Jackal Among Snakes

“The dangerous thing about Brium is…” Argrave trailed off as he stared out over the city of Sethia, standing atop the mound of sand that had been built by the Sand Courser.

Argrave had chosen what he thought was the ‘right thing.’ He’d endeavored to liberate the city from the hands of the Vessels, even if it did create some uncertainty and loss of time. Yet now… Sethia was the worst he had ever seen it. ‘Heroes of Berendar’ never had an outcome with such devastation, such loss of life.

“What is it?” Anneliese interrupted Argrave’s thoughts.

Argrave shook his head. “The dangerous thing about Brium is that he always fights as though the opponent is stronger: cautiously, with contingencies. All the desperation of a cornered rat. Guess that was something taught by being surrounded by two powerhouses—silver and gold.” Argrave kneeled down. “Those damned southron elves… I’d ask what they’re thinking, but I know. Honor and glory.”

“Argrave,” Galamon called out. “Skyward.”

Heeding Galamon’s words, Argrave looked upwards, scanning the blue sky marred by drifting black sand. A gray wyvern cut through the air at them. Argrave stood, readied, yet it began to slow.

Durran’s wyvern gripped onto the side of Argent, using wings and legs both. The claws against metal creaked unpleasantly—sounded like nails against a chalkboard, almost—yet the creature did stop.

“Hey,” Durran called out, shouts rising above his wyvern’s labored breathing. “I’ve got a trade for you.”

“War profiteering?” Argrave returned. “Hardly the time. I’ve got things to do.”

“Heal my leg,” he pointed down. “And I’ll take you to the skies.”

Argrave furrowed his brows, looking to Anneliese. She nodded and whispered, “He is being serious.”

Argrave turned his head back. “We want to get near the fight with Brium.”

“Gods above…” Durran shook his head. “Fine. I’ll land near the bottom of this mound—come quickly. Think I feel my damned leg bone pushing against the armor.”

Argrave flashed a thumbs up, then turned to move. Behind, Durran’s wyvern soared through the sky. Powerful winds assailed them, loosening sand, and Argrave slipped. He collapsed to his back and started to slide down the hill of sand nauseatingly quickly. The Brumesingers in his clothing yelped in terror as Argrave used all of his spatial coordination to stop from careening off the side.

The terror ended when Argrave’s feet met the ground outside Sethia. He straightened his back and shook his duster free of sand, doing his best to act as though he wasn’t on the verge of vomiting in fear. Durran’s mount landed a fair distance away, walking on its two legs towards them.

The southern tribal fell off his mount’s back ungracefully, landing on his side. Anneliese rushed down, but instead of tending to Durran, asked Argrave at once, “Are you hurt?”

“Some bruises tomorrow, maybe,” Argrave shook his head, very proud his voice didn’t waver. “Deal with him.”

Anneliese moved to Durran and started to treat his wound. The man did indeed have bone sticking out of his leg, but with everything still attached, he could be healed. Argrave and Galamon put their things in the wyvern’s saddle, preparing to ride. They paid special attention to Garm’s situation, ensuring nothing would come free. In two or so minutes, they were ready to move. It felt like hours to Argrave.

“Magic… is a thing of beauty,” Durran sighed as he tested his leg.

“Ruminate later,” Argrave directed, pointing to the wyvern. “Liftoff, pilot.”

With one final step, Durran moved towards his mount, gracefully assuming the rider’s position. Argrave got atop its back as well, followed by the other two.

“Heavy load,” Durran noted.

it,” Argrave

up on the reins, looking back. “How do you know it’s a she?” he

Cleft tail,” Argrave said at

gargantuan reptile started to gain altitude. Argrave was fine with heights, but he could not deny

of Silver?” Durran questioned, shouting above the

I found him like that,” Argrave shouted back, holding onto the back of

battle between the southron elves and the Lord of

body shifted slightly every time it moved its wings. The wind battered at him intensely, wearing at his grip constantly unless he kept a low profile. The speed was not ludicrous,

more electric eels. He stopped at eight, for he felt half of his magic was gone by that point. The sparking

called out. “They’re preparing to help the elves, looks like.

“Yeah,” Argrave answered.

of the way for the wyvern to land atop a largely ruined building. The wyvern collapsed amidst rubble, and Argrave gingerly hopped down from the creature, landing

Brumesingers emerged, finding flat ground as solace. One of them climbed up to his shoulder and nipped his ear,

you?” called

take things from here,”

the deaths, tribals and city-dwellers alike, they were caused by southron elf

be ignored, and Argrave turned a tired head towards

may be fighting at our side, but they are

Unity!” Many in the

likely under Titus. “That elven magic—we see it happening even now, in their battle against the Vessel! There is a reason our ancestors wiped the southron elves out. Let them fight the

he was an outsider flanked by elven companions—and moreover, none of these people knew him. His voice was a

Argrave questioned, hoping she

is helping the southron elves now, having

her elbow, moving her

a bell rung out, and everyone’s attention was directed to that. Once the loud sound quieted, a

at a high point, overlooking the crowd. He held

be ready to find cover… especially if they still have those

scanned around, barely spotting

weapons used in today’s battle were not from the southron elves,” he disclosed grandly. “It is their magic… but they did not give them

things followed, but Titus turned around

in this fight because of one man,” Titus held his hand out. “They gave this man supplies, relics of their people… and even joined the fight themselves!

where this was headed. The southern

elves trusted that man with their weapons… and he ordered the wholesale slaughter of the people within Sethia,

shouted. “Complete garbage! I didn’t even know the elves were coming to

of the tribes—who was the sole point of contact between the elves and the tribes?” Titus spread his arms out. “It was Durran! He was the sole

sensation in his stomach

between the tribes and the

few tribals to leave the tribes and enter the city, usually secretly—the tribals had no idea of who