Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave’s eyes lingered on the man wearing reddish-brown robes slightly behind Elias: Helmuth. Black hair, a widow’s peak, a dour face, and a beard trimmed to a point all lent the spellcaster an appearance of harsh sternness. His eyes were constantly in motion, twisting and beckoning like there was an abyss beyond those orbs. It had been merely another interesting thing when viewing it from the perspective of a player, but now that those eyes were real, it somewhat disturbed Argrave—both their appearance, and the knowledge of what they could do.

It was difficult to distinguish where, exactly, Helmuth was looking, but Argrave was certain he had seen something out of the ordinary, for Helmuth displayed considerable caution gazing upon them. Perhaps it was Rowe, magical titan that he was, or perhaps it was Argrave, possessed of the blessing of a God of Knowledge. Worst yet, it might be Galamon, the vampire.

Regardless, the spellcaster stepped up to Elias’ ear and whispered something. Elias frowned as he listened, and then eventually turned an eye back to Argrave.

Argrave did not know what, exactly, Helmuth said, but eventually Elias looked to him and said simply, “I won’t. There’s no need.”

“I strongly advise against that course, young lord,” Helmuth said insistently, slightly louder. He lowered his voice again.

Argrave turned to Galamon as Helmuth whispered to Elias, conveying to the elf he wished to know what they were saying.

“He wishes to leave,” muttered Galamon beneath his breath. “He believes you are a danger, and fears that you have an S-rank spellcaster in your retinue.”

Argrave nodded, but his question soon turned out to be a waste of time. Baron Abraham said loudly, “I also think we should leave, young lord.” He raised a hand and waved it at Argrave and his three companions. “You said this bastard stopped the Veidimen invasion—why, then, does he keep only their company?”

“Because words are stronger than swords in ending wars,” Argrave supplied smoothly, interjecting himself into things to speed the conversation up. “Things were resolved diplomatically. I was named friend to the Veidimen.”

“Hah.” Abraham shook his head. “More likely you were the puppeteer behind the invasion to begin with. Start something and end something with the same hands, fabricate glory from nothing—not unlike most in Vasquer,” Abraham said, voice low.

Argrave laughed. “Conspiracy theories, now?”

“Baron Abraham, you forget your place,” Elias said.

“Margrave Reinhardt made it clear to me my place was to advise you,” Abraham turned. “And you’re going down a foolish road even conversing with this lowlife. That is my advice to you.”

“Lowlife? You’re not worth a tenth of him, even were your flesh made of gold,” Rowe said provocatively, sparking Argrave’s panic.

“Now, let’s just—” Argrave tried to begin.

“Is that right?” The Baron placed his hand on the pommel of his sword, taking a step forward towards the four of them. “Blade or spell, he’d be dead within ten seconds if we came to blows.”

Argrave felt magic stir within the air and took an instinctive step back. Something rushed from Helmuth’s hands, winding about Abraham like a tetherball. When things settled, it was revealed to be a purple mass of air coiled around Abraham’s body. The knight struggled with it, clawing at it with his hands. Argrave recognized what had happened—Helmuth used the B-rank spell [Tempest Grip]. The spell, a wind-type elemental spell, had been tainted purple by Helmuth’s unusual magic constitution.

keeping the magic from crushing him outright. “Be silent,” Helmuth said loudly, not quite yelling. “You know naught. You tempt wrath beyond your ken, and should you proceed, I will

one knee, his legs braced as though the knight was ready to lunge and seek revenge. He stared at Helmuth indignantly, breath quick. Argrave feared that

blonde hair. The Baron walked a fair distance away, refusing to continue the conversation.

of you has some sense, it would seem,” Rowe said. “But they say if a dog

tense. “I have an exercise for you—if

amiable conversation has died on the vine, let’s get to the point, Elias.” Argrave lifted his head up, meeting Elias’

Mateth—what happened there? News is inconsistent and

fleet was destroyed, the harbors have been entirely wiped out, and the

a complex situation. “Then this rumor of you stopping the invasion—how did that happen? How did you repel

and Argrave having already confessed being named friend to the Veidimen, he was

her shoulder, and after a

sized Anneliese up as she stared down at him. They locked eyes for a moment, and Anneliese gave a

things ended, then,” Elias concluded, turning his gaze away. “But I’ve

of Elbraille intends to support

The news was similarly disquieting in Elias’ company. Helmuth looked surprised, and he brought his hand to his beard, stroking it idly. The knights looked at each other, exchanging emotions with glance alone. Even Abraham was pulled from his sulking, and he turned back to them with some

Vasquer as well?”

natural order

know

pointed. “Veladrien of Jast. He confirmed some things for me. Good

he?” Abraham questioned from

Argrave said after a pause. He had neglected to ask Stain to come along. “But I have these letters detailing exchanges between the Duke and the Count, speaking of the war to come. It contains strategy, the like. Here.” Argrave reached into his satchel, pulling out a tightly wrapped bundle of letters. Elias stepped forward and took it, breaking the

the letters in silence. Argrave kept his eyes on Helmuth. He could not be certain of it, for the

man could still be so annoyingly opposed to him even after being threatened by an A-rank mage—his own

are,” said

“How?” Abraham asked incredulously.

the Parbon instinct, Baron Abraham,” Elias reminded Abraham. He looked up at Argrave. “Besides, the information contained within these

doubt me.

identity,” Abraham said, shaking his

is very admirable,” said Rowe sarcastically,

ire, but internally agreed with

wish to stop me from entering Jast,” Elias followed Argrave’s logic.

if Jast came to the aid of House Parbon,