Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 63

Argrave walked into the Jast branch of the Order of the Gray Owl, adjusting the strap of the satchel bag off his neck. He looked behind his shoulder briefly. Anneliese and Galamon waited at the entrance, unable to enter as they both lacked a badge. It reminded him of a pair of parents watching their kid to go to kindergarten, and Argrave briefly chuckled.

His mirth very quickly died when he saw Elaine standing just before the central spire elevator, staring at him. Argrave figured by and large green was a warm color, but her eyes of that color were quite cold—or perhaps what Anneliese had told him was already shading his world in a different light.

“Do you find it funny to keep me waiting?” Elaine asked when Argrave came closer, immediately dispelling any doubt he had.

“My apologies,” Argrave said sincerely, coming to stand before her. She looked up at him boldly. “There was something that I needed to get before this. I should have informed you.”

Evidently the sincerity had no holes in it, for Elaine could only stare back for a few seconds before nodding. “And my proposition earlier—I can assume your visit to my brother is your answer to that? A resounding ‘no.’”

“I can see why you might think that,” Argrave nodded. “But I was telling the truth back then. I don’t have the books.”

She kept her gaze locked on Argrave for a few moments, and then turned away. “You were smart to go to my brother. He’s the best you can ask for in town. I hope things go well for you.”

It sounded a conciliatory statement, but Argrave trusted in Anneliese’s instincts and decided to continue with his plan, beginning, “There is another thing we might discuss after we take these books to the Veidimen, though. Something far more worth both our time than books, I think.” Argrave pointed a finger. “And you know what they say—time is money.”

“Do they now?” She turned her gaze back to him.

Argrave spread his hands out. “There’s a reason I wanted someone watching my back here. Some things I’ve got… let’s just say they’re not light burdens.” He tapped the satchel on his waist. “But we’ll talk more about that someplace where everyone isn’t staring at us. Provided you are amenable to that, Miss Elaine,” Argrave finished suavely, dipping his head.

She pursed her lips. “We’ll see what happens,” she said vaguely. “They’re bringing the illusion spellbooks down. Shouldn’t be much longer.”

“I guess you would have been waiting after all. All’s well that ends well,” he said brightly, trying to focus on the positives.

“I suppose so,” Elaine agreed, turning around. Argrave raised a brow, then shook his head. It’s a start, I suppose.

#####

“Are you sure that Rivien will have things ready for us?” Argrave questioned, walking through the iron fence to Rivien’s estate for the second time today. With Elaine beside him, he did not need to wait to be seen by Rivien—one small fortune.

“My brother is remarkably efficient,” Elaine said simply. “At the very least, considering he is the person who these books need to go through, it would be best to move them to this location.”

Galamon stepped forward just behind them, carrying the large box of books as though it did not weigh as much as himself. Two of Elaine’s men moved behind him, at a loss as to what to do considering Galamon carried the cargo alone.

“Why do you travel with elves?” Elaine inquired, the first question she’d asked in during their entire walk. “Moreover, elves recently responsible for an attack on Mateth.”

height as you. Makes you feel like you’re normal,” Argrave said, then laughed. “Only

somewhat disdainfully. “They aren’t

Elaine looked at him for a moment, and

like I’m winning her over, if only just. Unless that’s a smile of

then noticed the

inquired Argrave, stepping off to the side as Rivien had done to allow Galamon to

know my sister. She’s impatient, she’d want to do this

impatient? The nicer word is ‘prompt,’” Argrave defended light-heartedly. “She said only nice things about you, I’m sure you

Rivien said, glancing at Elaine. “Good to know, I suppose.” Rivien did not dwell on the subject long. “My men will lead yours to where I’ll hold the

“And I assume you’ve already

stepping inside and shutting the doors to the estate behind him as Anneliese entered last. “Word is out that you’re Riveters’ property—that includes the stuff you have in

bolt to the head… and if we can’t manage to do that, we can at least warn you who’s got their eyes on you. Premium services, I’d

with what you’re charging,” Argrave

for now, unless

The other red-headed one, though, I do,” Argrave pointed to Elaine, who seemed surprised that Argrave had been serious. “Can

Rivien smiled incredulously as though it was amusing. “Who am I to stop you from going into any room

“I

moment. After a time, she

on,” Rivien raised a finger. “I have a question

do,” Argrave nodded. “Will you ask this question, or just hold

Have you

nodded. “Indeed I

to share anything? Might be I can waive this fee altogether,”

quite yet. Spreading details about her

telling a big secret and whispered, “’Bat’ is not

see. I guess he must choose his agents right, because no one I’ve spoken to cares to divulge any information on who the Bat is. All

sounds like you’re talking about me,” Argrave pointed to

his head amusedly as he sized up Argrave’s spindly limbs. “Handsome? Even if there’s a sterling face on skin and bones, doesn’t

turned, waving them away. “Well, banter aside, I have nothing else. He’s all yours,

#####

about?” Elaine asked, gaze sometimes drifting to the satchel bag he

turned to the dining table, which had been emptied. “I like

strap of his satchel bag and picked it up, laying it out across the table. He opened its flap and pulled free his lockbox, setting it on the table. The Amaranthine Heart was visible, and Argrave pushed it

a look at this,” Argrave said, gesturing towards the box. “Ignore the rose gold magic coins. That’s

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