Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave found the city of Sethia to be a mix between Delphasium and Malgeridum. While lacking the despotism of the latter, and not exactly possessing the abundance of the former, it met in the middle. Perhaps the Vessels were somewhat cautious of the treatment of their people with a threat—the southern tribals in the mountains—looming so close.

Indeed, they had managed to find an inn at a decent price. The coins they’d obtained in Malgeridum had been of tremendous help in securing a non-exorbitant expense. Only a day had passed in the town, but Argrave suspected he would be spending much time in Sethia, so he was glad to not spend too much.

But now they idled and studied, nothing to do beyond wait for Brium to contact them. Only a day had passed, but Argrave appreciated the change in pace very much. Good food, a decent bed—a welcome reprieve from their time trapped in a storm of sand.

“If I might advise you, Argrave…” Anneliese said gingerly, sitting on a table before Argrave’s bed. He sat half-covered by a blanket.

“You’re smarter than me. Why would I ever refuse your advice?” he conceded quickly.

“Oh. Um…” Anneliese showed a rare moment of pause, taken aback by his words. Cheeks a little red, she gathered herself quickly and said, “I would hold back trying to learn any B-rank spells yet.”

Argrave leaned back into his bed, looking down at the B-rank spell book. He thought about her words, then lifted his head and asked, “Why?”

“Because it is challenging, especially if you have only a shallow mastery of C-rank spells,” she explained patiently. “At the moment, I believe it would be best to focusing on those you are capable of learning, rather than trying to stretch yourself as you are.”

Garm added, “The girl is right. You might have the magic capacity to handle spells of that rank, but if the knowledge is shallow, you’ll only waste your time. It’ll take longer. Much longer. It’s naught but wasted time.”

Argrave bit his lip, then decisively shut the book, setting it on the table where Anneliese sat. “Alright. I’ll heed your advice. A part of me questions if you just want more time to ask me questions about my homeland,” he pointed to Anneliese.

She smiled. “I wonder,” she replied vaguely, though Argrave knew she was only joking.

Argrave lowered his finger, then flitted his gaze between the two of them. “But I’m just curious—why should I hold back on reaching this milestone? Why would it take longer?”

“Because B-rank magic differs greatly from the ranks below it,” Garm said. “Each rank before it adds complexity, both to the matrix and the spell. The increased complexity accommodates increased power. The matrix is larger—it can manifest more raw magic.”

Anneliese nodded as Garm spoke. “But B-rank magic does not add another dimension to the spells. Instead, the previously static matrixes become animate.”

“I know about that,” Argrave said. “But why would having a shallow understanding of lower-ranked spells hinder me? For C-rank, I just kept studying, thinking about it… until something clicked,” he shrugged, not fully grasping it himself. “I know it’s far from the image of a scholarly mage, but it worked.”

is the problem,” Garm admonished, and Argrave turned his gaze to face the severed head. “Put simply, you will be adding

didn’t respond, and Garm’s face

you understand what you did different,

taking in Garm’s words in silence. “Thanks for the advice,” he

closed his eyes. “Nothing more unbearable than watching incompetence as an expert,” the head dismissed. “Doubly so when I

found it difficult to hold back a

holding his Ebonice axe close at hand. Evidently the vampire had not heard whoever was just outside the door, and that set all of them on edge.

A woman wearing red clothing stood beyond. It took only a few seconds looking at her wet, dark skin to identify the woman as a Vessel. She had sharp, narrow

of the Vessels sworn to serve the Lord of Copper, though for some reason he could not recall her name. “Galamon,”

not uneased, that Argrave knew her purpose immediately. Once Galamon opened the door, she eyed him and his axe without much caution before taking slow, almost

the ones,”

chosen ones, yes,” Argrave said glibly. “Something you

“Argrave?” she asked, and when Argrave confirmed with a nod, she continued, saying, “The Lord of Copper would meet you. He expects to see you and your companions out

front?” Argrave tried

loathed the question. “The master says to arm

and then nodded. “We’ll be

#####

meant that he would refuse them access to the tower of Cyprus, that was not

fealty to the Lord of Copper all wore clothes matching the shades of the metal that was their namesake—oranges, browns, reds, and all in between. None of their outfits could be called ‘decadent,’ barring

he spotted Argrave he tore away from the group without a word and spread his arms wide as though to welcome Argrave with an embrace. Finding himself in a predicament, Argrave slowed and raised his

he

good. Honestly, you’re early. That’s fine.

ears,”

Argrave, obviously wishing for him to follow. “I found nothing suitable to pass to you on such short notice, unfortunately. These things take time. Perhaps that is why

Argrave trailed off, unsure

down the road. Argrave followed him, the two of them walking side-by-side. “I’m sure you remember a certain happening some… two days ago, I believe. It revolved around the southern tribal’s wyverns, and

our welcome into the