Jackal Among Snakes

Nikoletta sat by her father’s bedside, staring down at his chest as it rose and fell. His injuries were healed, leaving not even a scar, and his breathing was steady and unlabored. Still, he refused to awaken.

“It’s been two days, Master Castro. Can you not awaken him yet?” Nikoletta said, trying to keep her tone polite, but finding it difficult to do so in light of her worry.

The old tower master stood beside her, watching the Duke Enrico. “As I told you, the spell to do so would be very costly. I would not leave myself fully drained of magic with the possibility of a recurring attack. I understand your concern, young lady Monticci, but your father is in no immediate danger.”

“Hooh…” Nikoletta sighed, crossing her arms and leaning against her knees. “People in comas get brain damage sometimes, right? What if that happens?”

“What did I say?” Castro asked, then repeated, “Your father is in no immediate danger.”

“You’re right,” she said, lifting her head up. “You’re right. You would know best. I don’t… even know how to begin to thank you, Tower Master. How did you even find out about the invasion?”

Castro shook his head. “It was happenstance I came here. I was looking for a promising Acolyte.”

“Your wyvern… I never intended to…” she muttered. “You sacrificed much for Mateth.”

“I helped of my own accord. If one places their hand in troubled waters, should they rage when their hand is bit? Such is the action of a child, not a man as old as me.” The tower master smiled. “My Gray Owl… I cannot say I am unbothered by the loss, but when you lend something to someone unversed in how to use it properly, you cannot expect them to be a master. He had been by my side for seventy years. Everything dies, eventually.”

“House Monticci’s honor demands we repay this debt,” Nikoletta answered firmly.

“I know, and I do not doubt your house’s honor. Someday, that debt will be collected. I would prefer it to be at a time when neither will suffer further. Should I extort you while your seat of power lies in ruin, your father in a coma? One does not save a life expecting repayment—or at least, not a true savior,” Castro dismissed with a shake of his head. “Take your time, rebuild yourself and your city. Despite my sagging skin, I plan to live for a while yet.” The Tower Master smiled warmly.

“And besides, that squadron of archers you called for helped greatly when they arrived. I had heard of this ‘Ebonice’ through rumor alone, but it is indeed a great enemy to spellcasters.” He retrieved an arrow of the black substance and held it to the light. It resembled obsidian somewhat but was much more translucent.

“You are… a very good man, Master Castro,” Nikoletta said, a great deal of tension draining from her shoulders.

Nikoletta’s mind had grown numb from the constant anxiety the past few days. These events helped her realize how powerless she truly was. With her father incapacitated, she was the regent of the Duchy of Monticci. There was great unrest within the capital Mateth—refugees from the coastal villages swamped the city’s gates, causing great disorder outside.

Inside was little different. There were a few snow elves living within the city, and mobs formed, lynching several of them without provocation. It was a terrible thing, but the military force they had was too small to punish the people that carried out those acts. The guilt weighed at Nikoletta’s mind daily. She lowered her head into her hands, rubbing her tired eyes.

And atop all of that, Argrave was still absent. He could be dead. He could be a captive, tortured and starving. He could… Nikoletta frowned, recalling something the Tower Master had said.

“Master Castro,” she said, straightening her back. “That Acolyte you were looking for… was his name Argrave?”

Castro was taken aback. “Yes, it was. You know of him?”

“Are you serious?” she stood. “But then he…” Her mind fell into disarray.

Did he plan this all along? To have Master Castro come to help at the last minute?

“No… no, that’s ridiculous.” She shook her head.

“You know this boy, young lady Monticci?” the Tower Master questioned.

“He’s my cousin. He went to Veiden to

a strong hint of disbelief

watchman’s bell,” she said, the end of her sentence cut off with another ring. She stepped past the chair and quickly moved to the door, stepping outside into the estate’s hallway. She rushed to a large bay window

Nikoletta’s breathing quickened. She looked out to the ocean beyond, but she saw no other ships. The flag bore atop the

#####

ship’s railings. She had donned a set of thick black leather robes lined with white fur more suitable for travel. Her long hair was bound in a

his shoulders in way of lining. “Please. I saw you riding in this same spot when you sailed to Barden. This was on the eve of battle, no less.” He placed one hand on his hips in defiance. Three daggers with black blades dangled on his leg. “Always

one foot slipping off the side. He barely managed to regain his balance, and then he made a speedy retreat back onto the safety of the

against one of the railings, peering out to the coastline ahead.

heading home?” She sat on a chest tied

sat atop of. “I’m in good spirits because of those books in there. Good

think that you’re happy because Mateth did not fall. It went against

was hopeful. He hoped that he would not return to see the people he’d become intimately acquainted with over the past months dead. The other half was a

at Anneliese, clicking his tongue. “Alright, so maybe I am. It’s a double-edged sword, though. Mateth is still standing, but it’ll be harder for Veiden to lend me any aid in my

to prepare the world for Gerechtigkeit, but how?” She gazed at him, amber eyes

especially, so we’ll

still intend to

fault, although a bit bloodthirsty, I will admit.” Argrave grabbed at his neck. He spotted a great number of knights moving across the coast towards their boat on foot. “Look at that,” Argrave said. “Another welcoming party

was using druidic magic. He had bound a pigeon to himself and left it resting on the ship’s sail. He commanded the pigeon he was seeing through to move and watched as it flew out across the ocean towards the host of knights. In the center of the knights, Nikoletta rode a horse. His

more. “Druidic

and forth, pushing them ever closer towards the beach. Eventually, when the ship grew close enough, the ship turned on its side, and a great deal of Veidimen pushed out a plank that landed on the beach. They stayed aboard, but

arms out. “Feel that? Wind, untainted by snow or dread cold. A stiff autumn breeze is paradise compared to that

of the crowd and rushed forward, spurring a horse onward. Argrave suppressed a small little grin as he saw Nikoletta’s obsidian-color hair

her caution overwrote whatever it was that spurred her to move towards him. She slowed the horse and then dismounted, holding its reins

to see you in one piece,” Argrave

she rushed forward and veritably tackled Argrave, hands wrapped around his back.

Well, I certainly didn’t…” Argrave trailed off. He heard

Why are you crying?” Argrave turned his head to Anneliese in panic.

in the chest lightly. “Shut up,

returned the embrace. He had never been good at hugs, but it was doubly awkward considering the height difference.

damned hard,” Nikoletta said. “Why don’t you tell anyone what you’re doing? Why do you go off on your own like that? You just leave me here with a pit

slowly said, “I mean… you’ve still got my clothes in that guest bedroom. Didn’t

Argrave was worried he had made things worse. It took him a few seconds, but he

off. “The past few days… they’ve been unimaginably stressful. It all just exploded on you.” She took a deep breath, regaining her composure. “I thought I might never see you again. Spent the whole time

thought the same about you, Argrave thought,

He surveyed his clothes where she’d wept, cleaning them off with water magic briefly.

is in a coma, at least for another couple days.” She took a deep breath, as though it was difficult to say aloud. “Ultimately… we barely hung on. But that isn’t

Berendar any longer, at least for another decade.” Argrave retrieved a rolled-up paper from his pocket. “Here. A contract. Peace treaty, I guess, but they called

took the paper from his hand. Argrave’s eyes stayed locked on the steadily approaching knights, marching on foot. He turned his head back to the longship. All those that had been rowing the longship stood at the edge, shields