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?

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 nicer

the Low Way for centuries. You could put an end to that. Be a damned hero,

knight’s grip on his shoulder and asked Argrave,

a big iron gate, about a foot thick, operated by a turn wheel. Come up the stairs,

#####

jumping up into the air. The party of Stonepetal Sentinels kept

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

my descendants?” the head, still on its stake, spoke from Anneliese’s hands. “What do

to Anneliese,

Sentinels,”

rich,” the head said amusedly. “I remember 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 rejects and

some of his men bristling behind him. “What is that thing? Why is

not alive, technically,” Argrave said.

Wizard of the Order of the Rose,” he

to Anneliese. “Adapting awfully quickly,

to look at Argrave. “Considering how long I was in there, your coming is the only opportunity I might get to escape this place. I have to be adaptable. Can’t exactly walk, in

key into the lower 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 of the Order of the

at Argrave’s touch but

stood near the iron gate, facing Argrave and the three of them. Recognizing the rising tension, Argrave took his hand off Garm and faced them. They were

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

me, mind-reader,” Ossian crossed

and you might 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…

nothing, so

true enemy—the enemy to us all—is the Low Way itself.” Argrave pointed to the floor. “Disunity ends

a female

did, I’d be dead, or worse yet, bound in chains while your people did…” Argrave threw up his hands. “I don’t know what you’d have done. I can say for certain I probably wouldn’t have

suspicious,” Ossian said back. “You knew too much about

excuses things?” Argrave

back. “Alasdair did it, without seeking approval from the other Master

happened. But 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