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.

into a trap. The horde behind us—could be something Argrave forced to happen. But how? Would he

looked up at Argrave, trying to discern his motivations. Beyond eliminating enemies, Argrave had little reason to see them dead. Indeed, things only started to deteriorate once Alasdair moved against him. That said, his intent to use them as a cudgel against the vampires was quite obvious. He had stated as much, though in

The vampires have plagued the Low Way for

knight’s grip on his shoulder

foot thick, operated by a

#####

stone, dust jumping up into the air. The party of Stonepetal Sentinels kept a cautious

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 enough to try the turn

my descendants?” the head, still on its stake, spoke

looked to Anneliese, who held

Stonepetal Sentinels,” Anneliese

them. They were the border guard for the northern part of the Low Way—considering it was Vasquer territory and safe as a chick in a coop, it was where they sent the

his men bristling behind him. “What

alive, technically,” Argrave

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

stepping up to Anneliese.

there, your coming is the only opportunity I might get to escape this place. I have to be adaptable. Can’t exactly walk, in case

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 of

Argrave’s touch but could not exactly

Recognizing the rising tension, Argrave took his hand off Garm and faced them. They were greatly outnumbered, but

going to blow? Even if you’ve agreed to come here, now that we’re standing in front of each

tell me, mind-reader,” Ossian crossed

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 things, if I know your group well

said nothing, so Argrave

all—is the Low Way itself.” Argrave pointed to the floor. “Disunity ends in death. A group divided is easy

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

worse yet, bound in chains while your people did…” Argrave threw

“You knew too

excuses things?” Argrave

it, without seeking approval from the other

you’re here now. I didn’t 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