Jackal Among Snakes

“Ohoh,” Castro said. “You must be Argrave of Vasquer. A pleasure to meet you. You are quite the tall one,” he commented. “This old man may hurt his neck looking so high up.”

Tower Master Castro stood waiting in front of Argrave’s door patiently. He was like a much more compact version of Rowe the Righteous in that both were old, bald men. Evidently that compaction had removed the terrible attitude, for Rowe would never smile so warmly.

“Just Argrave, no Vasquer,” Argrave corrected. “And you’re Castro, Master of the Order of the Gray Owl,” Argrave continued quickly. “Nikoletta informed me you were looking for me. Beyond that, I don’t know much. Although I have an inkling, I’m not quite sure. Why don’t you come in? I have no refreshments on hand, but you can at least sit.” Argrave stood aside and gestured to the table in the corner of the room.

Castro nodded. “Please and thank you.” He entered the room, noticing Anneliese. “Hello, young lady. Who might you be?”

“This is Anneliese, a friend of mine, a spellcaster from Veiden, and my travelling companion,” Argrave introduced her, walking to the table and pulling the chair back for the Tower Master. He offered the other chair to Anneliese, and then sat down himself in the third. Castro was watching his every move. Argrave could practically hear the gears turning in the man’s head as they put an image of his personality together.

“You have quite the large magic pool. I see you’re diligent with your training.”

Argrave was uneasy at the man’s comment. A-rank mages were more than mere humans—Castro could perceive magic by sight alone. “Indeed I am,” confirmed Argrave as he adjusted in the chair. “So,” Argrave began, putting his hands on the table and entwining them. “I’m very curious why a bigshot like yourself has come to visit little old me. I have an idea, but at the risk of appearing foolish should I be wrong, I’ll wait to hear your answer.”

“You are very business-like, I see,” answered Castro, smiling. “I did not have time to ask her much, but Nikoletta seemed fond of you, and from what I have seen in her time as regent of the Dukedom, she is a person of good character.”

Argrave glanced at Anneliese, but her expression was as passive as ever. “Your point being?”

“Nothing, forgive me. Old men tend to ramble. Perhaps it’s because they like the sound of their own voice,” Castro dismissed, letting out a wheezing chuckle.

Though Argrave considered mentioning Castro’s true age, he kept quiet, not wishing to unnerve the man.

“To the point, then.” Castro leaned in slightly. “Many of the more research-oriented High Wizards of the Order have taken a great deal of interest in the thesis you submitted. If it were to move from theory to practice, what you call ‘Blood Infusion’ has the potential to change the landscape of all magic.”

“I know,” Argrave nodded. “I left the thesis unfinished for that reason,” he said. Argrave could veritably smell the bait he’d hooked to his fishing line. It would be more than enough for this big fish, he hoped.

Castro stared at Argrave’s face for a moment, his expression slowly shifting. “You mean to say that you left out the completed theory?”

Argrave nodded, taking his hands off the table and leaning back into the chair with

at the Order are already discussing bestowing a grand reward upon

others feast on the fruit of my labor?” Argrave held his arms wide. “It’s complete, but as a C-rank mage, I can’t yet prove it. If I give it all

own work. But the Order of the Gray Owl is supposed to be beyond that, young man.” He tapped his finger on the table. “And further, by saying that it’s impossible as a C-rank mage, you’ve greatly narrowed the direction of further research,” Castro

mentioned it because I have a solid grasp of your character. One hundred and twenty years ago, it was you that instituted measures to reduce the political

just a tired old man who wanted to study magic and be happy. Indeed, if a player rose high enough in the Order, Castro would simply step down as Tower

think so highly of me,” the Tower Master said, though it had a casualness

am, however, quite mindful of the many privileges offered to me as a member of the Order of the Gray Owl,” Argrave proceeded tactfully. “Once I am capable of proving

Castro said with a nod and

that isn’t all, naturally. Do you know about druidic magic,

magic of the snow elves?” Castro

“Good.” Argrave stood, moving to the chest of books and picking up some of the ones that he’d set aside that were useless. He took one and walked

said grandly. “Not half-torn manuscripts or spells wrested from

at that, eyebrows raised

breaking her silence. Argrave smiled as he caught on to what she was doing. “Our people were willing to offer these books

naming him a friend to the Veidimen, Argrave’s value would be further amplified in the eyes of the Tower Master. Having

new field of magic to the order, by my estimation,” Argrave tacked on to Anneliese’s words without missing a beat. “Can that be

books through other means, but this was perfect for his

“The snow elves were just invading. Now they wish

I had some words,” Argrave said. “Whole thing… big misunderstanding. This trade is a peace offering of sorts-- an exchange of knowledge,” Argrave said while nodding remorsefully. “So? Can I expect

so abruptly. “I suppose, if those

table and sat back down. “Peruse

instead, the druid tries to bond and form a connection with the

half-answered, distracted reading

He intended to give away only the useless ones. Once he mastered the ones he needed, he would give them all up. “Eventually,

Castro closed the book and looked at Argrave. “This meeting was