Jackal Among Snakes

“I see no reason to think that Delbraun would cheat us on this matter,” Elias said with a determined stare at Argrave. “He will give us his answer at the end of the banquet, just as he said.” He still sat in the stone chair beside the table they’d spoken to Delbraun at. Argrave leaned up against the terrace’s railing.

Argrave sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “I wonder, then, why he can’t be found anywhere in the banquet hall.” Argrave lowered his hand. “What did I tell you? I specifically told you not to let him answer later. I didn’t think I needed to specify if the quantity of time was hours or days. Evidently I was wrong,” Argrave said exasperatedly.

“Count Delbraun will come back,” Elias insisted.

“Here’s what I think will happen. Hours will pass, and then the banquet will end. Servants will refuse us, citing some annoyance the count must deal with—or perhaps he’s simply fallen asleep in deep contemplation.” Argrave shook his head. “There’s a term for this. Stonewalling.”

“You are too cynical,” Elias said finally, refusing to argue the point further. Elias’ retainer, Helmuth, seemed to share Argrave’s sentiments, but he did not voice them.

“Fine. Whatever. I did my best,” Argrave shrugged in defeat. “I don’t think we’re at risk anymore, and Anneliese will still be watching for suspicious happenings. Let us wait to see who is right.” He looked to Stain, who sat at the table still. “Stain,” he called out, and the teenager raised his head. Argrave reached into his pockets, retrieving a small pouch. “Here. Well-earned,” he tossed it.

Stain caught the pouch, perplexed. He opened it, peering within, then quickly shut it and looked around. “Gods, you have to stop carrying this much around. Four rose gold coins?”

“Hope you like it,” Argrave said, falling into thought.

“Well… whatever happens, I’m no longer a Jast.” Stain pocketed the pouch. “Every bit helps. I have to leave this place. Leave this city. I want to vomit.”

“Try not to puke, please,” Argrave advised idly, busy thinking.

I think I can finish my business in Jast without a problem. Elbraille doesn’t seem to intend to go public with his support of Vasquer for a while yet.

“Argrave,” began Elaine. “Perhaps you might simply enjoy the rest of the banquet for what it is?”

Argrave lowered his gaze to meet Elaine’s. He considered her point for a moment, then shook his head. “The food is likely cold by now.”

“The servants are adept,” she countered. “And I see something fine over there. Would you like to come?”

“Sure,” Argrave finally agreed.

Elaine and Argrave walked back into the mostly empty banquet hall, heading to a table full of fine foods. Argrave looked around at the various foods, puzzled, before finally settling for a piece of bread with a shake of his head.

“I don’t know what half of this stuff is,” he commented, tearing the bread and taking a bite. Once he’d finished chewing, he commented, “At the very least, this is certainly bread.”

“You could try something new,” she suggested, retrieving a plate of strangely cut meat sloshed with some yellow sauce.

bad night worse? I’ll stick to this any day.” Argrave waved

key. Hard to

bad. You speak well. I

it was made up,” Argrave shook his head. “I don’t care what these

to a banquet on business before,” she

have been asked for other reasons?” he inquired, taking a bite

no,” she shook her head, and then fixed her red hair. “Were it

rule of never speaking with food in his mouth. Elaine smiled at him as he chewed quickly,

she returned

bread down, feeling it was

have tried to court me. I have considered some. And now, I am considering

but size Elaine up. She was a beautiful woman, undoubtedly—bright red hair, unblemished skin, and enchanting green eyes. She had a certain fierceness to her face that betrayed some of her personality. The dress she wore tonight only served to accentuate her prominent features. She

only crossed her arms and smiled. “We have not known each other long.

does to earn money. That alone means more to me than you know. I know that you treat the people close to you well—those two you would call ‘friend,’ Anneliese and Galamon,

a bit different, but…” Argrave trailed off, lost in thought. He let the silence fester in the air for a time as his thoughts ran in his

woman, Elaine, but beyond only that, you’re intelligent and ambitious. I would be lying if I

tense. “It doesn’t sound as though

tomorrow, set aside everything that you’ve built and leave Jast to go wandering for years on end? This is no journey of self-discovery, either,” Argrave cautioned. “It will be a journey fraught with perils, and there will be

you

There is… something that I have to do. Something that I have to achieve. I

toying with me?”

and shook his head. “If only. When I leave Jast, I’m headed to the Burnt Desert. I’ll be crossing the mountains using the abandoned

serious,” she realized. “That’s… immeasurably

Burnt Desert is done, I have to head to the northeast of Vasquer. Maybe you’ve heard rumors of the plague beginning there?” Argrave smiled bitterly. “It’s more dangerous than this civil war, I believe. I have to quell it. My

more. I cannot rest. I cannot afford it. All the money in my pocket can’t buy the time I need

see. Then, that earlier, was you…” she trailed off. “How long

leaning up against the table. “You see, now, why

fell back upon Argrave. “I felt that you were being… especially considerate

was only to ensure she caused no problems. He had wanted a transactional relationship more than a genuine one. In the end, she had been a

weren’t wrong,” he

his answer. “Then, when all is said and done… when those three years have passed…” she said the words

being so quickly disturbed. The doorway opposite the entryway opened once more, and Count Delbraun stepped out. Beside him was an ashen-haired woman with orange

servants retrieve you all so suddenly. I have a very important