Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave stared out, once again, into Nodremaid. The bleak and inconstant red light coming from the ceiling seemed a salve for the constant darkness they had been subject to inside the Menagerie. Argrave’s party had come here only after Galamon had done significant scouting. Ossian had returned to the fortress in front of the Low Way some days ago, and returned with a second party, numbering near forty—amongst them was Alasdair.

“Do you know a very interesting principle about water?” Argrave quizzed Anneliese, staring out into the distance.

“Could you ask a vaguer question?” Anneliese shot back.

“Water always runs downhill,” Argrave looked at Anneliese, brushing her sarcasm aside.

“…I think that is true of most liquids,” she said after a time.

“Very good,” Argrave turned his head away. “Just checking to be sure you knew.”

She breathed out lightly in some amusement, then pressed, “Why are you bringing this up?”

“The canals,” Argrave raised a finger, pointing at them. “They have sluices. They’re part of the path that I need to take to get the Crimson Wellspring—divert the water right, you get a dry path you can take to get up to it. But then… I got to thinking. We opened the lower levels, didn’t we?”

“…oh,” she nodded, understanding things.

“These Stonepetal Sentinels… they’re real nasty people. I was thinking real hard, running things through my head I might say to win them over to my side… and maybe I could,” Argrave looked up at the ceiling. “But these people… I think I got them wrong from the start.”

“How so?” asked Galamon.

“They’re cowards,” Argrave said, looking at Galamon. “Like you, apparently.”

Galamon frowned. “I didn’t mean that I—"

“Don’t get mad,” Argrave looked back to the canals. “I just mean… they live in fear of the outside, and they live in fear of what’s in here. They don’t trust anything… because they’re scared.” Argrave sighed, then frowned when he felt some pain in his chest.

“Fear keeps people alive,” Garm rebuked.

“Just let me make my point,” Argrave shook his head. “You can’t reason with these people. Hardly even worth it to try. And… well, I’m damn tired of acting nice to people who couldn’t spare but a single spell for my welfare. The scraping and the bowing, the false flattery… it has its uses, but I think I’ve been relying on it too much.”

“So you intend to flood the lower levels, kill them?” Anneliese asked.

“I don’t think that’s possible. Despite its current state, this city was well-made. Even if the canals overflow, a drainage system will correct things quickly enough.” Argrave looked around. “I just need to… well, I’ve said it. I need to scare them. I know that’s possible. I intend to turn their caution against them. Especially Alasdair’s.”

“What do you mean?” Galamon pressed.

“That one wants to be leader of the Sentinels, no matter what. He needs a good achievement. Wiping out the vampires… that was mostly Ossian’s thing, and he’s young and bold. I imagine Alasdair sees him as his chief competition to replace their missing leader, Claude. As such…” Argrave looked at Garm. “I imagine he’ll want to get into the library. And quickly.”

“Why are you looking at me?” Garm asked concernedly. “I can’t open the library. It was well-managed by select Order members. Now that they’re dead… well, I can’t imagine anyone can get in, unless they destroy the enchantments entirely. Near impossible to do, you know.”

invaluable. If you’re absent, he won’t act against us as easily. He wants you above all, I suspect. You’re

time.” Argrave looked to his companions, and all looked confused by the expression. “Er… I mean, I

with a sense of self-preservation had found me.” He stared up at

imagine Alasdair will try doubly hard to have us killed if you’re present,” Argrave ruffled Garm’s hair. “You stay near the

eventually agreed. “Don’t forget, though—this

I’m in

elaborate a bit more,” urged Anneliese. “For

nodded. “From

#####

back some memories. Last time things began like this, they ended very poorly. Argrave was a bit

didn’t come without a way out. He had been very cautious before approaching—Galamon had confirmed their count, the Sentinels numbering thirty-six, and Garm had confirmed there were no mages beyond B-rank. Should things go sour, Galamon

they can escape it now, though, Argrave thought, using that to assuage

but Garm assured him that would change in a few days. His limbs felt weak, taking deep breaths was still painful, and Argrave could not exert himself, but

Despite the many days taken for his recovery, he still felt terrible. But the Unsullied Knife would still be here, and Argrave would much rather get it now before the Stonepetal Sentinels could

the Unsullied Knife now by dealing with a group of weary, cautious Stonepetal Sentinels who had already seen the power he possessed.

fortress later… in the heart of their power, where near two hundred of them would be waiting.

appeal. The

hand off the pommel of his sword. “You cured

out, piece by piece,” Argrave emulated what he described, then stepped forward, continuing in his hoarse voice, “It took southern grit and a sword-swallower’s finesse, but I managed.

hand out and shouted, “Keep

as though he didn’t care about the armored entourage before him. The place had been filled by the corpses of vampires, Sentinels, and Guardians. It was gruesome enough that it might’ve bothered Argrave a great deal… but he was starting to grow used

say ‘Couldn’t have done it better myself,’ but… well.” He looked to Alasdair. “I think you saw the central lobby on your way

difficult to try and intimidate a room full of knights wearing enchanted armor who were also flanked by spellcasters at the same or higher rank than himself. Argrave was happy

him expected to be laughed at in unison by the whole group like some sort of comedy sketch, but instead, a long silence

few of the Stonepetal

easy for the both of us. I could have taken you here,

significant setbacks. I had to preserve myself, and despite that, I still gave you what you wanted most. I think it would be best for all of us…” Argrave’s throat failed, and his voice faded away. He paused to take a drink of water. “…to put the past behind

to dissolve the tension somewhat. Alasdair stared at Argrave unflinchingly. He seemed disappointed--likely due to Garm’s absence. “I can’t trust

Guess I shouldn’t have… well, it doesn’t matter.

“Alright. I’ll give you honesty. I am

with me,”

as tall as me, with hair as black as night and eyes a cold, steely gray. Perhaps

as they took in

have an entourage of royal knights,”

are performing certain tasks for me,” Argrave shook his head. “And it is hard to travel quietly

deep breath, thinking. Ossian asked, “Why not say this

when he’s in the heart of the territory of an enemy rebellion,” Argrave mocked sarcastically. “Though… with things as they are, I suppose you have a