Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave grabbed Anneliese’s wrist weakly. “When I die…you go see Orion. You’ll need his help for the jester,” he mumbled. “After, you should deal… with the war. I think. If you like Orion, help him. If you don’t, help the rebels. You’re a smart… cookie. You’ll do it fine.”

All while Argrave was talking, Anneliese was repeating his name time and time again. He didn’t seem to hear it at all.

“Just remember to get Elenore on your side—she’s the Bat,” he continued, slurring. “After that… the steppes. Go there. The centaurs… and the elves…. You’ve gotta deal with the malfeasance… and the dryads. Side with the centaurs… they’re better. Cooler.”

Anneliese finally shook Argrave, and his bloodshot eyes came to focus on her, open wide in surprise. “Argrave. It is over. You have been treated. You are not dying.”

He stared for a moment, mouth agape. He smacked his lips together, and his eyes rolled back into his head before coming back to attention. “That can’t be right. I feel terrible.”

“Just let him be,” Garm spoke, causing Anneliese to turn her head back. “That spell drains a lot from the one subject to the disease—he’ll probably need to eat and drink a lot before he’s back to working order. Even then… his lungs probably have some scarring. Minor, though, and it should heal given time.”

Anneliese lowered him back into the makeshift bed that Galamon had constructed. Argrave spoke, staring at Garm. “What are you… a doctor? An… anesthesiologist?” he spoke the word incredibly slowly, as though he could barely remember it. Once he laid back in his bed, he shifted. “Shitty hospital bed… I want to go home. The HOBwiki is nothing… without…”

Anneliese looked up at Galamon. “What is he talking about?”

“Doubt anyone could answer that.” Galamon crossed his arms and shook his head. “He’s delirious. Let him be. We should prepare some easily-chewable food for him—crush those berries, dice some of our rationed meat.”

Anneliese leaned away from Argrave, letting out a deep sigh of relief that caused the stress to veritably drain from her face. Her eyes were sunken and bloodshot, with deep dark bags beneath them.

“I hope you won’t forget our deal, sweetie, now that your little friend isn’t one toe into the grave,” Garm spoke from behind her.

Anneliese’s expression tensed once more, and she looked back to Garm. “I will honor that arrangement. And… thank you for your tutelage.”

“Don’t expect more… unless I benefit, somehow.” Garm smiled. “If you think that’s selfish, realize you’re speaking to someone worse off than a cripple.”

She turned her head away and nodded, then rose to her feet. Galamon was staring at her.

“You should rest,” he stated. “Hard to tell time here, but I estimate you’ve gone two days without sleep… your job is done, and now you must come back to form. I will take care of things from here. Nothing will disturb us.”

“But you must be near devoid of blood—perhaps I should—”

“Sleep,” he commanded. “Do not be as bad as him about taking care of yourself.”

me should anything happen. You said the Sentinels are still clearing

least. After what we did, to

held a hand out. “Please, do not dwell on it.

#####

speaking still hurt. His mind had gathered somewhat—enough for conversation, at the very least. “Most kids bring home a pet, it’s something like a dog… or a cat, maybe, if you’re lucky. But Anneliese… a head,” Argrave outlined, then nodded his head as he

a few

to snuff. Galamon was off collecting some of those berries from the trees. Argrave and Anneliese sat near the wall, Argrave well-supported by a bed of cloth that

pondering this now?” shot

to the Sentinels… good enough for me.” Argrave frowned. “How are we… going to bring you anywhere? Not exactly easy luggage. You pass through any city gates, the guards won’t know how much to charge for the toll. Three and a quarter? And that’s assuming they let us

mock amputees? Cripples? The mentally deficient? Are you merely a classless

considering Garm’s situation. After a time, Argrave looked him in the eyes and nodded. “You’re right. It’s just… so ridiculous. Impossible

head. The only thing I can do is move what’s on my face. If I think there’s

be easy to bring you anywhere. I’d say we pull out the stake, wrap you up in a… a blanket, or

so strange?” Garm

you being serious?” Argrave asked, genuinely

about with their necromantic creations. I

Order of the Rose fell, their creations started going out of control, and… well, things have been extremely unpleasant for everyone involved. You’ve seen this place,” Argrave waved his hands around. “Every ruin of the Order of the

all

Argrave looked between them, then raised his arms up. “Why are you

closed his eyes, looking disappointed, and Anneliese nodded as

I know the Order did collectively, though,” Argrave said, sitting a

eyes, and Anneliese also straightened her posture, both listening

He called together all of the High Wizards of the Order to the Low Way,

or what actually happened in it… but that night, when the southern tribes made it deep into the Low Way, trying to push into Vasquer… what awaited them was a river of blood. Everything in the Low Way was submerged in a

Astran did. He was a master of blood

their own magic. Others say they were a victim of their own project and died in the

the Wizards of the Order sacrificing themselves like that

Argrave looked to the

questioned, surprised. “You

Knife. They'll take it back to their fortress. We can't hope to match them there.” He

rubbing her forehead. “I’m… if you think there’s no other choice.”

mean… it’s a