Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave returned with Brium to Cyprus alongside his escort of Vessels. Once they were inside the first room, with its decrepit tapestry winding about the walls, the Lord of Copper spoke with a natural authority.

“The hunt is on. All know what to do,” he said, and these words alone were enough to send the Vessels beneath him scattering despite the vagary of the command.

Argrave stood with his companions, waiting as the other Vessels left the room. Brium walked to the couch they’d been received on and sat, lounging. Argrave stalked up to him cautiously, waiting until there were none around to speak.

“Do you have something planned for me?” Argrave questioned.

Brium did not turn his head back to look at the three of them, and responded, “Let me hear about these things that you have in mind.” He set his feet on a stool. “If all you offer is your status as a C-rank mage, and the prowess of your companions…”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Argrave stepped around the couch, coming to stand before the Lord of Copper. “I have deeper ties to this place than I let on,” Argrave began.

“I had surmised as much,” Brium nodded.

“Against Aurum and Argent both… even if the southern tribals do indeed come… it’s a pitched battle, to put it lightly.”

Brium ran his hand across his knee. “How would you know this?”

“You’re saying I’m wrong?” Argrave asked bluntly.

Brium stared up at Argrave, then fixed a piece of his wrinkled clothing. “Let us continue as though you’re correct,” he conceded, refusing to admit his disadvantage.

“There are other regional powers,” Argrave pointed to himself. “I can make sure they support the right side.”

My side, naturally, Argrave thought.

Brium furrowed his brows. “What are you referring to?”

“Well, barring the simple fact that the southern tribals are not as near unified as they let on… there are more than simply tribals in those mountains.” He looked in the direction of the mountains, though nothing could be seen beyond the walls of Cyprus.

“Elaborate,” the Lord of Copper demanded.

“The southron elves, for one,” Argrave raised a finger. “The dwellers of the caves,” he raised another finger. “And… certain others. Foreigners, like me, with whom I have a connection.”

“You have ties with all of these?” Brium questioned. “I question if everyone in Sethia would be ignorant of you as they are, were that the case.”

can tie a knot,” Argrave

smiled. “You mean you can make these ties. And

head. “I have

you—I reward only results,” he cautioned. “Overpromising earns you

I’ll be one rich man, I think,” Argrave

took a deep breath, obviously affected by Argrave’s claims. He placed his hands on the couch and rose to his feet. “My careless action

He knew exactly what he was

that’s what’s important,” Argrave dismissed. The

name of Yarra. You have met her. She retrieved you at your inn,” Brium explained. “She is extremely loyal to me, and her Vessel is one of the larger in Cyprus—indeed, in all of Sethia. She has absorbed the lifeblood

‘you will.’ Not an offer, but a mandate. I suppose I should have expected something to link us to him yet further—he divulged a lot to us. Between Garm, threat of retaliation from

realizing displaying his reluctance earned him no favors. “But some of these peoples I’ll be contacting—they won’t look at the presence of a Vessel kindly. Getting them to agree to attack Sethia alongside southern tribals is a

his answer. “She will give you space at her discretion. If you are as valuable as you claim to be, though, it

got a sleepless protector, thanks, Argrave

spreading his arms wide. “I

is quite brusque to all but me.” He nodded, then walked back up to them. “Yes, I’ll tell her to be cooperative. I’ll tell her of your pet project, too, so worry not about exposing your head to her. She’s

thoughts and nodded. “Then

#####

at the

the inn and meet with Yarra, we should talk.

Despite unexpected occurrences, things have gone mostly as we

this whole plan of mine,” Argrave admitted. “You two… value honor, loyalty, contracts…” he sighed. “And

only to you,” Galamon said at once. “Any stain is on your soul, not mine. I believe Veid granted you this purpose you have. She

gratefully, never disappointed by Galamon’s

towards either of you, and I would not

affirmed and bolstered now that one of his doubts was

to ride down this river to the end. But now we have the biggest hindrance to any creative pursuit.” Argrave

freedom in our negotiations with regional powers,” Galamon pointed out. “She is ineffectual.

much should be obvious. But I’ve got a hunch about something.” Argrave put his hands to his lips, thinking. “I don’t think Brium knows fully what Garm is… only that he

tight-lipped,” Anneliese pointed out. “It will be

ulterior motives behind Yarra’s ‘protection,’ but… We’ve got free labor. Galamon should know best.

#####

his backpack when a sharp knock echoed out into the room. It inspired déjà vu, being near the same pitch and volume as the last time Yarra had come to

Argrave to open the door wider this time, allowing Yarra to

his backpack and