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.”

that?” Argrave responded in confusion. “All of you need to be as well-equipped

there with mouth agape, and Argrave shook his head and went back to his task. “After, we’ll need some enchanted jewelry. Metal holds magic better—as do gemstones, but well-enchanted jewelry is ridiculously expensive. The craftsman has to be able to make a ring to very precise specifications after the initial casting. It takes a jeweler knowledgeable in extremely complex enchantments. As you might imagine, such a

ring each. For Galamon… you can regenerate, and rings will be cumbersome anyway.” Argrave wrote that down. “Even with our enchanted leather armor, it would be best not to

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

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

styles, hmm?” Argrave questioned jokingly. “Well, sure. I’m not sure if that can be done, but we’ll see. Next order of business…

“Will we sell

around with a crown on your head in the city streets,” Argrave pointed at Galamon. “We’ll have armor forged around it. Shouldn’t be too difficult. You do recall how much stronger

do,” Galamon nodded. “But protecting the head is too important to use it

we remake it into a 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 armor and helmet to be on the safe side for budgeting. So, 208,000 remaining. Time for the real money sinks,” Argrave said with a smile. They both

put your metal weapons and your bow on the

corner of the room. He pulled his dagger from its sheath,

these?” Argrave questioned as the elf

and error, these work best,” he said

see that,” Argrave reached forward. The dagger was simple: merely a straight guard and a simple blade, unadorned. 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

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

I know the styles particular to each 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

for a

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

enchanted greatsword…” Argrave tried to think back to prices

after Argrave spoke the figure. Argrave leaned forward and laid it out. “We’re getting top-end stuff, here. I suspect this’ll be better quality than the royal guard’s weapons. This is equipment that’ll carry us for years. They need a smith that can make the inscriptions for

merely difficult to process you would spend so much for equipment not intended for

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 said, grabbing their arms with each

said that. He tapped their arms and leaned back. “If you die because I was stingy, it would be immeasurably saddening. My success would also be

a single nod, and Anneliese eventually

then. This bow…” Argrave picked it up. “We’ll hold off getting a new one. I’d rather get one from the elves in the Midwest part of Vasquer. They have some pact with the dryads,

the dagger?”

I’m told burning your enemies from the inside is very potent. It’ll be temporary, and probably cost about 20,000.” Argrave wrote that number down