Jackal Among Snakes

In the days to come, Galamon was strongly reminded of back when he and Argrave had been planning for the assault on the druid’s camp. Argrave led them through the city as adroitly as one who lived there, heading to obscure shops and famous shops in equal measure and setting various things in motion. They were unbothered by any, though Galamon was acutely aware of the people watching them. At times, they would be accosted by irate people suspicious that they were Veidimen, but when Argrave removed his Circlet of Disguise and revealed his non-elven features, that was typically enough to send them away.

There was an undeniable tension in the city. Galamon mostly harvested his blood from places like taverns, where the people within would be less cautious of him and far easier to prey upon. While there, he often witnessed people come to blows in debates regarding the cause of the Snakes or the Lions. Common opinion seemed to favor the rebels. Furthermore, the word of an invasion against Mateth had set people against the Veidimen, stoking tempers more yet.

Much of Galamon’s time was occupied with the repair of his armor, as the smiths needed to be directed in Veidimen styles. Galamon made use of the days spent on this endeavor to make the Ebonice arrows from the daggers as Argrave had suggested. Galamon used all but five daggers and chiseled out thirty Ebonice arrowheads. It would be more than sufficient for their needs for a long while, he suspected.

The rest of Galamon’s time dealt with accompanying Argrave on his spendthrift shopping journeys. Galamon had been unsure that Argrave’s price estimates were accurate, for most of the things he intended to purchase could be considered heirlooms in aristocratic houses. Most of the time, Argrave managed to get them far cheaper than he initially predicted. Much of it was due to Argrave’s bartering prowess.

The majority of what Argrave ordered would take some time to finish, and so once all of the requests were put in and down payments were made, their party retired to the inn and devoted their time to study. Argrave often drank the black liquid magic and talked about ‘repaying his magic debt quickly.’ It was idyllic compared to their usual activities, and Argrave commented on that fact often.

They were only disturbed on the seventh day of their stay.

#####

“What are you doing?” asked Galamon, who’d just re-entered into the inn’s room. He wore plain brown clothes with long sleeves. His frame was large and the clothes stuck tight, giving the impression he wore something too small. “What are you wearing?”

Argrave stood beside a table, where an empty pot and a potted plant rested beside each other. The ‘potted plant’ was, in actuality, a strange multi-colored mushroom sprouting about a foot high. Argrave wore an apron and held a small shovel, where he lowered dirt into the empty pot. Anneliese watched as though the ordeal was fascinating.

“Some light gardening,” joked Argrave. He looked into the empty pot. “I suspect this much should be enough…” He retrieved a stone shaped like a real heart and lowered it into the pot. “Now, let’s put the Amaranthine Heart into there… and next, this plant.”

“What was it you called this?” Anneliese pointed to the plant.

“Hydra’s Canopy.” Argrave pulled out the mushroom and lowered it into the other pot, whereupon he promptly buried it in dirt. “It’s well-known for being ridiculously resilient. You cut off the mushroom’s cap, it’s grown back by the end of the day and then some.”

“So, because of its resilience, the Amaranthine Heart can extract more liquid magic from it before the plant dies. It has more life to convert to magic.”

“Sure,” Argrave said, piling dirt on. “There are plants we might use that are more cost-efficient, but this little mushroom offers the most yield in the shortest amount of time. After around three days, we get another Hydra’s Canopy, and we extract all the magic the Heart’s produced.”

many graphs people had made to calculate which plants were most efficient, cost-wise, for the best gold-to-magic ratio. Most everyone in the ‘Heroes of Berendar’ community agreed that, after

as Argrave put the last bit of dirt

don’t know if

it. Argrave recalled the item descriptions,

know these things? But you forfeited your right to ask that question.” Argrave cleaned off the shovel with the apron. “Having any

Argrave heard it too—a set of footsteps moving up the

finger to symbolize one person and waited for Argrave’s direction. Argrave nodded and gestured towards the door. Galamon moved to open it. A broad-shouldered man

men,” Galamon said at once. “I’ve

Galamon cautiously. “Saved me the

it?” Argrave inquired, moving

lord Stain came to him, said he had some urgent news for you. Considering your history,

pursed his lips. “I’d like

nodded, then walked away from the

#####

this is where you’re staying,” said Stain idly, glancing around their room. Argrave could tell he was a bit taken aback by the sheer quantity of books. They had turned the place into a mini-library in the days that they’d been here. His gaze locked on the potted mushroom,

earlier pushed Stain inside, and then came to stand in the corner. “Rivien told me I should offer to stay, make

Argrave said simply.

wide-range C-rank warding spell he’d learned, and at once, the four of them were shrouded

of him. “I’m sorry for contacting you ahead of our date, but there was something

the table in the center of the room, sitting down in

his throat. “Er… well, firstly, I figured out what you wanted me to figure out. My brother is going to be following his liege lord, the Duke of Elbraille, into war. He’ll be taking the side of the Snakes, cretin that he—er, excuse me,” Stain cut himself off, clearly afraid to share his

he said, keeping his thoughts hidden in front of Stain. “You have

didn’t… it’s still at my place in the cistern. I can…” he stepped

our talk.” Argrave crossed one leg over the other. “Anything else regarding the war you can mention? For example,

that Elbraille intends to support Vasquer. Apparently, the

“He isn’t coming here,