Jackal Among Snakes

The Vessel, Yarra, placed her bare hand in the spring inside the cave. Argrave stood just behind her, watching this act with some degree of curiosity. They had retrieved their backpacks from outside. His Brumesingers were off in the cave, eating some of the still-lingering souls in this place. The fox-like little creatures actually ate with their eyes—not nearly as disgusting as it sounded, actually. Their gaze alone could devour souls that lacked attachment.

The water in the spring branched off at several portions, flowing into separate streams that slid in and out of the rocks, carving into the stone. Once Yarra’s hand met the water’s surface, though, the constant flow started to cease. The streams which had been flowing downhill started to reverse, crawling back up the stone to swell the spring.

As the spring swelled with returning water, the direction of its flow started to change. The water began to course towards the Vessel’s hand as though it was a hole beneath rather than a hand above. Despite the intense movement, once it met Yarra’s hand, it simply… ceased.

In a time no longer than a minute, the great spring quickly became a place of dry rock. Even when drained by a hose, the rock would never look this dry. Every bit of water became part of Yarra, the Vessel of Fellhorn.

“…it was a deep spring,” she finally said, rising to her feet. “Further portions will flow until they meet their end, but no more water will emerge. This visit proved to be of great value to Fellhorn and Cyprus both.”

“I’m glad,” Argrave said, lying. His triumph at gaining the Brumesingers was tempered by guilt. Perhaps he had been naïve to expect that Yarra would do nothing about the spring in this cave. But the guilt didn’t bog him down—it was a reminder to work harder until the time came to turn Sethia to chaos.

Argrave cast a supplementary spell of [Pack Leader], and the Brumesingers quickly scampered across the room, crawling up his leg and taking refuge in his duster. The creatures were light and small—something adapted for the desert, no doubt—and Argrave did not feel especially burdened by their presence.

Argrave pet one of them, then lifted his head and muttered to Anneliese, “Never pictured me as the ‘pocket dog’ type of guy.”

“Pocket dog?” she repeated.

“Explain it another time,” Argrave dismissed. “Yarra. A question for you.”

She waited expectantly, staring up at Argrave.

“How much time do you suppose we have before the Lords of Silver and Gold decide to make their move?”

“Lord Brium estimated, at shortest, a week. Other estimates are wildly varied, but the average of these predictions is about half a month,” she explained, arms crossed.

Argrave frowned. “Bit generous, no?”

Yarra shook her head. “If Aurum and Argent were so quick to plan an assault against Cyprus, one of three of the lords of Sethia existing for hundreds of years, then this city would never have survived as long as it has. Order and deliberateness are the prime things to expect from the other Lords.”

“Alright,” Argrave raised his hands, conceding. “But the day is nearly done, and I don’t fancy walking around a mountain at night. We’ll camp here tonight. Tomorrow… I have to earn the favor of the southron elves.”

Yarra expressed neither disdain nor anticipation regarding

here more times than you

only spawns yet more questions,”

a lot of depth,” Argrave spread his arms out, briefly revealing one of the Brumesingers before it sought cover once more.

you could watch the cave entrance, keep guard? If any tribals see it, they’ll notice the new cave and be upon us during

up at him for a long while, and then slowly nodded. “I’ll keep

quite reliable. I see why

then turned, leaving

bit his lip as she walked away, questioning if his repeated mistaken address might bring his loyalty to question. He shook his head and turned.

her hands, gently petting its giant ears.

another one tomorrow,” Argrave continued. “Hell, tomorrow might be the most important day

“True,” said Galamon.

Galamon shook his head, confirming she was no longer there, Argrave’s paranoia was not sated. He conjured a ward

can talk now, Garm,” Argrave

“It baffles me how you people manage to reveal me so easily. And who ends

to hide your presence,” Argrave rebutted at once, then sighed. “No, that’s not fair. But hell, I’m just as confused as you. The only times we were lax at all were on

to say, regardless,” Garm closed

I’d advise,” Argrave

As it stands, the southron elves are going to be our lynchpin for this entire thing,” Argrave outlined. “They’re going to be our contact between us and Durran, and they’re going to be the primary coordinator for this entire little betrayal of ours. As such… it’s very important that Yarra stays far, far away from any inkling of association

this

a day with the Vessel,” Argrave explained with his hands. “And we know better what we can do to stop any… unfortunate occurrences. After how easily

nodded. Her Brumesinger let out a whimper and shook, so she knelt

have with the southron elves… I want it to be underneath a ward.” Argrave looked around. “I’m telling you so that the both of you can know how to

just stay quiet. You two work well enough

his head.

orator, but I’ll do what I

a nod, Argrave concluded, “That’s all I can

#####

Elias asked, not

Helmuth confirmed, purple-eyed gaze staring at Elias with some measure of