Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave had a question: how does one gain the good graces of a faction in a xenophobic cult with enough power to rule over a city?

As much as he wished to, he certainly couldn’t walk up to any of the three towers, declare his intention to go inside, and be welcomed. The circumstance in Delphasium had been exceptional, but Sethia was a much larger city, and its lords were not nearly as gregarious as Mistress Tatia had been. Argrave and co. would be refused at the gate, he was certain, and he did not wish to test the theory.

In ‘Heroes of Berendar,’ the player’s induction into Cyprus had been spurred by a random, coincidental happening—a chance meeting, in essence. The player would meet a Vessel serving within the tower of Cyprus, demonstrate their prowess, and… things went from there. Argrave could not replicate that. Causing a chance meeting was even further beyond his purview.

Despite thinking on the matter during the entire journey, Argrave couldn’t answer his question. But with a little refinement from his companions, some half-baked ideas he’d been ruminating on blossomed into one beautiful little scheme.

“This is the home,” Galamon whispered and nodded. It was night, and few people were out. They stood before a rather humble dark stone house. It had no windows, and its doors were shut tight. “I smell dried blood… and not in small amounts. If things are as you say, this is the place.”

Argrave exhaled. “Good. I thought it was, but it’s better to be certain… been a couple of months, you know. Things are starting to fade from my memory. So many spells to learn, overwriting what was once there…” Argrave twirled his finger about his head.

“Do you have a solution for that?” Galamon questioned seriously.

“Only rerunning things through my head constantly,” Argrave admitted. “Whatever. Anneliese is with Garm. Guess you and I just have to wait. Won’t be long. Midnight, I think.” Argrave looked up at the sky, staring at the red moon.

“You don’t really need to be here,” Galamon stated neutrally. “Following someone is best done alone.”

Argrave held out his hands. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

Galamon raised a brow, then shook his head. “As you will.” He grabbed Argrave’s arm, shepherding him away a great distance. They made their way into an alley between two houses. It was quite dark, and Argrave couldn’t even see the house any longer.

The wait was long and boring, and Argrave wished he’d heeded Galamon’s suggestion. Galamon’s patience was boundless, though, and Argrave stood there fidgeting his hands until the elf’s whisper broke the silence.

“Someone’s come out,” he said. “They’re being especially paranoid.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Argrave questioned, craning his head to see beyond the wall. Galamon forced him back.

After a while of tense silence, Galamon pushed Argrave deeper into the alley. “Come on.”

They made their way through the alley, emerging on a street on the other side of the one they followed. Galamon was especially alert, taking quiet and deliberate steps in pursuit. Argrave tried to stay just as quiet and didn’t dare speak—he knew Galamon was tracking with senses other than sight, as the man they were following was not anywhere in the sight.

“Hmph. Seems he knows the guard patrol routes,” Galamon noted. “He’s made it to the farmland. He’s digging.”

Argrave smiled and exhaled in relief. He had been somewhat skeptical this would work without a hitch, but things had fallen into place. They waited quietly on the street. After a time, Galamon started to move beyond.

very deep, but eventually, Argrave saw a dim blue mark. As Galamon dug more, the rest of it

hand. “This is what

hand was much paler

the next thing?” Galamon questioned,

Argrave nodded, tearing his gaze away from the hand. “Go to the house. Scare them. Make sure they

#####

the wall to Cyprus. Two men stood in front of the great stone doors of the wall. They bore brown silken clothing covering most of their body, and their spiked helmets were made

your distance,” the guards cautioned. “Turn back. This is the residence

I might report a crime?” Argrave said quickly, ensuring he got their

two warily. They might’ve brought Garm, but he didn’t want to risk anything with this little venture. He

the guard

a hand—not his, strangely enough. The guards looked at each other, then back

#####

you friends so easily,” Argrave mused, sitting cross-legged on a once-decadent couch that had not been

sitting just beside him, seemed amused by his joke, and so Argrave sighed as they

A bit of levity amidst morbidity is the best way to

here is beyond merely turning a blind eye,” Anneliese said. “We’re involved.

answer to that, so

alone was evidence enough to earn him a meeting inside Cyprus. The guards

might expect that it would be the best-kept and most presentable. ‘Disrepair’ was the best term for the room Argrave saw,

primary human commander, Captain Jeralian. He was an old man with the air of a hardened veteran about him. His hair was all gray, and his beard was short and patchy as though he was normally clean-shaven but hadn’t groomed in

stepped up to them. He had the severed hand, clasping it by the wrist. “Foreigners. My men tell me that you discovered a man trying to

“That’s right,” Argrave confirmed.

to have discovered an underground smuggling ring where the citizens of Sethia are spirited from the city

few seconds before nodding and

stool, back rigid. He stared at them

but he had long ago prepared what

“At night?” he interrupted.

out at night,” Argrave shrugged. “We’re from the north. We enjoy the cold; the moon is nice.” Argrave held his hands out and continued to explain. “Anyway, we turn the corner and stumble upon this guy. He’s digging near a patch of… those spicy, fruit-like crops,” Argrave made the shape of a pepper with his fingers, acting ignorant

interrupted.

takes off, holding a bag or something. He dropped that hand you see there,” Argrave pointed.

to

as though