Jackal Among Snakes

Ossian stood at the doorway of the headquarters of the Order of the Rose, siphoning the last few members of his band inside the cold stone halls. He did not feel at ease being here, but the sight of the Guardians of the Low Way moving through the ruined city of Nodremaid made what little unease he had about the place negligible. Their escape had been speedy, so they had plenty of time before the abominations reached them.

“Ossian!” he heard a voice echo out across the stone halls, and his head turned quickly, thinking it was one of the people in his party.

Ossian’s misunderstanding was quickly corrected, though. Their very purpose for being here, Argrave of Blackgard, leaned out on the railings of the second floor, his face grimly illuminated from beneath by spell light from Ossian’s group of spellcasters.

“How in hell did you manage to get that many Guardians on your tail?” Argrave questioned.

Ossian stepped away from the doorway, wading through the crowd until he stood at the front of his group. He did not know what to say—he had not expected to meet Argrave in this manner, let alone at all.

“Guess it’s not important. Listen—you probably came here for shelter,” Argrave reasoned. “I know of a place big enough and secure enough that even that horde outside won’t be able to bother us. Despite all that’s transpired between us, I can take you there.”

“Where are your two menials?” Ossian looked about.

“Menials?” Argrave repeated, confused. “I don’t know what… oh,” he came to a realization. “My companions are nearby.” Ossian watched the man’s eyes, trying to see if they would betray their location, but Argrave’s gaze remained fixed ahead. “There’s no ambush, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I should trust you? You killed one of our own,” Ossian shouted out. “You marked yourself an enemy to the Stonepetal Sentinels.”

Argrave lowered his gaze. “I… I never wanted that to happen. We were just trying to enter the Low Way. Things were panicked, chaotic—you gathered men to attack me in my sleep, without any provocation whatsoever,” he accused.

“Not attack. To confine you,” Ossian shook his head, but did not rebut further. He had been against the idea from the beginning, but Alasdair took liberties that could not be retracted. “We don’t have time to waste for this. Everyone, let’s—”

“Just hold on,” Argrave interrupted. “I saw you coming. Could have avoided you, left you ignorant of my continued existence entirely. I don’t want that. I have no ill-will towards you or the Sentinels, despite what transpired. My stated goal remains my true goal—claiming the Unsullied Knife from the vampires. I’ve already got the key to entering the lower levels, where they reside.”

“You called it the Unbloodied Blade before,” Ossian noted quickly.

“Whatever,” Argrave shook his head. “If I’m right, the vampires have killed a lot more Sentinels than I ever have, and theirs were purposeful. After we deal with that Horde, we can put the vampires to the sword.”

The Master Sentinel shifted on his feet, sparing a glance back outside. “You’re taking a lot of liberties,” Ossian said harshly.

“I know, and it’s because I never wanted things to be like this. I have a lot of respect for each and every one of you. What happened—it’s gutting,” Argrave said, placing his hand near his chest. “Give me the chance to right my wrong. Let me help you.”

“We should move, sir,” one of the knights said, grabbing Ossian’s shoulder.

of time to prepare for our arrival. Could be walking into a trap. The horde behind us—could

see them dead. Indeed, things only started to deteriorate once Alasdair moved against him. That said, his intent

so bad to be used, as long as things get done? The vampires have plagued the Low Way for centuries. You could put an end to that. Be

his shoulder and asked

a big iron gate, about a foot thick, operated by a turn wheel.

#####

a loud sound when it met the stone, dust jumping

largely safe. I can’t be sure there aren’t some creatures roaming about within—this place is a Menagerie after all,” Argrave said, paying little attention to the tense atmosphere. “But that iron door right there can surely hold back any Guardians. Even if they’re smart

head, still on its stake,

to Anneliese, who held

Sentinels,” Anneliese

Way—considering it was Vasquer territory and safe as a chick in a coop,

his men bristling behind him. “What

technically,” Argrave

the Rose,” he introduced himself loudly. “Now, I

stepping up to Anneliese. “Adapting awfully

eyes to look at Argrave. “Considering how long I was in there, your coming is the only opportunity I might get to escape this

levels of the headquarters—and in turn, where all of the vampires reside. He can get us into the inner levels of the headquarters, where actual members

annoyed at Argrave’s touch but could

Argrave took his hand off Garm and faced them. They were greatly outnumbered, but Argrave did not feel fear. Even still, he kept the B-rank warding enchantment in his ring at the ready and kept

here, now that we’re standing in front of each other,

me, mind-reader,” Ossian crossed his

believe me. Might not,” Argrave reasoned. “But I can say for sure that neither of us really want to fight right now. Coming to swords in a place like the Low Way… it’s one of the Stonepetal Sentinels least favorite

nothing, so Argrave

pointed to the floor.

unit,” a female spellcaster said. “You are the

people did…” Argrave threw up his

said back. “You knew too much about things. You

things?” Argrave

it, without seeking approval from the other Master

set a trap. I let you into this place that has food for weeks, a place that’s completely safe from the Guardians outside… lot of big risks on my part. We’re only three,” Argrave waved between everyone in his