Jackal Among Snakes

"Look at him,” Rowe said, stepping towards Argrave. Elaine and the people with her shifted cautiously beside the shipment of illusion spellbooks. “Goes white as a sheet when he sees me.”

“That’s just my complexion,” Argrave returned.

Argrave wanted to grit his teeth. Rowe being here did not exactly scream peace and prosperity. He was an unpleasant zealot with the power of S-rank magic to back his zeal—it was a wonder Argrave didn’t enter to find that a fight had broken out with Rowe being the obvious winner. It was even more a wonder that Dras would send him here at all.

Argrave dismissed his thoughts as the silence extended between them. “What brings you to sunny Jast? You must’ve missed me—that’s my first guess.”

“Oh, aye, I missed your stupid jokes and vacant stare,” the aged snow elf said harshly, walking stick echoing through the room as it impacted against the stone. “Complete tripe. I came here on order of the Patriarch. Some things to do in this city of vapid morons.”

Elaine stepped forward and crossed her arms. “Are we going to move this—”

“Shut up,” Rowe said coldly, turning his head to Elaine. “Speak when spoken to.”

Elaine’s expression turned to one of wroth, but Argrave held out his hand and grabbed Rowe’s shoulder.

“Be nice,” Argrave said quietly. “Might be you’re the top dog in Veiden, but you’re only one of three S-rank spellcasters in this city. Even if your dragon came with you, I can’t guarantee you’d walk out of this harbor alive if you cause trouble.”

When Argrave mentioned that Rowe was an S-rank spellcaster, Elaine’s rage turned to a steady caution. Rowe turned his head back to Argrave.

“That true?” Rowe grumbled. “Your kind live barely a quarter the time we do, but you’ve more high-ranking spellcasters?”

“Using magic of higher ranking extends one’s life, and we’re far more numerous than the Veidimen,” Argrave shook his head. Argrave knew that Rowe was much stronger than the two S-rank spellcasters in Jast, but he did not care to let him hear that. “This is what you would have gone up against had your invasion continued. What I did for your people was a good thing. I spared you an inevitable retaliatory genocide.”

“I don’t care to hear you praise yourself,” Rowe shook his head. “I’ll cause no trouble. I’m smart enough for that, at least. But that one isn’t S-rank,” he pointed his walking stick to Elaine. “Her magic pool’s only a bit larger than yours. Why should I respect her?”

“I’m an exceptional case. Compared to most her age, Elaine is quite talented,” Argrave shook his head. His magic had been increasing rapidly as he paid his debt to Erlebnis. One’s magic capacity grew when expended, and Argrave expended his consistently to accommodate the Blessing of Supersession. Combined with rapid replenishing from the Amaranthine Heart, it stood to reason he progressed faster.

“On top of that, she coordinates the Order of the Gray Owl here in Jast. She’s the only reason we have these books.” Argrave frowned. “It’s common sense to offer respect when you don’t know who someone is. Why are you so socially incompetent?”

“Socially incompetent?” Rowe repeated. “Few people are worthy of respect. Even fewer are non-Veidimen. For instance,” Rowe stepped past Argrave, coming to stand before Galamon. “Galamon. It’s been some time, hasn’t it?”

“It has,” responded Galamon simply.

passion. None of the other commanders come to your ankles. Had you been leading at

react to the praise, stating, “I wish I had been. Veid decreed

Argrave. “So,

second I would serve not because of obligation alone. I believe he deserves

breath. When next his white eyes fell upon Argrave,

He sized her up. “Seems you’ve improved your magic, if only just. You’re… a bit skinnier, perhaps. This one cannot feed

The road has not always been easy, but I cannot blame the leader for a rocky path when that is precisely what I

turned back. “Alright.” Rowe walked back to the two Veidimen slowly. “So, Elaine,” he said the name harshly as though it was difficult to pronounce. “Argrave is here, as you were waiting for. You’ll give us the illusion books, finally,

carried the box over. Once it was set down, Rowe pried the lid open with his walking stick and removed one of the books, perusing it. He checked a

grabbed the box and moved to leave the room. Argrave and company stood aside for their passage, and they left quickly. Argrave watched them head for a small vessel that did not seem to be Veidimen in make at all. That was

forward,

he referenced Elaine’s red hair. “Hothead, that

seemed fine to me,” Argrave disagreed, looking at Elaine. She had her arms crossed, feet tapping quickly

Rowe rubbed his eyes. “Bah. I’m too tired for indignance.” He looked up at Argrave. “We need to speak

dangerous streets alone. Someone might try and mug you, and you might immolate him in honor

boy,” Rowe shook his

its rough location. He reached into his satchel and pulled out an iron circlet—it was what Argrave had been using

eyed it. “What

thing in this city. Snow elves

old, I tower above

interjected

his bald head. “It’s cold. Unpleasant.” The aged elf shook

waiting in my room, I’ll do

loudly as he walked

his vision narrowed, but then he acknowledged the absurdity of the claim. Argrave shook his head and laughed heartily. “Watch your step, old man!” he

crossed. She let out a sigh, staring at the doorway Rowe had left. “You antagonize

laugh.” Argrave

she paused. “I think that I was unduly predisposed against you. I apologize if

words.” Argrave commented, then shook his head. “You weren’t, not especially. Even had you been, I don’t care. I’m used to abuse. If there’s one thing I can take, it’s a tongue-lashing. Not

a wiki editor was a very thankless job. Argrave would spend thousands of hours working on writing some obscure details for a game, and the only time people would ever reach out was to correct some minute mistake he might’ve made—and oftentimes, they weren’t even right. Argrave

to abuse, huh. Childhood memories?” Elaine

like that,”