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.

solve it for some time, I 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

sure you’re alright? Didn’t hit your head? You’re the one with

only smiled

you’ll change your tune once you get some food in you.” He came to his feet. “I’ll go

#####

worried he would contract yet another illness due to his venture in the

for now, he stored it in a bag wrapped in cloth. Considering its 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

villagers to kill the remaining Lily

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

invaluable spellbook, on account of Anneliese’s recent troubles, Argrave decided it would be best to first head to Jast and secure lodging there. Unlike in Mateth, Jast’s Order of the Gray Owl branch had quite a grand library, so it was

It was both because of the stone used in its construction—a jet black, harsh rock—and the innumerable towers jutting out from the earth. They were

Mateth,” Argrave gave commentary as

out the window, and she showed considerably more surprise than Argrave had. “So tall…” she murmured. “How do they

would fall without magic reinforcing each and every brick. And some have fallen,” Argrave said regrettably. “There are more A-rank wizards in those towers than toes

yell. I hear every word you say, even if you whisper,” the vampire

have a reason to make this place their home,” Anneliese noted, still staring

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

that liquid is safe to drink?” Anneliese asked,

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 then replenishing his magic with the Amaranthine Heart’s liquid mana, his prowess as a mage would increase far more rapidly

though, and BOOM, no more living. You’ll explode in a burst of mana.

safe to drink,” Anneliese

the mana resurge in his body. “Too much of anything can kill you. You can die drinking

you explode in a burst of

looked out the window once more. “Alright, enough idle talk. We should discuss what we need to do in

that was a sign for their intention to join the war? If so, my first worry

be a problem. I know of some less well-known 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

Prince Induen gave me is not so 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 added, “Don’t worry,

legs. “Part of me thinks you like to mention ridiculous things

me,” Argrave replied,