Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave peered past an iron fence into a well-managed estate garden. It had a fountain, a very brief hedge maze, and at the very back, a rather grand mansion. Evidently a smuggler and a branch manager of the Order could grow very wealthy working together. Argrave nodded in recognition then turned away from the fence, gesturing to Anneliese and Galamon to follow. He made his way to the gate. A lone knight guarded it rather idly.

“Hello,” Argrave greeted, voice somewhat dull. He had not slept a wink, and as much reflected in his general demeanor. He learned a C-rank warding spell, though, so the effort was not wasted.

The knight did not react, so Argrave repeated, “Hello,” louder and more insistently. The knight turned his head to the sound slowly and then came to attention when he saw the three of them approaching, placing his hand on the pommel of his sword.

“This is the estate of Lady Elaine of Vyrbell. Please keep your distance,” the knight said loudly.

Argrave knew that this was only her estate in name only—Rivien made the majority of the money, but he didn’t wish to draw much attention to himself.

“I see, I see. Well, I wish to speak to Rivien of Vyrbell. I’m sure that he’ll want to speak to me,” Argrave clapped his hands together diplomatically.

When Rivien’s name was mentioned, the guard noticeably hesitated, his helmet moving back and forth between the three of them.

“…the lord is likely having breakfast now,” the knight said slowly.

“Just tell him that Argrave would like to see him. I have a matter he might help me with.”

The knight nodded, then stepped over to ring a bell. A servant from inside the gate came rushing forward in short order, and the knight relayed Argrave’s message. Content, he stepped away from the knight, facing Anneliese and Galamon.

“Anneliese. Keep an eye on the people in this meeting, try to feel out their dispositions towards us.” When Anneliese nodded, Argrave squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, trying to dispel his tiredness. “Head’s killing me. Eyes hurt. At least I’ll sleep easier tonight,” Argrave focused on the positives.

“I slept, so I feel fine,” Anneliese said pointedly. “You should not stay up all night, even if you are having fun.”

Galamon eyed the both of them. “Fun? You only studied.”

“No, we learned magic,” Argrave corrected. “In terms of activities, it is immensely satisfying to see one’s studies come to fruition. It’s like…” Argrave searched for the right words. “Building yourself. Adding to yourself. Getting new limbs, new tools, that all exist within your mind.”

Anneliese nodded, then turned her head to watch the servant that’d moved away return. He spoke to the knight, and the armored man nodded. He walked over to the three of them, and Argrave turned.

“Lord Rivien will receive you alongside Lady Elaine,” the knight walked to the gate, opening it. “Our footman will take you to them. I would ask that you remove the circlets disguising your appearance.”

“Alongside Lady Elaine, hmm? What a delight,” Argrave said with a smile, feeling like he’d dodged a bullet. “You heard him. Circlets off, company,” Argrave directed, doing so as he spoke.

After a neat bow the footman led them through the garden, past the hedge maze, and through the door. They were greeted by a fanciful great room with two parallel winding stairways leading to a second floor. Here, at least, there was some respite from the constant dreary black present in most of Jast—the inside was mostly marble and dark wood, tastefully decorated with silver at points.

turns, Argrave and his companions were led to a room guarded by two knights. The footman wordlessly opened the door and gestured inside, where Argrave entered. A small dining room awaited them. Barring the attending servants, there were two people present. Rivien sat at the head of the table opposite the entryway, while

wiped his face with a napkin, swallowing

appear,” Argrave said, staring at Elaine the whole while. “Though perhaps that idiom is not popular in this place.

the knights. “The guards should wait outside,” he

his heel. “Guards?

in,” Rivien said decisively.

were shut behind them. Argrave turned back. “Very kind of you to welcome me into your home on

taking another bite of food. He chewed, staring at Argrave. He was quite a well-built man, and that made the finely made red clothes he wore appear much grander than they were. He seemed to be around his mid-thirties, and he had a pair of bright green eyes

pointed to a chair beside him. “Have a seat. Your companions, too.” He set the fork down for a moment, resting his elbows on the table and clasping his

commented. “How might you know Rivien?” Argrave pulled back the chair closest to Rivien, opposite Elaine, and sat down. Anneliese

brother,” she

Imagine that,” Argrave said sarcastically. “It’s such

was faintly amused by his theatrics, just as Argrave had been aiming for. He took his elbows off the table and grabbed the fork once again, pointing at Argrave with it. “Would you like some

you,” Argrave shook his head. “I’ve eaten. I have to apologize for interrupting a lovely breakfast between siblings for talk of business, but I

to ask… how is it you came to know of me?” Rivien inquired, taking

the Bat was an enigmatic figure whose agents were central in many side quests. But Argrave knew who it was; Princess Elenore, a master strategist and schemer. Even blind, she sees more in Vasquer than all—or so some

the most reasonable and measured. On the flipside, she was the most deceptive, and capable of more cruelty than all of them. Hers was a dispassionate and pragmatic cruelty, derived not from sadism

Argrave recalled, she had been one of the more popular romantic options. Many people like the idea of fixing a flawed person and winning affection from callousness. Her story was quite sad, Argrave had to admit, but then most of the Vasquers’ lives were misery. Argrave did

too badly screwed by her. Even if she’s not as good at scheming as Elenore, Anneliese’s smart enough to stop me from getting

Elaine, drawing Argrave from his thoughts. “Well, if it’s that…” Rivien looked at the attendants still in the room and gestured towards the door with his head. They all bowed at once and made for the

shut, Rivien said, “This room is warded. You may speak freely without fear of

it, in

in contact with the Veidimen smugglers that come here. I know they don’t work

“The snow elves are skittish, especially after the failed invasion.

me. Elaine, I’m sure you know of what

Castro sent the shipment,” she

Argrave nodded. “We’ll have to discuss things further

My commission, then,” Rivien said, placing his

not react, assumed he said it right. “I’m going to

hands out. “I ordered my men not to touch your things. If you’re related to the Bat in any manner, I won’t get

just it,” Argrave continued. “Your little crew is the largest in town, and considering the valuable things I’m moving about… protection would be nice. I’d like you to watch the inn I’m staying at, make sure no undesirables set foot in there. In general, I’d like it if you could make

tilted his head, expression stoic. “And if you placed some value on that

his pocket and pulled out five pink coins. He slid them over to Rivien, then spread his hands out. “Is

long will you be staying in Jast?” Rivien eyed