Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave and Galamon sat around a campfire, engaging with the Stonepetal Sentinels. One Sentinel seemed to be recounting a story, and Argrave was asking him questions. Though there was a cautious distance between the two parties, there was also an undeniable curiosity from both—by all accounts, an engaging conversation.

Meanwhile, though, far out of either’s sight, something else was happening.

Alasdair leaned on a table with his arms crossed, standing just across from a woman who examined a long piece of parchment with spell light. The woman was old, with wrinkled skin and thinning gray hair, all concealed by robes bearing a rose on the shoulder. They were in a tent that had been enveloped by a ward to block out any would-be listeners.

“The lords of Blackridge Citadel were the Tullens. Even the minor nobles in the regions—the castellan, the treasurer, et cetera… none of them were named Blackgard, Alasdair,” the old woman looked up at the Master Sentinel.

Alasdair sighed, then kneaded his forehead. “Is there even a noble house with the name ‘Blackgard’ affiliated with the Order?”

“These records aren’t perfect, but they’re just about so. ‘Blackgard’ was never a house associated with the Order of the Rose.”

“Slippery bastard. Had everyone under his thumb the whole time. Played us like an instrument, now I’ll string him like one…” Alasdair muttered. “Thank you, Jean.”

“What will you do with him?”

“Confine him. Find out why he’s here, why he knows so much about the Stonepetal Sentinels, and… after that, I’m unsure. Depends on what he says. We’ll probably confiscate his things. Both he and that female servant of his have items worth at least a year’s supply.”

“Those two are both mages,” Jean contributed. “The she-elf is probably B-rank, judging by how much magic she has. Argrave, or whatever his real name might be, is likely C-rank.”

“What about the big snow elf?” Alasdair pressed.

“A warrior alone. You’d know better than me about his skills,” she shook her head.

“Alright. Thank you.” Alasdair leaned off the table, walking about the tent. “We’ll gather some people before they fall asleep. Veterans, mages... all our men are here, and I’ll take no chances. Can’t be sure what these people want. I’ll be sure they rue this deception, though.”

“Acting without the approval of the other Master Sentinels?” Jean clicked her tongue. “You’re taking liberties with the leader gone, Alasdair. I thought you were the honest one.”

“You know as well as I do that Claude would do the same were he here,” Alasdair refuted passively. “We’ll keep them engaged, make sure they feel welcome. It’s important we find out why they’re here, and who sent them, if anyone. Claude would agree with me.”

Jean rolled up the parchment. “Not my place to argue. I’ll return to the ladies' tents, gather some spellcasters to help.”

#####

the tents closest to the walls, a set of white eyes peered out into the darkness, watching

armor—and watching the outside. He continued like this in relative silence, the silence of the night broken only by Argrave and Anneliese’s

for a time, body completely still, and then put the gauntlet he had been cleaning back on his hand. He stood and moved to Argrave, kneeling down

woke immediately. He mumbled

“Be quiet,” Galamon insisted.

the effect of, ‘Is it morning

surprise. “A lot

to enter the tunnel,” Argrave dismissed, too tired for a proper

your long talk with them last night?” Galamon said sternly. “They’re giving our area a wide berth and

thinking. “You

would do if I wanted to capture potentially dangerous people without casualties,” Galamon

Not jumping the gun?”

know me

slapped his face twice, then shook his head as though to jolt himself awake. “Alright. Alright.” He pulled

over to the tent flap, watching outside. Argrave looked around frantically. “Already dressed, everything’s packed…” He took a deep breath. “Okay, what the hell am I doing?”

Anneliese

replied distantly, “Our hosts seem to

I remember where there’s a caved-in portion. Can’t sense any people blocking it. We move quickly, we exit without issue,” Galamon said, planning everything out thoroughly. “We’ll

won’t do. I don’t know what the hell happened, but I need to get into the

outside. “You’re thinking about this now? We have a quick and easy out. We

have to sneak in when they’re ready for us? Forget that. These guys are some of the best-equipped knights in the kingdom of Vasquer.

apprehend us?” Galamon’s voice held disdain. “Ridiculous. Cut your losses, Argrave. Acknowledge

the wall until the base of the mountain. There is another collapsed portion there. We can enter right next to the entrance to the Low Way

his point supported. Galamon questioned, “You’re sure

am,” Anneliese nodded, getting up from her sleeping bag. “While Argrave was speaking to the Stonepetal Sentinels, I was examining the walls and the tunnel. It was difficult to be around them. I could tell they were not fond

That’s enough for me,” Argrave said eagerly.

dark. Light will attract attention. I will lead you two

retorted, his

bags. Soon enough, the tent was left with only their sleeping bags on the grass, and Argrave

ground, and the night was so dark he could only follow after Galamon.

the plains. Argrave felt the wind at his cheek, and his hair moved. Realizing this might be the last time

followed along the wall as it winded, taking quiet yet quick