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,

Abraham collapsed to 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

The Baron walked a fair

said. “But they say

interrupted, voice tense. “I have an exercise for you—if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at

an amiable

Elias. “But first, Mateth—what happened there? News is inconsistent and vague in

fleet was destroyed, the harbors have been entirely wiped out, and the Dukedom is essentially crippled, but… the Duke, Nikoletta,

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

with three snow elves at his side and Argrave having already confessed being named friend to the Veidimen, he was not confident enough to maneuver his

a misunderstanding between Veiden and House Monticci. End of story,” Argrave shrugged. “Anneliese here helped me.” He tapped her shoulder, and after a moment’s pause, she nodded. “Most of the

back perplexedly but said nothing, to Argrave’s relief. Elias sized Anneliese up as she stared down

“But I’ve forced a digression. What is it you wanted

to support Vasquer,” Argrave

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

vassal, will support Vasquer as well?” Elias

is the natural order of things, yes,” Argrave

you know this

of Jast. He confirmed some

where is he?” Abraham

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.

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

could still be so annoyingly opposed to him even after being threatened by an A-rank mage—his own ally, no

said Elias as he read through

“How?” Abraham asked incredulously.

Abraham. He looked up at Argrave. “Besides, the information contained within these isn’t something that can be

I can get Veladrien if you doubt me. Would

unconfirmed identity,” Abraham said, shaking

mental deficiencies is very admirable,” said

draw more ire, but internally agreed with the

stop me from entering Jast,” Elias followed Argrave’s logic. “It

would be better suited if Jast came to