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.”

has rope, they can tie a

can make these ties. And

head. “I have my

this. “I will warn you—I reward only results,” he

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

by Argrave’s claims. He placed his hands on the couch and rose to his feet. “My careless action

Argrave thought. He knew exactly what he was

safe now, and that’s what’s important,” Argrave dismissed. The

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

offer, but a mandate. I suppose I should have expected something to

by me,” Argrave nodded, 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

head back to them once he’d formed his answer. “She will give you space at her discretion. If you are as valuable as you claim to be, though, it

a sleepless protector, thanks,

jovially, spreading his arms wide. “I hope she is amenable to working

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 away, doing some things for me. I will have her come to your inn.

he suppressed those thoughts and nodded. “Then I’ll…

#####

at the patina

make it back to the inn and meet with Yarra, we should talk. Thoroughly,” Argrave said, turning around on the road

things

two… value honor, loyalty, contracts…” he sighed. “And

am contracted 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 would not choose one such as you in ignorance. Your personality is part of

gratefully, never disappointed

towards either of you, and I would not expect that man to be honorable in any dealings,”

bolstered now that one of his doubts

showing… enough to make a man weep,” he said, only half-joking. “I’m glad we’re all in agreement to ride down this river to the end. But now we have the biggest hindrance to any creative pursuit.” Argrave looked between the two, but neither provided an answer. He spoke

pointed out. “She is ineffectual. The Lord of Copper mostly assigned her

to his lips, thinking. “I don’t think Brium knows fully what Garm is… only that he exists. We should try and find out what, exactly,

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

be streamlining some of our plans. Brium might have ulterior motives behind Yarra’s ‘protection,’ but… We’ve got free labor. Galamon should know best. Anyone working

#####

vu, being near the

stood waiting there. Galamon did not need a prompt from Argrave to open the door wider this time, allowing Yarra to walk in

enthusiastically. He put the last three books inside of his backpack and cinched it shut. He lifted