Jackal Among Snakes

Galamon set Argrave up against the wall, while the Sentinels behind them lowered the iron gate to the Menagerie. It collapsed against the stone, letting out a puff of dust that expanded out across the empty space. Everyone breathed heavily, catching their breath, yet above it all was a short, shallow breathing—Argrave’s.

Galamon knelt by Argrave. “You have a fever. I can smell the blood on your breath even still, along with… rot. An infection.”

Argrave touched his chest, saying nothing. His chest felt painfully tight, and he couldn’t inhale as much as he normally could. On the bright side, his enchanted leather gear had made Galamon’s pauldrons dig into his ribs less.

Ossian stepped forward, standing just before Argrave’s foot. “I thought you were experiencing some rebound from that display of magic you pulled out earlier, but it seems I was wrong.”

Argrave coughed a few times. “It’s gotta be… pneumonia… though that’s a symptom, not the illness… or is it a…? Can’t remember what it… is,” Argrave shook his head, then touched his chest. “Pain’s subsiding a bit.”

“Pneumonia?” Ossian repeated. “I don’t know about that. I know what you have, though. We call it Redlung—it’s caused by some of the plants in Nodremaid, though it doesn’t bother most people this severely. Coughing blood, pus, trouble breathing… I suspect the physical strain made it worse in this case. It affects mostly children or the elderly.” Ossian fixed some of his matted dark hair, having recently removed his helmet. “This case… it’s quite severe. Probably fatal.”

“Do you know how to treat it?” asked Anneliese, urgency evident in her tone. Garm stayed silent in her hands.

Ossian nodded. “The B-rank healing spell [Cure Disease] suffices.”

“And you have a B-rank mage,” Anneliese pointed at the woman in question. “If this is so common an issue, surely she knows the spell…”

“She does,” Ossian confirmed with a nod. He placed his hands on his hip, moving his sword further back on his belt.

None made any moves, standing around Argrave in silence. Anneliese pointed to the woman once more and said, “So, why are we letting him stay like this? Please, treat him!”

Ossian pursed his lips and stepped away from Argrave. “I can have him treated… but I have some conditions.” He turned his head back.

Argrave lifted his head up. “Oh, yeah?” he asked, some vigor returned to him. “Go on, then.”

“You would have to surrender that thing,” Ossian pointed to Garm. “And moreover, you would have to submit yourself to the Stonepetal Sentinels for judgement. We would give you safe passage back to the surface… and use your deeds in revealing the vampire’s location to us in this judgement,” he said enthusiastically, as though lightening the blow of his words by pointing to a bright side.

“We would keep you under… house arrest, I suppose—not a prisoner, but a detainee. Thereafter, the three of you would be presided over by a council of all the Master Sentinels.”

started to laugh. It broke off into a wet cough. After, he looked up grinning, blood on his teeth. “Can hear the gratitude in your

met with some nods—they didn’t seem overly enthusiastic, though. “In the Sentinels, though, there are rules and orders that have to be followed, even by me. I can’t simply give you favors

Argrave chuckled briefly. “Let’s say, for the sake of argument, I don’t want to be held in judgement by people who hate

the Sentinels. That’s going to happen very shortly regardless of your choice. Though the Guardians collided with the vampires, this is an advantage that needs to be pressed. I’m going to return to the entrance of the Low Way and gather more of

forth. “That’s not right. We have them here—we

his towering presence was made known. “Try,” he said simply. “After some of what

back to the Sentinel that had spoken. “Attack Argrave or his companions, I’ll kill you myself. Let’s not escalate

Anneliese, expression worried, looked down at Garm. “I would speak

questioned, then stared at Garm’s face. He stared back at her, unspeaking.

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in the ground. She was not eager to leave behind the two of them in front of the Sentinels, but she was

elf, aren’t you?” asked Garm, staring up at

elf’ is what humans

your traditions—honor, contracts, loyalty—they

do. I

unable to nod. “I’ve been watching you. Watching all of you. I’m not ignorant of my position. I’m a tool—a useful one, but one that each and every one of you is willing and able to discard. What happens to me is beyond my hands… not that I have them,

thought something like this might happen... only… it doesn’t matter,” she shook her head in defeat. “I wasn’t able to

not ideal for precisely these reasons. The way things are shaping up, your friend will die if you do not. Coughing up blood, barely able to breathe, a high fever…

much less ideal for me. I have been in a haze for so long, my thoughts not my own, and only now have I regained them. I am not one for giving up. I am destined for greatness. I always have been,”

said bluntly. “If it will save his life, I am sorry,

know. You three have… a strong bond, I think, with him at the center of things… like some kind of sinewy glue. Hmm… Perhaps willowy might be the better

“What are you—”

knowledge remains.” Garm gazed up at Anneliese. “I can help you learn this B-rank spell. I know it—I’ve used it. I might even use it on Argrave, had I the capability—alas,

“I understand where this is going. You mentioned contracts, loyalty, at the

me,” Garm’s eyes rolled about in his head. “But yes, you are right. I want you to ensure my life. I want you to take me with you out of this hellish place and ensure my continued existence. I was great, once. I will be great, again. I need only

looked down at Garm. “You merely

continued protection. I am in the position of weakness now. I have no delusions about this,” Garm shut his eyes. “But as long as I continue to stay alive… there will be an opportunity. Especially so with people as… intrepid, shall we say, as you three. There will come a time when you need my knowledge once more. And then, we will strike

lost in thought. Garm waited patiently, staring up at her. She turned her head back. “I cannot decide this alone, you realize. This