Jackal Among Snakes

The ‘Hidden Tryst’ room was, as it turned out, a place with only one massive bed. It was large enough to accommodate ten people easily. The three of them had travelled together long enough that such a thing didn’t really cause a problem—the Low Way had dissolved all boundaries. Argrave set Garm up with a book, and the head used simple E-rank magic to turn pages. The room was well-cleaned, it smelled nice, and the bed was soft. A pleasant place, by all standards.

The room wasn’t why Argrave had difficulty sleeping. His mind twisted and turned every which way, thinking about both what was ahead and behind. Once he’d fallen asleep, he’d been disturbed by a nightmare. He had been crucified inside a hole, and the Guardians of the Low Way shoveled flesh-eating worms at him that burrowed into his flesh. By the time he’d woken up, his body looked like Swiss cheese. It had been impossible to go to sleep after that, so Argrave sat beside Garm, reading.

The bronze hand mirror rested facing upwards on the table to remind Argrave of his duty. Just beside it was another mirror, though it showed Argrave instead of the game’s status interface. It had been a while since he’d studied himself. His obsidian color hair was much longer, nearing the shoulders at this point, yet there was still nary a speck of facial hair. It was difficult to say if he looked more or less healthy—though his skin was more colorful, his eyes looked tired and his cheeks were as sunken as ever.

“Argrave,” Galamon called out quietly.

Argrave looked up. Galamon had his breastplate over his chest, but it wasn’t strapped properly. Galamon pointed to the strap and beckoned Argrave over. With a sigh, he placed a bookmark in his book and moved to help.

“Let me help milady with her dress,” Argrave said with half-hearted mockery.

“Sand is the scourge of steel,” Galamon said. “I have to be diligent with my maintenance.”

“There,” Argrave pulled the strap tight, then locked it in place. “Milady’s corset is tightened, and I tied the lace.”

Galamon turned his head back and stared at Argrave. A snicker drew both of their attention, but Garm quickly quieted down.

Anneliese woke up at that point, sprawled out across the bed beneath its blankets. She blinked for a few moments, taking things in. Deciding to commit to waking up, she stretched out, grunting. She sat up in the bed, her long white hair in disarray and her face slack.

Argrave found himself smiling. “She is risen. Rejoice.” He stepped up to the table, picking up his book and turning around. “We should get ready to go. But before we do… I’d like to check out the production district, get some updates on the revolt that’s happening.”

“What for?” Anneliese questioned, voice different in light of her recent awakening.

“Just bothering me, that’s all,” Argrave answered distantly. “Leave our stuff. If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that no one will steal here in this place, especially not a Vessel. We saw the fate of those that do.”

“Am I ‘stuff?’” asked Garm.

“That’s up to you,” Argrave answered quickly. “We’ll get ready. Make your choice by then.”

“This is fine by me,” Anneliese rubbed her eyes. “I hope that man, Titus, did not get embroiled in this.”

Argrave looked at her, sharing her worry.

did,” Anneliese sighed, crawling off the bed before

#####

vainglorious white clothing. “I had intended to have one of my girls inform you, but if you’re here, that saves me the

elected to come along, and so Galamon hauled his pack to give credence to the disguise. The air was strange. Neither guest nor prostitute seemed particularly focused on the other. That was an

you want to tell me?” questioned

to deal with something

necessity being…?” Argrave

workers removed the jewelry on his body diligently, fingers running across his face, arms, and a multitude of other places to free the gold. “My fellow Vessels have deemed that the revolt is necessary to suppress with force. I must obey

stepped in front of

workers removed some piercings on his face. “I am unsure. I know only that I was

mind elsewhere.

a body of water. His flesh

Floating in the middle of the water was a small orb of rapidly moving water. This orb contained a body—a baby, to be

behind. The baby in the orb stayed in the center, pulled along with the mass

the spot Zirun had left, pointing with mouth open wide in surprise.

is especially infantile,” Argrave

“You know what I—"

you that they choose Vessels at birth. That baby is their true body… and sole vulnerability in that immaterial state. I told you about their magic, didn’t I? I guess seeing

“Troubling,” noted Galamon.

about is what that baby would look like grown. When they’re

against them?” Galamon touched

Wouldn’t use it to block attacks, though. Would probably break the axe. Regardless, we shouldn’t

exhaled. “And your plan to head into

forward. “All the more reason

#####

could see the magic of the Vessels laid plainly. Unnatural tendrils of water danced about the air in ways liquid

drew a piece of cloth over his face, tying it quickly. He rose his duster’s hood over his head and then gestured to Anneliese and Galamon, urging them to follow. Garm perched on

this suppression happen, so it made traversing the streets difficult. Argrave’s party wove through the idle crowds while watching the distant event happening ahead. It was like some terrible mockery of a water show—less bright lights and beautiful fountains, much more

the people from proceeding further. The guards said nothing to calm or move the crowd, merely stopping them from advancing with a braced posture and a large tower

stepped up to their encirclement, and all the guards near paid special attention to their group. He placed a hand on the top of the shield, trying to look beyond at the writhing

from the shield,

was told the revolt wasn’t worth