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.

lack the steel with you gone,” Rowe said. “Spiritless. No passion. None of the other commanders come to

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

“So, you’re

“He is the second I would serve

Galamon say that, Rowe closed his mouth and took a deep breath. When next his

your magic, if only just. You’re… a bit skinnier, perhaps. This

has not always been easy, but I cannot blame the leader for a

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

men 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.

moved to leave the room. Argrave and company stood aside for their passage, and

stepped forward, staring

the torch over there,” he referenced Elaine’s red hair. “Hothead, that one. All my pride, tenth of my age, hundredth of my

me,” Argrave disagreed, looking at Elaine. She had

for indignance.” He looked up at Argrave. “We need to speak again soon regarding the interests of Veiden. Where

man to wander through these dangerous streets alone. Someone might try and mug you, and you might immolate him in honor of Veid. This place isn’t like that winter

shook his head. “I can be discreet. I’m no

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

eyed it. “What

put it on to demonstrate. “Muddles the features. Very common thing in this city. Snow elves are not well-liked here. It would be best if you did not

old, I tower above most,” Rowe rebutted. “Not worth

interjected

at Galamon, and then begrudgingly put the Circlet of Disguise over his bald head. “It’s cold. Unpleasant.”

my room, I’ll

the aged elf muttered loudly

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

She let out a sigh, staring at the doorway Rowe

banter. I like making people laugh.” Argrave paused for a moment, then added, “Mostly

I was unduly predisposed against

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 that you did, of course,”

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

huh.

that,” Argrave replied