walked towards the window. Mina was looking at how everyone else

mind to turn your back on the royal family in the Tower,” Nikoletta said as if in epiphany. “Back then, when my research had been stolen, Induen genuinely had done it. It was one part of the

was dually to provoke Monticci and eliminate

king pledges protection in exchange for service; such callous disregard of life is not

plan beyond simply overthrowing the king. If the player sided with the rebels, the kingdom would fall into crisis as people scrambled to present

die, and Induen and Orion would fight over the throne. Many nobles

you sell that little piece of paper,

be sure to

but smiled. “Such a monumental task? What shall I do? I suppose I have no

no errands, nothing. Mina tells me you barely sleep, eat only plain food, and spend all

Argrave shook his head. “Please. I’m fine. I read

with her deep pink eyes for a time, and Argrave stared back. She broke her gaze away