Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave neatly placed a single piece of paper atop the table in the center of their inn’s room. They had rented a rather large room with six beds intended as a dormitory. It had been more expensive, but Argrave thought it would be best if they slept near each other and no one protested to the idea. He might’ve found another abandoned house as he had in Mateth, but most ‘abandoned’ places in Jast had some ties to smugglers or criminals.

Galamon handed Argrave a small metal rod with inscriptions across its length. Argrave took off his gloves and grasped it. Its tip glowed hot, and Argrave touched it to his skin briefly. It was quite hot.

“Such an interesting tool. Creates burn marks in the paper instead of using ink,” he mused, tapping his finger against its tip again and again. “I digress. We have a lot of things to pick up.”

Argrave pointed his new writing utensil at Galamon and Anneliese, who both stood beside the table. “I’m going to write most of it down. Come, let’s sit.” Argrave gestured to the chairs and sat in one himself. “Let me cast a ward, block off anyone who might be listening…” Argrave provided commentary as he did just that.

“Alright…” Argrave began, voice echoing in the spell of his making. “So, first, there’s the urgent matters. We have to go to the Jast branch of the Order of the Gray Owl to retrieve the shipment of illusion spellbooks for the Veidimen. Considering how long we were at White Edge, they should be here by now… at least I hope,” Argrave shrugged, writing that first item down.

“While there, we can finally pick up some of the books I need there. We’ll be swimming in C-rank spells, you and I,” he said grandly, grabbing Anneliese’s arm. “We can also learn if they decided to accept you into the Order. If fate is unduly kind, you’ll be given full membership. If fate is passably kind, you’ll be given honorary membership—not unheard of for elves, and it suits our purposes. If they refuse you outright… well, I’ll have to teach you spells illegally.”

Anneliese seemed a bit taken aback by this, but Argrave did not give her the time to say anything further.

“After, we’re going to be replacing our wardrobe. Jast has passable craftsmen but an abundance of enchanters. That said, there’s one world-renowned shop here that tailor-makes enchanted leather gear. For a high price, we can get it out of a special material—manticore leather, the like. This is what I’ll be purchasing for us, Anneliese. I think two sets should be sufficient.”

“One for each. Very generous.” Anneliese nodded and smiled.

“Uh, no.” Argrave shook his head. “Two sets for each. I’ll not walk around without changing clothes for months, nor would I subject a companion to the same fate. Besides, they’re sure to be damaged protecting us.” Argrave tapped his finger against the desk, thinking. “If I remember right… the price should be altogether no more than 80,000 gold, depending on the material. I think I’ll offer forty rose-gold magic coins outright… I’m sure I can swing that.”

“Hold,” Anneliese said quickly. “One could buy much in Veiden with that. Even some chiefs of great tribes would never see that much money in their life, before or after Dras’ conquest. Is gold less valued on this continent?”

Argrave opened his mouth to answer, but Galamon took off his helmet and placed it on the table, then set his elbows down loudly. “Gold is likely more valuable here,” he said, voice quiet. “A sizeable family could eat for a day off ten or so gold coins, from what I have seen in my travels.”

Anneliese looked at Argrave with her eyes wide. Argrave gave a nod of confirmation and went to the paper.

“So, 40 rose-gold magic coins from our 164 brings us to 124, or…” Argrave paused, doing the math. “248,000, give or take a little. The conversion rate isn’t 2000 per coin exactly, but it’s close.”

“Wait,” she urged. “Can we be so flippant with money? You do not need to purchase so much whimsically. I would not feel disparaged were you to buy less for me.”

of you

well-enchanted jewelry is ridiculously expensive. The craftsman has to be able to

and rings will be cumbersome anyway.” Argrave wrote that down. “Even with our enchanted leather armor, it would be best not to

about with a hole in your armor’s torso. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know you’ll

Galamon interrupted. “I’ve done it before and I can work

not sure if that can be done, but we’ll see.

nodded. “Will

be replicated anymore. You’d be wearing it right now if it wouldn’t be odd to walk around with a crown

protecting the head

helmet.” Argrave spun his writing utensil in his hand. “If it’s just smithing the armor… I suspect it may not even enter a five-digit figure. Spellcasters overvalue their services—go figure,” Argrave said musingly. “I’ll mark another 10,000 for your

metal weapons and your bow on

greatsword from the corner of the room. He pulled his dagger from its sheath, and lastly grabbed his

you like all of these?” Argrave questioned as the elf set all of what he’d retrieved down on

trial and error, these work

The greatsword was not so—it resembled most a kriegsmesser with the blade curving at the end. Argrave touched the sword. “Very nice. Did you get this in the north? I don’t think they make weapons like

raised a brow. “Yes, it was the north. You know

region, but beyond that I have no damned clue.” Argrave thumped his finger against it, and it rung out. “I’ll get them made to these specifications. For the greatsword, we’ll get powerful offensive wind magic. It’ll make cuts easier, shear through armor as though it were wheat. You can use

a long journey,”

writing utensil. “Repairing enchanted stuff is expensive. Other enchantments might be more potent, but they

enchanted greatsword…” Argrave tried to think back to prices in

This is equipment that’ll carry us for years. They need a smith that can make the inscriptions for enchantments without compromising the integrity of the blade. A mage and a smith in one.” Argrave leaned back in his chair, feeling his point was made. “That kind of expertise is costly. Don’t balk

is merely difficult to process you would spend so much for equipment not intended for yourself,” Anneliese finally

nodded, finally seeing things clearly. “If I wanted money, I could make money. It would take time, that’s all. In fact, I’ll probably do a lot of money-making when this great big journey is all over, provided I don’t die terribly during it. For now, I trust two things; I trust you,” he

leaned back. “If you die because I was stingy, it would be immeasurably saddening. My success would also be much more far-fetched. So,

nod, and Anneliese eventually conceded too. He deducted 75,000

get one from the elves in the Midwest part of Vasquer. They have some pact with the dryads, can get dryad wood…

the dagger?”

blade in question. “Probably a fire enchantment that packs a lot of punch. I’m told burning your enemies from the inside is very potent. It’ll be temporary, and probably cost about 20,000.”