Jackal Among Snakes

Anneliese blinked open her eyes, dispelling the morning haze over them. For a brief moment, she entirely forgot what they had experienced yesterday, but when she moved her arm she felt a brief twinge of numbness. She was covered in sweat, and her head throbbed.

She shifted her head, looking about where she was. A cold and damp washcloth fell from her forehead. Anneliese first spotted Argrave in his freshly cleaned black leather clothing. He sat just beside her in a chair, reading a spellbook. The sight made her smile slightly until she noticed the dark bags beneath his eye.

Evidently he saw or heard her head moving about, because his gaze shifted over to her. Startled, he closed the book at once, leaning forward. “Hey, Anneliese. You’re up, that’s good, that’s good…” he said rapidly. “How do you feel? Any numbness? I gave you something I thought would work, but I’m not entirely sure…”

“I feel much better,” she said, some fatigue still leaking into her tone. “Did you watch me all night?”

Argrave frowned. “I just sat here reading and occasionally trying to help out with the fever,” he said dismissively. “I got you into this mess—least I could do is take care of the aftermath.”

“I got myself into this,” she said with a slight slur. She sat up, her unkempt white hair falling over her face. “Got careless.”

“Even if you were careless, it was still my call to do as we did—and this was against your advice. The fault is mine. I’ll have it no other way.”

She nodded wearily and rubbed her forehead.

“Listen…” Argrave continued. “I’ve been doing some thinking. About what you said. About me being unable to trust.” He stared off into the distance. “If you want, I’ll answer some of the questions you have.”

Anneliese ceased rubbing her aching head, stopping to look at Argrave. Much was running through her head. Even unfocused as she was, she could think of a thousand questions that came to mind. Then, slowly, the image before her started to crystallize.

She could see a lot of intense emotion on Argrave’s face. His eyes refused to meet hers and jumped from place to place. He was biting his lip rapidly, and his whole face was taut. Beyond that, he fidgeted with his fingers. He was a mess of anxiety and uncertainty.

“Feeling guilty?” she questioned.

“That’s…!” Argrave started to protest but trailed off. “Wholly right, probably. Not fair to leave you ignorant while you do my bidding. You and Galamon both risked your life for me, and I can’t answer some questions? Not right in my eyes.”

Anneliese stared at him for a time, and then adjusted in the bed. She thought for a long while. Eventually, she stared him in the eyes and said, “I won’t ask you any questions about yourself anymore.”

“What?” Argrave said incredulously. “And why not?”

She fiddled with her hair, braiding it together. “I recall, when I was still only a child… I had a small puzzle box. It was a very complex thing, with wooden machinery and gears hidden inside. The objective was… you had to lead…” Anneliese struggled to find the words. “… a small stick with a ball at the end through a maze. The goal was to free the stick from the box. It was no larger than my hand.” She held her palm out to demonstrate.

pulled on the stick hard, and it popped out of the puzzle.” She emulated the motion. “I had finished the objective. I got the stick out of the puzzle box. But it left me feeling empty inside, and I had broken the mechanisms within. I could never do it again—never do it right. I learned

leaned back in the chair. “You sure you’re alright? Didn’t hit your head? You’re the one with a thousand

smiled quietly

puzzle to be solved, am I? Well, maybe you’ll change your tune once you get some food in you.” He came to his feet. “I’ll go get something for you to eat, get some water…. Not so long ago you were doing the

#####

an additional day of resting per Argrave’s insistence, Anneliese was all but fully recovered. Argrave had been worried he would contract yet another illness due to his venture in the dank and filthy cave, but no symptoms manifested. Argrave recalled that nature documentaries called ants ‘the cleanest insect,’ but they

nature, he did not dare store it in the lockbox with the rose gold magic coins or the enchanted jewelry harvested from the ruins guarded by the metal guardians. He was certain the Heart would attach itself to them and suck the magic right out. Indeed,

to travel. After giving some final directions to the villagers to kill the remaining Lily Lurkers with poison, Argrave was content to leave. If the villagers could not be bothered to do as he directed them,

and company departed from the village of White Edge in the early morning. The only resident that was awake early enough to see them off was the old man that had initially greeted their arrival: Bertrand. After innumerable thanks from the

be best to first

Jast was very obvious from a distance. The City of Shadows, some called it. It was both because of the stone used in its construction—a jet black, harsh rock—and the

than Mateth,” Argrave gave commentary as the carriage

showed considerably more surprise than Argrave had. “So tall…” she murmured. “How do they stay

have fallen,” Argrave said regrettably. “There are more A-rank wizards in those towers than toes on this carriage, I’d bet. This place is very, very dangerous. Galamon,” he called out the window. “You will

yell. I hear every word you say, even if you whisper,” the vampire shot back, driving the carriage disaffectedly. “I’ve been to

this place their home,” Anneliese noted, still

lifted the bottle full of black liquid off the floor. He willed much of his magic to repaying the debt he’d accrued in the Cavern of the Lily’s

sure that liquid is safe to drink?” Anneliese asked, finally turning her

helps me greatly,” Argrave noted, holding the bottle up. One’s magic capacity was like a muscle—it needed to be used to grow. By depleting it and replenishing it, it would expand to accommodate more magic. By repaying his debt to Erlebnis and

living. You’ll explode in a burst

safe to

body. “Too much of anything can

you explode in a burst

window once more. “Alright, enough idle talk. We should discuss what we need to

their intention to join the war? If so, my first worry would be

entryways used by smugglers and such. Indeed, we’ll need to make some connections with the smugglers regardless to deliver those illusion spellbooks to the Veidimen.” Argrave looked out the window, searching for the points of entry that he remembered in the distant black city. “I know someone. If I mention a name, I have little doubt he’ll do as I request with

far from Jast,” Argrave remarked cheerily, reminded of it only now. “If we’re lucky, we might see it fall into the ocean.” He spotted Anneliese’s frown, and quickly

like

the empath here. You tell me,” Argrave replied, neither confirming